March 7, 2015. Exploring Joshua Tree National Park

CAMPGROUND: Second night at Cottonwood Campground inside the national park

LOCATION:  Southeast California 

WEATHER:  Sunny. Highs in 60s

This park is very big.  There are actually two district parts.....the Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert.  We are in the southeast part, lower in altitude.  The Joshua trees are actually in the northern, higher Mojave Desert.  Our plan is to camp here 3 nights, then go to a campground in the northern part.  While here, we are trying to do all that it offers...

We started with a ranger walk near the visitor center.  The theme was about how the native Indians found enough to eat and drink from what appears to be no live vegetation.  

Lunch was strange......Months ago, in an unsupervised moment in a grocery store, George bought a jar of " Manischewitz pickled whitefish and pike in jellied broth".  (He said he couldn't resist; it was 50% off). We have been carrying it around, taking up precious real estate in our tiny  refrigerator.  So, we opened it up for lunch.  The consistency is weird, pickled fish  in a type of matzo ball dough.  It was very bland, so we doctored it up with horseradish, mustard and hot sauce.  Then it was ok, but not great,  Unfortunately, it is a big jar, so we will have to eat it again tomorrow.  I'm going to chop it up and treat it like tuna in a tuna salad sandwich.  Waste not!  

In the afternoon, we drove to a different part of the desert for another ranger talk.  This one was about how animals live in the desert.  

Back at the camper, we sat outside and read.  George is reading a book by Andy Rooney (of 60 Minutes fame), and I'm reading one by Garrison Keillor.  As we travel, most commercial RV parks have "libraries" where you can exchange books, magazines and DVDs free.  Very nice system.

We attended another ranger evening program, and watched the beautiful star-lit sky.  The campground is completely full.  Most are weekend tenters.  

DINNER: Still using up the grilled sausage and brats......I made a pasta sauce with onions, garlic, canned tomatoes and diced Italian sausage.  Served it over penne pasta with Parmesan. Paired with a nice Cabernet Sauvignon.  We ate by candlelight......not only for a romantic atmosphere, but also to preserve our batteries !