Palm Springs Aerial Tram

These aren't just any transportation capsules- they were the Worlds Largest Rotating Tram Cars! What!? Crazy but these things- only 2 of them- held 80 people and rotated everyone around the cabin on a moving sidewalk type platform. The top was a state park complete with hikes and snow. But there was also a bar and that's how I spent my afternoon at the top of Mount San Jacintos.

Forty Nine Palms Oasis

Wow! How cool that these places actually exist! It was a pretty easy downhill trail to get here- I ate lunch, did some POI, and climbed around on the rocks around the palms. It was cool and shady- leaving to return to an uphill desert trail was not easy but I made it out:) Some of the trees were on fire when the area had some recent wildfire- I found it amazing that trees that had obviously been on fire were growing right next to trees of the same size that looked as if they never been around a fire! The entire afternoon was enchanting- except for when this little lizard came running at me! I think he was camera shy!

4x4in'

So I'm up for a little adventure in my jeep- but I did not expect what I found on my trip down Berdoo Canyon "Road" For 2 hours on Sunday morning I carefully drove down what I thought would just be the Geology Tour Road. I guess I missed the turn off for following the maintained 4x4 trail and followed a more natural trail which cuts straight through the middle of the Little San Bernadino Mountains!

Star Party with the Andromeda Astronomical Society at J-Tree Park

With the Andromeda Astronomical Society at J-Tree Park
These guys brought all kinds of telescopes and projector equipment so that we could all see the stars up close. The picture of the sky is of 2 spiraling galaxies interacting with each other. The center of each galaxy is a black hole- a much denser area of space and causes the spiraling.

J-Tree Hanging Out at Hidden Valley

Disney Part 2!

I went back to Disneyland and California Adventure to enjoy some more of the parks. The picture of the car and the colorful float are from the Disney-Pixar parade- soooo cool! Found Mickey Mouse hiding by the park entrance:) I went to see a musical Aladdin show- it was in an enormous auditorium. I didn't want to leave!

Joshua Tree National Park!

These pictures are worth millions of words!

I met Lori and Brian at the park for some hiking and exploration. The Tree in the image below is a Joshua Tree. The picture below the chipmunk is the faraway shot of the chipmunk- kinda crazy how he was just sitting on that rock 6000' in the air on Ryans' Mountain! There is a picture of Arch Rock and a faraway shot of the Wonderland of Rocks- the piles in the distance. There was soooo much to see there- I can't wait to go back to go rock climbing- there were climbers everywhere!!! I was so jealous! Enjoy the pictures!!!!

Camping in the Mohave Desert

Well My camping trip didn't go exactly as planned, but I pulled it off anyway! I was suppose to camp at Joshua Tree National Park but all the research I did and I didn't read about the high camping volume during this season. So the ranger kindly handed me a map of the overflow parking and I drove off in the dark into the Mohave Desert. Though the road turned to dirt (in the dark desert you cant exactly tell whats dirt road and what isn't!) Luckily the GPS could still see the roads and I found the camping "area". Pretty much nothingness until the near by mountains- no plants, no other vehicles, just nothingness. Sooo crazy! The morning brought out a handful of people- flying remote control airplanes, and riding atvs.

Valley View Vaulting Competition and Drive to J-Tree

I drove to L.A. on Saturday to help out at a vaulting competition. It was great- the kids were awesome and I got to help out at the judges table and watch it all! The pictures are of the special pairs division- where 1 of the pair has special needs. I entered the volunteer/coaches division and won first place! After the competition I drove to Joshua Tree! How beautiful right!?!