The Desert Around Me

If you are interested in the desert around me, you can do some online research.

Check to see:

~ if there is a Sahati Camel Farm and Desert Animal Breeding Center open to the public in Yuma, Arizona.

~ if tours are available to the Coachella Valley Preserve at Thousand Palms, California.

~ where good swimming, cocktails, and easting are available near Palm Springs Indian Canyons

~ if Yumans have really vanished;

~ how to get to the little museum on the Morongo Reservation before you enjoy the nearby casino and shopping;

~ who knows why the Chemahuve left the River to come to 29 Palms;

~ how the Cahuilla are related to the Shoshone.

On the desert there are happenings for each character and personality. I remember when many drinking establishments here had signs reading, "You don't have to be crazy to live here, but it helps."

You can benefit by having your preferences and potential preferences in mind before you decide to explore facets of the desert.

You might want to divided the desert into areas on the map. Getting the layout of these areas may help you to systematize your exploration and add to your enjoyment without adding to your gas bill.

One such division which I find helpful is:

Joshua Tree

Colorado River

Imperial Valley

Anza-Borrego

East Mojave

West Mojave

Death Valley

and

the Resort Cities (check out the polo and the palms)

If you have an interest in history you might learn stories of the prospectors, the war veterans, and the various tribes. Or, you might check out the times of the Spaniards, Californios, or Mexicans.

Cultures in California

Some time ago I wrote a bit about difficulty some Californian Indians had in dealing with some Spaniards, Russians, and Frenchmen. Most of these Europeans were more understanding than the Americans, but still a considerable problem. For example, most of them could't tell a Cahuilla from a Mojave.


As I remember, the focus was on diplomacy and ignorance. There is really little more to write. In 1821 a noble of the Cocomaricopa arrived at San Gabriel mission. His people had been in contact with Europeans and had learned how to impress them. He came from a rancheria called "Avitucupaiba" six days from Tucson. He had been told by Cahuillas of Spanish settlements at San Diego where he could trade for cotton and beads. In the course of the conversations, powers at San Gabriel learned from the Cocomaricopa that it would take only 15 to 20 days to get a letter to Tucson from San Gabriel. Important information because the Spanish saw it as an opportunity for improving their communication with Mexico and Madrid.


At about the same time Emperor Iturbide, who had assumed control of Mexico, decided to send Reverend Augustin Fernandez de San Vincente, a high churchman from Durango, to inspect California in order to find out the extent of foreign activities in California and of the loyalty of the Caliornios.


Diplomacy not spying.


Iturbides envoy, Fernandez along with Padre Mariano Payeras, president of the California missions, inspected Russian settlements at Fort Ross and Bodega Bay.


Do you remember a post about happenings at Fort Ross?