To start with, I didn’t sleep well last night…on purpose!  With the Perseid Meteor Shower happening tonight and, even more so, tomorrow night and with us being in dark sky territory, I set my alarm for 1:30 am so I could practice some astrophotography.  (I’ll post my best meteor shower photos after tomorrow night’s viewing.)

Given the heat and our desire, though, to do a nice hike today, Nanine and I agreed to meet at 7 am to hike.  Yep, despite having very little sleep last night, I explored this wonderful national reserve (still trying to figure out what a national reserve is…).

The hike seemed harder than it probably was…due to lack of sleep? dehydration?  heat?  calorie deficit? yesterday’s double vaccines?

Regardless, although I felt a bit “bonkish” the last mile, the hike was FABULOUS!  It combined elements Poly Canyon, Joshua Tree National Park, the Sierras, and Pinnacles! Cool, too, we got to see a few rock climbers.