Thankfully roads in this park are lot nicer than in Mojave and we took the RV up to the highest drivable point with no problems. From there we could see the Salton Sea and the wide valley of the San Andreas fault. The sign at the viewpoint informed us that we were moving north at two inches a year, and that in a billion years we'd be in the East Bay.
We didn't have that long, so wove our way down to a hike at 49 Palms Oasis (20 more than next door 29 Palms City). This was a great choice for a walk. You walk all the way up to a dry rocky ridge and on the way down the oasis appears before you, a blotch of green palms in an otherwise desicated place.
We were feeling a little insecure being outside of the RV and so returned and began the final stretch of our trip down to Palm Springs. Awaiting us there was Sam's Family Spa Hot Water RV Park. It delivers on that name, with naturally heated pools and spas all around. It's also home to serious RV-ers, the type that live in them permanently, moving every few months (or years, maybe). Now I have something to aspire to.
Our shady campground.
The elves have been busy!
We might have some new converts...
Christmas breakfast.
Staying festive, even in the wilderness.
Heading into the park proper.
Hannah scales a mini mountain.
Looking down at a Joshua tree forest from the top.
The tallest trees are only around a hundred years old, apparently.
Another view. The place was just too beautiful.
This is the San Andreas Fault valley. Palm Springs is out there somewhere.
Holiday snap #1.
Holiday snap #2.
Arbel gets into the outdoorsy spirit.
Walking to find an oasis.
Dad takes the strain.
And there it is! Not even a mirage.
Only 43 more palms to find.
Hannah is shocked at the lack of phone reception. The place looks a bit Mid-Eastern so there might be oil here, and she needs to call her corporate masters.
Travels over, and at Sam's RV Park for Christmas dinner.
