From the craters of the moon in Sothern Idaho, the crimson spires of Brice Canyon, the jagged pinnacles of the Needles, the steep sandstone cliffs of Zion or the largest natural sandstone arches in Arches National Park, there is a smorgasbord of desert delicacy to enchant even the youngest or oldest of hearts.
Dry, hostile, and abandoned by most forms of life for its unforgiving temperatures; only the brave and those capable of being self-sufficient on land which holds no sympathy or regard for others can survive.
Like a perfectly designed desert plant which not only thrives in such heat, will also hastily defend its hydration supply with razor-like spikes from greedy predators.
And then there are desert dwellers like me who like cacti, bask in its harsh temperatures, and barren landscape. Who spellbindingly marvel at the grandness of these canyons and the most incredible rock formations that are like random sculptures created by none other than mama nature’s hands.
My first desert experience was in Moab Utah. Arriving late afternoon at Onion Creek campground along with my husband and golden retriever, I was quickly submerged in awe and wonderment. This only grew in intensity over the next few days as we explored various trails and national parks.
Stepping out of an airconditioned car and feeling the instant dry, hot air made me smile from ear to ear. I was there and already part of the desert experience that had newbies like me clutching at the water bottle after thirty minutes.
Early morning rises are common. There is a beautiful calm before you start hearing the zipping and unzipping of tents, the crunch under people’s feet walking to and from the riverbank, little clanks of utensils, the sizzling of breakfast and smell of fresh coffee.
The excitement and eagerness for a new adventure and exploring this riveting landscape had me up and ready at blue hour. The quiet and stillness draws you completely into the present as if being caught in the eye of a storm. And so, you stare hypnotically toward the east watching the changing of shadows and pink/peach hues on the rock mountain walls as the sun gradually crests the tops with the brightest of white light.
Temporarily, the air is fresh and cool. Even after a ninety plus degree day, adding an extra layer of clothing overnight is not unusual. The moment the sun sets, there is an instant drop in temperature. Everything gets a little break and many things come alive at night. Insects and bats are seen taking over the sky wherever the moonlight allows. Even desert plants bloom which night flying moths and insects help pollinate. But the most magnificent of all is the night sky.
Stargazing in the desert is unlike any other stargazing. With zero light pollution or obstructions, the dark reveals a cosmos beyond our understanding. A cosmos filled with galaxies, meteorites, planets, and satellites that all look like an infinite pool of tiny shimmering specs. And when you look long enough, millions more surface. The night sky only illuminates the world beyond ours. Shooting stars can be swift and easily missed like random white streaks of light. But there are times when they look like giant fireballs blazing a significant fire trail behind them before they dissipate.
Tens of satellites can also be spotted like fast moving stars. And if you are lucky enough, witnessing a long line of satellites that vibrantly light up like a runway, also known as ‘The StarLink Train’ will have you leaping out of your chair in awe of this alien-like phenomenon.
Other times, identifying constellations, planets and of course the Milky Way is always a treat.
However, right at dawn, the soft, hazy blue skies completely obscure any hint of a world beyond our universe. And so, we put on our hat and sunscreen and go forth stimulating our sensors in exploration of these wild terrains.
Like the fine desert sand that cushions the trails under our feet. The sand that is also just as easily picked up by frequent strong wind gusts completely engulfing camper’s tents in its red dust and anything it can find its way into. In fact, it is not unusual to find yourself crunching granules of sand in your mouth at times.
Or cooling off in the great Colorado river or little waterholes formed by frequent flowing streams and creeks that are surprisingly cold on even the hottest of days.
Or standing sun-beaten and dusty on the rim of a deep gorge and witnessing millions of years of evolution.
These beautiful dry lands expose vast, deeply embedded scars that are nothing short of mesmerizing. A land so dry even a passing monsoon is repelled by the earth’s crust causing this much required liquid to meander through rocks and cracks where it will join the swift forming rivers.
