Desert Faces and Flowers

So after yesterday's hike we decided to head in another direction today.  And this one took us toward rocks that look like various faces, whilst passing lots more flowers, among other things.

Skull Rock, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Face Rock, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Tiki Head or Easter Island?, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Geologic Time Line, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Amazing how some of those rocks really do look like faces, or perhaps a better explanation is how much our minds find shapes and ascribe meaning to them.  Good ol' evolution ;-)

On another outing, we came across quite a few more desert plants and flowers.  Amazing how much diverse life there is in the desert.

Sand Wasp?, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Colorful Cacti, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pin Cushion for Carol?, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I Heart You (Beavertail Cactus), Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Flowering Yucca, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another Bloomin' Yucca!, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

As the sun was setting, we noticed what appeared to be some musicians perched on some rocks, and then made ourselves dinner ("we" as in Carol ;-).  This was followed the next day by a very healthy breakfast as we departed this great (and large) National Park.

Jammin' at Sunset, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

That's a Wrap!, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Looks Yummy!, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo  to enlarge]

Morning Bowl O' Health, Jumbo Rocks Campground, Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Joshua Trees frame San Gorgonio Mountain, Departing Joshua Tree National Park, CA, April 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I think I posted these recipes before, but I like these pictures, so just in case you haven't seen it but wanted to, here are the recipes (with minor updates):

Carol's Chickpea-Artichoke Spread (Vegan)
2 cans (15 oz) garbanzo beans (drained and mashed)
1 can (15 oz) artichoke hearts in water (drained and diced)
1 cup chopped sweet peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup chopped scallions (or diced onion, or dried onion)
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 TBS dried parsley
1/2 cup Vegannaise (UPDATE:  we now just put a little of this on each tortilla itself when serving)

Mix together and chill. Makes 8 servings (wraps). Roll up in a tortilla with sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, greens (optional), and sliced avocado (optional).

Carol's Bowl O' Health Oatmeal (Vegan)

We make up a large batch of oats and then reheat each morning. Boil 8 cups water, add 2 cups steel cut oats, turn down to low boil and stir occasionally. Should be creamy after 30 minutes. Then turn heat off, re-cover pot, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

For each serving (~1/2 cup oats), add:
- 1/8 tsp allspice
- 1/4 tsp powdered ginger
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seed
- 1 Tbsp raw shelled hemp seed
- 2 Tbsp raisins
- 1/4 cup walnuts
- UPDATE:  we just added Pomegranate Seeds, and they are yummy (2 tsp per serving)!
- and add 1/4 cup Almond milk if reheating (in a pot or microwave) the following day

(Note: we have grown accustomed to this level of turmeric -- you may use less if just starting out. But turmeric is a miracle spice, so it's worth having as much as possible.)

To the warm oatmeal mixture, add fresh berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries), if available, or if not, add brown sugar to taste. A banana is also good. Then add more almond milk to get your desired consistency.