I rolled the rental car up to the end of the road, shut off the engine and got out. Still in my citizen clothes, I was wearing the sport jacket and casual business uniform I usually travel with. But this time I had lugged a backpack through the airport, feeling a bit odd to be hoisting a pack over my sport coat.
But I wasn't in an airport anymore, and there wasn't anyone around to see whether I seemed out of place. I was at the picnic ground in Lower Covington Flats in Joshua Tree NP enjoying the warm sunlight of a spring day. I had flown from Colorado to California to reunite with my cousins, and to say farewell to one of our number, Diane, who had passed away a few weeks earlier. At 58, I am now at an age where nearly all my aunts and uncles have passed on. The funerals now are for my cousins; this was the second cousin memorial in as many years.
# WORDS: 3050
# PHOTOS: 28
Member Exclusive
A Premium or Unlimited Membership* is required to view the rest of this article.
* A Basic Membership is required to view Member Q&A events
Discussion
Become a member to post in the forums.
Companion forum thread to:
Walking Still in the Desert
Nice Story. Thanks Drew!
Great words Drew, from one 58 year old to another!
Great trip report.
I was their around Christmas time and the car campgrounds were packed.
Hike a mile from the road and I was alone.
I will be back and spend more time.
I love the desert. That's probably good because I live in Henderson, NV right up against the McCullough Hills, the southern mountains of the 'Vegas valley. It's where I train for backpacking.
In the summer training has to start at 6 AM to get in an hour or so before it warms up to 95 or 100 F.
BTW, those are great photos, you ol' desert rat.
Enjoyable read. One of my favorite places.
Great read – a report, pictures and story all in one. Thank you.
I have loved Joshua Tree since the Monument days as well and recently rediscovered it. Truly special.
Become a member to post in the forums.