Desert Life

Ah, the desert.

The Emirates back in 1968 - 72 (well it was the Trucial States then). Summer daytime 45degC. Evening 35degC +, G&T on the stoop. We could still get airbourne at Sharjah or Abu Dhabi. Music systems came from VV&Sons in Dubai. usually in the form of Sansui. For a contrast, on the ground, the desert between Dubai and Burami and also the Empty Quarter provided absolute silence. A change from our "wall-bangers"

The Oman, or rather Salalah 72 - 73. Often 50deg C during the day, but the runway was long enough. It was the low, drizzle-like Monsoon cloud from June onwards, that sometimes kept us on the ground, but the G&T and evening movies outdoors were always enjoyable.

Thanks for sharing Mudwolf.  Sounds like you have found your Eden.

Deserts have their allure. Heat, low humidity and a resilient, amazingly adapted ecosystem. When I moved from Juneau, Alaska to the high altitude desert of Utah in 1990 I was not initially smitten with the desert. In time I came to appreciate its virtues. Thunderstorms and the smell of sagebrush, naked geology, desolation and calm, and a real sense of vulnerability to the element. Easy place to find some inner peace and contemplate one's role in the universe - really not unlike arctic environments I've been to.

There's a great book written by Craig Childs entitled "The Secret Knowledge Of Water", subtitled "There are two easy ways to die in the desert: thirst and drowning". It gave me a greater regard for life in the desert.

mudwolf posted:

I moved from my small LA apartment 3 years ago once the desert house was remodeled.  Think 1700 sq ft 70s mobile home but with huge covered patio looking onto golf course. Winters are incredible for 9 months then... the desert heatwave has been over 110 for a week, they expect it to top 126.  Anything beyond 120 the airport shuts down and planes can't take off, not enough lift.  Late July August we get humid weather from Mexico storms, sometimes the lightening is incredible, and you can see the whole sweep of the clouds.

But I have 83 degree AC interior.  I do my part by raising my temp 3 degrees.  Mornings start around 90 outside, I have coffee at 6:30 and cereal on the patio and pull a few weeds, trim plants, sweep,  water to plants and come in drenched in sweat.  I went to a movie 2 days ago got out at 1 and the car temp on dash said 132 and I had a windshield reflector up.  Someone told me to go to another theater that had a shopping garage, but all they show are blockbuster movies.

Now most of my afternoons are music, rest, read in bed and clean house.  Amazing how much dust gets inside but there is always something to do.  I'm sure many of you are  just itching to visit or horrified. My sound system is incredible and new neighbors have vinyl, haven't compared systems yet. AND they love it when I crank it up and they're outside in decent weather, couple times I opened my sliding door and went over with a drink, we talked until dark.  He's a BIG Beatles fan and has yet to hear the mono versions I have. Listening to a JD Souther CD of his early songs with Eagles etc late evening, their daughter drove up and stayed in her car just to listen to the beautiful music and couldn't figure out who it was.

Retirement is good, I can procrastinate all I want.

That sounds fantastic. Enjoy 

joerand posted:

Deserts have their allure. Heat, low humidity and a resilient, amazingly adapted ecosystem. WhenI moved from Juneau, Alaska to the high altitude desert of Utah in 1990 I was not initially smitten with the desert. In time I came to appreciate its virtues. Thunderstorms and the smell of sagebrush, naked geology, desolation and calm, and a real sense of vulnerability to the element. Easy place to find some inner peace and contemplate one's role in the universe - really not unlike arctic environments I've been to.

There's a great book written by Craig Childs entitled "The Secret Knowledge Of Water", subtitled "There are two easy ways to die in the desert: thirst and drowning". It gave me a greater regard for life in the desert.

Up on one of the Glaciers at Juneau back in 2000.

Thanks for sharing. You sound like a man at peace with his environment; good for you. I can see the aesthetic appeal I guess (had a flavour of this with the great New Mexico paintings of Georgia O'Keefe at Tate Modern last year) but personally your description is one that I find pretty repellent!

I hate the thought of having to move between air-conditioned capsules to survive. No fresh air. Such dependency on energy usage. Too hot, too often for this pale Brit.

I love the rich cycle of our seasons, and that includes the rain. I love living in a rural location and having nature all around us, in verdant green at the moment. I love a cold frosty morning. Soft rain on a summer night. A day of wind and cold spent with a log fire. I could go on.

Good that each of us is happy at our homes. Neither would swap I'm sure!

Enjoy

Bruce

Oh I hope everyone loves where they live.  I am at peace here, nice contemproary society with lots of the arts.  I joined the Master Gardener group to volunteer and help with education so that is my focus now. Everything is more active in the cooler months.  I used to live in beach communities and didn't like trip out here decades ago.  The temperate coastal weather was phenominal but It's way too crowded and expensive now. 

The geology is so impressive, many birds and wildlife, had. a road runner the other day.  Next morning I saw a small thick lizard peak out for sun from under a tarp I have. The hummer Tinkerbell I saw floating above the gravel with a small stream of water flowing bathed her left, then right sides, and tail end with a swish or two and then sat on a shrub and ruffled her feathers. She also drinks and bathes from the hose.

I went to Santa Fe before I bought this house, wow, that state is so beautiful but high elevation.  The art scene was very interesting and I was most impressed with some of the simplicity in architecture and interiors. When I was doing this house I kept that concept, modern lightweight construction, perfect orientation, neutral paint, show the view, DON'T clutter it up.  Very satisfying to have made my own space and art, no compromising.

Temps dropped much easier in the morning walking, I need to join the Water Aerobics group again.

Santa Fe is a great place, been there for a week each year for the last 19 or so years, we have really got hooked on South Western art and as a result got to know a few of the artists and quite a few of the gallery owners.

SF is a very expensive place to live though so still in the UK.

oh yes, many of the great artisitc areas are too expensive, that's why I moved from LA I couldn't afford an $800,000 1 BR condo being built in my neighborhood.  And that doesn't include taxes, HOA fees, insurance and staring out a window at another window in a tight canyon of condos.  

Plus all the tense traffic in LA, it was a no brainer to move to the desert and lots of retirees here, a gentler cast of characters.  One reason a friend surmised is that generally retirees are secure money wise and wanting quiet and quality life.  Plus, the hot season we loose the snow birds so restaurants and theaters and shopping are easier.  I will be able to go to San Diego or Santa Barbara to visit friends.

Glad it's working out for you Glenn.

You could escape the heat for a bit with another visit to Oz, it's our turn for 3 months of cool.

Good weather for a few tunes.