As a child, I remember growing up in the Pacific Northwest, and being accustomed to gray skies, moderate temperatures and wildlife that was largely non-threatening. Aside from a wild jackal and some rabid raccoons, life was good, and looking back on it, well, safe. As an adult living in the desert, things are different. The desert is stark, beautiful and full of peril. Here is what I learned living in the unforgiving desert.
The wildlife can kill you. Rattle snakes, scorpions, coral snakes vipers and bugs all have it our for you. Even insects like bees and ants can be very dangerous. Killer bees and Maricopa ants are dangerous and can quickly attack in swarms. This means you must pay attention to every rock and pile of debris and avoid getting stuck. Even cacti and the agave plant will stick and infect you with no second thought. Be smart and know before you go.
The weather is dangerous. Extreme heat, flash floods, lightning storms and clouds of dust are dangerous and to be taken seriously. The biggest threat I faced in the PNW was 10 months of gray skies. That being said, you must always listen to weather predictions and act defensively on them. Even if it looks a certain way outside, you need to trust the experts. Trust is a desert attribute. Trust that you can and will be caught up in some shit if you act stupidly. It's accountability.
The population are me is friendlier. We face death constantly and always check in on each other. Older residents could be at risk if their air conditioner stops working. We look out for each other, because in the Summer, as high-heat warnings flash, we are in a constant natural disaster.
I love the desert, and am glad to be here. Overall it's better than constant gray skies, and worth the risk. That being said, always make sure you evaluate what you value in life and take steps to live your best life.
Picture from Pixabay.
