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Home » Desert Drifters

Desert Drifters

February 27, 2016 by Kristin

Drifters. Gypsies. Adventurers. Roaming Entrepreneurs.

Call us what you want, but full-time life on the road is pretty awesome, regardless of semantics. We have each other, our two crazy pups, our tiny home, our growing business, and an endless horizon of new places to explore and share.

We checked off a lot of “bucket list” destinations like Napa, Yosemite and Sequoia on the last segment of our trip. However, we were looking forward to warmer temperatures as we continued on and prepared for a drastic change in scenery. Good-bye, Giant Sequoias. Hello, Southwest Saguaros.

We were a little worried to leave giant trees and forests, turns out we just traded them for giant cacti. Matt's always useful for showing scale, since he's 6'6", this is obviously a big Saguaro.
We were a little sad to leave giant trees and forests, turns out we just traded them for giant cacti. Matt’s always useful for showing scale, since he’s 6’6″, this is obviously a gi-nor-mous Saguaro.

Joshua Tree National Park

First up, Joshua Tree National Park. I’m going to come right out and say that just because it’s not one of the most hyped, or well-known national parks, doesn’t mean it’s not spectacular. I’m ashamed to admit we probably wouldn’t have planned a visit here if we hadn’t already been on a road trip through the area with a strong interest in visiting as many national parks along our way as possible. It would have been our loss. Each of our national parks are preserved and protected for very good reason, and Joshua Tree is no exception.

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Cholla Cactus Garden in Joshua Tree National Park…the chollas spanned as far as you could see in this area. And with zero self control, (look don’t touch!) I proved they’re pokey and not fuzzy.

Three Reasons to Love Joshua Tree National Park

REASON 1 – SUNRISES. Let’s be real, sunrises are pretty hard to mess up. Whether your horizon is the coast, forest, mountains or desert, chances are the sunrise will be beautiful. However, sunrises in Joshua Tree National Park were extra special. Now, I’m not the kind of gal who pops outta bed when it’s still dark outside with an eager smile and instant go-get-em attitude. Not even when the reward is a stunningly beautiful sunrise to kick start the day. I usually require at least 30 minutes and 2 ½ cups of coffee to really admit I’m ready to kick ass and take names. So, if I of all people recommend getting up in the pre-dawn hours to experience a desert sunrise, trust me, you should do it.

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See?! I told you it was worth it. The low clouds, pitch black mountains and Joshua Tree silhouette make for a stunning sunrise canvas.
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As the sun continues to rise, the desert changes from dark to pastel colors and all the Cholla Cacti and Joshua Trees seem to glow in soft light. (P.S. Don’t touch that Cholla.)
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Get that sunrise shot! I promise, we did put down the cameras and actually sit and enjoy the sunrise each day. We were just a little camera-happy the first morning.

REASON 2 – ROCKS. Yes, rocks. I wasn’t overly excited either, until I saw them in person. Unless you’re an avid rock climber, you’re probably like me and wonder what all the fuss is about. Just wait ’til you see them. Mounds of rocks all around the park beckon to be explored. Walk around them, scramble up them, play king of the mountain and enjoy the view.

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I’m not sure why I’m dressed like a ninja, but it’s rather fitting considering I’m holding up Split Rock with one finger. Such a badass. Or a dork. Take your pick.
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Once again Matt does a spectacular job providing scale to demonstrate how huge these boulders are! We can’t claim to have the gear or skills to call ourselves rock climbers, but it’s fun as hell to scramble up and around and then enjoy the view.
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This is a rock scramblin’ sunrise selfie. Say that ten times fast.

REASON 3 – JOSHUA TREES. Pretty obvious, as the park’s namesake, but really they are amazing. Each one a different shape, size and configuration. Oh, and the apt comparison to a Dr. Seuss creation is 100% accurate.

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Joshua meet Matt. Matt meet Joshua.

Our drifting continued as we moved on to Arizona…

Falling in Love With Red Rocks

Matt had always wanted to go to Sedona. However, I didn’t know much about it. I must have been living under a rock. A red rock. Of course, as soon as I started researching, I had a lengthy list of all the must-do sights and hikes and couldn’t wait to go. Sedona is gorgeous. I can understand why Native Americans and many others consider it a spiritual and healing place. We were in awe as soon as we saw the red striped giant formations dotted with green pines and shrubbery set against the blue backdrop of the Arizona sky.

