woodwizard
Observer
Twentynine Palms is basically a town supporting the Marine military base on the north border of the park. We had made reservations on the internet for the Harmony Motel (http://www.harmonymotel.com/). Certainly unpretentious, we pulled in and found the woman who recently purchased the 7-unit with 1 cabin and was renovating it all by herself. From behind a hanging bed sheet in a doorway and clearing the how-to books from the counter, she checked us into the Jack Kerouac cabin. She gave us the name of the best restaurant in town- the Twentynine Palms Inn. Scout revealed the tidbit that U2 stayed there while composing the Joshua Tree album. All this U2 association seemed more like proof of a quantum physics theory. The 1928 Twentynine Palms Inn, (http://www.29palmsinn.com/) on the edge of town, was wonderful. At the end of a short dirt road, the Southwestern adobe motif, one story building was perfectly classic. The food and service was what you would hope it would be. Great steaks. A marine captain and his wife at the adjacent table told us about Smith’s Ranch Drive In. It had been dog’s years since the last time we had been to one. Thanking them, we were off. Turning in at the half-lit, nostalgic neon sign, shutting off our headlights and finding a place to park (in the back row, of course), we spent the better part of the movie reminiscing and swapping drive-in movie stories. None of which had anything to do with the movies.
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We started the next day with a breakfast at the Crossroads Café and Tavern (http://www.crossroadscafeandtavern.com) in Joshua Tree. We’d found breakfast nirvana. Amped up on strong coffee and completely satisfied, we climbed the progressively steep, arrow straight road to the west entrance. The Joshua Trees started to become as thick as the wild flowers at the lower elevations. The steady ascent of the now curving Park Boulevard eventually gained us the turn off for Hidden Valley. Hidden Valley was labeled as a “must see” by the Harmony Motel proprietor. The entrance into the valley was up and over a debris field created by the cattle rustlers trying to keep the place undetected. Enough explosives created the desired effect, even if only for a short time. Cresting the entrance, Hidden Valley opened up and we understood the reason for wanting to keep this gem “hidden.” The low morning sun illuminated the natural corral that now only contained rock climbers. Descending down the loop trail placed us at established climbing routes winding through out the bowl. We’d stand and watch either the lead set the route up some pitch or the belays and repels of a conquered face. The only sound was an occasional shout of encouragement to gain the next hand hold. Hidden Valley was big enough for everyone. Additional routes, bouldering and scrambles could be rotated to without wait. Scout found the picturesque, quiet solitude perfect for a moment of meditation. I took the time to shoot some pictures and create some desert art. Refreshed, we exited past more climbers and left for Keys Point. View attachment 4559
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Traffic, be no means excessive, was becoming more frequent. It seemed people were out for a beautiful Sunday drive and Keys Point was their way of stealing a view of the Coachella Valley stretching out below. From the Salton Sea to the wind farm, the spectacular view was engulfed at the horizon by the L.A. smog rolling in. Ignoring that detail, we concentrated on the blessed luck we were having and decided to hike up to the summit of Mount Keys. The unmarked trail left the small parking lot and only went one way-- up. The well-worn trail and sparse vegetation meant there was no risk of wrong turns or getting lost. Trails like this allow you to concentrate completely on the views, colors, sounds, sky, absorbing everything your senses can handle. We stayed there on the summit for a while looking north onto the Mojave and south toward the Anza Borrega. For the next couple of hours our conversation consisted of knowing looks, glances and smiles, but few words. Only after a group of co-eds came upon us did we figure it was time to leave. They took our picture for prosperity and down we went.
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We started the next day with a breakfast at the Crossroads Café and Tavern (http://www.crossroadscafeandtavern.com) in Joshua Tree. We’d found breakfast nirvana. Amped up on strong coffee and completely satisfied, we climbed the progressively steep, arrow straight road to the west entrance. The Joshua Trees started to become as thick as the wild flowers at the lower elevations. The steady ascent of the now curving Park Boulevard eventually gained us the turn off for Hidden Valley. Hidden Valley was labeled as a “must see” by the Harmony Motel proprietor. The entrance into the valley was up and over a debris field created by the cattle rustlers trying to keep the place undetected. Enough explosives created the desired effect, even if only for a short time. Cresting the entrance, Hidden Valley opened up and we understood the reason for wanting to keep this gem “hidden.” The low morning sun illuminated the natural corral that now only contained rock climbers. Descending down the loop trail placed us at established climbing routes winding through out the bowl. We’d stand and watch either the lead set the route up some pitch or the belays and repels of a conquered face. The only sound was an occasional shout of encouragement to gain the next hand hold. Hidden Valley was big enough for everyone. Additional routes, bouldering and scrambles could be rotated to without wait. Scout found the picturesque, quiet solitude perfect for a moment of meditation. I took the time to shoot some pictures and create some desert art. Refreshed, we exited past more climbers and left for Keys Point. View attachment 4559
View attachment 4558
Traffic, be no means excessive, was becoming more frequent. It seemed people were out for a beautiful Sunday drive and Keys Point was their way of stealing a view of the Coachella Valley stretching out below. From the Salton Sea to the wind farm, the spectacular view was engulfed at the horizon by the L.A. smog rolling in. Ignoring that detail, we concentrated on the blessed luck we were having and decided to hike up to the summit of Mount Keys. The unmarked trail left the small parking lot and only went one way-- up. The well-worn trail and sparse vegetation meant there was no risk of wrong turns or getting lost. Trails like this allow you to concentrate completely on the views, colors, sounds, sky, absorbing everything your senses can handle. We stayed there on the summit for a while looking north onto the Mojave and south toward the Anza Borrega. For the next couple of hours our conversation consisted of knowing looks, glances and smiles, but few words. Only after a group of co-eds came upon us did we figure it was time to leave. They took our picture for prosperity and down we went.
View attachment 4560