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Ever wondered what it feels like to raw-dog the American Southwest with nothing but a trunk full of water, shaky reception, and a mild dose of existential wanderlust? Well, let me tell you all about it in this new episode of Califorgilicious, straight from the soul-scorching beauty of Joshua Tree and 29 Palms.
This one kicks off with a little pilgrimage of mine—straight to the Cabazon Dinosaurs. Yep, the big ones from Pee-wee's Big Adventure. I’d been dreaming of visiting since childhood, and let me tell you: they’re just as surreal, slightly empty, and oddly magical as I imagined. Perfect start.
Then the road led me to 29 Palms—a desert town full of character, cracked pavement, and absolute burger greatness. I’m not exaggerating when I say I had the best burger of my life at 29 Palms Brewery. And the next morning? A cactus omelet at Cactus Trails Café. Yes, real cactus. Yes, it was divine. Yes, you should try it.
But don’t worry, this episode isn’t just me Yelp-reviewing the desert. I also drop five essential tips for anyone thinking of venturing into this beautiful wasteland. These come straight from personal trial and error—like the time I hiked at noon and almost fainted from heatstroke (pro tip: don’t do that). I talk hydration, phone charging (skip the Instagram scroll), not wandering alone without telling someone, and watching out for spiky desert souvenirs that like to stick to your feet.
Beyond the practical, I get a little poetic too. I talk about the "America the Beautiful" pass (worth it), the alien landscapes of Joshua Tree, and one of my favorite things—stargazing. I parked at this perfect dark spot, half scared, half awe-struck, and stared at the sky hoping for meteors. Didn’t see any… or so I thought. Later, tipsy-me reviewed my photos and realized I did catch them—just didn’t know it. Typical.
I also talk about one of my favorite finds: Desert Oracle by Ken Layne—a brilliant little book full of strange legends, weird truths, and dusty tales of cults, ghosts, and desert monsters. Somehow spooky and comforting at the same time.
This episode is just me, a mic, and the wide open desert. It’s personal, slightly unhinged, and honestly one of my favorite ones so far. I hope when you listen, it feels like you’re riding along—sweaty, awestruck, maybe a little lost, but open to whatever the Mojave throws at you.
So yeah. Get lost. Bring water. Make mistakes. Laugh at them. And maybe, just maybe, catch a meteor or two without even realizing.
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