Joshua Tree National Park

Tim & I had a hard time leaving Hicksville while we were in Joshua Tree. But after a few mid-morning swims and the realization that we had already exhausted our instant coffee supply, we decided an outing would be in our best interest. We drove the isolated half hour to Joshua Tree National Park, and after getting a very long speech about the dangers of using our A/C in the park (killer bees, y'all- they love the stuff) we began exploring. 

It was 111 degrees in Joshua Tree that day, so we limited our hiking, but the park was stunning and gorgeous and also we saw the Salton Sea.

Hicksville

Ahh, Hicksville.

A hipsterific trailer park, grown-up summer camp, and secret desert retreat all rolled into one glorious sun-soaked acre. Tim & I *sort of* wanted to go camping(read: we wanted s'mores and stars but also running water and AC), so after some pretty specific google searches, we discovered Hicksville, Joshua Tree.  There is no address; directions are e-mailed 24 hours before you arrive, and the check-in/tour focuses mainly on how to operate the vintage jukebox and boozy vending machine.

After arriving and settling into our alien themed Airstream (yes, it does include an extraterrestrial communication center thank-you-very-much), we immediately changed into our bathing suits and began exploring the grounds. We found a miniature library (seriously, you have to crawl in, but it's surprisingly well stocked for a 6x6x6 foot cabin), an archery range (a bucket of arrows and bows on the front porch of said library), a ping pong room that opens up to the dessert(complete with a black-and-white photo booth), and of course, a hot tub on the roof.

We never changed out of our bathing suits, and spent the next two days perfecting our archery skills, figuring out how to make cinnamon rolls over an open fire, and staring at the stars from the rooftop hot tub.