Neither Chico or I really wanted to get into the car again on Saturday, but I had no reason to linger in Phoenix.

“Please, don’t make me get back in the car.”

I promised we’d find a place to take a walk, just as soon as possible.

Thank goodness for freeway rest stops. In the wide open west they are often pretty roomy, and the one I picked was just that sort.

But in all that space, you aren’t really alone.

There were a number of people walking around, I decided they had scared off any critters and it looked like a pretty safe place to let Chico off the leash.

Something he enjoyed tremendously.

There must have been a little rain recently because things were getting ready to bloom.

For years and years my friend Katy has told me how beautiful and magical Joshua Tree National Park and Anza Borrego Desert State Park are. I decided to detour north along the eastern edge of Joshua Tree, turning west towards Twenty-nine Palms along its northern edge, and go back south through the park. Given that I was going to my cousin Lisa’s north of San Diego and directly west of Anza Borrego, that was about 150 miles out of the way.

But it was worth it, in a heartbeat I’d go back and spend a few days camping there.

It’s eerily beautiful, and the Joshua Trees are super interesting plants.

This bloom is going to open in about a day, maybe two.

I barely made it out of the park before dark, and still had a couple or three hours to drive before I got to Lisa and Pete’s, but I carried on, the thought of someone waiting for us (instead of looking for a hotel) and of not having to make myself or Chico get in the car in the morning sustaining me. I drove through Anza Borrego in the dark, over twisty roads. I’m sure it’s beautiful country, and I hope to go back some day, but it’s been clear since the beginning that there isn’t time, even in a six week trip, to do everything on my list.

Chico and I arrived in Vista at about 9:30 PM and were tucked into bed by midnight.