Thought we were getting up early today. Turns out I was wrong. Michael and I got up at a reasonable hour. Early. We got all our breakfast stuff out and set up. Made coffee. Made coffee even though I can’t drink any. It’s not too cold so we had a cold camp except for the hot beverage.
After breakfast we put all the gear away. I am sure you are wondering where Marika is during all this. Still in the trailer. Why? Well, last night after the card game I went to bed. And the two of them stayed up drinking beer and the occasional glass of Wild Turkey. And, surprise, Marika was hung the hell over this morning. At about 11 we finally dragged her from bed and got her to eat and drink a little. She puked a couple times but we finally got going on today’s hike.
We buttoned up our campsites and were off. We have to drive to the trailhead, about 10 miles from our campsite.
We are going on a six mile hike out into the desert to an abandoned mine. Really, the mine is not the goal. The walk in the forest is our goal. And we are goal oriented people. We gonna kick this forests ass.
So, weather. Clear, sunny and real cold with a cold wind blowing lightly. I am definitely wearing a jacket.
The “forest” here is a desert type. The Joshua trees are way far apart and in the open spaces between is scrub plants. If you have spent time in the desert, I may call this forest. Other morons would think it dead scape. I think the desert is beautiful. Having spent large portions of my summers in the high desert of eastern California , I have taken a liking to climate and people. So I keep coming back.
We left on our hike in early after noon, on foot, it’s a hike duh. Gonna be 6.2 miles thru the Joshua Tree forest, low to high elevation. This is a loop trail so you can get kinda screwed based on which way you go. We went the wrong way.
Even though it’s clear it’s also cold. I am wearing the jacket. And I am not staying warm despite the fact I am hiking at a brisk pace and breathing hard. Weird.
Over hill, over dale, we are on the dusty trail. Our 6.2 walk took about two hours. We stopped at an old chimney and at the Lost Horse Mine. I could not find the horse. And I looked. Hard.
We do like long walks in the forest. As a family. Not sure why. I have been a big fan since I was a child. Today’s hike, maybe a 4, not tough and not super interesting. But still fun.
Btw, Marika has been hungover all day today. Yet still able to hike the 6.2 miles. Tough as nails. Just like me.
We went up to Keys View next. Prob a high point around here. Saw the Coachella valley, Palm Springs, and Indio from up on high. And we can drive to the summit. Which after 6 miles walk was a plus. Views of large areas are very popular.
Once Keys View was done. And Marika finished puking, we drove down to twenty nine palms, local city outside park then to city of Joshua Tree to hit grocers. I needed to charge my phone so we went to Lone Tree bar and grill which had a power strip under the bar top. For powerless guys like me! Love the place.
After drinks and food I had a 36$ charge. That’s four cocktails and fries and rings. And a hefty tip. Cool.
Back to the campsite and we made dinner. Grilled steaks and a Ceviche salad. And more cocktails. Are there ever enough? None for the girl, she is still hungover.
After meal we retired to the trailer for games of Deuces till we were too tired. That’s me too tired. The kids hung out and drank outside. I went to sleep.