RV Tour Leg 22 - Joshua Tree National Park
- Judy Carmein
- Feb 17
- 4 min read
Stepping into Joshua Tree National Park feels like walking into a Dr. Seuss book—otherworldly, whimsical, and utterly mesmerizing. The twisted, spiky trees and colossal rock formations make you question whether you're still on Earth. We spent an unforgettable week exploring this unique desert landscape.
Hiking Among Giants
Most of our time was spent hiking through the park’s striking terrain. We climbed two peaks—Warren and Ryan—both rewarding us with breathtaking panoramic views of the mountains and valley below. The effort to reach the summits was well worth it, as we stood high above the desert, gazing out at a seemingly endless expanse of rugged beauty.
The Mystical Joshua Tree
Despite its name, the Joshua Tree isn’t actually a tree but a species of Yucca. This entire national park exists to protect one of the world’s largest Joshua Tree forests, a landscape so rare and special that I silently thanked the visionaries who fought to preserve it. Their efforts allow travelers like us to experience its magic, and I can only hope future generations will continue to cherish and protect these sacred spaces.
A Pilot’s Paradise & A Town of Nomads
Our journey to Joshua Tree took us through Phoenix, where we stopped to visit David’s first flight instructor. This man lives and breathes aviation—so much so that his home is like a golf community, but for pilots, not golfers. His house in on an runway and includes not just a garage, but two attached airplane hangars, each filled with aircraft. Cars are merely an afterthought in his world. Seeing his setup was a true treat!
From there, we wound our way to Quartzsite, Arizona—a fascinatingly odd little town in the middle of the desert. It’s little more than a collection of RV parks catering to snowbirds escaping the northern winters, with a few free-spirited nomads sprinkled in. During the summer, the town practically vanishes, its streets and campsites left to the desert heat. We spent a night in one of the RV parks before continuing toward Joshua Tree.
Rocks That Tell Time
Joshua Tree’s rock formations are like a time capsule revealing millions of years of geological history. The landscape was shaped by underground volcanic activity, with molten rock hardening beneath the surface. Over time, tectonic forces lifted the terrain, and erosion peeled away the softer layers, leaving behind the massive, rounded boulders we see today. Some mountains are completely eroded, while others are still shedding layers, exposing their core. It’s awe-inspiring to witness these natural forces in action—like watching time unfold in slow motion.
The Rugged Life of the Past
The area’s history is just as rich as its landscape. Indigenous peoples carved out a life here for thousands of years before miners and ranchers arrived in the early 20th century, drawn by the promise of gold and open land. Life in the desert was anything but easy—no electricity, no running water, and a relentless climate.
We toured Keys Ranch with a local historian, and David and I both felt a deep connection to its story. Bill Keys, a resourceful homesteader, married a city girl from Los Angeles who had never seen the ranch before moving there. Her leap of faith reminded me of my own family history—my grandfather brought his Swiss bride to Goodland, Kansas, where they lived in a sod house during the Dust Bowl, and David’s grandfather convinced a city girl from Gary, Indiana, to move to the remote shores of Lake Superior in Port Wing, Wisconsin. These couples were tough, resilient, and determined to make the best of life’s challenges.
Bill Keys was also an incredible inventor, constantly repurposing old machinery into useful contraptions. His ranch was filled with handmade devices—everything from a rock-stamping mill to a washing machine, all built from salvaged parts. It reminded me of my stepmother’s dad, Myron Schneller, who was known for his inventive spirit on his farm in Sauk City, Wisconsin. It seems that ingenuity and perseverance run through the veins of those who choose to carve out a life in harsh environments.
The Simple Joys of Nomadic Life
One of the things I love most about this journey is the simplicity of living in a small space with just a few possessions. That said, I wish I had planned my wardrobe a little better! It turns out that not all my clothes mix and match as well as I’d hoped. My olive-green hiking pants are incredibly comfortable, but I didn’t bring enough tops to go with them. At one point, I actually Googled "colors that match olive green" and was relieved to discover that navy blue is a perfect match. Fortunately, I had a navy top—voilà, a new outfit! A quick shopping trip in Palm Springs added one more versatile piece to my travel wardrobe, making my limited selection a little easier to work with.
Since we were so close, we took a scenic detour to Palm Springs, looping around to explore the city before re-entering the park from the southern side. Palm Springs has a charming downtown area, closed to car traffic, filled with lively restaurants and boutiques. We enjoyed a fantastic Mexican meal and I picked up my new shirt—this time making sure it matched everything!
Yucca to airplane hangers to the stamp mill and then fashion for explorers blessed by the Rock N Roll mayor of Palm Springs... you got it all covered! LOL! Super fun!! We are excited for your journey and will continue to point to your example of a retirement well experienced and I know much more to come:) Marc K