My friend Alex came out from the East side to visit and escape the cold in Philly. We decided that for her first visit to California a road trip was in order. We headed out to the Salton Sea and Joshua Tree in search of some local flavor. we found it. Here is part 1 of the trip.
Balboa Park Organ Pavilion
Vista Point
On the way to the Salton Sea, not sure what this lake is called.
Lunch time
Stretch it out
Salton Sea
The Salton Sea smells
The nothing is all around
Since Alex had never been to California she never had In and Out burger. I had to show her the light.
Excitement
We got lost on the way to Joshua tree so we stopped at this hotel to ask for directions. Not in Kansas anymore. Check out the sign in the window, this is the home of Gram Parsons' spirit.
This cat was playing outside a gas station in Joshua Tree. Reminds me of a friend from home.
The sunset was insane. This shot was from the ranger station. We got in to the park just as the sun set.
Entering the park
Fires are essential
Long exposures
Good morning
Front row seats to the world
creeping
Lizard Queen
Whats really good?
While in a store in Joshua Tree a woman asked me if I like weird art and I said I love it. She made us a treasure map of all the weird things around Joshua Tree that we needed to check out. She lead us to some awesome stuff such as the Rhythm of Life, the Integratron and Noah's Art. This is Alex with the treasure map.
This is the Rhythm of Life. The designs on the hillside. I believe an Australian artist made this. They are best viewed from the air.
So this is the Integratron. It was created by George Van Tassel over the course of 25 years. He called it a time machine, a rejuvenation machine and an anti-gravity device. He claims he received the plans for it from aliens. Well it turns out he created a perfectly acoustic wood structure.
When we pulled up the gates were locked so we called and were informed that the Integratron was being used for a private meditation. So we were not able to get our sound baths that would have aligned our molecules.
This thing is in the middle of nowhere.
Creeping