Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort

The final leg of our "shake down cruise" with the trailer led us down the San Andreas Fault, through the geology rich Mecca Hills, around the Salton Sea and at the Fountain of Youth Spa RV Resort. Hubby and I had been here before, but it was a first for all three of us. We knew there were multiple pools and mineral tubs to choose from and usually a lot of other kids for her to hang out with. Driving through the Mecca Hills was a geologists dream, with portions of the landscape split in two from earthquakes. One area had protruding, jagged mountains slanting up the to right and the other side of the mountain was split in half and it was slanting heavily to the left (creating a perfectly carved V in the center of this wash). Amazing history of the fault zones here (San Andreas and San Jacinto) and some very impressive geological reminders that this area was created from massive earthquakes. We will be going back soon to do the Painted Canyon's Hike and explore more of that area.

The first thing we did when we pulled into Fountain of Youth was head up to their RV wash area up in the dry camping lot. What a find this was!! For fifty cents we were able to wash and rinse off our car and trailer (and boy did it need it). The wash was on a paved slab and the hose had great water pressure (note, you do need a spray nozzle or attachment or your thumb will get tired).

Because hubby was in charge of the hose, we all got wet. Luckily it was hot and we all enjoyed the refreshing impromptu shower.

We got a spot close to the family pools and little one and I went right for the pools and sunbathing!

The park has 835 full hook up sites, 165 dry camp sites, 2 pools (adults only and family pool), Artesian mineral spa, 3 fresh water hot spas, 4 rec halls, 8 bathrooms (4 with showers), natural steam rooms and an oversize spa with a waterfall...and so much more! Little one found friends to "hang out with" (apparently I can't say play with anymore because she is a teenager..haha). They played a unique teen version of water volleyball, which essentially means no rules, just lob the ball and hope to make it over the net. I got enjoy the warm sun and hubby got to enjoy the warm mineral baths. We all enjoyed the waterfall (some of us more than others) and overall had a great time at Fountain of Youth.

The next morning as we were unhooking and getting ready to leave. Hubby hooked up the black water flush tank for the first time and water started pouring out from under the bathroom sink. Apparently we had a leak and this was not tested at the dealership. We had a brief frantic moment of dashing around and mopping up water, before we found the little part inside the bathroom cabinet that was leaking. After drying off and calling

Fault Line Map of the Area

Mecca Hills with Geology Slanted Left from Earthquake Activity in the Area

Dust Devil at the Salton Sea

Baby's First Bath :)

Waterfall Fun at Fountain of Youth oversized Spa

Going on an adventure behind the waterfall

My two waterfall kids

Another beautiful sunset from our site 

First time using our very cool awning LED lights 

Joshua Tree and Packed Campgrounds

Heading out to Joshua Tree all three of us were very excited. We had picked out our favorite campground (Belle Campground) and even went as far as to narrow down the spot we were most interested in getting. There are nine campgrounds inside Joshua Tree and they are first come, first serve spots.Three of the campgrounds (Hidden Valley, White Cove and Indian Cove) will not allow trailers over 25 feet and none of them have RV hook-ups. Being that it was the week before Easter, we called the ranger station on our way to see how full the campgrounds were getting. We were told it was filling up, but that there were still quite a few spots open around the park and in various campgrounds.

By the time we got there and checked in at the welcome center, there was a large sign that read: ALL CAMPGROUNDS FULL (except a few spaces in Cottonwood Campground). Cottonwood was the campground that was furthest south and furthest away from the typical Joshua Tree sites we wanted to see. We envisioned a camp spot nestled among the inspiring jumbo rocks and picturesque views and stargazing. Cottonwood was so far south that it was a very different terrain, with no big boulders and jumbo rocks to climb or admire. The spaces were "pull off the road to your right" spots that left our slide out on the main road waving "hello" to everyone that passed.

We had never been to Joshua Tree, so we picked a spot in Cottonwood long enough to fit our rig and settled in. Campers next to us said there had been no wind and it was perfect temperature outside when we arrived. Blue skies, hot sun on your face and an occasional light breeze to cool you off and keep you comfortable. We opened up all the windows in the trailer and sat for a few minutes just to enjoy the breeze and finally take a moment to relax in our trailer.

