44.12 Mojave Desert, an introduction to deserts.
While growing up, some might say or at least think, it's still a work-in-progress. Notwithstanding the debate, I never thought much about deserts except that they were arid regions with few redeeming features. Some people lived in them while even more animals and many reptiles call the deserts home. Well, who would rely on their opinions? As maturity began to take a grip on me, the battle was fierce and perhaps protracted, the mystery of these seemingly barren lands became more interesting. And then, some years before Hike-about commenced, I began to understand these regions, sought visits to them and thoroughly enjoyed discovering the vast open lands, effectively uninhabited. I should qualify whatever I've mentioned thus far by adding we try not to visit during summer, for obvious reasons. The love is rational rather than emotional, in the hot season, although many a time I feel completely overwhelmed, even frustrated by trying to absorb and retain such wonder. We should be...