The Desert’s Pull

Perhaps it’s not just the warmth that drives older folks to the desert, perhaps there’s more.  What about the speed of our lives?  As children and adults we are always going, going, going.  But as we age, and retire, we suddenly have less scheduled time plus we move more slowly.  Slowly enough to take time and study details.  Just what a desert needs.  I remember as a kid I couldn’t wait to finish driving through one.  Boring, boring, boring.  Even when I was out of the car walking. Boring, boring, boring.  Now, all these years later, I love the desert.  Subtle colors.  Quiet.  Dramatic shadows.  A gentleness offset by it’s harsh ways.  Or it just the quiet?  And, yes, the warmth is perfect too. 

One night Ed and I decided to boondock at Hawk’s Canyon, part of Anza Borrego State Park.   A perfect example of subtle colors, quiet, dramatic shadows, lovely rock formations.  After sitting in the warming sun for a couple of hours, we moved inside as dark and rain were coming our way.  Our camp’s view...

After we had moved inside, eaten dinner and were engaged in the evening’s activities, Ed looked up and gasped.  Although we knew it was raining, we didn’t think it amounted to much, so Ed’s surprised response caught my attention.   Looking out Thistle’s window it was what looked like a  mini flash flood.  The road had turned into a river.  Fortunately our camp site had enough high ground to keep us out of the flood.   Further up the road some campers had to rearrange their camp as the water came right through their tent site.

These pictures were taken the next morning, long after the rain quit. You should have seen our shoes and Thistle’s floor.  Mud/sand/goo everywhere. 

The next day we drove a short distance to Slot Canyon.   We arrived at the trail head at noon.  No dogs on trail.  Oh drat!  Too hot to leave Benton in the car for long, so we set off to hike the bluff, saving the canyon for another day.  Looking down into the canyon is stunningly beautiful.  Would I have liked it as a kid?  I keep wondering because what I do remember from my childhood is I really, really did not like the desert.

Here are shots of the canyon from the rim...

Here we are,  hiker folks... 

~~~ 

I can’t get enough of wandering.  Or the earth.  Some of us carry an inherent need to explore.  Textures.  Fragrances. Sounds. Air. Shadows. Movement. Patterns.  Light.

Victoria Erickson 

  

      

Whitewater Preserve

Where do we stay in Palm Desert so we can do the medical stuff I require?  Not motels, hotels or fancy trailer parks.  Nope, we often park in the Kaiser parking lot, with their permission, so the doctors and treatments are within walking distance.  Other times we camp at Whitewater Preserve, Lake Coahuila, Pioneer Town, Chiraco Summit, Black Rock, Salton Sea, and Anza Borrego.  We kinda sleep around.

One of our favorite spots is Whitewater Preserve.  A private preserve, just 20 minutes from Palm Springs.   The land was purchased by Wildlands Conservancy along with Friends of the Desert Mountains and the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy. This preserve is doing a wonderful job of protecting and restoring these 291 acres, once the historic Whitewater Trout Hatchery.  Visiting Whitewater is free.  Plus one can camp  three nights free each month.  The camping is limited to vans and tents, and is next to ponds and a lovely picnic area.  The trails for hiking are wonderful and nearby.  The Pacific Crest Trail is a stone’s throw from the Visitor’s Center, picnic area, ponds and camping.  This entire area is critical habitat for the desert bighorn sheep and the federally endangered least Bell’s vireo and southwestern willow flycatcher.

Hikers and inspiration seekers flock to this environmental delight, so near, yet so far from the heavily populated Palm Springs, and surrounding towns.  It’s nice to note, all of the Wildlands Conservancy’s preserves are operated solely from private funding.  I definitely dipped into my wallet for a contribution.  How can one not support a program dedicated to the beauty and biodiversity of the earth and to provide programs so that children may know the joy and inspiration of nature?

And the cream topping on this delicious vanilla, strawberry and chocolate banana split was a visit from Leslie, a fellow traveler, who has become a friend. She, and her husband, Al, own a vehicle exactly like ours — Westie Sprinter.  She lives on the east coast but was visiting the west coast over the holidays, so we were able to meet up.

I highly recommend a visit to this preserve if ever you find yourself wanting solitude, peace, quiet and beauty while in the Palm Springs area.


                                              

~~~

Cherish sunsets, wild creatures and wild places.  

Have a love affair with the wonder and beauty of the earth.

Stewart Udall