Before sunset we ventured up into Joshua Tree, not realizing that the nearest campground and large boulders were a 45+ minute drive. We drove through Joshua Tree completely in awe of the sheer size and remoteness of the park. You can't see anything but the park for miles and mile and the terrain changes from flat open, prarie-like areas to rugged mountain terrain in a matter of minutes. The park itself is 794,000 acres and NO cell service anywhere...talk about feeling remote and isolated (even with the 1.4 million visitors they get each year)!

We finally found the jumbo boulders as it was getting dark and we had to head back for dinner...no rock climbing on this trip :( We decided to only stay the one night and come back again when we can camp at Belle or Jumbo Rocks Campground and really make the most of the true Joshua Tree experience. It's a good thing we decided to leave the next morning, because the high winds followed us up to Joshua Tree and we spent another night and early morning with a rockin' trailer. Up next for us....San Andreas Fault and Hot Mineral Baths...

Cottonwood Campground in Joshua Tree at 3,000 ft elevation and has 62 sites

First Joshua Tree we saw near the entrance to Belle Campground at 3,800 ft elevation

Breaking in the appliances with some good old fashioned "burnt" marshmallows!

Hubby also put out small orange cones around our slide out on the street, just as an added precaution. We tied rocks to them to keep them from blowing away, lo and behold, they ended up scattered around the camp area when we woke up the next morning. If you were to pan right you would find three other cones on the far side of the road!

Palm Springs and First Few Hours in the Cougar

The first few hours with the trailer were spent hunkered down in the dealership parking lot. We had the inspection, little one and I were unloading and stocking up the trailer, hubby was installing new Blue Ox hitch and batteries. By this time, we were already exhausted and proceeded to sit in rush hour traffic to Palm Springs. We chose the Thousand Trail's Palm Desert Campground right off the 10 freeway for our first night. We got an end spot, everyone was very nice, full hook-ups and surprisingly, we could not hear the freeway traffic (which was an initial concern). The wind was really starting to pick up and the entire West side of the campground was all dirt sites. Not to mention a large, open dirt/sand field that sat bordering the west-side of the campground. The consistent dust storm that blew all night made everything filthy dirty. The inside of our Suburban still has sand in it and when we turned on our A/C the next morning, we all got blasted with dirt and sand particles. Apparently we also parked over a leaking pipe in the ground, so we had a lovely mixture of mud and a thick layer of dirt in every new crevice of our new trailer! Luckily, we got a couple good pictures of it before it turned a slight tan color all over. So sad, to wake up and see the Cougar so dirty in less than 24 hours.

 We decided not to stay another night at Thousand Trails and headed out to Joshua Tree (hoping our cars and trailer were not too badly sandblasted). On our way out of the park, we went past multiple rows of campers who had heavy layers of dirt embedded on their tow vehicles and RV's, such a shame....

Night one, also brought leaky hoses and a new learning curve in selecting camp sites wide enough to accommodate our new super slide out and using the new Blue Ox hitch. What new adventures await us in Joshua Tree???

Off Interstate 10 in Cabazon (notice bent palm trees in background from wind)!

Before the dust storm at Thousand Trails...looking practically perfect in every way (sunset included)!

Introducing The Newest Member of Our Family

After selling our old beloved Aljo trailer, we  took almost 6 months to research and find the perfect trailer and model for our family. We had very specific requirements and looked at over 100 different models and types (used and new). We finally settled on a 2015 Keystone Cougar 28RBSWE and she is a very "pretty kitty"!

The process with the dealership was a nightmare and there are a few fit and finish things we needed to address and many upgrades we still want to make....but, we are very excited for all of our new adventures. We were so anxious to get camping again, that on the day we picked up our new "baby"  we packed our Suburban FULL of trailer supplies and drove over an hour to the dealership. That same day, we drove off the lot and scouted a direct course for beautiful Palm Springs! We wasted no time starting our "shake down cruise" and getting to know our new Cougar.

Looking into the backseat of the Suburban which is packed from floor to ceiling (notice you can't see the rear window)?! We are loaded and ready for an adventure like a seen out of Beverly Hillbillies with everything we own stacked in a car!

Baby's First Picture

Cougar 28RBSWE side profile...isn't she pretty?

Sneak Peek of the Clean, Modern and Neutral Interior 

**Pictures of Palm Springs, Joshua Tree and Fountain of Youth coming soon (our first weekend in the trailer)!**