We finally made it to Joshua Tree National Park after many quick detours along the way. I’d heard a lot about the park, but definitely wasn’t prepared for its vastness and just how remote it really was.

We had the pups with us, and unfortunately like most national parks, Joshua Tree has pretty strict regulations on where dogs can be. Rightfully so, for the protection of the wildlife and your pups, but still a limiting factor for where we could actually explore.

We decided to hit up Skull Rock, an interestingly eery formation just off the paved road and not too deep into the park from the north entrance.

Definitely looks like a skull, if you ask me. It’s definitely an experience seeing this giant and seemingly real face peer down at the horde of tourists walking up towards it (and climbing in its eyes and mouth)!

We crossed the street and decided to explore the jumbo rocks that covered the desert and get a good vantage point of where we were. Can you spot my squad below? ?

When you’re walking around Joshua Tree, it feels like you’ve entered another world. Almost like a hot, dry version of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory – without the chocolate streams and dancing Oompa-Loompas, of course. The plants are otherworldly, both round and spiky at the same time. And of course, we can’t forget THE Joshua Tree, quite possibly the most oddly shaped tree ever I’ve ever come upon to this day. Mind you, I grew up in the midwest where trees were shaped like how they look in kids’ drawings: with a thick, brown stump and leafy green shrubbery on top.

I have to admit, I’m really scared of heights. These rocks were not THAT high off the ground, but it definitely takes a strong gut to inch my way up to the top of the pile with the pups.

Kokoro, on the other hand, is the most graceful four-legged fluff ball I’ve ever seen. While Chibi and I struggled to find our footing, she bounded up to the top of the rocks like it was nothing. I swear, she must have been a gazelle in a past life and held on to some of those traits.

Joshua Tree is a place where you can come to revel in the incredible and unique landscape that nature has left for us to enjoy, while simultaneously conquering your fear of heights to quite literally be on top of the world.

Next time we’re back, we’ll have to get the full park experience by camping at one of its campgrounds!