You spell dessert with two s’s because you always want more. What? Nobody wants more desert?
Poor, brown, dry, lonely deserts.
Joshua Tree is a tiny town in a large expanse of desert called the Mojave. It may only have one s, but it always leaves me wanting more! (Also, my grandma lives there. Hi Grandma!)
The first time I visited Joshua Tree, it was early summer in 2005, and it was hot. Looking for adventure, I filled up a couple of water bottles, filled grandma’s bike tires with air, and set out.
Turns out, back roads in the desert are mostly sand. Not even knowing fatbikes were a thing at that point in my life, I accepted my lot and very slowly pedaled along. My speed undulated according to the terrain. The sand was packed down in some places, loose in others.
As I slowly struggled along, I encountered a desert tortoise crossing the road. I laughed out loud at the humour of encountering such a slow creature on my slow trek. I stopped my bike (I was barely moving anyways), drank some water, and watched the reptile finish its journey across the sandy road.
Most of my trip so far had been uphill, towards the National Park. Satisfied, I coasted downhill, straight to Crossroads Cafe. I had heard 70s music star Dovovan sometimes hangs out there, but that’s another story for another day. Crossroads has great coffee and food, is vegetarian and vegan friendly, and the staff are friendly and helpful.
If you are heading to Palm Springs, and want to balance the golf and shopping and sunshine with a more rugged experience, this is definitely a great place to head to for a day trip. The weather is usually a bit cooler than in Palm Springs, too.
I went back in December 2011, and it was a nice time to visit. (Hint: we got caught in a desert rain storm).
Desert geography, flora, and fauna is interesting, and such a change from the Pacific Northwest, where I grew up. I have had a few other desert experiences since then, and am looking forward to sharing those with you. Have you had any desert adventures? What is your favourite desert destination? Let me know in the comments!
