Joshua Tree Dreams, Surprise Visits & Overheating in the Arizona Heat

Day 5: We woke up once again in a Walmart parking lot — but this time with a twist. A friendly but firm security officer knocked on our window and asked, “Did you sleep well?”

Trying not to be rude, I smiled and said, “Yes, thank you.”

Then came the kicker:
“You’re not actually allowed to stay overnight here.”

I told her I looked for signs and didn’t see any, and she replied,
“Yeah, people keep stealing them.”

Walmart nights — always an adventure.

Joshua Tree National Park: A Desert Wonderland

After grabbing breakfast, we hit the road for one of the most iconic desert landscapes in the U.S. — Joshua Tree National Park.

It was everything we remembered and more. We hiked around Split Rock, discovered an old rusted-out carriage, and stood in awe at the endless cacti and boulder formations that stretched into the horizon.

It brought back memories from 1994 when I was here with my gymnastics team — back when the only thing I was overlanding in was a team van full of sweaty teenagers. What a full-circle moment.

Hello Arizona! And a Special Stop in Quartzsite

We crossed into Arizona, snapped the mandatory state sign photo, and slapped on one of our signature stickers — a Vancity Adventure tradition now.

But the real treat came in Quartzsite, where we made a quick stop to see Dee from Box Van Dee — one of our first subscribers ever. She’s been following our journey since day one, and catching up in person (even briefly) was incredibly special.

It reminded us why we do this. It’s about the people, the connections, and the shared love of the road.

Trouble in the Hills: Overheating Before Flagstaff

As we made our way toward Flagstaff, things got… heated. Literally.

Climbing the hills just 30 minutes out, the truck overheated for the first time on this trip. We quickly pulled over, let it cool, and popped the hood.

Luckily, I had water on hand — dumped in about 2.5 gallons, said a little prayer to the overlanding gods, and kept rolling.

We finally reached Flagstaff, found a spot in the woods, and set up camp. After days of Walmart concrete, the dirt, trees, and peace felt like heaven.

From Desert Magic to Mechanical Mayhem: Day 5 Recap

We went from being politely kicked out of a Walmart, to exploring one of America’s most surreal national parks, reuniting with a longtime supporter, and managing a mechanical hiccup in the Arizona heat.

It’s never just about the miles — it’s about the memories made in between.