The Desert: Palm Springs

The Desert

I cannot think of a better way to welcome summer than with the dry heat that beams from the desert sun.

Dominick, Emily and I have all been great friends since high school and have become pros at long distance friendship. At the moment, Dominick, Emily and I are all pursuing different creative endeavors in our life and those early twenties growing pains are kicking in everyday. After we discovered that Dominick was going to take part in a local fashion show in Los Angeles called Ad Hoc, there was absolutely no hesitation that Emily and I would be attending. It truly did not matter how far we had to travel but not being there to support him was simply not an option.

We decided to take advantage of the trip and take a little getaway. Honestly, what could be better than spending a few days in the desert lying by the pool with your two favorite people. Our first stop was Salvation Mountain, created by Leonard Knight, which is located a couple of hours outside of Palm Springs. The mountain is only something that Antoni Gaudí would have dreamed of creating, inundated with pastel colors and bible verses.

We then headed to Palm Springs and stayed at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club for three days of lounging, drinking Moscow mules by the pool and rang in my birthday the only way we know how–through a hip hop dance party. We then concluded our trip by driving through infamous Joshua Tree National Park at sunset. I wish our pictures could have captured just how spectacular and awe inspiring the park is at sunset. It was the perfect ending to our little getaway.

Words cannot begin to describe just how refreshing this getaway was and how deeply I hold the memories of every adventure I embark on with Dominick and Emily.

With summer just around the corner grab your best pals, your favorite BARE bag and hit the road for a new adventure.

Melanie Ochoa