What's a Joshua Tree? and Why did I hike there?

Hi all I just wanted to take a moment and thank all of you who take the time to read my ramblings. It is nice to get the feed back. (Yes Peter the next post will have more pictures of the RV Park).
We went on 1 and a half hikes this week as well as all the other stuff that is always happening. Kelly donated another $15.00 to a needy texas holdem player and 50 cents to a crib master. We soaked in the hot tub and swam in the outdoor pool. And we made a bunch of new acquaintances.  We also ran into two guys Kelly use to work with, Rick Nelmes and his girlfriend and Greg Little and his wife are also here at the same park. Apparently last year there were 10 ex BC Tel/Telus people staying here at this Park. Small World.
The Hike on Monday was up Flag Mountain it was an 8 mile hike with a 1500 foot change in elevation. One of the "greyhounds" on the hike asked Kelly if he was alright at one point his response was "Fat doesn't oooze uphill" there was silence then they walked away.

 The view from the top was great and with the binoculars we could actually see the cars in the distance. The hike down the back side of the mountain mainly followed what must be a creek/river during the rainy season.

I guess the water just roars threw here but not enough to remove this little "bonsai" like tree growing out of the rock. We walked for about a mile and a half in this canyon then the last 2 and a half miles on basically flat desert.

Thursday hike was only a half hike because June bailed on me very shortly after the alarm went off. It was suggested that we both couldn't bail and that apparently I wanted to go on the hike more than sleeping in. June missed out I think. The hike was to Warren Peak in Joshua Tree National Park.  The park is huge and home to the largest Joshua Tree in California.

This is the Joshua Tree the Reed like leaves are very sharp and tough.

we started the hike at the 4000 foot level and climbed to 5100 feet. It was a lot cooler and there was a good breeze blowing. There was a great increase in Vegetation with Joshua Trees giving way to scrubby looking pine trees as the elevation increased.

There was a water hole half way up and our leader took a group through the same spot last year and there was a foot of snow on the ground.

The Peak

The View

You could see down into the Yucca Valley and beyond on the north east side as the peak provided a 360 degree panoramic view. We walked back the same way we came for a total of 6.2 miles a nice little jaunt.

Well the weekend approaches and Kelly has to help do some roofing then on Saturday it is of to a Date Farm and a video on the "Sex life of a Date"................... I'll let you know.