Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told members of the National Guard in Oregon to "get ready," on Tuesday, despite a judge's order blocking President Donald Trump from deploying them in the state.

For Joshua Tree and the rest of the national park system, a shutdown offers no upside. It's bad for employees, bad for visitors, bad for park resources and bad for gateway businesses. Although most businesses have kept their doors open, one conscientious local adventure company, Red Jeep Tours, has voluntarily ceased running tours into the park.