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As you leave Los Angeles and head east toward the Mojave
Desert on Interstate 10, rather than heading south to Palm Springs, you might
want heard north to Morongo Valley where you can find the Joshua Tree National
Park.
Along the highway you'll see towns named Yucca, Joshua and Morongo,
where the land is usually parched and the soil blows easily, often creating
dusty, windy vistas. Shown above is the view as you descend by car into this
non-incorporated San Bernardino County community.
Hot summers and cool winters bring wildflowers to the valley
where you can see the San Bernardino mountain peaks topped with snow during the
winter months. What a contrast! Dry, tan land of Morongo Valley framed by the
white mountain crests transforms with the seasons. Spring in the Mojave Desert,
where Morongo Valley sits, brings rugged yellow blossoms that spring forth from
winter storms originating in the Pacific. The landscape is a sight to behold
(and photograph), at this desert community on the western edge of the Mojave.
With a population of approx. 2000 hearty souls, life in the desert
requires a tolerance for heat in the summer months during the time when the
blossoms die from the parched, dry weather conditions. In the spring there's a
delightful festival held in the Big Morongo Canyon Preserve.
Morongo Valley Spring
Festival, at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve and Covington Park, is a family
event where visitors can learn about gardening in the desert, desert animals,
games, crafts and story-telling (at Morongo Valley Public Library).
This annual event that celebrates recreation, conservation and
education also includes bird watching, docent-led hikes and the Spring Flower
Walk. This all-day event launches with a Pancake Breakfast at Covington
Park, then bird watching where visitors can see some of the 250 species that
stop at the Preserve during their annual migrations.
The Big Morongo Canyon Preserve is located at 11055 East Drive, Morongo Valley,
and Covington Park adjoins the Preserve at 50100 Park Ave, Morongo Valley,
California. Call (760) 363-6454. 92256.net/
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