Today we left CA and entered AZ.   I would like to reflect on my impressions of the third largest state by land mass, 163,696 square miles, and the most populous, about 39 million people,  state in the Union.  (Who says you can’t learn anything by reading this blog?)  CA stretches almost the entire west coast, equivalent to about PA to SC on the east coast.  During our three weeks in the state, we encounter cold weather requiring the heat and now high 90’s making us search for electric for our air conditioner.  I didn’t expect it to be this hot in mid-October.   We have been in green forests and barren deserts.  We have seen five National Parks, camped by multiple lakes and rivers, been to cities, old hippy towns, historic buildings, museums, met some new people who feel like family and driven in the worst traffic I have ever encountered.  Even so, it has been fun exploring this state where palm trees and evergreens grow side by side, that really caught my attention.  We did not see a celebrity but enjoyed learning about the movie biz. But here are two things I won’t miss $6 plus per gallon gas prices and crazy drivers.

Yesterday was Joshua Tree National Park.  It was so unique and SO HOT!  About 95 degrees.  It was exhausting to just walk a short bit to see things.   We did not do any real hiking because of the heat. Here are some pictures of Joshua Tree. 

CAP ROCK

OYSTER BAR

SKULL ROCK

HALL OF HORRORS – OR AS JERRY CALLS IT HALL OF RATTLESNAKES

JUST SOME INTERESTING ROCKS

THE CAMPGROUND

Joshua trees have very shallow roots to take advantage of any ground water available.   They such up the water and retain it in their trunks and branches.   When they absorb too much water and the limbs become heavy, the shallow roots cause the trees to topple over.  Second learning fact for this short blog.  The other great thing about this park is the night sky.   So many stars.  Unfortunately every picture I took did not show them.

We stayed in the park last night, with no electric, it was supposed to be a two night stay and since we were able to see everything we wanted and it was going to be 100 degrees today, we pivoted.  You may know I have bad reactions to the heat and have been known to pass out.   I have been so nauseous the last two days.  I have been drinking so much water.  I have been having trouble with my eyes since they get so dry normally.   Even multiple eye drops are not helping. 

 I looked for an RV park half way to our next stop tomorrow with electric.   We are now sitting in the air conditioning.   When we got here there were only 3 spots that have any shade.   I asked if any of them were open and one was, so I asked for it.  There is a $10 premium on this space because of the trees.  No worries it is totally worth it.

Tomorrow, we move more east in AZ on our way to Saguaro National Park.  We will be staying at a lake right on the water.  Unfortunately, the temperatures will be in the high 90’s while we are there.  Not sure we will be able to take the most advantage of the space. Hopefully this weather breaks soon.