Reflections on Joshua Tree
In October of 2022, I traveled to Southern California to go to Joshua Tree National Park with my husband. We actually weren’t even supposed to be there. We were supposed to be in Germany visiting a cousin but my passport expired too early (a fully frustrating topic…why would I need MORE time after my expiration date). I realized the expiration issue a mere 5 days before we were set to travel. After a truly depressing day, including a phone call to the State Department, I was ready to throw in the towel and stay home. But my husband Rob was insistent that we still travel. After all, we had the dog sitter, time off work and subs for yoga classes all scheduled. Why sit around our house?
We sprung into action, searching for various flights, deals, locations and itineraries. I was keen to go back to the desert and we were locked into America since I didn’t have a passport. Rob suggested Yosemite NP but we had already been there (although I would have been happy to return) and I wanted to go someplace new that was warm with lots of good hiking. Joshua Tree National Park (JTNP) popped up and I was hooked, I knew we had to get there.
A quick reschedule of our flights and we were off to SoCal! It wasn’t the trip we expected to go on, but it was totally the trip we needed. Here are my top 6 (because I needed just one more than 5) moments + reflections:
The deep and full silence of the desert. As a city gal, I am rarely around full silence. The kind that almost hurts. At times I wanted to yell into the silence just so there would be noise. This was a fascinating personal observation about the void and need to fill it. It took me down a rabbit hole of thoughts regarding the masculine and feminine nature of energy. The silence became a teacher and for that I’m grateful.
Humans are suppose to rise and set with the sun. I’ve always been a morning bird, never a night own so this isn’t a full revelation. But I notice how much better I am rising in the pre-dawn darkness and slowing down at the sun sets. Rob and I really took time to pause and notice the pre-dawn light and we slowed to watch the sun fully slip over the horizon line. It felt natural and easy to follow the rhythms of the sun.
The STARS! I have been blessed to see some incredible stars but the darkness of the desert and low light pollution allowed us to see the Milky Way with such clarity that it was breath taking. The sun was setting around 6:30 / 6:45 pm and by 7:30 pm we could see the Milky Way. We watched for shooting stars while hearing coyotes call to each other in the distance. Our accommodations included an outdoor stargazing bed which is was epic.
Be flexible + stay open. This is something Rob and I learned early in our travels together. Have a plan and then be open if something else pops up. We wanted to do a longer hike but with severe storms and chance of road washout we knew we had to cut one short. This allowed us to wander through town, see some cool art and pop in a few places we wouldn’t have seen. The whole trip, even getting to JTNP was an example of surrendering > going with the flow.
Hiking is one of my favorite ways to move my body. Yes, I love yoga and running and paddling and climbing. But to be outside and hike for miles and miles, feeling the changing of the cold dark morning to the bright sun of the afternoon is truly a blessing. The distance, elevation and climate all varied, but the depth of the environment felt so damn good. There are times I love to hike solo and times to hike with friends or my dog Camden. But Rob and I needed this time in the desert together. It was deeply nourishing.
Native People’s wisdom was centered in a way I haven’t seen as much in other public spaces. So much of “American” history that we learn in school is focused on Europeans “discovering” the “new world” when the thriving and wild continent existed completely independent of what “settlers” were doing. I really wrestled with the white-washing of American history, feeling annoyed, frustrated and embarrassed. I felt like I was walking on stolen land…because I was. And I do every day. I notice this feeling more when I’m out west. I’m still struggling with this feeling and how to make sense of it.
It might not be the biggest National Park, but JTNP certainly captured a piece of our hearts. I would go back once a year for the trails, stars and silence.
Have you been to Joshua Tree? What about desert life calls you? I’d love your suggestions or to hear your experiences.