Joshua Tree

BACKSTORY: From the Joshua Tree National Park website: Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, come together in Joshua Tree National Park. A fascinating variety of plants and animals make their homes in a land sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrents of rain. Dark night skies, a rich cultural history, and surreal geologic features add to the wonder of this vast wilderness in southern California. When visiting the area, a great place to stay is the Joshua Tree Inn, built in 1949 and located a mere five miles from the Joshua Tree National Park. Room 8 is where musician Gram Parsons resided the night he OD’ed in 1973. The staff is friendly and the property is well maintained. Pioneertown is just eleven miles away from the park. The historical town was originally incorporated in 1946, when Dick Curtis shared his dream for a "Living Breathing Movie Set." More than 50 films and serials were filmed in Pioneertown during the 1940's and 1950's.