This series of photos was taken on two separate days- one of which we were in the southern section of Joshua Tree, and the other in the northern.

We didn't actually bother getting any Joshua Trees in any of the pictures, because both days we kept hiking out past where the greater populations of those trees resided.

Picture 1:

Questing for Nirvana by the Evening Sun: This was taken in Joshua Tree NP, in the distance you might be able to glimpse the reflection off the cars in the parking lot we hiked from. 

Picture 2:

Distant Figure in a Desert Oasis: It may be hard to pick out at first, but there is something sitting up on the top rock. No yetis aren’t usually seen in the desert, but this seems like a unique case- it has adapted its body by shedding most of its fur, but there is still an extensive amount of hair on its face.

Picture 3:

The End of the Canyon Looms Closer: After having already left the end of the trail behind us, we consider whether to continue down into the ravine.

Picture 4:

A Desert Merman Stretches and Suns: Whether you have merfolk blood or not, there is nothing like a good stretch underneath the desert sun.

Picture 5:

Relaxing in a Giant’s Rock Garden: It is easy to see why the natural formations of the earth are imbued with some idea of intelligent structure- this valley in Joshua Tree would serve as well if not better than any man-made Zen garden.

Picture 6:

The Wanderer Considers the Path Ahead: When the sun begins to cast its long shadows, that is the time when one must consider where the night will be spent. Though mother nature always has a place to lay one’s head.

Picture 7:

Pausing for a Moment of Reflection: There is nothing like the desert landscape to bring about the contemplation of one’s mortality. As has been said- the desert wants to kill you, but at the same time it is strikingly beautiful.

Picture 8:

A Misplaced Moment for Showing Off: There is no one in the desert to be showing off for, but maybe he is threatening the sky? Wouldn’t make much sense since the sky did a fantastic job that spring of keeping the desert well nourished, and even still gave us a blue sky.

Picture 9:

Do You See What I See? The desert is infamous for making a person a little crazy. If you don’t happen to see anything in that perfectly blue sky, it’s just because you weren’t there.

Picture 10:

Philosophizing on a Desert Peak: Out in the distance you can just see Lake Havasu nestled in between the mountains. The contrast of cold water to hot desert rock really makes one sit and wonder about the endless diversity of the planet.

Picture 11:

Running for the Last Rays of the Evening: For a decent amount of time during the Western leg of our cross-country road trip, we kept showing up late and barely reaching the end of a trail before the sun would disappear entirely, this was one of those days.

Picture 12:

Long, Lanky, and Tan, This is a Desert Bum: I know you all have seen and heard of the beach bums, but right here is the example of a higher grade of individual- the desert bum. A desert bum loves the earth, being chill, and doesn’t even need water to keep him vibing.

Picture 13:

Watching the World Turning: The desert is beautiful in its own way, it is also arid, harsh, and surprisingly fragile. So we stand and watch as the sun illuminates the beautiful colors of the desert and hope that it will be able to witness such a scene for many more years to come.

Picture 14:

Admiring the World’s Backyard: We’ve all heard the phrase “not in my backyard,” but when it comes to conservation and the love of the planet, all of it is everyone’s backyard, including this beautiful view in Joshua Tree.

Picture 15:

Salutation to the Sun: No holds barred between the natural world and the natural human, it makes a person just want to reach out and give the whole world a hug!