“The simple things are also the most extraordinary things.”. This quote from author Paulo Coelho’s book “The Alchemist” could not be a more fitting description of the Mojave Desert. Most people think of the desert as hot, beige, and boring. At least that’s what I thought while growing up in the desert. But once I picked up a camera, my appreciation for this arid region started to grow. The Mojave is a place that causes you to slow down, to begin to notice the textures of the sands underfoot and how it feels to step across. Hearing the way a light wind blowing across the desert can make silence even more silent. Watching how a seemingly monochrome environment can explode into vibrant colors as the sun sets and the night sky begins to open, showing you a window into the vastness of space. While the Mojave Desert is simply a desert, it can be a visceral experience when you appreciate the simplicity of it all.