Life in the Desert
March, 2020
We entered Joshua Tree National Park from the very sparsely populated southern entrance, right off I-10. Immediately, we had to adjust our speed and temperament from driving through the desert at 70 mph to something much slower and more deliberate.
And very quickly we lost all cell service. In a park that’s over twice the size of Tulsa County, there is virtually no connectivity. And no food, fuel or flush toilets. You best come prepared when camping in the Mohave Desert. Prepare yourself for spectacular beauty as well. If you like to experience distinctive rock formations, one-of-a-kind trees and other life that can survive on only 4 inches of rainfall a year, Joshua Tree is the place for you.
A primitive Park campground also makes for a fascinating and refreshing community. With perhaps little in common, camp neighbors will break into friendly conversation, not focused on politics or the worries of back home. How long does it take to start talking about the things we came here to temporarily forget? Thankfully, we have not yet found out. We will get to know each other over a few days and then eventually, we will all depart for home or some other place to land for a while.
We did find commonality with fellow campers Marc and Sarah as they too are living out of their van. Unlike us, they are young professionals working and living from the road full-time, without a traditional home to return to. They consider themselves fortunate their jobs and bosses allow for a nomadic lifestyle. They won’t camp here too long though. Joshua Tree is beautiful, but for them, water is only slightly more important than a strong cell signal and access to wifi.
Tyler, Veronica and friends are here for a long weekend, driving up from L.A. They like tent camping amongst the large rocks, and tonight will string a big tarp upon one to use as a movie screen. Fittingly, beside a campfire and under the stars, they will enjoy the company of Humphrey Bogart and Walter Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre. We wish we could have joined them, but it was time for us to leave.
We are glad they were our next-door neighbors, even if just for one night. Before they arrived, one couple commandeered the campsite in the middle of the day in order for the man to videotape the woman preparing and then eating a meal. All the while, alternating which one would take care of their little dog. As soon as they finished filming, they packed up and left. I don’t know what YouTube channel they have, but I don’t think I care. I must admit though, it was kind of fun to watch them work.
Cheers,
Bob and Julia
PS: Once we departed Joshua Tree and returned to connected society, planning for and reacting to the Coronavirus would become inescapable.
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