Friday, January 22, 2021

Sign In, Please!

 Well, where do I begin? I left off last week sharing photos from the "Broken Nose" alcove hike in Joshua Tree National Park, and mentioning I saw something that might be a cave. I didn't have enough daylight to visit it, so I hiked back on a later date (which is the topic of todays post). I also mentioned that my one regret from the hike was not taking a picture of the register I had left in the alcove. I placed the sign-in register in the alcove about 2 1/2 years ago, very curious to see if anyone ever found (and managed to climb into) the alcove. To my immense surprise, one person had indeed signed in!

Here's the amazing part. I got an email the other day with the below photo attached.
This just blew me away! Someone named Terry had read my post and forwarded a photo of the register sign in. It's exactly what I wanted! Looks like he visited late in 2018. No one has visited in the last two years (since Terry's visit). But who is this mysterious Terry person? Turns out, this is the same person who just happened upon me on a hike to some pictographs here. At that time, he recognized me and connected me to my blog. And at the time, I remember thinking "what are the chances of someone running across me in the middle of nowhere, and being someone who regularly reads my blog? One in a million?? And now Terry has amazed me again by being the only other person who has visited Broken Nose alcove, and took a photo of the register. I'll say it again, what are the chances? One in a million?? Anyway, thank you Terry. You continue to amaze me. One of these days, we absolutely need to hike together!
 
So, lets move on to my follow-up hike to the Broken Nose alcove area to see if we can find what looked like a cave. 
Looks like a fish head, looking up at the sky!

Looking into the alcove. Hard to get a sense of scale, but it's quite large.
 
I may have to visit again just to check out this part of the alcove. See that area of daylight? It's possible the alcove opens up just beyond the rocks in the foreground. You would have to literally crawl in (hands and knees) but there might be something back there. I have my telephoto lens, so lets take an even closer look.
 
Yes, it's certainly possible there is a secondary alcove or cave just past these rocks. If so, who knows what might be back there? May be nothing, but may be something significant. Definitely worth a look!
 

Reminds me of a crab claw!

 
A nice look-back at the alcove.
 
California Buckwheat eking out an existence in the desert rocks.
 
A beautiful little cave, but not the one I'm looking for.

Another desert plant trying to survive, growing on bare rock.
 
There it is! Well, it looks a little less cave-like from this angle and this light. On my last hike, this opening in the rocks really captivated me. Lets go take a closer look.
 
From up close, you can easily see a large boulder blocking a section of what looked like (from a distance and in the shadows) a much larger opening. Oh well, that's part of the fun of exploring. You never know what you might find!
 

This "cave" turns out to be rather shallow and small. Nothing interesting inside that I can spot. I've never hiked in this immediate area, so let's do a little more exploring before finishing up todays hike.
 
I always like the way the bold green California Juniper stands out against the tan colors of the desert boulders. Its light blue berries add a nice dash of color!
 
 
Tenaja: "A shallow water retention area, usually in a rock or boulder". From a distance, I would have sworn that this was a large puddle of water. As I got closer, I could see the area was a discolored indentation, likely from retaining water for extended periods over the years. These areas can be an important source of water for wildlife.
 

Multi-colored lichen

Mojave Yucca seems to have lost its head!

I'm hiking in deep shadows, yet the hills N of 29 Palms are bathed in purple sunlight!

 
The hike is nearly completed. Can you see my car (center of photo)?
Thanks for stopping by and joining me on this adventure.
Stay safe and stay healthy!
Linking with Skywatch Friday.

39 comments:

  1. Another awesome outing, thank you! I bet I'm not the only one jealous of Terry 😎

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  2. Wonderful photos of a great hike again. It's lovely to see those smaall cloured plants in the middels of the desert.
    But most of all the continueing story of you and Terry is quite stunning.

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  3. ...it's small world and in your case a beautiful one!

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  4. Love the photos and the story about the register. Very cool!

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  5. Dearest Peter,
    WOW, that must indeed have blown your mind!
    What a very slim chance of ever living to see that...
    Great photos again and always another adventure to enjoy.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  6. It is amazing that you would actually see the very same person who signed the register and sent you the picture. It is indeed a very small world.
    MB

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  7. Interesting shots. You and Terry share the same interests. I've been recognized by blog readers a couple of times, and I don't have that big a following, but they searched the web for someplace I blogged about and began following. Oh, and I recognized a woman in the grocery store because I follow her blog.

