California National Parks ~2026 Superbloom

Drove to Lake Olancha on the west side of Death Valley NP and camped in a private campground rather than in the park. We just cant do non electric when its 100 degrees.  We saw some nice snippets of wildflowers on the way. Wild west memorabilla lol  We stopped here for some native oranges!! So very good! Arrived at our campsite. view out our window. No frills but very pretty view. Made a small charcuterie plate with Iberian ham I brought to remember our trip to Spain last fall A better view in the morning! The first stop in Death Valley National Park was Father Crowley Vista This spot has a great view of Rainbow Canyon which was used for military training. this  Next stop "Badwater Basin" the lowest spot in North America!! It is named Badwater basin because earlier settlers donkey wouldn't drink the water... not because it eas bad but because it was too salty!      The salt I walked in the water. could only get about 6-12 inches clear but so so sa...

 The heat is still crazy but around 95 instead of 108, lol. On the way to Joshua Tree we went by  acres of coconut palms. must have been a coconut farm so cool! Thinking the blue crane on the right may be picking coconuts. OMG I have never seen so many teddy bear chollas in one place ever!! Crazy!!! AND they were blooming!!!!!! Below is our first Joshua tree sighting. lol wait till you see later pics! Approaching all the big rock formations that make Joshua tree famous. Above is an oasis spring the palms are so cool, so thick when not trimmed I found an authentic Mexican restaurant that finally had nopalitos ( Cactus pads, one of my most favorites that I have trouble finding in restaurants even out west!!) I was in heaven!  The next day we explored the northern part of the park ( The more visited part) We found so many wildflowers and cacti and ACRES of Joshua Trees! But first on the way to the north gate we drove by the biggest wind farm we have ever seen. in Palm Spring...