I had low expectations for Southern California, but so far we’re having a blast. We’ve parked in the desert, with a lovely view of the San Jacinto and San Bernardino mountains, which remain snow capped although it is a blistering 90* out. We’re a quick trip to Palm Springs where there happens to be a free, outdoor art installation at the moment and the super bloom airbrushes the highway medians with color on the way to Joshua Tree and Death Valley. We have made a bucket list of hiking trails that feature slot canyons, waterfalls, hot springs, cholla, and high peak pines. But wait, THERE'S MORE!