Joshua Tree National Park is a drive into another world. Inside the park’s parameters lies sleepy Skull Rock — one of many interesting finds in this quirky, protected treasure-land.

Not too-too long ago, a grad school friend of Spaceman’s was flying into town to give a lecture (actually about 2 hours outside “town” but closer than his usual home base, and, no, the lecture was not for us!) so we planned a trip to meet him and have a day of exploration. Our destination…Joshua Tree National Park. My excitement to add another stamp to my National Parks Passport Book, combined with Spaceman’s love of desert topography and anything alien looking, Joshua Tree was the perfect fit

Upon entering this park that merges the Colorado and Mojave Deserts, the curious looking Joshua Tree (they’re actually tree-sized yuccas) welcomes its guests. Frustratingly as we meandered around the visitor’s center, I realized I forgot my passport book, doh! The upside, though, is that we will need to make another visit to get it stamped.

Joshua Tree (or JT as locals call it) is a great place for hiking, rock climbing, and general all around fun exploring. Here are my top reasons Joshua Tree should be put on your “go-to” list:

Skull Head Rock, it looks like a sleeping creature but was actually formed by rain drops over time.

Snow…in the desert!  The varying weather, wind and sometimes heavy rain have sculpted a complex terrain.

Desert landscape to be mesmerized by and get lost in. The harsh conditions are home to a variety of unique plants and animals.

*warning: be careful who you travel with as I was confined to a car and trails with two graduates of the University of Florida. One of them (ahem, Spaceman!) is a big fan of “singing” their school song, We Are the Boys.

                                                             (Who, me???)

Have fun on your visit and let me know what you thought.

Details: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, CA 92277 (visitor center); www.nps.gov/jotr