RILEY J ROAMS

A completely different experience comes with living somewhere versus visiting, and I was lucky enough to live in Joshua Tree. Although I have visited the high desert three times before moving here, I was able to understand this place in a completely different way after these two months. The changing of seasons came to my surprise as 90-degree temperatures quickly dropped and snow sprinkled upon the desert mountains. Both star-covered skies and full moons illuminating the desert emptiness came and went. I had ample time to get to know the park like my own backyard and complete the same hikes multiple times. September and October were the perfect months to live here while temperatures were still warm and the park was not yet overpopulated with people.

The House 

The Airbnb we rented was tucked away on a dirt road on the top of a hill in Yucca Valley. The house is a duplex on two acres of land that runs completely on solar power. It features a screened-in porch where I could watch people walking their horses along the dirt path on cooler days. Our secluded porch was the perfect place for morning yoga and working on projects. The inside of the house didn’t have any doors in between the rooms except for the bathroom, so the space felt wide open and had a stone floor to make it feel like I was never leaving the outdoors.

The Park

Being in Joshua Tree National Park feels unworldly. Upon arriving there is a feeling of stillness. It’s the one place where I feel at peace and completely alone in a good way. No outside force can harm me in the dry desert where the sun is always shining. The serene silence brings tranquility to the soul while the towering rocks humble me. The Joshua Trees themselves represent unconventional beauty through suffering and strength. These large succulents are capable of surviving the hottest temperatures with barely any water, and their uniqueness shines in this desolate but delicate landscape.

The park’s main entrance (or the west entrance) can be reached by driving down a winding path lined with whimsical homes and ranches. There’s something freeing about speeding through the desert nothingness. The park itself has one main road that eventually splits into a fork leading to the north entrance or south entrance. Each entrance is surrounded by a completely different landscape. The west entrance is flooded with Joshua Trees of all different shapes, sizes, and twists. Driving towards the north entrance will bring you pass two of the best climbing areas—Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks—and Skull Rock. There are barely any Joshua Trees around the north entrance but instead brown mountains. The southern entrance is not home to Joshua Trees either, but instead ocotillo, cholla cacti, and palm trees. There’s endless hiking and climbing inside the park. 

Because I lived in Joshua Tree I was able to get to know the land like I do a human being. I know where some of the tallest Joshua Trees in the park reside and I know which hikes are more secluded. I know how painful the cacti can be because I have brushed my hands over them so many times. My hands were constantly covered in blisters from feeling the surface of the gneiss rocks as they held me high above the earth’s surface.

Climbing 

Hidden Valley and Jumbo Rocks are two of my favorite areas to scramble, but there really are unlimited climbing opportunities inside the park. The random piles of rocks make the whole park feel like a huge jungle-gym. It is as if someone strategically placed rocks throughout the desert, but in actuality the plate tectonics beneath the earth’s surface are continuously pushing the gneiss rocks higher and higher into the sky. Climbing to the top of a rock tower feels empowering while looking down at the tiny Joshua Trees. If you are scrambling make sure to always be on the lookout for rattlesnakes because their favorite place to relax is between rocks where it is cool and shaded.

Best Restaurants

Living in Yucca Valley gave me time to explore the towns outside the park as well. Everyone knows about the famous Pappy and Harriet’s in Pioneertown, the town that was formerly a western movie set. Pappy and Harriet’s is known for live shows, good food, and an atmosphere that makes you feel as if you traveled back in time. This shack of a restaurant is pretty much a dead zone for cell service as well, so it offers a moment where everyone is present.

The Joshua Tree Saloon is pretty close to the park’s entrance and has something for everyone—vegetarians, vegans, carnivores, and gluten free. Unlike Pappy and Harriet’s, The Joshua Tree Saloon is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily. This old-timey bar is known for having live music and karaoke on Wednesdays, and it has an awesome back patio where you can enjoy drinks and food in the dry heat. 

Pie for the People is pizza galore. Their menu contains a plethora of specialty pizza that excites my taste buds. This restaurant is both vegan and gluten free friendly and has a wide variety of sauces and toppings. 

Other Places to Check Out

The Dodge and Burn Darkroom is a great place for artists to gather and work on projects. They develop rolls of film for an inexpensive price and have a negative scanner so you can scan photos yourself. The darkroom can be rented out for private use as well, and there are collage nights every so often.

The Yucca Valley Material Lab is an artist project featuring a variety of materials to work with. They offer workshops and residencies for those who are interested in a hands-on class in their private studio. Everyone who is a part of this group is extremely friendly and are passionate artists. 

I spent some time volunteering at the Morongo Basin No-Kill Animal Shelter where I socialized dogs and cats. There are also sunset dog walks where community members can walk the dogs that are up for adoption around the property. If you’re looking to adopt or volunteer, I strongly suggest checking out this animal shelter.  

Saying Goodbye

The one thing I asked the from the desert was for snow. To be honest, I didn’t think this would be a possibility because my time here would be ending once December came, but to my surprise at the end of November the mountaintops were covered with fresh powder. It felt as if the desert was saying goodbye to me by giving me what I had asked for. 

It was difficult being so secluded at times, but my time spent alone allowed me to focus on my own growth and healing. Living with one of my best friends resulted in us becoming closer, and we were constantly creating together while relaxing in the desert. On December first we packed up our cars and began our adventure out west, but not before driving through the park one last time to say goodbye (at least for a little while) to the Joshua Trees.