There’s something inherently grounding about the desert — its silence, its infinite expanses and the sense that time slows down beneath the endless sky. These last few months I got to arrange three special desert day trips; everybody were great times: adventure, challenge, victorious moments… Whether you’re an experienced traveler or just want a quick getaway from the city, here’s a summary of the trips that may help jump-start your next day trip.
Hike at Sunrise and Coffee in the Dunes
That first journey started long before the sun came up. We convened at 4:30 a.m., bearing thermoses, headlamps and enthusiasm. The objective: to summit a tall dune before sunrise. We hiked up the sandy slope as the sky slowly went from indigo to orange. At the summit, we established a tiny coffee station — portable stove, fresh-ground beans, mugs for all.
Sipping hot coffee as the sun rose over endless waves of sand was a memory that I will never forget. We then explored some rock formations nearby and returned for the late morning as it started to warm up.
Highlights:
- Naked picture on golden hour in the dunes
- Eating breakfast to a view that went on for miles
- Fox tracks in the sand from the previous evening
Desert Picnic & Art Installation Hunt
June 10, 2015
Read MoreTravelling for the second time would be an entirely different experience; something a little more relaxed. We set out midmorning in a prowl of cars, coolers full of lunch and snacks. The destination: a remote desert area punctuated by random, larger-than-life-size art installations. Think mirrored sculptures, stone spirals and abstract metal structures emerging from the dust.
We spent the day on foot, discovering and photographing all the pieces, then relaxed under a small makeshift tent, for a picnic. The dichotomy of human creation against the raw natural state around us gave the day a dreamlike feel.
Highlights:
- Exploring off the beaten path art right in your own backyard
- Collective chuckles as we all tried to figure out images.
- A watermelon mint salad that rescued us from the heat, no cooking required
Sunset Off-Roading & Stargazing Session
We saved the last one for the greatest thrill. We drove some 4x4s out to a rougher area of desert, weaving between dry riverbeds and rocky trails. We’d paused on a high overlook to watch the sunset, and we ended up lingering into the night to gaze at the stars.
There were no city lights for miles — only a blanket of stars. We lay on mats, listened to soft music and watched meteors streak across the sky. It was the first time many of us had truly seen the Milky Way.
Highlights:
- The Excitement of Off Road adventuring
- Sunset turning the rocks dark red
- Telling tales under the stars with friends old and new
Final Thoughts
Coordinating some of these trips served as a reminder for me of the magic of the desert — the way in which it reduces you, quiets you, and makes you one with a world that is so unfathomably huge and so impossibly old. I can’t recommend it highly enough if you are planning a desert day trip. Bring water, bring a friend, take out the trash. The desert provides much, but it demands respect.
Have you just, like, spent a day in the desert? I would love to hear your stories or assist you with planning your own. Leave us a comment, or reach out!
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