Day 6

We are rolling like a hunch back doing somersaults!  Made it all the way to Phoenix.  We hit Intestate 10, stopped in Riverside to visit Beverly's father in the hospital and continued east.  On the way we saw a sign for the Joshua Tree National Park.  I've passed it by many times.  Anyone who has ever driven Hwy. 395 has seen a Joshua tree.  I've seen lots of them.  Didn't care if I ever saw any more.  BUT.. this trip is supposed to be an adventure, and we are both big supporters of the National Park.  Figured we might as well see it so we turned off on Hwy. 62 heading for the park entrance.  First thing we came upon was the Highway 62 Diner.  Looked like a fine eating establishment so we stopped for lunch.  Actually it was pretty good.

Then on to the park.  It was a good idea.  The Joshua trees looked somehow better than the ones I've seen on 395.  Perhaps they do something to them (clean, prune, talk to).  They're green and there are a lot of them.  The mountains in the park are really different.  They look like big piles of rubble.  The park literature explained that they are formed of magma which up wells and cools before it breaks through the surface.  In cooling it cracks and once the rock emerges the weather goes to work on the cracks and produces large jumbles of rubble.  Really unique formations in my experience.  There's a picture above of some of the rock which is just emerging posted below.

The drive along Interstate 10 is gorgeous if you appreciate wastelands - lots of wastelands.  There are miles and miles of nothing.  For two guys who are not big fans of desert landscapes it's a pretty boring drive.  Since there was no reason to stop, we pressed on to Phoenix.

I called my grand daughter Blyth, who lives in Mesa, and she and her boyfriend Ryan met us for a late supper and a quick visit.  I always enjoy seeing any of my grand kids and she's no exception.  She is so bright and enthusiastic it's fun to be with her.  We gave a brief update on our travels and once we decide if we're staying in Phoenix (spring training, fun, rest), we'll try to get together again.