This stop we headed back inland for a few days to enjoy more of the desert.

A favorite spot on the Salton Sea: sights from Bombay Beach.

We spotted this desert iguana - one of many amphibian friends we met during our stay in this area.

Next, we took a trip up into the San Jacinto Mountains where we visited the small town of Idyllwild and took a hike on the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail.

Beautiful blooms on a smoke tree.

Views from the trail, including Tahquitz Rock.

Another amphibian friend met on the trail: a Great Basin fence lizard.

Lots of pines at 5,000 feet up - we've been missing these!

A sagebrush lizard.

And finally, a common side-blotched lizard (thank goodness for Google Lens).

On our last day in this area, we spent some time at Joshua Tree National Park. Always beautiful and peaceful!