HIKING THE OASIS AND A PIT VIPER

Everyone was up for the 1.4  mile hike into the oasis. The terrain was rough and steep but the weather was mild in the early morning. Joshua Tree has many designated hikes like this one, with well marked pathways. Hikes are designated by their difficulty and length, some long, some short.  

Everyone had hats and we carried plenty of water. You feel quite rewarded when you've hiked a hill and come around a harsh rocky corner to be greeted by a fragile beauty such as this one.

Cactus are complex and fascinating plants. Its hard to imagine that a barrel cactus less than a foot tall,  is older than the kids.

There were skinks and lizards scooting around rocks. Some lizards do "push-ups" which the boys loved to watch.

We met birders on the trail who helped us identify some of those we saw and heard.

It helps to be part mountain goat between flower or special rock sitings. On the hike we didn't see vast swaths of wildflowers. That came later when we drove through a lower elevation of the park.

Cactus blooms are showy;  the wild flowers fragile and often tiny to survive the harsh environment.

The oasis was a refreshing goal, a place to sit and rest, have an energy snack and head back. We found things we missed on the way in, just a different perspective. The hike was well worth the three hours it took to hike in and out. We met people with even younger children that our 8 and 10 year olds.

Back at camp, Theo discovered a pit viper in a little crevice of rock where he'd been climbing all afternoon. It was chilly by then and it tolerated all of us looking at it. Nearby campers to came to look at it as well.

The snake is poisonous and very small. When discovered, it was next to a rock and hard to see, it was so well camouflaged. It moved about 10 inches into some covering plant debris and stayed quite calm with the flash going off half a dozen kids and adults watching it.

Our drive into lower elevations of the park brought us a grand vista of flowers in the fuzzy Cholla garden, the ochetea were blooming, and huge yucca plants along with the joshua trees.

  We spent the evening around the campfire, eating s'mores and enjoying the day in review.

The next day we drove home past Antelope Valley Poppy Preserve.

 Room here doesn't allow for the many photos we took. For a link to more photos, Virginia's Picasa album address is: http://picasaweb.google.com/vmatzek/SoCalTrip?authkey=Gv1sRgCPLX9q7R1vTrnwE&feat=email#

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

I once heard Joshua Tree described as a bunch of rocks and cactus. And it is. Wouldn't I like to have one of these spectacular rock formations in my back yard to wake up to each morning?  The rocks gradually turned from grayish brown to golden as the sun rose around the bowl of rocks we settled in. We arrived at night and the stars were set crystals.  Obviously a special place, before we ever ventured out to see cactus in bloom and the desert wildflowers. 

 Once fully lit, the rocks were a child's playground, and since we just happened to have children with us, know that this was a "mountain climbing" adventure of great beauty and adventure. We big kids enjoyed the easy climbs on giant granite too.

 Above, young adults who may want to challenge a mountain some day, find friendly, shear rock faces a great place to practice with mountain climbing equipment. They were having a great time and we watched them get over the top. Safe to say, this is a rock climbing heaven.

Joshua trees live in a narrow band and are forever protected from development where housing is mowing them down on private lands. Not a true tree, they wait for a wet year, like their cactus cousins, to bloom. This was one of those years where the odd looking fibrous "tree" gave quite a show of football sized blooms.

We drove to areas of the park that had stands of Joshua, Cholla and other desert beauties also in bloom with the unusually wet weather. And, we hiked to an oasis created by a fissure in the rocks. We weren't disappointed. On the way home we made a distant stop near Antelope Valley to see the poppy preserve. More on the hike, and desert wildflowers tomorrow. If you're going, the parks website link follows.
www.nps.gov/jotr

For my web album of pictures click the link below:
  http://picasaweb.google.com/1579penn/40810JoshaTreeNatPkl#

SCIENCE DISCOVERY CENTER AND ETNIES

The cube is the clue that you are about to enter a very different place, the Science Discovery Center in Irvine. Kids and adults of all ages were challenged and entertained by the hands on exhibits, be it computerized earthquakes, radio broadcasting, playing virtual hockey or the science of flowing water. With three adults and three kids we each took a kid and went separate ways.

Theo practiced on the climbing wall. He attached appendages that represent ailerons to his arms and experienced the forces of wind in a wind tunnel. He lived through 3 major earthquakes in a shaking machine while watching video of Kobe, Japan, Lomo Prieta, California, and another major quake from Santiago, Chili.

