Before heading out on our first American road trip up Route 66 from California to Arizona, we wanted to start the day in Joshua Tree National Park as the sun peaked over the mountains. Before entering the national park, I spotted an old motel sitting in the desert with brilliant purple light casting over the scene from the morning sun. The Sands Motel, looking like a time capsule from the 1950’s, drew me in and posed as the perfect location to start my collection of images of the great American west.
Once I’d covered every angle of the motel I could think of, we headed to the entrance of Joshua Tree National Park and I loaded up a roll of Lomography 800 film into my Canon EOS 3 film camera. Paired with a Sigma 35mm lens, I was able to get some images of the landscape that I’m really happy with; and I love the texture and colour profile of this Lomography film stock. The deep, strong blues give a nice contrast to the desert landscape and the low sun gave a harsh side light to the strange and twisting Joshua Trees.
We spent a few hours in the park, hiking down a valley to get a better view over the desert. There wasn’t a soul in sight other than a lone Coyote sulking along a ridge to one side. The cold, early morning air was still and quiet as we proceeded through the dried up creek bed surrounded by huge rocks and boulders. The hike was more of a scramble near the end so we decided to turn around and head back up towards the car and drive further into the park. We made a few more stops to jump out and take pictures, but the time came to get back on the road and start the first stretch of our drive towards Flagstaff, Arizona.
Some of my photos from the morning are displayed below. I had an incredible visit, albeit a short one, and I will definitely spend some more time in Joshua Tree National Park next time I get the chance.
