Halloween is all about scary

Our hosts and good friends Daniel and Evie turned their home and garage into a haunted house. They went over the top with decorations and food. This could easily become our new Halloween tradition.

The haunted castle was so scary, kids wouldn't go in. I did. I'm not afraid to take candy from strangers.

Look into my eyes. Sucka

The devil made him do it.

Good clean family fun for the entire neighborhood

These yard games are fun. Hands down.

Must be present to win. Lucky us. We spent the night.

Doesn't everyone likes deviled eggs with spiders crawling on them?

This finger dog is just gross.

And who can resist a barfing pumpkin with salsa for brains?

I was a seamstress trying out a new pattern. Tim had a spitting headache that night.

Joshua Tree National Park

The Joshua Tree lives only in the Mohave Desert of California. This park has wonderful camping spots among the rocks. Although we did not spend the night, the star gazing is spectacular because of the clear desert air and elevation.

Unlike most boulders that are shaped by wind and water above ground, the boulders at Joshua Tree were formed underground. Then with the arid climate and flash floods the protective top soil was washed away. The huge boulders settled on top of each to form impressive rock piles. I've renamed Skull Rock to Conehead Rock. Kaela said I should have climbed in its eye socket.

Along the drive between the Colorado Desert at the lower elevation and Mohave Desert is a huge natural Cholla Garden.

We went on an easy day hike through a sandy wash.

We found some vintage trucks from the 1920's.

This is an abandoned gold mine.

Tim found this truck unique because the exhaust manifolds were in the middle of the engine

 You can see a climber in the middle working her way up. She didn't even break a sweat.

The National Park Pass we purchased in April has been money well spent. We've been to 9 National Parks and 8 National Monuments. We've saved over $200 in admission fees in the past 6 months.