Thursday, February 11, 2010

Things I Learned in Joshua Tree National Park - Part 2

3. It rains in the desert.

Yes, it rains in the desert. In Joshua Tree, it's only 4 inches a year. During our time in Joshua Tree, we got to enjoy one day of torrential-raining-sideways-kind-of-rain with winds gusting up to 40mph. I think all 4 inches fell. Everything flooded. It was seriously crazy. We just ran through it. After all, we're hardcore. I put on my high-desert-fashion $1 rain poncho and ran. This is my best "I'm Taking Shelter Under This Boulder In The Rain Trembling Lower Lip Pout."

Here, Meghan has perfected The Pout: especially when she's quasi-hypothermic and is forced to run in her down coat just to keep warm.


The great thing about desert storms, is you get the calm after the storm:

O.K, it wasn't exactly calm and the wind almost blew me and my stylin' poncho away. But at least the rain had stopped!



4. The desert is colorful.

The desert is colorful and has texture. When you least expect it, you will come around a corner of the trail and there will be a splash of color in the monochromatic desert world. It's a beautiful thing. My favorite living thing in the desert, was the hot pink Barrel Cactus. They reminded me of Tribbles or Sea Urchins.
Tribbles on my Head

Where desert meets rain storm meets Joshua trees, the world becomes a colorful place! As crazy as it was, running around in the rain and wind was a exhilarating, beautiful thing. Yes?


19 comments:

Danni said...

That looks awesome. The rainbows must have been spectacular.

HappyTrails said...

The desert IS so colorful and beautiful! I liked your stylin' poncho - at first glance you made me think of a bumble bee! Go figure ...
Glad you had fun!
Kathleen

Meghan said...

Hi!

Oh the pouts, the hypothermic, wet pouts! There I am, running on my frozen peg legs! However, the rainy day ended with a most supreme hot coffee and then hour's run under a setting sun and into an oasis of palms. All is well that end's well.

The desert gets colorful and textured just when you think you've seen it all. There, around the next corner is something new and different and ohmygosh!

Be well and, wow, what a journey we had! ;) Hugs!

Lily on the Road said...

You always have the best adventures! Thanks for sharing!

Backofpack said...

Bee-you-tee-full! I have a poncho just like yours! You have excellent fashion sense.

Jo Lynn said...

Wow, those are beautiful pictures. I would have been a little scared with the rain being so cold.

Anonymous said...

Good dispatch and this enter helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you for your information.

Twisted Susan said...

Yes!

Jill Homer said...

Sounds like my kind of desert trip! Glad you had fun. Fantastic photos!

Deanna Stoppler said...

Nice yellow poncho! Too funny.

Kaz said...

Glad you had a great time - could do with some sun myself.
Poncho's fab - you look the veritable tourist on hol!
Great pics - love the chilly mate in down jacket - the desert is an extreme place - and the colourful land urchins!
Kaz

Leslie said...

Phew. Back from a busy weekend!
That Danni Girrrrrl came to visitand kept me busy!

Glad you like the stylin' poncho K and Michelle. There's ALWAYS one in my hydration pack in summertime! It actually worked like a charm in the desert and kept my dry. I just had to watch out for prickly things that snagged holes in it...

Hi Meghan! Thanks for a super FUN holiday and some quality girly time. I'll go Adventuring with you any time!

hi Lily, hope all is well in your universe!

Hey Jo Lynn! Hope you and Boomer are busy gettin' out there...

Hi Jill - we've been going non-stop since you were here. I feel like a need a day-off from the good-life, you know what I mean?!?

Hi Deanna, how's winter in Vermont? Give hugs to those sweet puppy dogs of yours...

Hi Kaz, loved the urchins obsessed with the desert. Also on the list: Zion Canyon National Park, Canyonlands NP, Death Valley NP and a return to the Grand Canyon.

...and welcome to Susan...

100wpm said...

I've been secretly enjoying your blog for months now, but those tree impersonations were so inspired I just had to come out! Thanks for the entertaining blog and especially all those beautiful photos!

Sue

Anonymous said...

In other words, they go against the grain of the careers their parents had.
I believe my exact words were "I don't want to be your dirty little secret. 28.

Feel free to surf to my site; best pub quiz names

Anonymous said...

There are many different websites that offer kayaks for sale, and these kayaks come in
a wide range of sizes, from five feet to twelve feet, and
are built of materials according to their usage. Some fishermen just take a rod and a
few lures along and others like to bring lots of gear along.
All these factors are important when choosing your kayak.



my weblog :: lawyer

Anonymous said...

The owner decided after the event to donate half of the
proceeds back to the students. I won't spoil your surprises and give away any more details. Every Halloween party that people remember later in the year by saying things like "Do you remember so-and-so's Halloween party last year.


Here is my homepage; pizza hut

Anonymous said...

squares with various tea leaves and tea flavors inside each square.
A murder mystery game is a fun way to pass the time during the
twenties theme party. I hope you have fun planing a birthday party for your tween, I hope my birthday party ideas for tween's helped you.

Check out my website; online stock trading

Anonymous said...

By dividing up the party at several peoples houses you make it
easy on yourself. For adults, a virtual makeover of hair and makeup may be the equivalent of a little one hood game, with an
improved style sensibility that tends to make the
knowledge each entertaining and inspirational. Now, one of my
co-workers was applying to the Secret Service and I
knew that I was down as a reference for her.


Feel free to visit my weblog :: jacksonville Florida

Anonymous said...

Narrow blood vessels lie alongside the intestines of the
earthworm and they absorb the nutrients from the
alimentary canal feeding the rest of the body. Local country clubs are offering
trivia fun for as little as forty dollars per couple. Theme Format: It is almost like
standard format of the pub quiz.

Here is my web site; pub quiz names