There are no ordinary rainfalls in the desert. The pretty blue sky can transform quickly as storms brew like angry mammoth giants passing through ready to cause destruction and chaos with heavy rain, flash floods, raging winds and lightning strikes.
Rivers fill abruptly in a matter of minutes. Their increasing force may appear deceivingly calm when there are no obstructions such as large boulders to disclose their raging rapids. They effortlessly push through any vulnerable sand that once stood as solid rock, carving deeper into the landscape. Rivers that create this impeccable masterpiece called desert.
It is no surprise the wildest landscapes are formed wherever the rivers flow. The topography is vastly diverse throughout the entire southwest.
From the oldest marvel on Earth such as the Grand Canyon with a up to a mile deep of gold, orange, purple and pink crag walls.
The unique phenomenon of the Salt Flats covering miles and miles of dazzling white salt deposits that is so flat, one could see the curvature of the planet.
Death Valley living up to its namesake claiming the hottest place on Earth to Las Vegas known as the most vibrant city in the world.
One could say, there is something for everyone.
Of course, rivers are not the sole creators.
Nature’s natural elements all partake in our Earth’s evolution. Each canyon and rock formation are like a spectacular love story told between them and nature’s temperament revealing new creations of red stone spires, sculptures, and random rock structures humans like to give names to.
Layers and layers of profound history are compressed within these Rocky Mountains. Ancient carvings weathered from extreme heat, heavy rain and high winds erode this magnificent signature red stone. It is due to this everlasting erosion that turns this desolate landscape into an organic treasure for geologists.
Other areas of the desert seem to be frozen in time as giant boulders drape the slopes of these towering rock walls. And yet we play among them in exploration and curiosity, attempting to understand and decipher their story like an artists painting.
And they are not the only objects to arouse interest. Signs of previous civilizations are unveiled with prehistoric rock art, symbolism and petroglyphs that have been stained or etched into these stone surfaces. Images of animals and stories we may recognize or odd mysterious figures that would inhabit dreams are found in various national parks and canyons. Fortunately, the dry climate preserves much of this prehistoric artwork to indefinitely expand our curiosity and desire for discovery.
Do not be deceived. The desert also has some impressive mountains that pack alpine punch. Aside from sand skiing and sand boarding on The Great Sand Dunes, many parts of the desert are also known for world class ski resorts that gain good snow coverage. There are few places where one could be laying in the sun poolside to plowing through powder on the same day.
For those who simply want to escape the desert summer heat, heading up to the La Sal Mountain range in Utah for fresh, crisp mountain air and views for miles remains accessible.
It is undeniable, the desert is a playground for everyone. Popular Hollywood movies have been filmed for its favorable landscape. Science and exploration have used the desert as training grounds for future space missions. Extreme world sports are practiced regularly by those with adventurous hearts. Rock-climbers, base-jumpers, bikers, and rafters are only some of the adventure sport seekers who come here to quench their adrenaline thirst.
And whilst the desert is also used for frequent mining of natural resources, energy, popular metals, gems, and fossil fuels, it is also used for celebration. Radical self-expression, and art attracts crowds from all over the world to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. One could call it a global cultural movement where you are valued for what you are and not for what you have and limited only by one’s imagination.
And after a long day exploring these dry lands, the desert will wrap it up and perfectly package a most magnificent sunset. Sunsets that saturate the landscape with deep reds, yellow, orange and gold with such vibrance as if the sun had spilled all over the land. Sunsets so alluring and magnificently beautiful, you stare hypnotically and in a state of absolute euphoria until the last drop of sunlight, the last shade of color and last moment of deep appreciation.
And just like that, this often rare and refined, wild west experience, will leave you with more questions than answers. It will marvel, inspire, and completely transform your perception of this incredibly vast, diverse, and spiritually alluring land. Moreover, the taste of mystery and magic will indubitably enhance your appetite and keep you coming back for more of this desert delicacy.