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Tag Archives: chipmunk

Finding Solitude at Joshua Tree National Park, California

18 March 20253 May 2025

1 Light behind Tree, JTSP

My last visit to Joshua Tree National Park was last November, a perfect time of the year for a hike.  The weather had begun to cool down in comparison to the summer heat and I was ready to set out for an amazing adventure. There are so many fabulous parks in southern California where you can feel like you are the only one in the world.  This is one of them.   The surroundings are just as unique as its unpredictable environment that each visit can bring about a whole new experience.

2 Joshua Tree State Park

The whimsical Joshua Tree, for which the park is named, is an indigenous plant that reminds me of a furry cactus with starburst pompoms. These plants were used by the American Indians for food (their seeds and flower buds), household items and clothing (baskets and sandals).

The ground cover was scarce in most parts with clumps of brush, predominantly creosote bush.  Colorful ocotillo and cactus were intermittently scattered throughout the vast expanse of the desert.

3 Joshua Tree Landscape

In addition to the Joshua Tree, what I found so fascinating about this park were the endless rock formations and twisted boulders shaped by geologic forces.  According to the national park, these rocks rose from the ground beneath as a result of volcanic activity.  As the boulders were pushed up from the earth, they cooled down and crystallized.  Over time, the water from the ground rounded the edges and widened the cracks, resulting in heaps of monzogranite that look similar to toy blocks in a stack.

4 The Eagle Rock at Joshua Tree

During the scenic drive, I took the time to find images in the rocks.  If there was a large pile of them, I would pull over to see what shapes and figures appeared out of the monoliths.  I had imagined a variety of objects from eagles, rabbits, horses and even people.

5 Joshua Tree State Park Activities

About halfway to Barker Dam, I met up with a rock climber to see if I could make the climb.  I felt safe with the guide I hired, knowing that he would be there in the chance that I slipped and fell.  We met in a safe location and one that was not too difficult for a first try.    I was surprised that the rocks, for the most part, were fairly stable.  It was exhilarating to reach the top and look out into the distance of the park. I wished I would have done this sooner.

6 Rock Climbing at JTSP

Many people come to Joshua Tree National Park for a variety of outdoor activities.  During my scenic drive I noticed bikers, hikers and the occasional rock climber.  This is a perfect location for rock climbing and there are a few outfitters available to take out the adventurous for an adrenaline-filled afternoon.  I hired an excellent guide from Joshua Tree Outfitters, who was specialized in working with novice climbers.

7 Barker Dam Trail

I had also set aside some time for a hike, so I decided on the Barker Dam Nature Loop, just over a mile long.  This trail took me through parts of the desert where cattlemen built dams as a water source for their livestock back in the 1800s.  Later, miners arrived in search of gold until the 1930’s when the land was parceled out to homesteaders.

8 Landscape on the Barker Dam Trail

I enjoyed the vast diversity of hiking the trail with rock formations that took on a wide variety of shapes.  The dried out flora and fauna were at the mercy of the hot sun. and trees provided a brief solace from the scorching heat.

12 Wide Angle Landscape on the Barker Dam Trail

The landscape was extremely spacious with small rocks and boulders, while hills in the distance were low lying and desolate.  The hike remained unsteady with stones until I finally reached the dam.  I tried to look down into the wall but there was not a way for me to approach it any closer without falling over the edge.

14 Petroglyphs on the Barker Dam Trail

I was nearing the end of the trail when a boulder appeared in the middle of nowhere.  As I closed in on the site, I noticed there were petroglyphs painted in red and black.  I learned that there were actual Indian markings in the rocks, but they had been painted over and were not authentic.

15 Chipmunk at the Park

My day at Joshua Tree had come to a close and as I was crossing the parking lot, I saw a little chipmunk dart out from one underneath a car.  There is nothing better than seeing animals in their natural habitat.  Such a highlight of my day.

An area slightly larger than the state of Rhode Island, Joshua Tree National Park begs to be explored.  Offering activities for all types of outdoorsmen, this is a wonderful way to explore the deserts of California.

Have you visited Joshua Tree National Park?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below!  Many thanks for following my journey through Joshua Tree National Park!  Wishing you many Happy Travels!!

What to See and What to Do:

Joshua Tree National Park
74485 National Park Drive
Twentynine Palms, CA  74485
Telephone:  760 367 5500

  • Admission Fee:  $30 for a 7 day vehicle permit, admitting the passengers of a single, non-commercial vehicle on the day of purchase and for the next six days.  Motorcycles:  $25 for a 7-day entrance permit, per motorcycle; Individual Entrance Fee: $15 7-day entrance fee, per person on foot or bike; Non-commercial groups: $15 per person charged to non-commercial groups entering in a vehicle with a capacity of 16 passengers or more. Joshua Tree Annual Pass is $55 valid for 12 months from the month of purchase.
  • Hours:  Open all year
  • Amenities:  Campsites are available for camping and overnight backpacking, rock climbing, birding, mountain biking, horseback riding.  There are tours offered such as a Geology Motor Tour or a tour of Keys Ranch.
  • Scenic View:   Views throughout the desert are incredible, but are amazing from the top of the rocks after a great climb. Stargazing is another spectacular opportunity for outstanding scenic views.
  • Length of Visit:  To visit the full park would take at least a couple of days, but even a day visit is well worth the trip.
  • Tips for Your Visit:  There is no cellular service throughout the park.  Bring plenty of water and sunscreen as the desert can become quite hot during the day.  In the evening, temperatures can drop, so it is also recommended to bring along a jacket. There are limited gas stations as well, so ensure that you have fueled up your vehicle.  Refer to the park’s website ahead of time to note any closures and stop by the visitor’s center for any updates regarding the park.

