Ridgecrest to Joshua Tree Springs

Lingered around the hotel for a bit this morning eating breakfast and getting organized. When we got there yesterday, we were so dirty and the linens were so nice and white, that we sat on the floor until showered. Think Pig Pen from Charlie Brown. 

Deb and Nuts picked us up around 11 for the drive back to Walker Pass and Nuts decided to give his knee a real test and hike with us for the 50 miles to 

Kennedy Meadows. 

Ridgecrest is a town that exists because of the Naval Base there. They have about a million 😳 acres and it is where they develop and test weapons. He is a recently retired engineer and worked on the tomahawk missile. It was pretty cool hiking this section with him, because this is his 'backyard' so to speak. So he knows the terrain and the peaks. And the planes flying overhead. Like the F/A 18's (fighter/attack) that we've been seeing.

Did a bit of climbing, but it was gradual so not too tough. 

Saw some huge granite mountains 

And I still marvel at the vibrant flowers that can grow out of a rocky, sandy mountainside.

Got to our campsite relatively early and it was actually warm enough to dine outside. Sleeping beside some more Joshua trees.

Saw a beautiful sunset

And nestled in to my tent for the night. Except that my tent won't zip!!!!  Yikes!! Managed to trick it in to working for the night but I will be contacting REI tomorrow. Fortunately, they have a big sale on tents right now :). Definitely do not want to head into the Sierras with a zipper less tent!!