Life Announcement: I’m moving to the desert! JK! But I would…This past weekend Matt and I went to Joshua Tree for the weekend. I have been traveling a lot lately so we haven’t been able to spend much time together, so I woke up Friday morning and was like “I want to go to Joshua Tree for the weekend” and alas later that day we were heading on down! Without planning a thing ahead of time, we ended up having the most magical weekend that really helped me reset and recharge after a pretty nuts summer.
Joshua Tree Retreat Center: Institute of Mental-physics
We went to JTRC on Saturday morning thinking we were going to do a normal yoga class. We were wrong. We went to the “Raw Desert Yoga” class where we did a ton of breath work, meditation and yoga for almost 3 hours. At one point in the class, we were instructed to go outside and gather a bouquet of desert flowers to which we sent our breath to for the rest of class and were then burned later that day to release good energies into the world (I am sure I just butchered that description but that was my takeaway.) We both really liked the class and felt super energized after. The architecture of JTRC is really cool and has a pool that you can pay $5 to hang out afterwards if you wish!
If you are looking for a hike that truly has it all – rock climbing, views and IG moments – this is perfect! The paved trail to actual Arch Rock is pretty easy but Matt and I did some detouring and rock climbing off the trail which was…epic. There is also a camp ground nearby if you chose to camp which makes it super easy to explore nearby!
Skip the Starbucks and branch out a bit! We went here both days because the coffee was so good and also made us feel like locals! There is a beautiful back patio where you can relax as you sip on the ~supa strong~ coffee.
This outdoor is exhibit is quite literally something we just stumbled upon. We were walking along the side of the street because we pulled over to take some pictures and followed a path to a back lot. Art Queen is home to the “World Famous Crochet Museum” and has a ton of pop-up art installations that look wild against the desert setting.
Pappy & Harriet’s is technically in Pioneertown – but only about a 20 minute drive from Joshua Tree. The restaurant is in the middle of nowhere but has been a go-to venue to some famous musicians like Paul McCartney, Vampire Weekend and Ke$he (so random). Pioneertown was built in the 1940’s as a set for old western movies and hasn’t changed much at all! It is a dirt road with a few stores with Pappy & Harriet’s nestled towards the front.
The Windmills
If you are traveling to and from Los Angeles – you will most likely be driving through the windmills in Palm Springs – aka the go-to blogger pic. There are quite a few exits that lead to dirt roads where you can park and walk a little ways to get that windmill pic for your gram!
Boohoo | Romper – Similar
I highly recommend heading to Joshua Tree for a weekend trip or even coupling it with Palm Springs too! It is so so beautiful and v much worth it!
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