On our flight from Chicago to LA, we flew right over the Grand canyon.
Andrew and Paul took a bike ride to LAX and watched the planes take off overhead. Here is a movie. (22sec/950KB)
We had a birthday party for cousin Paul.
Andrew liked BK's "Perfect Chair."
On Sunday, Bryant spent the day in Long Beach with his birthmother Misty and his half-sister Chance.
Andrew and Cousin Michael at an Irish Pub in Manhattan Beach.
Andrew poses by the Aston Martin he wishes was his.
Then on Monday we drove out to Joshua Tree and met Kev in Yucca Valley for Mexican food.
After lunch we drove in to Joshua Tree National Park to start our four-night camping adventure, while Kev continues pointing at stuff that nobody else can see.
We climbed to the top of a rock pile near camp. Here is a movie. (24sec/1.2MB)
It was windy!
Back at camp, we relaxed until dinner.
After nightfall, we went for a hike in a remote part of the park. We came across this lost hiker and helped her back to our car. She had been missing for over six hours!
The next day we hiked to barker Dam.
Lunch in a shady picnic area.
We had a great campsite.
The next day we drove out of the park and south to the Mecca Hills, to a place called Ladder Canyon.
Hiking in the slot canyon and climbing the ladders was great! Here is a movie. (51sec/2.2MB)
After the narrows, we emerged at the top with a great view.
You can see the Salton Sea in the background.
A quick lunch in the shade.
Our camp as seen from above.
Keys View. That's Banning and Palm Springs far below.
A Teddy Bear Cholla. Steer clear!
Here is a movie of the view inside Hidden Valley. (25sec/1.2MB)
Here is a long movie of an assortment of hikes and views. (1:25/6MB)
Friday we packed up and headed back toward LA. We stopped near Palm Springs to hike in Palm Canyon.
Kev stepped on a lizard by accident. Here is a movie of what it left behind. (14sec/790KB)
This was an ancient grinding hole.
After lunch in Palm Springs, we said goodbye to Kev, drove two hours back to Aunt Sue's house in Manhattan Beach, and cleaned up for our flight home on Saturday. What a great trip!
