It all began…with The History of the Eagles. I’ll pause to let all who are so inclined acknowledge that we’re lame and uncool, but yes, a few months back Sarah and I sat down on a night like any other night to watch the Eagles’ tell-all documentary on Netflix.
Little did we know that this seemingly insignificant decision would lead us down an insane fan girl spiral of 70s nostalgia–vinyl, vintage iron-ons, the whole nine yards, which included an itch to go to California, convene with nature, and in general, be, like, “free, man.”
But really, the California tourism board couldn’t have planned it any better if they had tried.
A couple of weeks ago, we packed our bags–two bulging backpacks of clothes and one suitcase full of camping gear (i.e. an old Eureka two-man tent that’s basically a family heirloom at this point, two sleeping bags, our dad’s old Whisperlite stove, and some cooking supplies), and got on a plane to LAX.
The plan was as follows: Fly into LAX, rent a car, drive to Joshua Tree, go see the giant sequoias and looming Sierra Nevada Mountains in Sequoia National Park, and then tackle stops along the Pacific Coast Highway, finishing the trip by flying out of San Francisco. It turned out to be an amazing trip, and we have a lot to share with you guys –– even a recipe for all you campers and/or instant ramen lovers! –– over the next few days.
In completely atypical fashion the day before our trip, we pulled an INSANE all-nighter to prepare––the result of our status as busy pretend-adults. Sarah had her Macy’s event that day, and we were both tying up loose ends at work. By the time we got home, we still hadn’t packed or cleaned up the apartment. We ended up staying up from the moment we opened our eyes that morning until 5am the next day when we boarded the plane. Not an advisable practice.
When we landed, needless to say, we picked up the car––a sensible Toyota Camry in what we took to be a very “California Gurls” white––and immediately drove to an In-n-Out to ward off our 26-hour hangover with animal-style burgers and fries.
From there, we embarked on the drive to Joshua Tree. The smoggy flat expanse of LA gave way to two-lane highways, and eventually the desert landscape peppered with scrubby shrubs, flowers that were the color of a dusty desert rose, and spiky Joshua trees stretching up from the horizon.
There’s something strange and powerful about Joshua Tree National Park–the trees are weird and not at all like the trees most of us are used to seeing. Some of them are drooped over like parched tulips, and others fall down and harden, bleached by the sun over time.
It’s no wonder that it was a popular spot for musicians in the 70s. We even had a long conversation with a Park Ranger at the visitor’s center about the park’s storied rock and roll past when we stopped to pick up some firewood.
We took a scenic drive through the park, stopping to climb up on the huge boulders to check out the views and soak up some sun, making it back to the campground before nightfall to make camp and throw together a Trader Joe’s-enabled dinner of rice, beans, Tuscan kale, and carnitas. It’s a little more semi-homemade than we normally roll, but delicious doesn’t really begin to describe it––especially after a long day of driving and hiking.
And if we can make perfect (and I mean PERFECT) rice over a CAMPFIRE, we’re pretty sure you can make it on the stove.
The sun set over the Joshua trees, and our campfire provided much-needed warmth to counter the cold spring night. We were told that it was unseasonably cold for May, when temperatures usually hovered in the 90s. While we were there, daytime temperatures were in the low 70s, and at night, it was dropping to the 40s. Needless to say, we were in bed by 9:30.
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After a restful night’s sleep, we took off for another day of driving through the park and hiking the trails. The pictures pretty much speak for themselves.
After a flight, sleeping on the ground, a long day of hiking, and having desert dust blown all over you, the only sure thing there is in life is a shower. There were no showers in the campground, so we paid for 7-minute showers at Coyote Corner, a local miscellaneous souvenir/camping shop.
In an attempt to conserve water, we rinsed off as quickly as we could. Nevertheless, it was the best shower either of us had had in days! And just like that, our magical 24 hours in Joshua Tree were over.
Next stop: Sequoia National Park, and a nostalgia-filled camping ramen recipe!
Your Joshua Tree day started off crazy with no sleep and LAX/LA traffic. However, In-n-Out, no doubt, was worth staying up all night for. I love In-n-Out. My husband and I did the Joshua Tree National Park one day with a fun nutritious picnic at a scenic spot. But we didn’t camp out and cook our meal over a fire like you guys did. Sounds like you had fun.
Hi Angie, how right you are–it really was all worth it for the In-n-Out ;) And we’re definitely looking forward to the next time we have a chance to head to Joshua Tree!
Loved this and have always wanted to go to Josha Tree!
Thanks, Joyce! It’s an amazing trip–you should definitely start planning :)
So glad you posted this! I’ve been wanting to go to Joshua Tree for so long, but never dared during the summer. I know it was semi-homemade, but could you share your TJ-enabled dinner recipe? It looks delicious!
Hi Kero, you should definitely go! Now might be too hot, but definitely in the spring or maybe fall! Our TJ-dinner involved boiling one can of beans, shredding the pre-made TJ carnitas into the mixture, adding some additional salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, and finishing things off with pre-cut, pre-washed TJ Tuscan kale. Cook until the kale is wilted. As for the rice, just cook per our stovetop rice instructions, and that’s it! If you’ve got hot sauce on hand, all the better. Cheers!
Sounds so good. And easy! TY! Your camping posts are really making me antsy for a national park adventure!
OMG cannot thank you enough for this. I watched the same doc, when growing up in Wayne with an older brother who played guitar, I started as well and for me it was all about The Eagles. While my first Yamaha was my brother’s old camping guitar, my first steel string was from Robbie’s Music world on RT 46. We used to do the same trip to Bear, dragging the guitars & outrageous cooking supplies ( restaurant kids!) just like you are saying for those weekends. Bathing in the freezing cold rivers & stargazing all night. Some times it was Renn Faire weekends too, and always it was great food & Eagles music. Thanks for the memories Ladies you rock ♥ ♫ ☼♪
Hi Gina, thanks so much for sharing your amazing memories! Feeling so much nostalgia right now for the Eagles. You rock, Gina. YOU ROCK. <3
Only recently introduced to your blog. Love it and have been sharing it with my friends. So about Joshua Trees–they are not really trees. They are yuccas.
Hi Amy, Welcome and thanks for that info! I am sure Sarah and Kaitlin know that fact about the yuccas but I sure did not! I am also enjoying their trip through this post as well! ;-)
hi Amy, yay! Welcome! And that makes a lot of sense, since they’re so delicate.