26.09. Joshua Tree

The day started very early for Julia and Moritz, as they wanted to watch the sunrise at 6:30 AM. It was a breathtaking sight since we had never experienced a sunrise in the desert before. After the sunrise, breakfast was prepared, and Nico and Franci also woke up and joined us.

After a delicious breakfast, which we had outside this time, we got ready to explore Joshua Tree Park. We drove a few kilometers to the entrance of the actual park, where we received our 'America the Beautiful' pass, which allows us to visit all upcoming national parks.

Overwhelmed by the vastness of the landscape and the impressive rock formations, we chose a small hiking route to venture deeper into Joshua Tree Park. Hardly had we begun our path when we were greeted by a curious ground squirrel. The hiking trail was pleasant despite the heat—it was mostly flat and only sprinkled with slight inclines. Along our way, we met a local who was doing the loop for the fourth time that day. To our surprise, he also spoke German, as he was an American soldier who had been stationed in Germany for some time.

After our little hike, we drove to 2 more spots in Joshua Tree Park.

First to the Jumbo Rocks and then to the Cholla Cactus Garden.

The Jumbo Rocks are a fascinating geotope. These impressive rock formations consist of large, round granite boulders formed by erosion and natural forces. One rock, known as Skull Rock, immediately catches the eye, as it resembles a skull upon closer inspection.

The cactus garden is located near Hidden Valley and is particularly known for the dense collection of Cholla cacti. These cacti have a striking, bright color that looks especially beautiful at sunset. The surroundings are rich in other plants and provide a lovely contrast to the bizarre rock formations and typical Joshua Trees.

Full of new impressions, we returned to our accommodation to enjoy the rest of the day in a relaxed atmosphere. Moritz had already fired up the grill and treated us to delicious sausages, accompanied by classic potato salad and fresh baguette. Meanwhile, Franci and Julia had made themselves comfortable in the cowboy pool and were fully enjoying the refreshing coolness. Together, we spent the afternoon in the water, laughing and chatting.

As evening approached, we prepared juicy burgers and later gathered around a crackling campfire to admire the breathtaking starry sky. It was a perfect conclusion to a wonderful day.