Joshua Tree 2023

We are back for our second visit to the perfect little Modernist Cabin a few miles from Joshua Tree town and backing onto Joshua Tree National park. It is a one room cabin designed by modernist architect Ron Radziner, with outdoor shower, bbq and outdoor tub on one side and outdoor living room on the other, and lovingly decorated in mid century modern style. It is absolutely the perfect place for deep relaxation surrounded by the rocks, flora and fauna of the desert. The cabin is managed by Homestead Modern which manages a wonderful portfolio of architecture gems available for vacation rental including the stunning Monument House featured in New York Style magazine. 

I’ve spotted countless birds including the Gamble’s Quail, hummingbirds, road runner, cactus wren, and many animals; rabbits, lizard, white tailed antelope squirrel. The bird identification app I like best is Merlin Bird ID from Cornell Lab. The absolute highlight was spotting a curious desert tortoise right by the cabin. He seemed enamoured with me as he tried to follow me a few times while I backed up avoiding cactus. 

We checked out the Noah Purifoy outdoor museum full of sculptures made out reclaimed items. It is very unique and there are so many installations. We also viewed the Transmission Sculpture By Daniel Popper, large face with four hands located at The mojave moon Airbnb and retreat. Note it is on private property, but the owners have kindly made a fenced viewing area for the public. You can only see more of the sculpture as a guest staying onsite. We checked out the Joshua Tree Farmer’s Market and Yucca Valley Sky Village Swap Meet - we didn’t buy anything but it’s always fun to check out local events. I also had a good espresso at The DEZ in Joshua Tree. We caught a glimpse of the AutoCamp - a glamping venue full of airstreams but the large fence prevented a good look.

We also love checking out the unique local architecture. We spotted the UFO type Futuro House Airbnb: “the Futuro House was first concocted by designer Matti Suuronen in 1968 as a "portable ski chalet." The home resembles a small UFO thanks to its curved design and oval windows on all sides.” We had a coffee and walk around the Joshua Tree Retreat Center to check out the buildings designed by Lloyd Wright son of Frank Lloyd Wright. “this metaphysical destination is home to the largest collection of Lloyd Wright buildings in the world. The sprawling 400-acre property was built between 1946–1957 and although the architect on record is Lloyd Wright, it is believed that his father, Frank Lloyd Wright “had a hand in the design of some of the structures.” 

We also wanted to check out the famous mirrored Invisible House but the road that takes you close is private, but I could see it glinting in the distance from the main road.  It was featured in Architectural Digest. We didn’t see it but the Kellogg Doolittle House is also in the Joshua Tree area. “The house in Joshua Tree was designed in the 1980s by organic architect Kendrick Bangs Kellogg for artist Bev Doolittle and her husband Jay” also featured in Architectural Digest.

We spent a lot of time just decompressing from the last three years. Lazy mornings on the patio while the desert is still cool, walks among the giant boulders and cactus in the evening. Travel always allows me to be more in the moment and for the first time in a long time I feel relaxed. When travel comes to an end I also find myself having increased gratitude for home as well. 

“We travel, initially, to lose ourselves; and we travel, next to find ourselves. We travel to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. We travel to bring what little we can, in our ignorance and knowledge, to those parts of the globe whose riches are differently dispersed. And we travel, in essence, to become young fools again- to slow time down and get taken in, and fall in love once more.” Pico Iyer