Varied Skies

El Niño rains loomed just beyond the California coast as we fled east over the San Ysidro Mountains. The winding road crested at Julian, CA, amidst a thick fog that embraced us like an overzealous Great Aunt adept at sewing Pepto-pink rabbit pajamas. Now nose down, our 12-ton home descended slowly through the clouds, a seemingly endless series of lefts and rights challenging my patience and the handiwork of our chassis’ engineers. Below the clouds, the mostly sun-filled Anza-Borrego Desert welcomed us for a week-long stay at the Palm Canyon Hotel & RV Resort in Borrego Springs.

San Diego TV stations filled our screen with images of substantial flooding throughout the week as we watched from the desert floor. A few showers managed to breach the protective shield of the mountains during our stay, bringing the gift of life to the desert and offering a unique opportunity for us to enjoy stream-side hikes in this arid region.

The allure of the desert is difficult to explain but most definitely exists for us. Perhaps it is a product of managed expectations as the desert defies traditional concepts of natural beauty, at least at first glance, yet constantly amazes with spectacular vistas, unique plants, and surprising sights.

Font’s Point (the place where Disney filmed the horseback riding scene for the Soarin’ ride) reached after a 4 mile off-road trip up a sandy wash.

A mickle of California Palms marks on oasis in Palm Canyon.

Yet another rainbow spans the desert floor, framing snow-covered peaks in the background.

And if nature fails to surprise you, man might. A desert serpent eyes its next meal.
Elusive bighorn sheep salute our tribe.
Dig a little deeper and the desert ecosystem provides life-lessons and instructive examples of how to thrive under adverse circumstances.

Observation: Many desert plants live in isolation and sport thorns as a protective measure.

Lesson: Those that are isolated and alone may develop a thorny personality. Be friendly and welcoming to all, they may just need someone to talk to.

Observation: The prickly Barrel Cactus houses water and nutrients for desert bighorn sheep.

Lesson: It’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Observation: Many desert plants retain moisture by having small leaves that limit the surface area exposed to drying heat.

Lesson: Bling just weighs you down and dries you out.

Observation: Many desert plants have extremely long horizontal root systems.

Lesson: Sometimes you need to spread your wings to get the nutrients you need.

Observation: Desert coyotes are thinner than mountain coyotes.

Lesson: Staying lean in body and finances enables one to deal with life’s harsh realities and surprises.

Observation: Once in its lifetime, a Desert Agave, aka Century Plant, shoots a single stalk of beautiful flowers into the sky that stands for a couple of weeks before dying.

Lesson: Reach for the stars and shine bright.

Observation: The desert is sometimes perfectly silent.

Lesson: Silence is indeed golden.

Observation: Away from the bright lights of the city, the desert night sky explodes with millions of visible stars.

Lesson: Don’t let the trappings of modern life obscure what is really important.

Observation: The hairy scorpion moves up and down inside the earth to regulate its temperature.

Lesson: A healthy life is a dynamic one; don’t get too comfortable in one spot.

Observation: Some desert plants bloom only after receiving enough rain. They may bloom multiple times during a year, or not at all.

Lesson: Patience is a virtue, but you must seize your opportunities.

Observation: The Palo Verde tree sports green limbs adapted to photosynthesize without leaves.

Lesson: Be flexible, adapt, and do what you can to make the best of bad situations.

The desert speaks to people in different ways. If you have the opportunity, I recommend you let it speak to you. We are going to continue to listen, but in the more upscale environs of Palm Desert, CA.