Despite the weather forecast we headed out to Joshua Tree National Park. Last year at this time the flowers were beautiful. However, there has been less rain this winter and the flowers are later. The ocotillo are not blooming, so I asked my own flower of a wife to stand by the ocotillo.
Alas, the cholla didn’t provide blossoms, but the back lighting of their sharp spines was quite nice. Tip for those visiting the area: do not touch or inadvertently back into a cholla!
The vistas are always dramatic in Joshua Tree National Park.
And, of course, the park’s namesakes are always on display, at least for a few more decades. They are endangered by global warming.
For those who are interested the temps were around 50F in the park, but the high winds brought the wind chill down to about freezing. Back at our condo it was 65, but the wind chill made it feel like the 40’s.
Ciao!
Paul
Travels With Picasso 
Unable to distinguish an ocotillo from a cholla from a Joshua tree, I had to go to the Internet to understand why you lamented the absence of flowers on the first plant. I empathized until I re-read your comments and realized you had found the perfect substitute!
Not being as nice as you are, I could also think of a number of people whom I could urge to back into or to sit on a cholla, but that is another story.
And to display my botanical ignorance, I thought that cacti did not flower every year. Please enlighten me on that matter.
At any rate, may both of you enjoy the rest of your stay. JP
While each individual plant may not flower every year, cacti do flower every year. However, this is regulated by the amount of rainfall. Since this winter has been dry the cacti are awaiting damp blessings from the sky. Last year was wetter, thus we saw flowers at this time. While we do not want rainy days while we are here, it would be welcomed by the cacti.