After two days of hiking Zion, and knowing that I wanted to stay up late and shoot the night sky we decided to enjoy the comforts of the hotel by sleeping in. Around 11 we headed out for a quick stop at Red Cliffs National Conservation Area in St George, Utah. Braving the 105 degree temperatures we explored the red rocks for about half an hour.
Leaving St George Utah Tori drove us down to Hoover Dam. We spent about an hour in the sweltering heat to walk around this feat of engineering. The heat drove my thirst and we stopped for quick refreshment at Boulder Dam Brewing in Boulder City. Finishing up our pints we headed back into the Subaru and made our way a few more hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park was lower on our radar of parks we needed to visit and we allowed for it to be a short one night only stay. We were impressed with the Chola Cactus Garden, and its many teddybear cholla cactii.
We continued our drive through the park passing many Joshua Trees, stopping at Skull Rock, before venturing up to Keyes view to watch the sun set over the Coachella valley.
After the sun had set we drove back through the park in late dusk in search of a picnic table to make dinner on. Finding an unused group campsite we made dinner and setup the car for Tori to sleep in while I waited for the stars to come out. The benefit of taking photos of the night sky is the joy of sitting out in the still warm desert air and watch the millions of stars appear. The sky was most clear, but I remember the stars being more brilliant at Yellowstone National Park last summer. Star photos coming later on.
Leaving St George Utah Tori drove us down to Hoover Dam. We spent about an hour in the sweltering heat to walk around this feat of engineering. The heat drove my thirst and we stopped for quick refreshment at Boulder Dam Brewing in Boulder City. Finishing up our pints we headed back into the Subaru and made our way a few more hours to Joshua Tree National Park.
Joshua Tree National Park was lower on our radar of parks we needed to visit and we allowed for it to be a short one night only stay. We were impressed with the Chola Cactus Garden, and its many teddybear cholla cactii.
We continued our drive through the park passing many Joshua Trees, stopping at Skull Rock, before venturing up to Keyes view to watch the sun set over the Coachella valley.
After the sun had set we drove back through the park in late dusk in search of a picnic table to make dinner on. Finding an unused group campsite we made dinner and setup the car for Tori to sleep in while I waited for the stars to come out. The benefit of taking photos of the night sky is the joy of sitting out in the still warm desert air and watch the millions of stars appear. The sky was most clear, but I remember the stars being more brilliant at Yellowstone National Park last summer. Star photos coming later on.
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| Red Cliffs National Conservation Area |
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| Red Cliffs National Conservation Area |
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| Memorial Bridge viewed from Hoover Dam |
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| Hoover Dam |
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| Lake Mead, concerningly low water level |
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| Cholla Cactus Garden |
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| Skull Rock |
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| Skull Rock |
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| Joshua Trees along the road throgh the park |
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| sunset at Keyes point |
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| Joshua trees late in blue hour |
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