Over the Christmas holiday I had the chance to travel to the desert in southeastern California and western Arizona. My Mom and Dad spend their winters at Lake Havasu, Arizona so I drove from my home in Central California to visit them.

I have always loved the mountains the best and never really appreciated the desert very much. I have this stereotypical vision of the desert as nothing but tumble weeds and blowing sand. That’s the image most often used to portray American deserts; the truth is these areas are extremely beautiful with diverse plant and animal life, intriguing geological formations and starkly dramatic scenery.

When I think of the desert, I also think of heat, lots and lots of heat. But in December it’s actually pretty cold. During my trip, it got down into the low 40s at night. During the days it was bright sunshine and as it got up to 50+ degrees it was very pleasant.

One of the most intriguing parts of the desert is the contrast between the harsh desert landscape and the blue water of the lake or the reds and oranges of the sunset or the bright green grass of the golf courses.

 Besides the amazing landscape contrasts there are some surprising sites to experience in the desert. Imagine setting out across the wide-open desert and happening upon the Desert Bar. It is an old mining camp that has morphed into a rustic bar and restaurant that regularly draws a large weekend crowd. Folks arrive via a rough dirt road or by coming directly across the desert.

Or how about finding yourself in Oatman, Arizona where wild donkeys roam the streets to the delight of tourists. Oatman is a former mining town that began as a tent camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915. Oatman has undergone a renaissance in recent years thanks to a nostalgic interest in Route 66.   Weekends in Oatman can see anything from classic car rallies to mock “Wild West” shootouts. Wild burros freely roam the town and can be hand-fed hay cubes. The donkeys are descended from pack animals turned loose by early prospectors, and are protected by the US government.

My lesson learned is not to discount anyplace but rather, look for that hidden treasure everywhere we go.