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Oh, you know, just a little snapshot out of the truck window.

We couldn’t wait to hit the trails and started with a 4 mile round trip hike to Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona. What started as a fairly flat desert hike soon gained in elevation and our terrain transitioned from red dirt, to red mud, to red snow to icy red rocks.

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Lucy got a first class ticket across this small stream in an effort to keep her paws, legs and belly white instead of red. Fairly funny considering I gave her a makeshift bath in this stream on the way back to wash red mud off her entire underside. Dogs, paws and boots all got up close and personal with Sedona Red Soil. (Totally worth it, mind you).
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This is where the transition started…our red dirt trail slowly turned into red mud..
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…and some red mud/ice/snow mix which took a little extra time to navigate while staying upright..especially while staring at the surrounding stunning views.
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The snow as we gained elevation…and no solid explanation why I decided to strike a post like that. The ninja is long gone.
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That’s it! Devil’s Bridge, the largest natural sandstone arch in Sedona.
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I immediately regretted telling Matt to go stand on the bridge so I could take a picture. That’s a sheet of ice to his right, and a several hundred foot drop below. Not my proudest moment.

Doe Mountain trail was another favorite hike with a series of switchbacks up the side of the mountain to the flat top mesa with some of the most spectacular panoramic views.

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Matt was starting to get a little tired here…and almost ten-year-old Dobie proved to be part mountain goat as he deftly hiked and hopped his way up the side of this mountain. Age is just a number, baby! And they are both quite handsome, if I do say so myself.
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Moutain-top selfie with panoramic views! Hope you’re not too tired of our close up mugs.
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This was a much safer lookout than Devil’s Bridge. And seriously, the top of Doe Mountain has the best 360 degree views of Sedona. We didn’t actually compare it to every other mountain, so the claim is limited but seems accurate.
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Tired of looking at the gorgeous views of Sedona? Good, me either.
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We added a topper to this little trail marker before heading back down. Helluva good hike.

If you make it to Sedona, you won’t be disappointed…hike, bike or hop a jeep tour to experience this stunning, red striped piece of heaven.

History Lessons

It can’t be ALL hiking and beautiful scenery, right? So, we hit up some historic and educational Arizona destinations along the way including The Apache Trail (which you can experience first-hand with Matt), Tombstone, Bisbee, Pima Air & Space Museum and Kartchner Caverns State Park. (No pictures of Karchner Caverns because they don’t allow photography, but if you find yourself near Tucson, Arizona these beautifully preserved caverns are ABSOLUTELY worth a visit).

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Hold out for Matt’s next paranormal blog to hear about any spookiness in Tombstone. As for recommendations, the town is pretty touristy, but the Tombstone Courthouse turned museum is a fascinating glimpse into the history of the area. Now, whaddya want on your Tombstone?!
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The Bisbee Queen Mine tour was SO MUCH FUN! We got gear, helmets, lights and hopped on the train into the mine. The guides were retired miners and full of great knowledge. A Bisbee Must.
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With over three hundred aircraft in hangars and on the grounds, Matt was in heaven at the Pima Air and Space Museum. I thought it was pretty cool too, but was more impressed it was pet friendly and included soaking up some sunshine.

Our desert drifting continues to Texas next…so stay tuned, and Don’t Mess With Texas!

Cheers,

Kristin

Filed Under: All Blog Posts, Blogs by Kristin, On the Road Tagged With: adventure, cross country, destination tree, road trip, travel, wanderlust

« Our Route Across the Country – Part 6
The Apache Trail »

Comments

  1. Roger Polk says

    February 29, 2016 at 9:33 am

    It is well worth getting up early to see the sunrise. There is something special that charges you up and makes you want to take on the world or just sit on the patio and sip a cup of coffee. Enjoy your trip and keep posting your pics.

  2. Stubs says

    February 28, 2016 at 5:33 am

    What an awesome adventure! Thanks for the great pictures, they would make some inspiring murals!
    Oh the beautiful memories the two of you are making!

  3. Jamie McIntyre Schultz says

    February 27, 2016 at 11:02 pm

    Love reading about your adventures!! What a fun life and beautiful couple!

    • Kristin says

      February 28, 2016 at 12:05 am

      Thank you, Jamie!!! We appreciate your feedback and support!! We are grateful for every day!

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