Mojave Preserve: Kelso Sand Dunes

Spring Break fell on Easter Weekend this year. We were eager to pack up and get lost in the Mojave Desert.  Not literally lost, but it was nice to not be on a schedule. No agenda..... just taking us where the desert wind blows. Audrey would soon have company in Joshua Tree. We were again eager for another adventure!

We stopped outside of Caliente. It wasn't hot in Caliente like you imagine it would be. Don't let the name fool you. We still had to wear jackets. Haha
I found some cute bunnies running around the desert...... We were all excited for Easter Break! 

Bryan didn't waste anytime looking for critters. He found a Night Lizard among the skeletons of the Joshua Trees and Yuccas. Ava proves to be a great reptile charmer as well......

The desert was in spring bloom. Flowers spread out in between flowering trees and cacti dotted the desert with yellow, pink, purple, and orange. Beautiful drive.....

Spiny Lizard:

When you travel with kids, it's necessary to take breaks especially with a two year old. Really, it's good practice to break up miles to stretch and give your body a break. We stopped in the Mojave Preserve next to some train tracks. I had fun with my camera :)

Kelso Sand Dunes would be our last pause in our day. We were lucky to see the sand topped with blooming flowers. Evening Primrose, I believe. We arrived late afternoon before sunset. Timing was perfect! 

The neat thing about dunes is that you can zig zag across it and leave tracks. Then, 24 hours later like an etch-a-scetch it's brand new again. It physically erases the moment, and it's fresh again for the next visitors who leave their trace. Their trace will also be erased. A constantly changing palette.....

The desert is alive with critters. They come out and dimple the sand specific times of day.....

We quickly set the camera up for a family photo on top of one of hills before the sun started to fade....

Isaac didn't let his cast slow him down......

We thoroughly enjoyed the evening..... lol

That's my mighty girl! 

It was freeing and beautiful. The sand sifted through my toes. The light revealed the ripples of the landscape.......

We sat and enjoyed quiet moments.....

...... and played hard; losing track of time.  

This was good medicine.....

Flower petals basking in the final glow of the day......

Ava takes flight while Isaac races across the sand like two roadrunners......

My desert warriors ;)

It was a great start to our Easter Weekend ;)

Simply wonderful evening. Our final stop would be Joshua Tree; Audrey's residence!