Pulling into the Thousand Trails Campground to spend a cozy night in the wilds of the San Gorgonio National Forest.

I slept restlessly in anticipation of tomorrow's adventure.

A December morning at 6,000 feet with mild temperatures in the mountains of Southern California.

Santa Ana winds were blowing the smog and haze out to sea making for great view.

Morning has broken, and after a bowl of cereal, we were off to the Joshua Tree National Monument, where we would enjoy a day of desert adventures!

Neal knew of some great rock climbing in the park, so it was off to the rocks on a foot trail.

The trail meandered through rocks and cactus and we had the opportunity to visit with some of the wildlife.

Willie Coyote stood his ground in the trail and would not let us pass.

His ferocious looks and menacing demeanor almost made us turn around and hightail it to the SUV.

But then Neal tossed a hot dog to him and that was all that was required to gain passage. This little guy had quite a gig going.

Curious rock formations were seen along the trail.

Taking a break mike surveys the rock that is popular for climbing

I sure wish I had my climbing gear with me. I would surely love to climb that big hunk of rock!

And a big hunk it is.... Towering a good 300 foot in the air, it presented quite an imposing challenge.

"Go ahead you little sissy", Neal taunted. But always being the one to play it safe, I declined to take on the challenge without proper equipment.

Neal cried out again "Arkansas Sissy... I'll show you how to climb that little old piss-ant of a rock..."

And he proceeded to do just that.

I walk around the backside on an easy hiking trail and met Neal at the top where I was able to get this shot of him making the final ascent following a fissure crack and making steady progress by jamming his legs and arms in the crack.

I was extremely impressed and admit I did feel somewhat like a sissy. Other climbers marveled at his feat, and stated that no other climbers had ever made it to the top on a solo climb without equipment.

I don't know what kind of drugs Neal has been taking, but I want some.

At the top, Neal mugs for the camera.