Roadtripping

This past week a couple of Alvin's buddies from Lancaster flew in for a visit. Yesterday, we enjoyed a long road trip into California where we saw quite a few sights. One of the biggest surprises was when we came across the Blue Angels practicing over the fields of rural Southern California. I had read that the Blue Angels would be in El Centro practicing and was so delighted we managed to happen across them on our road trip. We pulled over beside a quiet country road and watched them do all their wild and amazing maneuvers. 

Luca was delighted with his personal air show! 

The skill these pilots have is incredible

After the jets landed back at the El Centro airport, we continued on our road trip. We stopped by Salvation Mountain and then drove through Slab City. Slab City is something you have to see to believe. There is a lot of filth and a lot of art, much of it made from trash. 

After driving around Slab City, we drove onto Bombay Beach at the Salton Sea. We were hungry so made sandwiches off the back of the truck and tried to ignore the ever-present stench of the Salton Sea. 

After this, we drove on up to Joshua Tree National Park where Alvin had arranged to meet with another friend for hiking. Right as we pulled over to begin our hike, poor Luca got car sick from the winding drive in and proceeded to hurl all over me and himself. Unfortunately, I had packed an extra shirt but no pants for him so he got to enjoy hiking around Joshua Tree with my sweater tied around his waist. 

Liam wanted a picture with this Joshua Tree because he said "it's like me!"

The views from this place were spectacular, from the distant mountains to the huge boulders and the Joshua trees themselves. 

Some unique rock structures 

Liam snagged a free ride 

Sitting beneath a Joshua Tree

An over cropping covered with ancient petroglyphs 

I thoroughly enjoyed the hike other than the times we had to pass skittish Californians on the trail who looked upon us with disdain before grasping their masks to their faces and sidling by on the trail. Ok, not everyone was like that but a surprising number of people had no qualms about treating fellow hikers like disease ridden untouchables. I get there's a pandemic afoot but that gives no excuse to be so rudely skittish..in the open air.. in the midst of a National Park. Aside from that minor annoyance and being barfed on by my toddler, I really enjoyed this road trip. We grabbed some Mediterranean cuisine at a little restaurant outside the Park before making the three hour journey back to our little camper.