Exploring Joshua Tree with Kids Joshua Tree is such a fun place to visit with kids. It’s a wonderland of Dr. Seuss-ical trees that look even wackier than anything a preschooler could’ve dreamed up. Plus it’s full of round boulders that are just begging to be climbed by little feet. Aside from the otherworldly nature,…
Winter rains in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts this year indicate that this spring may be a good year for wildflowers in both Tucson and Joshua Tree. There’s a chance we may even experience a super bloom if we get lucky! Of course, like any natural phenomenon, wildflowers are difficult to predict. Here are some…
Tucson’s annual Gem and Mineral Showcase is an incredible and unique experience. Whether you’re a seasoned professional, shopping for your home, or just want to admire museum quality specimens from around the world this collection of shows has something for everyone. Tucson Gem Show consists of dozens of unique shows at different venues all over…
Barker Dam Trail in Joshua Tree National Park is a must visit! It’s a fun loop trail that packs a lot of punch. You will see many highlights of the Mojave Desert on this short trail, including Joshua trees, as well as other desert plants such as yucca and cacti, and beautiful monzogranite rock formations….
As much as we love the desert, sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scenery. Luckily here in Tucson you don’t have to travel far to experience something completely different. Towering at 9,171 feet above sea level, Mount Lemmon’s change in elevation from the base to the peak is comparable to that between Mexico…
It’s easy to see why Seven Falls trail is one of the most popular trails in Tucson. It has a little bit of everything: beautiful mountains, saguaros, water … and it culminates at a breathtaking waterfall! The trail is located on the east side of Tucson, so about an hour drive from JTH Tucson. It…
A great hike to celebrate dropping temperatures is Black Rock Loop. The trailhead is located at the Sweetwater Preserve which is a 20 mile scenic drive from JTH Tucson. The parking lot starts you off on Saguaro Vista trail (full of dense Saguaros) which then leads to Black Rock Loop (that loop is about 1.6…
Hugh Norris Trail in Saguaro National Park is a moderate out and back trail named after a respected Tohono O’odham police chief, and is our absolute favorite trail on the west side of the park. The trailhead is only a few minute drive from JTH Tucson, and though it’s 9.8 miles in total it can…
It was about 7:30 one night in May of 2015. Eight hours earlier we had loaded up our car in San Francisco with tools, clothes, and our cats. We had just bought The Joshua Tree House a week earlier and were making our first trip to stay for a few weeks. We got off I-10…
Valley View Overlook Trail in Saguaro National Park is an easy out and back trail that we especially love for spotting all kinds of native desert plants. The trailhead is only a few minute drive from JTH Tucson, and the trail itself takes only about 30 minutes making it a perfect quick adventure into…
