Joshua Tree camping

 Last weekend we had a pretty chill time as we were busy working and then I had all my wisdom teeth taken out (Mitchell had his the week before). So we just went for a little picnic on the Sunday before which was nice, but the Santa Ana winds were back so it was very windy! We had wanted banh mis (sandwiches with Vietnamese fillings) but they were out of the vegetarian fillings when we went, so we just got regular sandwiches, which were nice, but not what we were craving. We took them to Fairmount park, which is in Riverside, but we hadn't been to since our first month here. We had our picnic and then went for a quick walk around the lake, avoiding all the palm fronds which had fallen in the winds.

This weekend however, we went group camping in Joshua Tree! 

We drove down after work on Saturday and arrived to the campsite after dark when the fire was already lit and food prepared. We all managed to fit on one campsite which was fun, setting up four tents, two either side of the fire and picnic bench. 

After we ate, we set up our tent and Milan used the time to take some very good photos of the stars on his fancy phone. The sky was beautiful as the moon wasn't rising until midnight and Joshua Tree is an official dark sky park. The campground was surrounded by tall rocks which loomed over us, and the were still visible by the light of the stars.

We all cooked some s'mores and then played some games, and enjoyed the night under the stars. It got kind of chilly in the night, but no lower than 10 degrees, so wrapped up in our sleeping bags and blankets we did just fine. 

In the morning, we were the first to wake up (the tent was very hot as soon as the sun popped up) and started to get some water boiling for breakfast while the others woke up. It didn't take long and soon we were all eating an eclectic meal of boiled eggs, cinnamon buns, instant porridge and leftover salads. 

We packed up our cars and then drove into the park for a morning hike. Hall of Horrors was the trail suggested, and we happily agreed as that was one of the few trails we hadn't done properly yet. We all set off on the trail, but once we entered the rock formation, we had to leave our water bottles behind us as it involved a lot of scrambling and squeezing! 

The first section wasn't too bad and we just had to hop over a few boulders. But the worst bit came next. We had to climb up a rock face by pushing our hands against one side and our feet on the other. After that, you had to step onto a small rock and then make a giant leap over a chasm to the path below. I just about managed the first section, but when it came to jumping over, I couldn't quite make it (and I couldn't turn back now), so Milan literally pulled me over by the hand like a human claw machine. Most of the group with their long legs made it unaided, but a couple chose to stay behind and not take the chance. 

Once we were over this part, it was much smoother. There were some very tight spaces to squeeze through, and sections to rock climb, but nothing as scary as that bit.  

It wasn't an especially long rock formation, but it took us a while to get through and out to the other side. Once there, we walked back around to the front and met up with the rest of the group. We then went back in to do the other path through. This one was also less scary, but had a few more tight squeezes. We did find a few good group photo spots though. 

After we made it out once again, we made our way back to the parking lot. The others were ready to go home, but Mitchell and I stayed to do another hike. 

We drove around to hidden valley picnic area and ate our lunch (*it turns out I may be allergic to chipmunks - I was very allergy filled the night before around the fire and then was fine in the morning, but as soon as a chipmunk turned up to try and get into our lunch I started snuffling again). 

We then did the short nature loop to see some Joshua Trees and nice views. It wasn't a long walk, but enough time to feel like a whole day outdoors. 

We then went home for a well earned dinner (via the Cabazon dinosaurs) and to watch a TV show with our friend online. 

We had the next day off too so we went out for breakfast at a restaurant where we couldn't decide if the theme was English pub, New England lodge, or Wild West. It was interesting but cozy, and we had some nice omelettes and avocado toast.

Until next time,

Emily and Mitchell

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