7:45AM
We're off to a little later start than usual this morning after discovering that Mark's garment bag with all of his dress clothes for his job this summer is missing. After mentally retracing our steps, we figure it's either at a gas station or a rest stop in Arizona. Or a trucker found it and is looking rather sharp this morning. The probability of recovery seems low.
Needless to say, Mark is not in a good mood, but I guess I can't blame him. The car has been completely silent for the past half hour and I don't think Tyler and I are brave enough to break it. This could be a long drive.
We are headed to Wickenburg, AZ for a quick visit with Grandpa Chuck, Grams Helena, and my Aunt Sara. Then we are off to Joshua Tree for our first night in California baby!
9:19AM
Mark just finished calling all the gas stations and no leads. But on a brighter note, I just talked to Grandpa Chuck and I couldn't be happier to go visit them! This group needs a little grandparent cheer right about now. My favorite part of our five minute phone conversation was when he was giving me directions to Route 60 and asked me if I was familiar with mile markers- those green signs with numbers on them. I love grandparents.
6:37PM
I'm in a bad mood, so I'm hesitant to even write, but I don't want to leave out the highlights of the worst day of our trip thus far. The high point was definitely visiting Grandpa Chuck, Grams Helena, and Sara! We met Grandpa Chuck at his spacious house and got the tour before we headed off to meet the girls at a little Mexican restaurant for lunch. Yes, that was probably the first and only restaurant we'll stop at for the rest of the trip. After our nice, but brief, lunch we headed out towards Southern California.
The real bad mood set in upon entering Joshua Tree Park, where we are camping for the night. The park office was closed and our map really doesn't give a detailed overview of the park, so we drove blindly into the desert on a road with barely any cars for about a half hour before I put the car in park in the middle of the road, frustrated. I got out and let Mark take over. He drove about 45 minutes further into the desert and as I watched the gas gauge empty, I grew sick to my stomach. Right before I hit full on panic mode, we pulled up to a park exit sigh and into a small town that had a gas station. I've never been more happy to see a gas pump in my entire life! Unfortunately, there was still a lot of bad energy in the car. I was frustrated with the desert. Mark was still frustrated about his lost clothing. And Tyler was frustrated with Mark and my frustration. But Tyler got behind the wheel and managed to finally land us at the Indian Cove campsite in Joshua Tree.
Tyler and Mark have already set out on a walk to explore the area. I decided to stay in the tent and sulk. Everybody can use a good sulking now and again. Additionally my legs hate me thanks to the 9.2 mile joyride I took them on yesterday. OK before negative Nancy writes a novel, I'd better put the pen down for today and hope for a cheerier disposition tomorrow.
9:00PM
After a little brooding, I gave Joshua Tree a chance and left the tent. It is actually beautiful here. I've never seen such amazing rock formations. My biggest complaint now is that campsites in the Mojave desert apparently don't get water. My fear of dehydration has led me to make the gross decision not to brush my teeth. I feel them rotting already. I hope my friends still love me with a gummy smile.
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