His favorite activity was making a short movie with three plastic animals as the participants. I didn't count, but I'd guesstimate there were 80 to 100 hands-on encounters on two floors. What you didn't know amazes.
In the afternoon  a Science of Bubbles show, fascinating and entertaining, resembled magic. Who would have thought bubbles are studied for their scientific properties of value?

Later in the day, Owen was quite impressed that his younger cousin uses a skate board park. Austin is 7 and Owen is 10, a good reason to think he could try it.The beauty of this Etnie's Park is the management. Lessons are given, kids are watched and coached. They must wear protective gear and so on. Nicely done.

His lessons show to good advantage, back foot in maneuverable position, wide, strongly balanced stance. He is undaunted by deep bowls and up-hill runs and small jumps. He knows how to go over the side of a deep bowl.

  Owen, without ever a lesson, tackled hills and bowls as well, and learned gobs. Nicely done.

Theo enjoyed rolling down the grassy hill and playing about the grounds while we adults played Bananagrams at a table.
Montana parents told us that this Portola Hills Etnie's is considered the best skate board park in the world and folks come from all over to use it, which is why they brought their son. Quite an accolade.

TANAKA ORGANIC FARM APPEALED TO THE KIDS

Aunt Kristanne thought the cousins would enjoy a visit to the only organic farm left in Orange county, Tanaka Gardens. Watermelon season, Pumpkin Patch and Christmas Tree events are very popular here, but strawberries and spring? Lets see...

It was hot and our boys, Theo, Austin and Owen don't look overly enthused as they waited for the farm wagon.

Kristanne was undaunted and we loaded into the wagon.

This scarecrow, one of many, was a hit. The fields so beautiful, one could consider them growing art in action.

Carrots, snap peas and spinach freshly picked and handed to them for tasting by the tractor driver were the best any of us had ever tasted. They were a little dubious about raw bok choy and fresh maui onion sets, though but were willing to try anything at this point.

Strawberries were a definite hit. Each of us were allowed to pick a one pound plastic container full of strawberries to bring home and to eat all we wanted while in the field. Yup! They loved it.  And, so did the adults.  Later in the day, we cooled off in the pool.

TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN

Leaving the 73 degree heat in Louisiana on March 30th to return to Murphys in snow was a shock. I worked on taxes and arranged ceiling repairs and paint for my rental until April 4th, when daughter Virginia arrived in her Prius, packed to the hinges for she and I and her two boys. Our goal? A visit with daughter/sister Kristanne and cousins from Trabuco and points south.

 Auto travel with children, ages eight and ten can be challenging. Its one of the only times you are grateful for those electronic mesmerizers.  Brother Owen helped his younger brother Theo with strategy in his electronic battle. It was good for a couple of hours. Then, Virginia hauled out new, never before read, comics. A snack of fruit, books and scenery, and word games filled some time.  Then a rest stop.

We chose a spot close to coffee, cool drinks, gas, restrooms and grass. The kids were able to practice karate moves and use up some energy while we watched and stretched our legs. Highway 99 has no state rest stops. They've all been moved to Highway 5, but the services are good and handy, making it easy to stop frequently if needed.

Later in the day, we had a leisurely lunch and met this cute baby being showed to everyone by a proud grandma.

At a stop for groceries and goodies before arriving at Portola Hills in Trabuco, we met this little cutie helping her mother shop.

American marketing talent is truly amazing. Comfort at every mile along the way makes traveling with kids a cinch. The drive was nine hours including stops and no blood was drawn. Pretty smart mother, too.

A bouquet for the hostess and we were eating, drinking, and playing Quiddler before you could say, "antidisestablishmentarianism" which is one of Owen's favorite words. He also has a another favorite. Things are no longer awesome, they are "epic"!  Oh, its wild to learn things from your grand kids. Tomorrow, science and vegetables.

FIVE THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT ME

One...I cheat at pool. (The woman above, Jan Stewart, taught me.)

Two...I can milk a goat.

Three...I adore kids.  (This is Stella the gorgeous.)

Four...I'm a scratch cook.

Five...I can't wear pretty shoes.



I've turned into a blogamatic and just HAD to let you know.
I've lined up people to deal with my fractured ceiling, a rental paint job, and worked on my taxes. Preparations are in the works to leave town Easter Sunday for a short week get-together with my youngest three grandkids, Owen, Theo and Austin. (Of course, I have to drag their mothers along, too. )