14 January 2018 - Joshua Tree National Park - California

I've lived in Californa for almost 3 years and have wanted to visit Joshua Tree National Park ever since I got here. I finally found some time over the weekend to take a fun road trip with the girlfriend. It is about an hour and a half drive from Irvine.

The national park pass I purchased last year at the Grand Canyon got us into the park for free. This place has a diverse landscape alternating between the desert and rocky hills.

About halfway through the park, we found the Cholla Cactus Garden...it was like something from a sci-fi film.

As we drove further north we found ourselves among massive rounded boulders near the arch rock.

We continued exploring past "The Intruder"...

Eventually, we ended the tour passing Mt. Ryan and seeing the massive trees this park is famous for...

This national park is popular for rock climbers. Maybe I'll take up that hobby again some day.