Featured writer: Street Maps And Studs

“There’s no place like dome!”  No we’re not in Kansas anymore.  Welcome to Joshua Tree National Park, located in southern California, and named for the Joshua tree forests that are native to the park.  Just outside of the park is a large white dome called the Integratron.  The acoustically perfect structure was built in 1954 on area of land known as “sacred” to Native Americans and offers “sound baths.” During a sound bath, a small group of people are exposed to harmonic sound frequencies produced by quartz bowls; which is said to have a deep calming effect.

A friend of mine had heard about sound baths at the Integratron, it sounded interesting so we decided to plan a little camping trip up to Joshua Tree.  We made our reservation, packed our tent and headed east toward the desert!

The national park is wonderful place to escape to, you can camp, go hiking, rock climbing and explored the cutest little town that has some of the best cafes, healthy food, and vintage shops.

I think the video sums it up better than any single photo or long-winded explanation could.  Here are the amazing places we visited:

Trip to Joshua Tree

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pERpktt40nI]

• 
  Crossroads Cafe.  61715 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree.  Adorable little bohemian spot just
  outside of the park entrance.  Vegetarian options but taxidermied wild animals as decor.  Odd but they can get away with it as their homemade cornbread is to die for.
• Ricochet Vintage.  61705 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree.  Cute selection of tutus, vintage hats, and cowboy boots.  Be sure to check out the cactus garden in back.
• Pioneertown.  This small town of saddle shops and live gun shows was built in the ’40’s as a set for the Western films that used to shoot there.

• The Integratron.  2477 Belfield Blvd, Landers.  Built over a magnetic field, the Integratron offers sound therapy.  Make sure you book in advance for this unique homeopathic experience.

• Natural Sisters.  61695 29 Palms Highway, Joshua Tree.  Four words: Date shake, add banana. Or try they’re fresh juice and breakfast sandwich!

• Pappy and Harriet’s.  53688 Pioneertown Road, Pioneertown.  Pappy and Harriet’s is considered a Joshua Tree institution.  Great live music nearly every night, ridiculously good Mesquite BBQ grilled right outside the entrance and unusual decor make it a must-stop for all High Desert road trips.  I love that every drink is served in a Mason jar and the side of baked mac n’cheese for two bucks is an enormous bowl.

• Joshua Tree National Park.  $15 entry fee, $10 per night for campsites.  We stayed at Jumbo Rocks, which is first come first serve.  I highly recommend it, especially if you enjoy making new friends with fellow campers and hearing tales about mountain climbing expeditions and search-and-rescue teams that hunt for redheads (true story).  Even though high season is over, plan on getting there before 6PM to stake your claim on the best sites.