Gone to the birds
Joshua Tree National Park has a new boss, a Desert X installation was so popular that it snarled traffic, and more residents are eligible for the coronavirus vaccine
Happy St. Patrick’s Day from California’s high desert. Spring hasn’t decided exactly how it wants to proceed out here. Hurricane-force winds on Monday brought in a snowstorm overnight, but we now have an extra hour of sunshine in the evenings and everything is just so green! It’s not all bad.
The puppy, Alice, discovered birds over the weekend. The little lady has zero prey drive and instead follows their calls around the yard to investigate. Her curiosity has reminded me how cool it is that we get to live here, with the hawks, owls, and morning doves. It’s so easy to take our surroundings, and the natural beings we share them with, for granted when life feels hectic — for instance, when you have a new puppy and aren’t getting enough sleep.
It also reminded me that I really need a birding book, so I’m all ears if anyone has any recommendations.
Over the last year, I’ve found myself gravitating towards books. Real, weighty, in real-life books. I used to swear by my Kindle, especially when I was traveling, but it didn’t feel as useful when I was no longer leaving the house and book size became a non-issue. It also felt like a subtle act of resistance against all these screens that have taken over my life. There’s the Small Screen that can make calls, check Twitter, and tell time. There’s the Medium Screen, which is mostly for work hours but also gets Netflix. The Big Screen is the leisure screen and is constantly looping Sports Center or House Hunters, depending on who is in control of the Screen’s remote.
In a year filled with isolation, I mostly communicated with people through the screens. There were Medium Screen happy hours, Small Screen messages, even Big Screen viewing parties. While helpful at first, I’ve found myself more and more unhappy with this screened-in existence. We miss out on so much when our humanity is constrained to a small box. We forget what life was like before the Screens and we all suffer. I want to use all five of my senses, every day, with everyone around me. I want to feel the weight of the pages in my hand. I want to listen to the birds and watch the puppy run back and forth in the sand.
I want life to feel analog again. Maybe that’s why I’m here, in the desert. Persisting in harsh conditions, life finds a way.
On to this week’s news:
The former Representative from New Mexico was confirmed to the position by Congress on Monday, 51 - 40.
In her role, Haaland will oversee the National Park Service in addition to the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which manages the federal government’s relationship with indigenous tribes.
Haaland previously spoke out in support of investing in infrastructure projects in national parks and called out Joshua Tree National Park’s lack of readily available drinking water as one example of areas in which the agency should invest.
She is expected to pursue aggressive action to combat climate change, including a push towards renewable energy on the federally owned lands she now oversees. She has opposed drilling, mining, and other development on federally protected land in the past.
In a statement, Mojave Desert Land Trust executive director Geary Hund praised Haaland’s confirmation, saying: “Today is a historic and momentous day with the nation’s first Native American stepping into the leadership role at the Department of Interior. Secretary Haaland has illustrated her deep commitment to public land stewardship and conservation.”
San Bernadino County is now vaccinating all residents ages 16-64 who have an underlying condition.
The county updated its vaccination guidelines on Monday to allow all residents who have specific underlying conditions to become eligible.
The eligibility update reflects changes at the state level for all counties in California.
However, some areas have reported newly eligible residents have struggled to get appointments given increased demand and limited vaccine resources.
Californians can apply to volunteer to help with the state’s vaccination effort here. Volunteers will be eligible to receive a vaccine regardless of eligibility, the state announced late last week.
The town of Yucca Valley is now offering free transportation to the vaccination site at Copper Mountain College in Joshua Tree. Residents can schedule a ride by calling (760) 366-2395.
Desert X, the massive art exhibit in Coachella Valley, started requiring reservations for two of its most popular installations after weekend traffic caused concern for residents.
The free, months-long exhibits "ParaPivot" in Sky Valley and "The Passenger" in Palm Desert will be open to 15 people per 30-minute interval in an effort to increase social distancing and reduce traffic, the Desert Sun reported. Attendees can get tickets here.
Low-desert commuters may have already noticed the massive art installation off I-10 near Palm Springs that spells “Indian Land.” The installation, called “Never Forget,” is from artist Nicholas Galanin, a Tlingit and Unangax̂ artist from Sitka, Alaska, that aims to draw attention to indigenous land rights.
The 13-artist exhibit is smaller than in past years due to the coronavirus pandemic, but the entirely outdoor festival remains one of the few live events currently running in Riverside County.
Pupdate of the week: Alice got her first round of booster vaccines at the vaccination clinic at Tractor Supply Co. in Yucca Valley. The affordable clinic is back in town on March 27.
Trail of the week: For the early birds, I highly recommend taking up the Wall Street Mill trail sometime this week. The wash is full of gorgeous blooming plants and the time is right to spot big horned sheep! Make sure to arrive early as the parking lot fills up extremely fast during high season.
Book of the week: I sped through A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet this weekend. It’s an incredibly unique novel that asks readers to consider what our children could face in the coming climate crisis.
Show of the week: If you haven’t already watched The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, I highly recommend it. If you don’t enjoy the storyline, the costume design is reason enough to give it a chance!
Local business spotlight
A lot of you asked for local tips and tricks, restaurant reviews, and other fun things to do, so I will be spotlighting local businesses in this section going forward. As always, please let me know if you have any favorites that you’d like to put up for consideration — let’s show our community some love after an incredibly trying year!
This week, we have Boo’s Organic Oven, the best bakery in the high desert. We celebrated closing on our home with Boo’s gluten-free berry pie, and I honestly still dream about it. The team of all-star bakers also offers a wide variety of breads, cupcakes, and specialty cakes.
They also do the best themed desserts for holidays — check out the Guinness cupcakes with Bailey’s Irish cream cheese frosting or mint chocolate luck of the Irish cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day!
That’s all for this week! Have a great weekend, and get outside!
Megan.
I love this. It’s so nice to have more local news as well. Things like the free ride from YV to CM vaccination site. That’s important info. Local stores and events, and yes, I saw the Indian Land sign and wondered what it was. Thank you for your time and interesting content.