more April wildflowers--Joshua Tree National Park

(coyote melon)

(park ranger leading a nature walk)


(bladderpod)

(barrel cactus)

(woolly daisy)

(silver cholla)


More beautiful April wildfllowers in Joshua Tree National Park!

beavertail cactus in bloom--Joshua Tree National Park

(JTNP near the 29 Palms entrance, April, 2009)

desert barrel cactus

(Joshua Tree National Park, April, 2009)

Last week William and I went on a morning ranger-guided walk in Joshua Tree National Park. The topic was wildflowers, in bloom right now. The bloom was pretty as always. For a truly spectacular bloom the timing of rainfall and the dispersal of the seeds of the desert plants need to be in exactly the right balance.

Barrel cactus, of the genus ferocactus, which means "fierce or wild cactus," are shaped like barrels or cylinders. Barrels are among the largest cacti of the North American deserts and can grow to be 11 feet tall. Native Americans boiled and ate the cactus flowers and made tea from them, and used the spines for needles. Cactus candy is also made from the barrel's pulp.


(cactus mother and child?)

(Boyd Deep Canyon, Palm Desert, March, 2008)

More beautiful barrel cactus in Boyd Deep Canyon, a private preserve. Barrels like to grow on hillsides, and were plentiful here.

Walking in the desert, happening upon a burst of pink or red, yellow or purple always amazes me--a desert surprise. Tune in for more wildflowers!

spring flowers--Joshua Tree National Park

(April, 2008)

random desert shots--Moreno Valley

(December, 2008)

Driving back from the desert through Moreno Valley on the freeway... makes you kinda dizzy.

golden cholla--29 Palms

(February, 2009)

I took this photo on an early morning walk in 29 Palms near the Indian Cove area of Joshua Tree National Park. Easy to see why the cactus is called golden.

Darold's memorial service in 29 Palms--February 28, 2009

(portrait of Darold Johnson by his grand-daughter, Dana Armstrong, of Chicago)

My father-in-law, Darold Johnson's memorial service at Immanuel Prince of Peace Lutheran church in 29 Palms was beautiful and memorable. Darold served our country for 44 years--20 years in the Navy and 24 years in civil service, 17 of those at the Marine base in 29 Palms where he taught electronics.

A Navy color guard escort was part of the memorial service. A bugler played taps. Two soldiers unfurled and refolded the American flag. One of them presented the flag to my mother-in-law, Helen, and said, "Thank you for your husband's service on behalf of a grateful nation and the President of the United States." Tears of pride and joy followed. We gave Darold a fantastic send-off!