The car was loaded with the usual camping equipment as we headed toward the desert country of southern California. We know that only one camp ground had water and that all food, water and wood had to been taken along. There would be no stores-only good roads and wilderness. We had planned our supplies carefully so that we would not run short on this camping trip. We had been fascinated by this area because it is so completely different from the usual desert country. It is a unique part of our western desert. The Joshua trees with their shaggy, out-stretched arms stand as stark sentinels against a vivid blue sky. These trees, which grow as high as twenty five feet, are part of the lily family. Creamy white blossoms cluster at the ends of their heavy branches. Legend has it that this plant was given the name of Joshua tree, or praying plant, because of its up stretched arms. Since these trees do not have annual rings, it has been impossible to know their age. We made camp at a spot nestled in a little valley. There we blew up our rubber mattresses, fluffed out our sleeping bags, and did the usual camping shores before we set out to explore the area. A favourite spot was Salton View. Here we were thrilled by an unforgettable picture of valleys, mountains, and desert combined in one magnificent panorama. We saw the green of the date trees in the date gardens far below and were told that these date palms were brought to these shores by missionaries years ago. There were may interesting places to visit. But best of all we liked Hidden Valley, which is completely surrounded by rocks. We were fascinated to learn that this spot was formerly used as a hideout by cattle rustlers. The only way we could enter it was to crawl through the rocks on hands and knees. Once inside, we found a peaceful little velley bordered on all sides by gigantic rocks.