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  8. Really wow! We often say: the world is a village...
    The buckwheat is so lovely and the other plants, wich are living there.
    Greetings from Germany

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  9. I particularly liked the shot with the vegetation: there is a nice light in them. Even the colorful lichen...Great nature!

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  10. How amazing that Terry found the alcove, signed the register, knew your blog, and emailed the photo! When I see your photos of the isolation of the desert, it gives the feeling that no one else is walking the paths. Strange.

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  11. Beautiful as always especially the plants.

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  12. Beautiful some really interesting subjects and photos this week

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  13. Your illustrated hikes are always so fascinating

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  14. What a great entry. Love the dialog and the pictures. Your doggedness amazes me (and every one reading I am sure!)
    Be safe
    Sherry & jack in North CArolina

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  15. So what are the odds? How about the odds of exploring an old inholding? What about that exact owner finding a picture of his cabin on your blog?? Odds are an interesting thing-seemingly infinite but maybe not so much...

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  16. Your register is kind of like a geocache except you didn't give the coordinates (wisely). It's indeed amazing how the internet kind of binds us together in many ways.

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  17. Amazing about 'your register' find ~ Wow! ~ And fantastic photos of the desert florals ~ always fascinating how they grow in the desert ~ Happy Weekend to you ~

    Moment by moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  18. It feels like a small world when something like that happens. The Internet has brought me to the discovery of people from the pastI never thought I would see again, and my blog has brought me to meet-ups with a few like-minded people, friends I would never have met otherwise. I love the photo of the buckwheat living a life on the rocks. Such a beautiful area.

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  19. Great photos from a great trip! Unbelievable that plants grow in this arid landscape? And a funny story about the man who visited the "Broken Nose" alcove and also reads your blog!

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  20. Another great outing. What a story about Terry, totally incredible.
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  21. I did see your car. Plants survive in the middle of no where. Water discolors boulders. So glad you posted another adventure. Interesting information. Be safe.

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  22. Fantastic photos as always! Love the story about Terry - very cool! Hope you guys can get a hike in one day.

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  23. What a phenomenal area you have to hike through, always something different to see and explore. Love that you have included some plant photos this time - nature is amazing how it can survive in what appears to be a hostile environment. I hope you get to meet up with Terry at some stage, it sounds like you would both enjoy hiking together. Take care :)

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  24. Perhaps Terry went looking for your blog, or your blog inspired some hikes. Weird coincidence, but I wonder if it wasn't helped along by some common interest.

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  25. I love all your photos but the ones with flowers...love love!

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  26. Great photos! It is a wonderful landscape!

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  27. Hello,
    Great story! Your photos are beautiful, love the plants, rock formations and the skies. Take care, enjoy your day. Have a great new week!

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  28. Wow, what a story! You two should get together - having the same interest ... or you could even have a hike together...This must have made your day. Love the light spot in your 4th capture, and the buck wheat - a lovely hike, Peter (thanks for your comment on Zilker botan. Garden).

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  29. Wonderful pics again and yay for social media, too! Hope you two meet up for real.

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  30. Wonderful shots and great that Terry and you got connected!

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  31. That's awesome Terry contacted you, I'm looking forward to your hiking photos together.

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  32. I can just imagine how exciting it must have been to get Terry's note SPP, you definitely need to hike together! You really do take the most fantastic desert landscape shots. The resilience of the desert plants is amazing, it's the same in the desert here also, you just have to wonder how they survive. Another excellent read!

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  33. My goodness. This post has it all! From the excitement and surprise of Terry's email - to the beautiful colorful lichen - to a shooting star - and everything in between. What a fun adventure. I hope you and Terry hook up and become hiking buddies.

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  34. Yes, it was amazing that Terry sent you that email and indeed the world is a smaller place than we would think! As much as I always enjoy seeing the magnificent rock formations, caves and scenes you show in your posts, the dessert plants in this one caught my attention, Rick.

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  35. And a Beautiful adventure it was ... your car out there really gives some perspective both to the immensity and the solitude. Really fun to have the email from Terry and, previously, to have met him. I had that happen to me at my favorite nature area in Florida when someone recognized and connected me to my blog and it was such a nice lift! (But there are way more people doing that walk than there are hiking in the far reaches of JT , so the odds are way better.

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  36. Rather Refreshing Knowing There Are Good Humans Walking Mother Earth - Stunning Photos And Pretty Damn Trippy With Your Driver Licenses Post - In Our Day, Passing Your Drivers Examine Was Such A Right Of Passage

    Be Well,
    Cheers

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  37. So many great outings, so many stories to tell....
    Yes, I can see you car in the middle of nowhere!!!

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