Wandering

The American Deserts: Gems of the West

All four of North America’s deserts are in America’s Southwest between the Rocky Mountains and the Sierra Nevadas. They can be divided into the hot deserts – Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan – and the cold desert, the Great Basin. My previous impressions of the desert had been of a dry, treeless, lifeless, tortuously hot, uninteresting, expanse. Last fall, I learned that dryness alone does not describe a desert. It must also have a high evaporation rate, as well as under ten inches of precipitation a year. The sparseness of plants also typify a desert, since the inadequate moisture will not support dense plant colonies. It’s harsh – the Wild West – yet softly and quietly efficient in its natural cycles. Follow us as we explore these mysterious places and uncover the life, land, and find ourselves.

While Europe has thousands of years worth of ancient cities and temples, America has its canyons, mountains, forests, and deserts; these are our great wonders. They are the great equalizer in our country; they belong to both rich and poor, serving as a vast communal backyard. They are a testing ground and recreational paradise for generation upon generation of Americans. They can be cruel and unforgiving while simultaneously full of beauty and wonder. At a time when their future is in question it is imperative to understand how important they are to the American population and what a devastating loss it would be to have the purpose altered.
– Troyce Hoffman (photographer)

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.

Archived Posts