The Ides of March

March 15, 2010 (Monday)

We woke with the sound of the desert wren at dawn and decided to get an early start to photograph the Joshua Tree blossoms which we noticed on our way to Jumbo Rocks yesterday.  So without even breakfast or coffee we headed to an area about in the middle of the Park where there seemed to be the largest trees. After enjoying that venue, we headed east to Cottonwood Springs, an area at the eastern entrance to the Park.  Here there is a natural oasis where large palms and cottonwood trees provided a much-needed refuge for early settlers. We also stopped at the Cholla Cactus Gardens which is an area about five acres in size of these “jumping cactus,” aptly named for their tendency to jump on board with their prickly, spiny barbs that won’t let go. We had breakfast in Harvey and then headed for Hwy 10 and Blythe where we had reserved a spot at the KOA. Tonight it will be nice to shower again and do some laundry before barbecuing our steak beside the Colorado River (our campsite is within a stone’s throw.) We will look at the map and decide where our next adventure awaits.  The weather forecast still is the determining factor of which direction to take. Here in Blythe, however, it is toasty. They have been having night temps of 55 and daytime temps up to the low 80’s!