My husband, who oversees all things electrical and mechanical in our house, tells me that I should charge my handheld devices (cell phone and PDA) often, so their batteries don’t get too low. But it’s also a good idea to let the batteries drain down low every so often, so they can do what’s called a deep charge.

My CG weekend over Memorial Day was a deep drain and a deep charge. We spent Sunday at Joshua Tree National Park, which is a lovely other-worldly place. Despite being laughably ill-prepared in regards to footwear, we walked the Barker Dam loop. It was billed in the guide books as a hike, but I am sorry, even in my exhausted first trimester of pregnancy I cannot call a one-mile loop a hike. A walk, a jaunt, a lark perhaps. Whatever it’s called, it was fun, and gave us a chance to meander amidst cactus blooms, scurrying dust-colored lizards, Rorschach rock formations (what do YOU see?), and the dammed-up river edged with neon green muck.

And, of course, the trees up close.

I have to say, the state of California has mighty huggable trees. The redwoods in northern California are cool and spongy, and grand like God’s own majesty. Joshua trees are grizzly like your Grandpappy—you can’t help grabbing them around the neck and rubbing your cheek against theirs.

My energy level was compromised already, what with the pregnancy, the time change, and the late nights. So what little energy I had evaporated completely in that desert air. The sun beats you down, then the wind whips away everything you have.

When you get that tired, you need exactly what your batteries and gadgets need—a cradle! A place that’s safe and comfortable, that fits you just right. My girls are a great cradle, full of love and acceptance (and they have been very kind not to mention any surliness I might have displayed in my utterly bone-tired state). After a cozy evening in front of the TV we each crawled into our respective cradles, er, beds. And I woke up the next morning feeling outstanding.