With hours of driving and weeks of planning, me and my Boy Scout troop finally reached our destination. A park located in southern California with the name of Joshua Tree State Park.

For those who don't know what Joshua trees are; they are small little trees that are very tough. Their bark is comparable ot the outside of a pineapple. And their leaves also look like the leaves on a pineapple. They are found in one kind of environment.

The Desert.

By far one of the coolest trips my troop goes on, I anticipated this trip for a long time. I love it not for it difficulty to hike in. Or it interesting habitat and it relationship with it animals. But I love it for it emptiness, it feeling of loneliness. It feels good to be out there with no one around. It barren landscape that can not be forgotten. It leaves this image in your mind that should be hung on the wall. Its the feeling of peace and calming vibes.

The isolation that is felt in the middle of a desert is none like any else. It is not a pressing isolation. Where you feel all alone, and insignificant in our expansive world. But more of a feeling of openness and perspective. You stand back from your seat of society where your every need is provided for. It allows you to realize you are human in a unrelenting world. With that feeling combined with the expansive desert area, you start you really feel your role in the word. You feel like an explorer in an unknown world. When you find cool little things laying on the trail, it turns into a discovery, a little hidden treasure that you found. It a great feeling.

The reason for the desert to not have this isolated feeling and loneliness is in part of my fellow scouts. They are hiking right next to me and camping in the same spot as me. They are there enjoying the scenery too. They are there to explore with me and to tell stories at night when it is about time to turn in for the night. They are extending their friendship to me. And giving me a fun time.

But another part about being in the desert is the self-dependent environment. It makes you pack everything you need in. You feel like a survivor, carrying your food, your water, and tent. You can't count on the guy next to you to take your pack and start carrying it for you. You pack is your pack and what you bring is what you have. It a great felling to be complete reliant on yourself. It make you feel strong and hardened.

The desert is by far one of my favorite places to be. It is peaceful, fun, and exciting. And I hope to return with my troop year after year.

I will leave you readers with a quote to ponder over.

"What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well."

-Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Until next time

-The True Black Star