1-10 American Roadtrip: Tucson and Joshua Tree National Park

We woke up in Tucson ready for a Southwestern breakfast..and we definitely found one at Bobo's diner, which is a huge hit in the city. Men wearing cowboy hats, families and hipsters alike were all in the restaurant even as early at 8am when we arrived. I ordered Huevos Rancheros and it looked like Heaven on a plate.

The restaurant itself has an unassuming facade but the crowd and food testifies to a memorable and worthwhile experience. It is clearly beloved by Tucson residents.

Then it was back on the open road.

We drove through blisteringly hot desert, northwest through Phoenix and then finally across the California state line where there was boarder patrol stations that made everyone slow down to look into our cars.

We went through another time change and stopped to get some Subway sandwiches and two liters of water for our planned hike in Joshua Tree National park. We decided to do the Los Palms Oasis trail, which is an aptly named, seven mile hike through the high desert and then down into a canyon to the largest collection of California fan palms anywhere.

We got a bit worried as we walked as there were clear markers for the 1st and 2nd mile marker but the 3rd was never indicated, and according to the ranger we spoke to the trail was supposed to be three and a half miles to and from the oasis. There were also some pretty steep and slippery hills and rocks to scramble over, I slipped a lot which every time made Ashley cry out as if I was dead. At the end we sat in the shade of the palms, listening to the quiet serenity of the desert and enjoyed our energy bars and apples I had packed in my small hiking bag (an essential item in life).

It was a fulfilling experience after riding so many days nonstop in the car and we felt much better for it. I regretted wearing a heavy sweater because even though it was January, at 1pm hiking in the direct sun of the desert was hot! I was grateful to have it in the evening on the walk back to the car.

Around 5pm we were back in my car and on our way to Rialto, California where my dad lives. As we came down into the San Gabriel valley from the high desert I stopped at the first In & Out Burger I could find for Ashley to try. And I can safely say it was the best burger either of us had ever had after a full day of driving and a seven mile hike through Joshua Tree.