Ahh! The chance to run, jump and play like a child in the colorful geological playground of Joshua Tree National Park: Who of us, with a playful mind and the drive to explore, can resist the lure of gigantic rocks piled to the sky? Our visits to Joshua Tree National Park typically take place in the winter when we wish to escape the cold days of January in Wrightwood. The pictures on these pages chronicle the kinetic spirit of our climbing and are from our mid-January trip of 2003, however we have made many trips back sense then. Our most recent trip was a high energy trail run through hidden valley in late 2006.

OK, so we are not the 145 lb. free climbers that easily lift their body weight with two fingers. We are rather perennial hikers that love the challenges of pointing to a rocky mountain summit and saying "Let's see if we can get there." These trips are largely ropeless with climbing technology and nomenclature that is developed on the fly. Our favorite activity is shaming one another into jumping ever increasing expanses between rocks. The moniker, "F-ing Baby!" goes to the individual that allows self-preservation to exceed his sense of peer pressure.

At the end of the day every neuron in our brain is activated, taking in the huge data streams from our sore muscles and the visual explosions of the killer sunset. It is an amazing phenomenon where one is so taken in by the scenery and the intense activity at hand that one is transported away from oneself. The essential armament for a successful day at Joshua Tree is as follows: several types of hummus, savory crackers, everything bagels and tons of water. For the ride home the essential CDs are Devo, Crystal Method, Oingo Boingo and The Dave Matthews Band. Have fun climbing on the rocks and be careful not to "turtle!"