The San Andreas Fault line runs through the Indio Hills in the Coachella Valley just southwest of Joshua Tree NP.  Slo-mo movement along those faults has created some impressive geologic changes in this part of the country and gets blamed for lots of damage to man-made structures.  In this desert land it is also responsible for strings of palm trees and even surface pools as water works its way up through the fault line.  Just beyond the pool and palm oasis the valley walls and washes are blanketed with wildflowers. Snowcapped peaks create a perfect back drop.  All this is protected in the Coachella Valley Preserve and is a great place to get out and hike for a few hours.  Today the temperature made it into the mid 70s by noon so we were glad we had gotten an early start.