Where to Stay:

Hilton San Diego Bayfront
1 Park Boulevard
San Diego, CA  92101
Telephone:  619 564 3333

Where to Eat:

Parq Restaurant
615 Broadway
San Diego, CA
Telephone:  619 727 6789

There were so many amazing items on the menu such as oysters, gnocchi, mussels and my favorite, the Charcuterie Board!  Since I was taking clients out for dinner, we ordered each one and shared…perfect for four.

What to Eat:

  • Mexican cuisine, especially tamales
  • California wood-fired pizza
  • Southeast Asian foods
  • Sushi
  • Seafood
  • Local Wines

What to Read:

  • The Land of Little Rain, by Mary Hunter Austin
  • Wonder Valley, by Ivy Pochada
  • Twentynine Palms: A True Story of Murder, Marines and the Mojave, by Deanne Stillman

Photo Guide for San Diego:

  • Arch Rock at White Tank Campground
  • Skull Rock a few dozen yards from Park Boulevard
  • Cholla Cactus Garden along Pinto Basin Road
  • Barker Dam
  • Indian Cove at Indian Cove Campground
  • The Joshua Trees
  • Rock Climbers

16 Blue Skies and Boulders

One of my favorite photos of Joshua Tree National Park

17 121112, Petroglyphs at JTSP

More Petroglyphs

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Great Smoky Mountain National Park: Visitor Center

3 December 202022 September 2024

Did you know that the Great Smoky Mountain National Park is a World Heritage Site?

These beautiful mountains, known as the Great Smokies, are located in both North Carolina and Tennessee, a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and a segment of the Appalachians.  This land, measuring nearly half a million acres, became a national park in 1940 and a UNESCO Heritage Site in 1983.

The national park’s Visitor Center provides an overview of life in the Great Smoky Mountains from its flora and fauna to the wild animals that make their home here.  We decided to make a stop with my nephew, Nolan to learn more about the animals we may encounter during our visit.

The Red Fox resides in the Northern Hemisphere and is one of the largest of all foxes.  Able to adapt in all environments, the red fox is usually found in pairs or in small families feasting on smaller rodents.  They can survive at various elevations. The red fox has a white tip on its tail, a face that resembles a dog. and its legs may me darker than its coat.

The Grey Fox, although similar to the Red Fox, is usually grey in color and is specifically adapted to climb trees to escape predators. Rather than a white tip on their tail, they will have a black stripe down its tail, a strong neck and the face similar to a cat.

I have only seen a mink once in the wild near a wetlands trail.  They are such an elusive creature, growing to be about 12 – 15 inches and weighing a little over 2 pounds. Their coats are brown and may have white markings on their chests and bellies.  They travel independently and find their food near water.  It is certainly an amazing feeling when you see one in the wild.

Bobcats are a rare sight throughout the Smokey Mountains as they are nocturnal and solitary in nature.  Covered in spots, they have stubby tails and short ears and they only grow as long as three feet.  The females give birth to up to six kittens during the winter.

Skunks are the animal that you can smell before you see them due their scent glands, used as a defensive weapon.  Known for their black coat with white stripes, they are in abundance throughout the park while the lesser known skunk is black with white spots.  Skunks give birth to a litter of four to seven babies, usually in the month of May.

While there are populations of wild hogs within the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, they are not often spotted within the mountains. The female will usually have around six piglets in a litter and breed twice a year.

The Woodchuck, or Groundhog, is found in open fields, on the side of the road and streams where they find their food.  They can measure up to 26 inches and weigh between five and 13 pounds.  The females give birth to up to nine babies living up to six years in the wild.

There is an abundance of raccoons within the Great Smoky National Park.  While they may make a rare appearance during the day, they are nocturnal and most active at night. A fully grown raccoon will live up to seven years old and weigh between eight to 14 pounds. Most raccoons live near streams to feed on crayfish and frogs.

Chipmunks are also another Smoky Mountains animal that are easily spotted throughout the park.  On the ground collecting nuts or racing up trees to store them,  Eating nuts, seeds and fruits, they can store their food in their cheek pouches that can reach the size of their bodies when full.

Several species of owls can be found within the Great Smokey National Park.  From the medium-sized barn owl to the smaller great horned owl, they are a rare sighting as they are most active at night.  They feed off of small rodent animals within the park and make their homes in the many trees throughout the park.

What animals did you see while visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park?  Did you have a favorite one?  I would love to hear about your experience if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below.  Many thanks for reading about my amazing adventure in the Great Smoky Mountains and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN  37738
Telephone:  865 436 1200

Where to Stay:

Firefly Chalet
Highway 321 North
Gatlinburg, TN  37738
Website:  www.vrbo.com

Where to Eat:

Bennett’s Bar-B-Que
2910 Parkway
Pigeon Forge, TN
Telephone:  865 429 2200

What to Eat:

  • Barbecue
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About Me!

I have had a passion to travel for as long as I can remember and landed my dream job at the age of 19 on a cruise ship. The Suite Life of Travel is about those experiences as well as my future endeavor to explore this amazing world!

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