Preceding me to the Mojave Desert, early hunter-gatherers left journals pecked into the rock. Later at Gold Buttes miners scratched out a few gems.
Lifting my soul yucca brevifolia, better known as Joshua, announces that I have arrived. When hiking near camp a special glow leads me to a Joshua bloom. As with all things romantic, my heart is light and gay as winter’s doom fades. Beauty prevails.
The luxury of looking east towards the snow-covered north rim of the Grand Canyon is more than an abstraction. Resilience prevails as I come to terms with the “Greatest Snow on Earth” left at home.
Mojave is a lesson in observing small changes that hold clues in seeking the unknown. When starting up a random arroyo just keep your mojo working for an easy return or you will be nowhere. A lack of mojo is an ailment described as drifting aimlessly, especially when it’s cold. I have too many squandered hours in the desert, waiting for the sun, until my mojo kicks in.
Mojave is fully capable of being harsh and may not always appear exciting but like life itself, it’s all about the enchanting details. Emulating the ancient hunter-gatherers, passing through, one-stop in the circuit.
Eighteen years ago John headed west, settling in Heber, Utah. Focusing on the environment and giving back to community soon became as natural as his beautiful surroundings. Departing the corporate world in 2006 John immersed himself in a year of graduate studies at the Teton Science School, Jackson, Wyoming. Place-based education opened new perspectives on nature and spirituality. After graduation several seasons were spent as a wilderness therapy guide and conservation corps crew leader. Mentoring to these “kids” remains one of his proudest achievements.