Day 2 of our family vacation in California

Saturday January 22^nd, 2011

Joshua Tree National Park

Saturday we woke up to a bright blue sky and great scenery of beautiful flowers and palm trees. Breakfast consisted of frozen waffles and honey nut cheerios…the boys’ favorites!

We decided to head up to Joshua Tree National Park to see the Joshua Tree, of course. It was about an hour drive from Palm Springs so we stopped and grabbed some lunch to eat in the park. On our way, we had noticed these small trees that looked like palm trees, but were half the size. I had asked Brian, what he thought those trees were and he replied…those are probably Joshua trees. My reply ….if they are, I am going to be slightly disappointed! After stopping at the visitor center to pick up a map and plan our adventures, we had opened the map and behold there was a picture of the Joshua Tree….Indeed it was the tree we had seen prior!

Upon entering the park, Brian stopped along side the road to take a picture of these GIANT ROCKS. He then proceeded to tell the boys that one day they were going to appreciate the picture he was taking of the ROCKS for a possible school project or needing it for future reference. Immediately, Joe replied, “No, Dad I will never thank you for taking a picture of rocks!”

The boys were getting hungry so we made a stop where there was another GIANT ROCK that people were climbing. We sat and ate our Subway sandwiches while watching the rock climbers…while, I stood on the look out for any wild animals to attack. I always get nervous in natural environments and I wish I didn’t so I could enjoy myself a little more. So after lunch, Joe went and climbed a rock and said, “Hey dad, look at me. I am a professional rock climber!” It just so happened that a rock climber had jogged past Joe when he made that comment and replied, “That’s AWESOME and someday you too could make $15,000 dollars a year!”

We piled in the Van again and headed to a trail, recommended by a park ranger. She said it was super family friendly….I was quite skeptical. The boys kept reassuring me that everything was going to be FINE. Come on mom, you can do it.!

We all completed the 1mile hike through the rocky trail and didn’t get eaten alive by any bobcats, cougars, or mountain goats. Before leaving the park, Brian made one more stop up to a look out point where the wind almost blew the boys right over!! They said, “That’s it were are going back to the car!”

It was another hour drive home, where the boys took a short nap. We stopped at the grocery store for some dinner items and then home to swim before it got dark. Brian had cooked up a mean hamburger with cheese, bacon and cooked onions. He is still raving about it today.

After dinner, we finished watching Beauty and the Beast as a family…Peter fell asleep on my lap and then it was time for the boys to go to bed.

The rest of the night consisted of Brian reading the newspaper from the last 2 weeks and myself documenting our family outings for ya’ll.

Brian's favorite pic of Joe...he is playing outside Brian's Aunt and Uncles house.
The 3 chumps in Brian's Aunt and Uncle's courtyard.
The view from their kitchen window....how dreamy.
On the rode to Joshua Tree National Park and approaching windmill city.
The infamous picture of the ROCKS!
Windmill City!
The Joshua Tree!
Joe posing with the Joshua Tree.
Joe and Tom on top of a giant rock.
Brain's GQ pose
The 3 Amigos on top of a rock....not sure what their thinking about???
Here they are leading the way on our family hike.
Posing with mamma bear
One of Brian's artistic pics of the park
Brian and Tom out for swim after a long day in the National Park.
Brian with Joe relaxing after a long day.
The boys looking to see where the golf ball goes.....
The boys discovered they LOVE the HOT TUB!!
Tom and Joe racing each other to the end of the pool:)