Amy & Kam go to Joshua Tree National Park

Last summer (August 2013), Amy and her husband Andrew joined Alex and I for a weekend camping trip in Yosemite National Park. We had a great time hanging out in our semi-secluded camping spot and tackling the 4-mile trail from Glacier Point to the Valley Floor.

This year, we headed to Joshua Tree National Park for a quick weekend getaway. We were a little short on time (only one night instead of two nights and JTree is much closer than Yosemite) but we knew we wanted to go somewhere.

Alex and I arrived at the campground (Indian Cove, our favorite!) earlier than Team Schubert so we practiced placing nuts/stoppers in the rock formations around our campsite. Alex and I took a top rope anchors class in Joshua Tree last year and haven’t made the time to actually climb outdoors at all to practice what we learned. We need some friends who climb outdoors who are willing to take us and show us…well, show us the ropes!

We talked about work, recapped 2014, and chatted a bit about 30 Days of Lists and our projected ideas for 2015 for Campfire Chic and Lemon and Raspberry. We drove a few miles out of the park to have dinner at Crossroads Cafe. It’s where Alex and I normally have dinner when we’re in Joshua Tree because there are a bunch of vegetarian options available and the mac and cheese is pretty darn good. We spent the rest of the night hanging out around the campfire enjoying adult beverages (yes, from our Stanley mugs and flask) before retiring to the camper.

The next morning, we woke up to the very bright desert sun and we made a few quick veggie tacos (thank you, Mountain House, for starting our morning with a warm bite to eat! The fire roasted vegetables were fantastic) before scrambling up and down the rock formations some more and packing up our campsite. Before going our separate ways, we stopped at Natural Sisters Cafe (which is across the street from Crossroads Cafe) for juice, coffee, and some snacks for the road.

It was a quick trip (we spent less than 24 hours together) but I think we all needed a change of scenery. Alex and I like spending time with Amy and Andrew, especially with how passionate Andrew gets about music! We learn a lot from him…like how tapes (yes, tapes) are a big deal in many circles and how we live near a famous-within-tape-aficionado-circles shop. Amy takes a ton of photos and is extra appreciative when I remember to snap photos of the two of them. It’s nice that we hang out so infrequently but are able to make easy conversation. If only we had more time together.

Where do you go when you need a weekend escape?

P.S. We didn’t stay in tents this time! We borrowed a camper van from JUCY rentals. You can read about the camper van and see some photos here.

P.P.S. Another thank you to Mountain House for sending the fire roasted vegetables to fuel our adventures. We are big fans of the brand (see: backpacking comforts) and I appreciate that they sent the packet for possible review. Opinions about the food are my own, of course.

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