The windmills of Windmill Valley, as it is nicknamed, in the San Bernardino Valley, number in the hundreds. What a sight to see these huge blades turning in this windy desert valley or on the mountain cliffs above. Crews are erecting many more in this area; blades face in different directions, so depending on the prevailing wind, only some turn at onetime, one of the ways in which California is trying to "Go Green"! 
Our drive of Joshua Tree National Park found two blooms in this "tree" only! The Joshua Tree, is not really a tree, but a type of yucca. Many of the desert cacti are beginning to bloom after all the rains in California. Buds are forming on the prickly pear, the beavertail and the lush green ocotillo are already blooming with their orange poker tips.
The Mohave and Colorado Deserts make up Joshua Tree NP. Joshua Trees,(spent blooms on their tips), are found in the Mohave only, while ocotillo and cholla or the"teddybear"(not to be cuddled) aka the jumping cactus are found in the Colorado, two very distinctive desert landscapes. We hiked in Hidden Valley and to Barker's Dam, two shorter hikes, with the promise we would return for more. We drove to Kelley's Viewpoint where, down in the mountain pass, the Andreas Fault is evident on a clear day.
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