No, not the album by U2.  Last weekend, Katie and I did some sweet desert hiking in Joshua Tree National Park here in California.  J-Tree, as I affectionately call it, is awesome.  With 1,200 mi² of desert wilderness and only 1 road through it J-Tree is a jewel of untouched wilderness.

The park is best known for the Dr Seuss-like trees and being a Mecca for rock climbers seeking to go bouldering on the countless rocks in the park.  The Yucca brevifolia was named the Joshua Tree by Mormons travelling through the area in the 19^th century.  The uplifted limbs apparently reminded them of the Joshua of the Old Testament lifting his hands in prayer.

One thing I have loved since moving “Out West” is the amazing and rugged landscapes.  I love hiking and although the soft, ancient Appalachians are beautiful, the hikes and vistas of some of the places I have been in Colorado, California and the Southwest are absolutely breath-taking.  God is quite an artist!

In any event, the park is really awesome and well worth a visit if you happen to be in SoCal.  Here are a couple photos to give you the flavor!