TheTraveler

 
Go Fry an Egg - The Realities of the Sonoran Desert
By Felice Prager

The ads frequently say, “But it’s a dry heat!” In those same ads, you will see a cartoon of a human skeleton or animal remains left scattered on the barren desert floor. You may hear things like, “It was so hot, I could fry an egg on the hood of my Mercedes.” The Valley of the Sun ( Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Carefree, Cave Creek, and the surrounding areas) at its harshest is a merciless desert. However, if you stay at a posh resort, you may never even realize this fact. That’s how most tourists want it. They want the air conditioning and the overhead sprinklers keeping them cool. They want cold drinks delivered to them at poolside. They want luxury, and the Valley of the Sun has plenty of that to offer.

There are the others among us who want to experience places we visit on a more intimate level. In Central Arizona, that means the Sonoran Desert is the destination of choice.

But wait a minute, isn’t the Valley of the Sun in the Sonoran Desert? How is it possible for the modern city of Phoenix to be a harsh desert? It doesn’t make sense.

Think of it this way: The name Phoenix being a good hint, imagine the mythical bird rising from the ashes. That’s Phoenix! Sometimes it is hard to envision this 21 st century city and its suburbs as a desert. Go away from the modern structures and civilization, and you will see an unforgiving, intolerant, desert. It’s a place where, if you are not prepared, you can die.

In the last two decades, a major vacation activity that people travel to the desert to experience has become off-road desert adventures. On an average day, lines of Jeeps and Hummers head into the protected areas of the Sonoran Desert. At most hotels, the concierge will gladly set up the details, and there is much from which to choose. You can pick from group excursions into the desert or you can go on a private adventure.

Having experienced guides, can help you avoid a potentially dangerous situation. The people who run the Jeep and Hummer adventures into the desert are knowledgeable about desert life. They have an itinerary and have done it many times. Their goal is to make your trip memorable, fun, and safe. They want recommendations, not death tolls. They may invite you to drive the Hummer, but they will make sure your terrain is safe before the offer is made. With guides, you will learn some basics about the desert foliage and wildlife. You may see a coyote, a jackrabbit, a bobcat, a mountain lion, a rattlesnake, or a pack of javelinas if you are lucky, but you will not have to negotiate yourself back to safety if you do.

It is advised that you don’t venture into the desert alone no matter what type of outdoor experience you have. Parts of the desert can be deadly to the unsuspecting, unprepared traveler. It is not unusual to hear helicopters overhead searching for visitors who defied the experts and hiked or drove into the desert by themselves. Those of us who live here who do explore the desert follow simple guidelines like leaving a detailed map of where we are headed and bringing along the necessary provisions. Our vehicles are built for the desert terrain.

The desert is a strange yet beautiful place with unusual landscapes, wildlife, and plants. Desert shadows are mystifying and the desire to explore more is always there. Without a guide, one wrong turn could be your last. After a short while in the dry heat, you can easily become disoriented. “Wasn’t that the ridge we just went over?” “Isn’t this the arroyo we just drove through?”

As a resident of the Sonoran Desert, I have seen many things that make me wonder what people expect when they go into the desert. The other day I was driving my Jeep next to a Hummer filled with visitors. One teen in the Hummer had her feet up on the back of the seat, and I saw she was wearing sandals. My mind drifted to the pain that can be felt when a cactus needle penetrates the skin. Another man sitting in the Hummer was shirtless. I believe he was trying to get a tan while being driven to their destination.

If you choose to go on any desert adventure, there are a few basics to remember that could make a big difference in your level of enjoyment:

• Bring water. You may think soda will be more refreshing, but it is more likely to dehydrate you, and it will not quench your thirst. A good judge is one gallon per person per day. The tour guides may provide water, too, but in the desert, being too safe is the mantra.
• Wear a hat, comfortable shoes, and keep your body (arms and legs) covered. Your clothing should be lightweight, preferably cotton. Having clothes on will actually keep you cooler.
• Keep the sun block flowing and wear lip gloss.
• If you have a medical condition of any kind, have your medication with you and make sure your tour guide knows.

Depending upon the type of adventure and the time of day you choose, you may be lucky enough to experience an Arizona sunrise. Be prepared to be inspired beyond anything you have ever experienced as you watch the sun rise from the horizon, quickly warming the air. With each minute, the sun rises higher in the early morning sky, guaranteeing another blistering Southwestern day. Watch the colors in the desert change. You’ll swear you never saw so many colors, even though your first impression was that the Sonoran was barren and perhaps even ugly. Be impressed with desert wildlife and their ability to thrive against all odds. If it’s a sunset you’re experiencing, it will explode in your face and smother your senses, and it will make your desert adventure something you will never forget.

Felice Prager is a freelance writer from Scottsdale, Arizona with credits in local, national, and international publications. She has had many essays in many anthologies including the Chocolate for Women/Teens series, and, most recently, Traveler's Tales: Whose Panties Are These? She is also a regular contributor to The Irascible Professor - http://www.irascibleprofessor.com.  In addition to writing, she also works with children with learning disabilities as a multi-sensory educational therapist. For a sampling of her essays, please visit her website:Write Funny! - http://www.writefunny.com .

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