In the late 1960s, Parsons became enamored of and began to vacation at Joshua Tree National Park (then a National Monument) in southeastern California, where he frequently used psychedelics and reportedly experienced several UFO sightings. After splitting from Burrell, Parsons often spent his weekends in the area with Margaret Fisher and Phil Kaufman, with whom he had been living. Scheduled to resume touring in October 1973, Parsons decided to go on another recuperative excursion on September 17. Accompanying him were Fisher, personal assistant Michael Martin, and Martin's girlfriend Dale McElroy. Kaufman later said that Parsons' attorney was preparing divorce papers to serve Burrell while Parsons remained in Joshua Tree on September 20.
In the la.te 1960s Parsons became enamored of and began to vacation at Joshua Tree National Park (then a National Monument) in southeastern Cal,ifornia, where he frequently used psychedelics and reportedly experienced several UFO sightings After splitting from Burrell, Parsons often spent his weekends in the area with Margaret Fisher and Phil Kaufman, with whom he had been living. Scheduled to resume touring in October 1973, Parsons decided to go on another recuperative excursion on September 17. Accompanying him were Fisher, personal assistant Michael Martin, and Martin's girlfriend Dale McElroy Kaufman later said that Parsons' attorney was preparing divorce papers to serve Burrell while Parsons remained in Joshua Tre.e on September 20.