Joshua Tree National Park in Southest California

Today we spent the entire day visiting Joshua Tree National Park. It is near the Palm Desert and is situated at the eastern end of Southern California's mountain ranges.

The cactus where in bloom and really beautiful... We didn't know exactly what the name of everything was but that didn't matter because we just soaked up all the beauty of the cactus, wildflowers, desert and mountains.

The one on the left is Cholla & on the right is the Hedgehog

This is the Cholla Garden and on the left one of my favorites The Ocotillo

Joshua Trees are succulents, related to the Yucca bush. It is to the Mojave Desert in California as the Saguaro cactus are to the Sonoran Desert in western Arizona. According to the many stories we heard these trees were named by Mormon travelers. The strange contorted branches made them think of Joshua pointing the way to the promised land. They were really a different looking tree!

Another great sight to see are the massive rock formations. It is incredible how many HUGE rocks there were and made us wonder just how did they get there.

Wildflowers in the park were all in bloom too... So pretty to see!

On our way back to the RV park we saw the largest windmill field we had ever seen... We all agreed that none of us had seen so many in one place... There were hundreds maybe thousands of them in all different sizes. A great sight indeed!

After a full day of sightseeing we were all to tired to fix dinner so we decided to go out... We went to La Casita Restaurant just down the road from the RV park and it was DELISH! We didn't even remember to take pictures we were so worn out...

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

☺☺☺ We are in Tonopah, Arizona ☺☺☺

We started on the road around 10:00am... we were not in a big rush because we did not have far to go today. Maybe around 150 miles which is the way we really like to roll... As we headed down I-17 towards Phoenix we passed rolling hills, desert and lots of Saguaro Cactus. Being Saturday the traffic in Phoenix was a little heavy but if you stayed in the center lane it wasn't too bad. Big back ups at the exits... Guess everyone was trying to get their chores and fun done...

We finally arrived at Saddle Mountain RV Park in Tonopah, Arizona... It is a typical Arizona park with palm trees, Sagauro Cactus and gravel sites... No grass! But we are getting use to that... and so is Tiffy! It is well kept and a very maintained park... We have satellite TV but my AT&T internet card does not work here. They have a WiFi service that has a small charge but it is very fast... Both AT&T and Verizon phones work ok... If you have Passport America it is only $17.00 a night with 50 amp... & if you only need 30 amp it is $14. GREAT deal!!!!

Plus they have a great pool and activities center...

There are a few things we want to do in this area... one being to go into

Phoenix and visit the Capitol Building. Also go to Sams Club and

stock up on meats, frozen stuff and supplies...

Other then that we are not to sure of what there is to do here in this area.

At the end of the day we had a nice little sunset right over Saddle Mountain

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!

We're on our way to Valley Verde, Az

We are headed across I-1o west and then North on I-17 through lots of desert where the Saguaro Cactus are plentiful and the scenery changes from desert to rolling hills to mountains... It was a very enjoyable drive.

We traveled from Benson through Tucson and Phoenix ...

and through the desert we go again... by all the Saguaro Cactus

We even saw hot air balloons...

and look some flowers YEAH!!!

and then over the hills

Finally we take the road HWY 260 towards Valley Verde which is an area just outside of Cottonwood, Arizona about 70 miles north of Phoenix. There is a Thousand Trails campground there called Valley Verde (of course).

It is suppose to be the cream of the Thousand Trails parks!

Upon arrival to Valley Verde we are welcomed by a really nice security guard who checked us in... Then he informs us that they only have about 15 sites that are 50 amp with only 2 left that are empty and that we probably would not fit into them... OH GREAT!!! Now we can use 30 amp but it is so much nicer to use 50 and be able to run our heat, the microwave, coffee pot and washer all at the same time. We head out to check on the 2 left, down the hill towards the camping area and we see that we are indeed in a valley. We are surrounded by cliffs and mountains with beautiful views all around the campground. The first one is way to short and not level so onto the other site and after careful inspection we decide we can fit into it but will not be real level. The nice thing is these TT parks are usually way out in the middle of nowhere but this one is only 5 miles from town & Wally World!

This area is so beautiful and has so many things to go see & do. There are several National Monuments, the historic city of Jerome, Sedona, The Grand Canyon and much more.... So I'll be posting on as much of it we can see while here.

And what we miss we'll just catch another time.

Until Later... Have FUN, Travel Safe & Enjoy Everyday!