Joshua Tree Part 2

Once we got back to the house after hiking, we sat out on the hammocks and watched the sunset.


Then went to explore the property, since there were multiple acres.

It was so beautiful everywhere you looked!


They also had two different tree houses, a rope swing, and zip line.



They had a random dirt hill with a bench on it - perfect for taking in the views.




The house is called the Hygge Home on Airbnb, known for creating a space that feels cozy and homey. I think they did a pretty good job.

The next morning it was time for us to leave.


We decided to drive through Joshua Tree on our way out.

As we got deeper into the park, we could tell it was much less visited. All the 'attractions' or hikes were farther north where we were the day before. Once you kept going south, it was 45 miles  of incredible untouched land, aside from the single road running through it.

Once we were out of the park, we had our GPS take us near Salton Sea, a place Benny's dad often would suggest to us.


We didn't see any tourist signs to turn off and look, so we just started driving toward it. We ended up on a random dirt road, but we made it!

Because it is so salty, hardly anything can live in it. It smelled pretty awful and the beach was covered in fish bones.

After the Salton Sea, I thought we would be back to a normal drive on a busy highway surrounded by populated cities. That never happened. Next we ended up driving through canyon roads where you may see someone on an ATV or dirt bike.

Then we happened to end up driving through and incredibly gorgeous state park, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. We are already resolved to go back there soon.

There were steep cliffs and beautiful valleys. We are told the entire place lights up with flowers in the Spring.

Then we ended up driving through Ramona, which was so lush and green, it felt like we were back in Virginia.

We never made it back on a busy highway until we actually got back to San Diego. We had just as much fun on the drive home as we did being in Joshua Tree. I think we need to take the scenic route more often.

Joshua Tree Part 1

We decided a couple days before my birthday that it would be fun to get away for the long weekend. We settled on Joshua Tree National Park, as it's been on our list of places to visit and wasn't too far away for a trip with such short notice. We booked an Airbnb and left right when Benny got home from work.


The place was really quaint, cozy, and just what we wanted. I personally wanted a chance for us to unplug from everything. I am the worst at this because I essentially work from my phone/computer.

The place was in the middle of the desert, it had no wifi, no TV, and it was perfect.

I got to read in front of the fire while Eric made us dinner.

And we played plenty of games.

The next day we went to the park. It was free to get in because of the government shutdown.



We went on two short hikes. The first one took us around Barker Dam, which was beautiful.






The second hike (Hidden Valley) took us around massive boulders through what was believed to be a legendary cattle rustlers' hideout.

There were boulders to explore everywhere.




As well as rock climbers everywhere.


After the second hike we were pretty tired and the sun was starting to set. It was time to head home for the night!

PMP

Over the last year, this is what most of our afternoons and weekends looked like.

He would study anywhere he could, including the gym. This of course, was before the gym had to be dropped off entirely from the priority list - so that he could get in even more studying.

He would work, come home, and work some more.

Our kitchen table was his home most of the time. Saturday mornings consisted of 4 hour practice tests, every weekend.

Our wall decor even changed.

So many books, online platforms, flashcards, notebooks, donated study materials.


So many ups and downs, so many times he could have thrown in the towel, after an entire year of working towards it - he is a PMP! And I am SO proud of him.