I spent the long New Years weekend staying near Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. We rented a house with friends in a little desert town ("town") that was fairly close to one of the park entrances. We made our own meals, watched movies on VHS, did a puzzle, and read. The place was rustic, but it was nice to come back to after exploring the park: a couple hikes, some leisurely walks, and a (tame) rock scramble. Amazing views were abundant, as were feelings of being just so tiny in such a big world.
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| our 'home' for the weekend |
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| a hike up Ryan Mountain on New Years Day |
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| view from a lone Joshua tree on Ryan Mountain |
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| Cholla cactus garden |
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| sunset from the cholla garden |
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| view from within Hidden Valley |
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| views from the Barker Dam hike |
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| sunset from the Barker Dam |
