Joshua Tree

A short drive down the highway we made our way to our next destination.  We got a sweet recommendation from my mate, Anthea who said we had to stay here and the main reasoning for coming this far south was because of this little trailor park called Hicksville.  This desert getaway was like a dream.  We had booked this months ago when the planning of the trip started and only until 2 days prior to arrival had we been sent an email outlining the exact hidden location.  They want to keep it a secret in a way so it's not completly tourist hit and remains somewhat of an oasis.

I had my doubts as we turned off the highway onto the open sandy desert.  "Drive three miles, then make a left?!"  I wondered outloud as I read the directons we were sent as our car bounced over mounds of sand, feeling as though we were in a souped up car in a Snoop dawg rap video!

After a 10 min drive, a telephone pole appeared with an old sign attached to it and a hand drawn arrow pointing towards a cluster of tiny trailors surrounding a kidney-shaped saltwater pool.

Words can not describe how awesome this trailor park is.  We had our choice from seven trailors including the sci-fi inspired Airstream, complete with an alien communication device and fog machine, or the pony located in its partially hidden away stables.  We opted for the Cramps theemed trailor called the Lux named after the recently deceased Lux Interior. This little punk/tiki themed cutie had a black and white television, complete with a selection of horror flicks on VHS and a Cramps filled jukebox!

Before getting too comfortable, we forced ourselves to leave the oasis and check out Joshua tree national park.  We took the roof down on the convertible and let the wind blow through our hair as we zipped through the park gawking at the funny Dr Seuss-esque twisted, spiky shaped trees.  Upon exiting, we found a sweet little cowboy saloon and sampled our first burger in America.  A 1/2 pound beef pattie, with jack cheese and an Aneheim chilli sauce washed down with a loacl IPA, I was in pure bliss.  We set off to return to experience a rare chance to view a meteor shower.  We were so lucky as we had no idea this was to happen and were told by the large group of LA locals who inhabited the other trailors who came up from the city for this specific reason.  What better place to view this obstacle than away from the lights and pollution of the city and in the middle of the quiet serene desert.

 

                                                   

                                      

We bought some beers and situated ourselves in the rooftop jacuzzi, as we were as close as we possible could be the specatcle.  This was such a magical evening and one we will never forget.  We met some amazing Americans and spent the whole night leaning our heads back on the brim of the spa, faces upwards to the light show, talking rubbish and other wordly things to these friendly strangers and watching the stars as they zipped past like zippers unleashing the cosmos below.  It would happen so quickly, like an erractic scream, that you almost couldn't believe it was true.  And those strangers - we would never get to actually see their faces because of the complete darkness, and we could never quite remember their names, but they were wonderful and the perfect example of the 24-hour friendships you form while travelling.