1/10: 80 km/50 mi
1/11: 96 km/60
Willows and flowers in the winter desert
I talked to the camp manager first thing. At first he confused me with another camper who was looking for a job. We talked about traveling, and he was very enthusiastic about my trip.
91 km/57 mi
After sixteen days in the area around the retreat center, I finally moved on to the next stage of the journey. My cousin in San Diego and I finally agreed on a date in a couple of weeks, so I'm going to explore the area around here for a while. A couple of folks from the retreat offered to let me stay with them, so I will most likely take them up on their offer, though they both live in LA, which scares the crap out of me.
I traveled into Joshua Tree to get some Dr Bronner's (the best!) for showers and laundry. On the way, I saw two beautifully equipped hybrid bicycles and their owners, resting by a broken down shack.
78 km/48 mi
Lots of tent flapping: I woke up about two to wind blowing through the nearby boulders and my tent threatening to split at the seams, and I didn't get back to sleep.
Joshua Tree is named after a tree. Really a yucca. They are all over. You've probably seen them.