It has been SOOOO long since I have been to Joshua Tree. At this time last year, I was making plans to move to J Tree by September 2007. Obviously that didn’t happen. I am not too sad about it, because I really like where I am at right now, but I do miss Joshua Tree and I am always up for a trip to the high desert. So I think we will be heading out this weekend in spite of the gas-induced crunch on our budget. It will be so nice to climb, but I am feeling a little out of shape. I did some yoga and weights this weekend to start unwinding from our road trip, and I am feeling it today. Plus, I know from the last time we went to Stoney Point that my grip strength has really decreased since I stopped doing hang board training. So it may be a humbling climbing trip, but at least it will be fun.

I think most of the wildflowers will be gone by now, but as long as we get the chance to climb, I’ll be happy. I had the chance to test out my new sleeping bag on our recent whirlwind road trip, and I am pretty confident it will be perfect for the weather at Joshua Tree this weekend. I am also really excited to pay another visit to Country Kitchen for breakfast. The restaurant is super tiny and usually very crowded but their delicious homemade food makes the wait worthwhile. Their light, buttery biscuits and gravy are pure heaven; my mouth is watering just thinking about them. And they are the perfect energy boost after climbing.

Ok, I am getting super excited about heading out to J Tree this weekend. I need to focus on work for a while. Will write more soon.

It’s official–gas has gotten REALLY expensive in Southern California. The gas station across from my office is now selling regular unleaded for $3.99/gallon. It’s premium brands are $4.09 and $4.19/gallon. Sheesh! Partner-in-Climb and I were serendipitously invited to Joshua Tree this weekend by friends who scored a campsite, and now we are furiously doing some post-tax season budgeting to pay for the gas. I think it will take about 2 full tanks to get us there and back, so that’s at least $150.

I am trying to focus on the fact that I have REALLY REALLY wanted to go to J Tree on this particular weekend for months. It’s the full moon weekend, and it gets so bright in the desert that you can scramble around on some of the boulders at night. It is SO much fun. If it’s not windy, it’s also a great time of year to sleep outside without a tent. Plus, it’s probably the last weekend before it gets to be what I consider “way too hot” in the desert. So there are a lot of good reasons to go. It will just suck to pay that much for gas.

I am so excited for the long President’s Day weekend! Partner-in-Climb(PIC) and I have talked about camping and climbing at Ojai, Joshua Tree and a variety of other places, but we have just decided that we will play it by ear tomorrow morning. I hope the weather holds out because I am so anxious to try out my new sleeping bag. I got it for Christmas from my mom, but I haven’t been camping since then, so I have not had a chance to use it out. It’s from LL Bean and has a very soft fleece lining… Should be cozy!

I’ll post more Monday about my adventures!