Joshua Tree: A Paradoxical Beauty, Part 2
In the first ten minutes driving into Joshua Tree, I was immediately blown away by how beautiful and charming a desert could be. It was spellbinding and drew me in. With all the “deadness” around me, I had never felt more alive.
I would say I’m more of a spiritual person than religious. I do believe in God, but I also believe in energies, vibes, the universe and that other gods do exist. I also believe that we are connected to all things. Humans, plants, animals, organisms, material things; we’re all connected – with an umbilical cord so to speak – at the core of Earth, making it whole. It’s a bit more complex than that, but my point is, sometimes we experience inexplicable moments in our life that consume us with happiness, blissfulness, in which we feel total abandon and existent. I believe this is our awareness of being connected to all things penetrating through. This is as close as I can describe to what I felt that day in Joshua Tree. I was connected with mother nature and in awe of what she created.
We must have made at least ten stops to take photos along our route. The scenery reminded me of a backdrop you would see at a movie studio. The bluest, most clear skies, juxtaposed with elaborate natural rock formations, small mountains, and Joshua trees as far as the eye could see. Pure magnificence, a real life mirage.
Since it was the middle of summer, the sun was strong but the heat wasn’t unbearable as one might imagine in a desert. There was a gentle breeze that kissed your skin every time you felt a sweat bead forming. The weather only added to the paradox that perfection could be found in a place that is essentially “dead.” Five hours, a few critter scares, a lunch inhaled in 2.3 seconds and over a thousand photos later we were only forced to leave because we wanted to get back in time for sunset.
We arrived back at the house, with a bit of time to spare before magic hour. We cooked dinner and reviewed the photos, reveling in the beauty captured. As the sun began to set I made one last outfit change and we raced against the disappearing light for some truly epic photos. Gary got a second wind of creative juices and outdid himself with the angles and artistry. If I had to pick my favorite, these would definitely be the jewel in the crown.
A trip back to Joshua Tree is without question, and I can’t recommend it enough. It’s not one of those places you put on your list and say “eh, I’ll get to it eventually.” It’s one of those places you move to the top and make a priority, mainly because increasing temperatures and drought are effecting the growth of new trees. Not the best pictures or even the most eloquent poet could ever do the beauty of this place justice. It is a beauty that is felt, not seen.
