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1.4 billion years ago.
That’s when many of the rocks in Joshua Tree National Park were formed. I find that hard to wrap my brain around.
As for the Joshua Trees (which are actually succulents, and not trees at all) they were thought to have their seeds distributed first by Giant ground sloths that went extinct at the end of the Ice Age. And most Joshua Trees have a life span of 150 years.
Walking along this path, it becomes strikingly evident that I am the loudest presence in this serene landscape. Each step I take reverberates with a distinct crunch, serving as a reminder of the inherent harshness of this environment.
Beyond the occasional bird call and the subtle sounds of insects, the prevailing stillness envelops everything else in silence. Occasionally, a fleeting glimpse of a cottontail or a squirrel catches the corner of your eye.
There's a profound sense that this landscape patiently awaits your arrival. On the surface, it appears untouched by the transient passerby, seemingly immutable and eternal.
Yet, it's only when you invest time and attune yourself to its rhythms—accompanying the passage of days and seasons—that you begin to discern the subtle nuances.
When you allow yourself to be patient, to sit in quiet contemplation as the morning light paints the rocks with its gentle brushstrokes, to wander with your senses fully engaged and no destination in mind, you truly become a part of this landscape, existing in harmony with its timeless beauty.
