U2 Joshua Tree Re-Enactment in Joshua Tree National Park

I had a little trepidation when Michelle suggested we do the Panorama Hike around Joshua Tree National Park. It's long, this hike, almost 7 miles. In the desert. Some of my hesitation might have had to do with the last time we went hiking in the desert. It was when the 'rents were volunteer park rangers at a National Park in New Mexico.

My most vivid memory is pulling up in front of a concrete bunker surrounded by miles of sand. Tom, my brother and Mary had driven all night in a PT Cruiser from Vegas. 

It was like a scene out of Grapes of Wrath or something. Pop comes flying out the door of the bunker and shows us to what was supposed to be our accommodations for our stay. It's another bunker nearby. He proudly points to the gym mats lying on the floor and says that he wiped them all down with bleach due to the hantavirus outbreak in the area.

Lots of opportunities for a full
black death experience in the area

Anyway, we decided to crash on the floor of their bunker instead. On the day of our desert hike, we had to get up at 4am to beat the sun. Nonetheless, Tom got so dehydrated he drank a gallon of water when we got back and then peed for over a minute straight.

So there was that, and then Bruce's stern warning to bring a sunhat because he said the sun was unrelenting when they hiked out there over New Years. It's a thing for Bruce and I. We regularly bond over coffee and talks about Coolibar SPF50 sun gear.

Turns out, nothing to be worried about. The Joshua Tree Panorama Hike was amazing. Granted, if you're reading this for travel advice, load up on sunscreen, water and wear a hat. Also, no advice for anyone attempting the loop in anything but the dead of "winter." Oh, one more thing, buy your park tickets in advance so you don't have to wait online.

Joshua Tree Panorama Hike View

Tom on a summit

As Helen mentioned when we were in the car headed back to Palm Springs, I'd forgotten how much fun it is to hike with a group. You walk along with this person and then that person and then peer at something with someone else.

Of course no panorama tour would be complete without a U2 Joshua Tree Album Cover reenactment:

Did we nail it or did we nail it?