Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

I've never gotten to see a sunset at Death Valley National Park at the sand dunes so I decided to stay while Tony took a nap in the car. I also got to do a fun tour with a park ranger.

First Timers in Joshua Tree NP!

Photo by Tony Hoxsie

I've heard about Joshua Tree NP for quite awhile, maybe since I lived in Arizona back in 2007-2011? People would go camping there for the weekend but I was not much into knowing what it was about, let alone realizing it was a National Park. I dont think I really knew National Parks existed as a kid, we certainly never went to any even though I grew up in Northern CA. I'd heard of Yosemite and Yellowstone but it wasn't until I was a teenager that my crave to travel started.

City of Rocks National Park

 

I don't know of many national parks that you don't have to pay to get in to but this is one of them! Such a nice surprise since our pass expired in May and we weren't quite ready to buy another one yet.