Being human

The Yucca Valley High School football season is suspended for 10 days, high-speed internet is coming to San Bernadino County, and the Morongo Basin Humane Society wants to build new facilities.

Hello from California’s high desert. I spotted my first snake this weekend, so I think we can say it is officially spring. The little rosy boa was hanging out near Indian Cove and I apologized profusely for interrupting his or her morning.

The days are longer and the sun is warmer. It finally feels like we’ve turned the corner.

I went on a climbing trip over the weekend with an awesome group of women. It was the first time I had met strangers in real life in almost a year, and I struggled to remember the social dynamics of small groups from The Before Times. For example, I forgot that you are supposed to respond with your own name when someone offers theirs as an introduction. I also forgot what to do with my face in socially distanced photos. Reentering polite society might be a little bumpy.

Beyond my general awkwardness, which these women were kind enough to wave off, the weekend was a breath of fresh air. Sitting by the fire or looking up at the stars was such a welcome reminder of my humanity and where I fit in in the universe.

The beautiful thing about rock climbing, or camping, or any other outdoor activity, is how hard we try to fit into nature instead of the other way around. The rock doesn’t care if you can’t land the hardest move and the trail doesn’t care if you’re struggling with the uphill climb. When we choose to continue on anyway, we embrace our humanity. Scrapes, sore knees, and all.

Now, onto this week’s news:

The Yucca Valley High School football season is suspended after a player and a coach test positive for COVID-19.

• NBC Palm Springs reported that one student-athlete and a member of the team’s coaching staff tested positive on March 19th.

• The team’s upcoming game against Desert Hot Springs was canceled, and the football program is on pause for at least 10 days.

  The team was already looking at a shorter season than usual due to county regulations limiting contact sports during the pandemic. It is unclear how the season will proceed.

High-speed internet could be coming to rural San Bernadino County courtesy of Elon Musk’s company SpaceX.

• San Bernadino County officials signed an agreement with SpaceX last month to test the Starlink high-speed internet in rural parts of the county, the Victorville Daily Press reported.

• The low-flying satellites are easy to spot in the night sky — look for the blinking line of lights just after the sun goes down.

• The pilot program will be available to first responders, sheriffs’ deputies, other emergency personnel, and residents in Lucerne Valley, Phelan, Piñon Hills, Big Bear, among other areas.

• SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a new batch of 60 Starlink internet satellites into orbit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 14.

The Morongo Basin Humane Society wants to build a new facility, but its board of directors is unsure about how to fund the project.

• The Morongo Basin Humane Society was in dire need of new facilities, according to a survey sent to area residents last month.

• The Hi-Desert Star reported that 95% of the 898 respondents were in favor of building a new facility, and just a handful wanted the shelter to change its mission or close down entirely.

• Its board of directors now has to decide how to fund the project. It will conduct a feasibility report which must show that the nonprofit and its volunteers can facilitate all the necessary activities to successfully build a new shelter and that the board can work toward getting the needed money via public donations or fundraisers.

• Editor’s note: Alice is a Morongo Basin Humane Society alum.

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Pupdate of the week: We’ve gotten really into tug-of-war, and Alice discovered our backyard tetherball set.

Trail of the week: If you’re feeling adventurous, check out the Rattlesnake Canyon scramble this week. The trail is a choose-your-own-adventure of sorts, as long as you keep climbing up. Try to avoid weekends as the rocks can get crowded.

Book of the week: I am not a Greek mythology buff, but I really enjoyed The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller. The novel reimagines the story of Achilles from his companion’s point of view, and I couldn’t put it down!

Show of the week: For Marvel fans, carve out some time to binge through WandaVision. The streaming-only show has been a huge hit with Marvel fans, and has tons of easter eggs and nods towards earlier stories that any diehard will recognize.

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Local business spotlight

This week we have a fun hidden gem in Route 62 Vintage Marketplace. The arts and antique shop on Route 62 has a quirky and diverse collection of furniture, decor, and collectibles.

Dawn and Dennis have done an awesome job sourcing different vendors to offer some of the coolest vintage or handmade furniture in town. At this point, I’ve furnished most of my home with pieces from the shop. I cannot recommend them enough if you’re looking for unique pieces full of personality and desert charm. You’re also helping the planet by purchasing previously loved furniture!

Route 62 Vintage Marketplace is located at 55635 Twentynine Palms Highway in Yucca Valley.