We spent our last few days at Joshua Tree camping at white tank campground surrounded by boulders. When we arrived a number of the campsites were roped off. When we asked about this, the Ranger told us that a special guest was coming, "the President?", she was very hush hush. On our last morning at the white tanks campground a group of people passed by and commented on the Little Guy, they explained that they had trailer envy. It turns out that this was the current Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell. We weren't sure who she was until we googled her photograph, so no blog pictures.
Going from Joshua Tree to Death Valley our paths crossed old Route 66 in Barstow, California. After setting up camp we lost no time in exploring our new surroundings. Who knew there would be canyons in Death Valley? Located just north of Joshua Tree on the Mesa in Landers, CA- the Integratron has a fascinating back story. It was built by George Van Tassel after an encounter with aliens who entrusted him with a technique for regenerating living tissue. Noah came to Joshua Tree in 1989 from LA. He was looking for an outdoor space to display his assemblage sculptures. Noah was one of the founders of the Watts Towers Arts Center in the 1960's.He died in 2004. Most of the work in this park was produced in the 1990's. The site is a 10 acre plot of high desert landscape where Noah worked and lived. It has the feel of a Jamacian farm yard.. The assemblages are both large and small. It's hard to convey the expierence of walking around the property with the apparently random placememt of the work. Noah always claimed his work didn't have political content. But looking around some pieces seemed to. There were also little piles of plunder and various work areas scattered about. He said his work was an expression of life in the environment. It would change over time as it sat outside. "I hope my work provides inspiration for a person to do today what they couldn't do yesterday, no matter what it is. That's art. That's the fundamental creative process and it's something that changes people and empowers them." Noah Purifoy Joshua Tree National Park straddles two derserts. The Mohave and the Sonoran. Joshua trees are found mostly in the Mohave. Joshua trees are actually a type of agave yucca. We've left the coast and moved to the desert. We have taken up residence in a cozy studio in Joshua Tree, CA. Across the studio is the trail to Coyote Hole. And plants as well. San Diego is a hot bed of craft brewing. There are over a hundred brewers in the area and we sampled a lot of local brew. Stone Brewing Company is one of the largest brewers and they have a very slick setup.They made their mark on the craft brew scene with their hoppy ales. The Stone brewery is not just a brewery with a bar. Oh no! There's a gift shop with all manner of apparel and gift items bearing the Stone logo. They have a very slick restaurant with good food and an eye popping beer garden. |