I have never seen the Spring-time desert with absolutely no wildflowers. There are none, zero. In fact, as dry as it is it looks like fall. Even the deep-root perennials aren’t showing any green. That’s weird.
My route from Slab City was Mecca, the Box Canyon Road north to meet I-10 at the southern end of Joshua Tree NP. Go back east about 4 miles to Chiriaco Summit, and behind the General Patton Museum is a free dry-camping area on private land. Box Canyon is always a fascinating drive, a tad slowish, and must be avoided when rain is anywhere around, but that’s no problem now.
Besides the museum, there is gas and food here. Trucks have their own parking area away from the RV spot. What really makes it nifty is that there is free, and competent, wi-fi for everyone.
Now, you are next to the freeway, and the scenery ain’t that great, but for a night it’s great.
Tomorrow I’ll drive through Joshua Tree doing the tourist thing, ending up at the town of Joshua Tree at a real for-rent RV park. I haven’t paid for parking for a couple of months, and need to sit out a couple of nights until a wind event blows through. A cheap RV park in a crappy desert town will be nice to dump, empty trash, and get some groceries.
Wow it’s dry out here…..