California Break

It is January, in Chicago. This time last year we were not in the thick of winter. We were in the warm blue waters of the Bahamas. While we are fully enjoying our return to Chicago and everything it has to offer winter is not one.

So a quick trip to California was much needed break visiting friends and a short stay in Joshua Tree. Really amazing what a different climate can make.

I’ve been to Joshua Tree a number of times. Camping with John, Bouldering, taking the daughters as an alternative to Disney (sorry kids). Debbie had not been so it was fun showing her the park and the small towns that surround it. Plus we did a Mid-Century driving tour of Palm Springs supplied with the perfect sound track.

This trip was just under a week. Short in comparison to other trips and not long enough. We started with a couple nights in Laguna Niguel visiting Debbie’s brother and our friends Kathy and Kevin. Then drive east to a wonderfully relaxing house over looking a valley in the town of Joshua Tree. Then to the park and a few short hikes.

We love the desert and it’s open space and clean night skies as well as the openness of the houses, but really not sure we’d survive if we lived there.