Just Giving You My Two Puggy Pennies Worth (Or Cents)

Jewels Jolly Joshua Tree Jaunt

So, during the 160 miles along the 10 and the 60 freeways to the Joshua Tree National Park, I nap for 40 minutes, have a tinkle, a tickle and a pugachino at Starbucks, gawp at the Iron Giants (ie:the solar windmills) and marvel at how far your buck goes on a brand spanking new mansion on this stretch of the road compared to TinsleTown. Maybe I'll move out here so I have more pennies in my puggy bank, and I'll be much closer to these weirdly wonderful shaped trees I like to look at.

The trunk is full with the mini fridge containing the picnic and plenty of water, and my ‘Travel Bag' which literally has everything in I can't leave home without...my mat, ball, hoodie, bandana, water, few snacks, wet wipes, sun lotion.  It is a very useful bag!  I got it from Primark in the UK a few years ago...let me tell you...anyone who says Primark goods don't last, have not met my bag!!

 

Today we have the Black Keys playing on the stereo.  I'm a pretty good DJ.  My paws have been known to change radio stations or fast forward a track when the Sirius Beatles Channel has been circling for too many miles!

 

I have visited the Joshua Tree National Park a number of times.  This trip we are travelling along the Twentynine Palms Highway and entering the park via the West Entrance.  I always make the Rangers on the entry gate smile as they wave me through...I think I make their day.  I suppose they are used to the jaws of a coyote...and therefore rather like the look of my little teefies!

Just before we reach the road heading up to this entrance I spy a Sonic and I lick my lips!  I do this because on the last trip to Joshua Tree we called in here for a bite before heading back on the 10 freeway to LA.  I love them, but my hoomans are not too big fast food fans as one of them is a vegetarian (no point going to her for a bit of chicken table scrap!), and the choices therefore are often a little limited.  However, for one days visits to Joshua Tree, it works for us as a quick and stress-free option to ensure we are fed after leaving the park. On trips like these our main focus is to explore, hike, picnic and work the camera.  It's therefore a satisfying option when finding a spot with a great organic farm to table menu, craft beers and a perfect view isn't the top priority. We generally visit the park in the cooler months and stay until after dark so we can stargaze.  Often as the temperatures drop dramatically at night, sitting in your car and eating is favourable to finding a pug friendly patio and freezing our thingy-me-bobs off!  So until I find somewhere cosy where I can warm up and gobble indoors, this will do me for now.  There are loads of other fast food options on this stretch of the road, and other eating establishments, so lots to check out on future trips.  If they are pug friendly then thumbs up!  If not, we'll be back at Sonic!

I get very chatty when I know I am close to our destination. I have a sixth sense for knowing exactly when we are about to pull up and park...either that or I am really good at reading the sat nav.

 

Today, I get to spend the entire day in the park from early morning to late night.  The moon is late rising, so I know the stars will be pretty awesome.  We are not mountaineers or experienced hikers...my legs are made for walking, but after a while I like a sit down and a snack, so you won't find us free-climbing or abseiling any huge rocks; which is just as well as the trails within the park are not pug friendly!  This is a bit disappointing but is pretty standard in most of the National and State Parks, so we respect this and enjoy what we can where we can.  I did notice when my nose was pressed against the window, that on the drive up to the West entrance on Quail Springs Road is the Joshua Tree Pet Resort.  I have not been there, just passed it and thought 'Oh if my hoomans ever get too adventurous and decide they want to do a big trail hike, or it becomes very hot for me, maybe I'll check myself in there for the day!'  I think I will look into it so I am prepared for my next trip

 

Puggies must be on a leash at all times and cannot be more than 100 feet (about 30m) from a road, picnic area, or campground; we are prohibited from hiking trails, and we must never be left unattended, and this includes in a vehicle.  But, we can still join our hoomans in developed campgrounds and picnic areas as well as “anywhere your car can go.”

My favorite picnic spot is in the ‘Hidden Valley'.  This is about a 20 minute drive from the West entrance, and althougth is a popular spot, there are quite a lot of picnic tables and grills.  Behind the rocks where the benches are, you can walk amongst the trees and really get the feel of the park and some great photos without actually hitting a trail.

 

If you’re looking for interesting places to walk, the park’s unpaved backcountry roads such as Covington Flat and Geology Tour Road have very little traffic and are good places to stoll and be at one with the beautiful surroundings. Keys View is a pug-friendly spot.  At 5,185 feet of elevation (1,581m), Keys View provides panoramic views of the Coachella Valley. Take the 0.2 mile loop trail up the ridge for fantastic views and scenic photo opportunities. It is a great spot to watch sunset and see the lights in the valley below twinkle and shine as it goes dark, and the stars above magically appear.

We have found that stargazing although is still pretty amazing close to these areas and the West park entrance, some of the best spots are further into the park and closer to the Cottonwood entrance.  These areas are further away from civilization so we headed over that way to really see the sky come to life.

 

I noticed a sign at the Cottonwood Visitor Center with the times and event details of the lectures the Rangers were hosting in the evening...we missed those this time, but I think I may just check the parks website before our next trip and plan to attend one of these on future visits.  We normally try to come during the week, but today is a Saturday - as you would imagine, so much more traffic in the park than on weekday visits and we saw a lot of people waiting for parking spots in the most popular areas and exhibits.  We also saw quite a few cars with parking tickets on them...I am glad we stuck to the rules and didn't get one of those!  I am also glad that I only saw coyotes when I was safely spying them from the car - gotta watch out for those, especially when dark.

 

Joshua Tree...thank you for being so interesting, so picturesque and so unique. I'll be seeing you again very soon!

A Pugachinio is an essential item when roadtrippin'

Always pack essentials!

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