Big Bear Lake {California}

We stayed five nights with a Boondockers Welcome in Johnson Valley, California with our Israeli friends. From this base we were able to visit both Joshua Tree and Big Bear. We greatly enjoyed the mountain views and spectacular nightly sunsets at this location. Various views from the campsite:

We also had great views of the lunar eclipse!

Johnson Valley has extensive OHV trails of varying levels of difficulty. We did a little off-road exploring, but turned around when the sand became too deep. When our host found out I like birds, he invited me to sit and watch their backyard feeders. Turns out his wife is also interested in birds.

BIG BEAR

After a month of hot, sandy deserts, we were looking forward to some cool, mountain air. The only other time we visited Big Bear, the twins were only 2 years old! So this brought back such sweet memories for us.

As we approached Big Bear Lake, Journey squealed in delight when she spotted some well-fed California Ground Squirrels. They were quite cute, and accustomed to people.

While Asher fished, I birded the Woodland Trail where I had great views of a variety of birds including Mountain Chickadees.

Next we went to Bluff Lake Reserve (elevation 7600ft). Once becoming a reserve in 2000, restoration work began and a number of endangered plants and animals now call it home. The original Parent Trap and Dr Doolittle 2 were filmed here. We hiked thru towering pines along the lake and out to the meadow. 

Beautiful views coming off the mountain as we headed back to our campsite in Johnson Valley.

Chuckwallas & Chollas {Joshua Tree National Park}

After staying the night at Chiriaco Summit, we drove thru Joshua Tree National Park from the south entrance exiting the north station. Nicole and I birded the Bajada Nature Trail just inside the entrance, and found four species of birds in one tree! However that was all we found. Next we hiked at Cottonwood Spring and found lots of birds in the tall, green oasis of trees. Again, nothing beyond that.  

The ocotillo were very tall and in bloom.

Nicole used to work at this park, and said we must stop at the Cholla Cactus Garden. It's such an unusual place. It feels a bit like being in a fantasy world, one that's covered in needles. All you see is Teddy Bear Chollas and mountains.

Here's a typical Teddy Bear Cholla, with the dark to like gradient. (left) Skeleton (right)

We returned to Joshua Tree a few days later with our Israeli friends. This time we started the day with a hike at Cap Rock.

We drove to the end of the road at Keys View and enjoyed gazing out over the landscape. We could even, just barely, see the Salton Sea 35 miles away where Nicole is working.

Last we stopped at Skull Rock to hike, but only ended up going a short distance. The kids were happy with the rocks in one area, so we stayed nearby while they played hide and seek. 

We had some close views of Chuckwallas!