Part 4 of 5 Joshua Tree Narl Park 2-29-12

We are in the Mojave Desert now where we have seen the desert change. This is one of the first Joshua Trees we saw, the others were small because of the changing deserts. Some say when the Mormon's were traveling they named this tree after Joshua in the bible because with the arms were out stretched in supplication, guiding them westward.
The Joshua Tree is part of the Yucca Plant family. When young it will grow several inches the first 5 years and then it will average 1/2 inch per year. They are fibirous and have no growth rings so they can't really tell how old they are. This is one that a arm has fallen off recently. It was big.
This is a real tall one with few arms. This tree has never bloomed which is why it is branchless. The Indians used different parts of the tree. The tough leaves for making baskets and sandals, they roasted the flower buds and seeds.
Here you can see a forest of Joshua Trees. Both sides of the road were covered with them. I liked to see them and thought they looked neat. Some people thought they looked grotesque. Some said they were twisted, spiky trees straight out of a Dr. Seuss book. Yes they could be.
I made Phil climb over the guard rail to stand in this snow. Not much of it around but it was some snow. The mountains further into CA that we could see had snow on them. But we were still in shorts while others were in coats. ((we were chilly).
This is a Joshua Tree flower bulb. It has to bloom in order for the tree to have arms. It requires a yucca moth for pollination. Actually the yucca moth and the bulb need each other to survive. Won't go into detail there.
Around this rock some where is the place that Gram Parsons's body was set on fire as he wished. Gram was staying in the town of Joshua Tree, CA and told his buddy that he wanted to be cremated in Joshua Tree and his ashes spread. The park took the stone slab away because to many people were tearing it up. He was a singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist. Was ranked by Rolling Stones as the 87th of 100 greatest artists of all time. He was 26 when he overdosed and his buddy stole his body from the LA airport with a borrowed hearse (try and do that today) took it to the Park poured 5 gallon of gas on the open coffin and threw a match on it. True story.

Phil has talked about this guy for along time and was excited that he got to see the place. Please continue on to the last blog and pictures.