Interesting things around Joshua Tree

Some Chuckwallas have blunt tails and males make a series of

head-bobs that let neighboring males know their territorial claim.

It really looks like they are doing push-ups!

Face Rock

Skull Rock

Lizards of all shapes, 

sizes and colors.

We found 10 acres of Noah Purifoy’s Outdoor Desert Art 

Museum of Assemblage Sculptures in 29 Palms. 

Noah was born in Alabama in 1917 and was a high school 

industrial arts teacher and social worker before
becoming an artist. He earned several degrees in his life
and his work is displayed in Los Angeles County
Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art in
Washington, DC and many other locations.
I tell you this before the photos because I didn’t 

believe it myself. I thought it was some local guy with 

too much time and creativity on his hands.

 Kevin, did you have any of his work at your museum?

Untitled (Welcome Sign). 1998

Igloo, 1992

Untitled

65 Aluminum Trays, 2002 with Ode to Frank Gehry, 2000 

in the background.

Untitled

Yes, those are bowling balls and it does work 

like Newton’s Third Law of  Motion.

The Kirby Express, 1995-96

The White House, 1990-93 

Along the back was a row of toilets. 

You can make your own commentary.

Some of his work you just say, “okay” and move on, 

but this one you do stop, ponder and revisit our history.

The signs on the left says "White"

and the one on the right says "Black". 

Carousel, 1996

If you are intrigued and want to know more,

 check out his web site at www.noahpurifoy.com

  On Tuesday we hiked to the top of Mt. Ryan!

 Three miles and 1000-foot elevation change was a 
challenge, but we did it. As you can tell from the photos, it was
a cool windy day. The temps were between 55-65 degrees, 

but beautiful views.

The Ranger led Full Moon Hike was cool!

On our last hike in Indian Cove we saw lots of lizards.

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. 

It will never fail you."

Frank Lloyd Wright

Happy Mother's Day! 

Keep Exploring! Do something new!

Have you heard of Mead? 

Mead is alcohol which is produced by 

fermenting honey. It is also know as honey wine.

I found Golden Coast Mead in Oceanside, CA 

and decided to check it out. Pretty good.

10 things you didn't know about Mead.

Heading to Joshua Tree National Park.

On our first day we drove around to check out the park
and get some information on the trails.

We walked around the Cholla Cactus Gardens
(pronounced Choy-ya).

Saw a Coachwhip or Red Racer,
better dead on the road than alive on the trail.

And this is how we like to see snow, 

in the distance on Mount San Jacinto.

Are we crazy or do you also see an elephant?

 Our first hike was to Barker Dam.

It was built so ranchers could water their stock.

Also a great spot for some ducklings.

Cheesebush - it has a distinct odor that smells like cheese.

 Lots of beautiful flowers

  growing everywhere!

From Keys View you can see the San Andreas Fault.

 Most Joshua trees are approximately 10 feet tall
but some grow much larger.

 Oasis of Mara

Lizard having lunch.

  On Saturday, we participated in the Global 6K for Water

 through World Vision.

A lady screamed as soon as we got out of the car.

Yes, there was a rattler just off the trail but that didn't stop us.

We hiked Split Rock Trail.

We don't know which one is the real Split Rock.

 6 kilometers is the average distance children in the
developing world walk each day to get water.

Along the trail we saw this poor desert tortoise
who didn't get enough water.

Then we hiked to Arch Rock.

We have sponsored Eric from Brundi through World Vision 

for many years and it has been rewarding. 

 If you are interested in sponsoring 

Seid from Ethiopia, who is on my bib, let me know. 

Also check out WorldVision.org. 

You can make a difference!

"The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it,
 to experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly 
and without fear for newer and richer experience."
Eleanor Roosevelt

The Ups and Downs of Life.

After church on Sunday we noticed some smoke at the 

base of the Santa Rita Mountains.

In just a few short hours the whole mountainside was engulfed.

This is the view from the deck across the street looking east.

 As of today 47,000 acres have burned. The firefighters 

have been working so hard for days but with the dry 

conditions and strong winds it has been very difficult. 

We are safe but the fire has traveled over the mountain

 into Sonita where there are several vineyards and ranches. 

Please pray for the safety of everyone.

We left Green Valley and stayed overnight in Yuma, AZ 

on our way to California. Our spot was next to a cactus 

garden and we found two more unique varieties of cactus.

Paper Spine Cactus
The spines do bend and feel like paper.

Pine Cone Cactus

Stunning sunset.

 One of the fun things about retirement, if you see a sign that 

intrigues you just turn and check it out, like The Peanut Patch.

We walked out with peanut brittle, fudge 

and butter toffee peanuts. Great traveling snacks?

A beautiful purple blooming Jacaranda Tree.

 I read they are a love-hate tree. 

Love the blooms but hate the sticky mess they leave behind.

Right after crossing the border into California you see the

 Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Too many 

power poles and lines for a good picture. 

Then you go from sea level to over 4,000 feet! A crazy

drive up and down and then into San Diego's 6 lane traffic all in 

about two hours. Did I say life is interesting?

I missed the welcome to California sign but I think this works.

 We enjoyed walking the beach in Carlsbad.

Visiting Julia & Stephen, Scott's daughter and son-in-law, 

in Carlsbad warmed our hearts!

We enjoyed dinner at their place on Thursday and on Saturday

 we joined them working on a service project for church. 

"Thank you for life, and all the little ups and downs 

that make it worth living." 

Travis Barker