Joshua Tree.

Ok, so officially this isn't a hike, I'm not even sure it qualifies as a walk but I wanted to share it anyway.

Highway 93 is the Joshua Tree Scenic Highway, and on this particular day a couple of weeks ago it was stormy....like Snoopy's "It was a dark and stormy night" kind of stormy. Route 93 has pullouts along the road and the couple of times I have done it there is usually a little trail that that you can stretch your legs on and enjoy the patches of Joshua trees. I couldn't take it anymore...the skies were too dramatic and the trees stark against the horizon...I pulled off the pavement, jumped out in the mud and climbed a tiny hill with my camera to find this lone tree. Between raindrops I took 3 shots and it was enough. On to Kingman as the raindrops turned into snow flurries.

 Joshua Tree, Highway 93 North of Wickenberg, AZ           ©Marcia Mauskopf 2011

The Desert First Aid Kit

One thing about the desert...it's full of sticky sharp stuff. Cactus spines, delicate fibrous barbs, pointed rocks. And I've managed to brush up against or fallen on all of the above.

While it's always wise to carry at least a basic first aid kit anytime you are playing outdoors, there are some essentials that I just can't do without because they are specifically for this arid environment. They don't take much space, but are so valuable to have when you need them.

• Tweezers
• Duct Tape
• Fine Toothed Comb
• Hand Sanitizer

Maybe some strange bedfellows but all do the job in getting rid of painful, sticky spines (except the sanitizer, that's to make me feel better :-D ). Tweezers for splinters and those big single spines and the fine tooth comb pulls out bunches of smaller ones at one time. Ever looked at a Cholla? All those fine, soft looking little clusters? Painful as all to get out and easiest to "wax" off with a piece of duct tape. Best part? These few things fit in a pocket ready to help at a moment's notice.