Last Joshua Tree Post

To round out the day, we traveled from Arch Rock, on one side of the park, as the sun was setting, to the far side of the park and Keys View. The temperature dropped precipitously after the sunset and by the time we reached the top it was 35F outside, with a biting 30 mph wind. Keys View has a viewing area that sits at 5,185 ft and overlooks the Coachella Valley, specifically the city of Palm Springs. I didn't know this, but Palm Springs is the gayest town in America, with the highest percentage of "out" people in the country. Keys View also overlooks the San Andreas Fault -- in the full dark, it was visible as a black area that lacked any development.

Looking to the east and south you could see the whole of Coachella Valley shimmer and sparkle. Just like LA. I have never seen cities on the East Coast sparkle, have you? East Coast cities seem to just glow -- emanating light constantly, like a light bulb -- while LA, and now the Coachella Valley, truly sparkle. Interesting...