April 2024

Desert Adventures: The Salt River and Spring Inspiration

April is a transformative time of year—around here, the snow might still be dumping, or the land could already be drying out, hinting at the coming spring. For me, it’s the perfect time to head to the desert, where the air warms, the sun shines bright, and the landscape bursts into a refreshing display of life. This spring, I did just that, embarking on a journey down the Salt River—a bold, wild river cutting through one of the most biodiverse deserts in the world.

The Sonoran Desert has always held a special place in my heart. The botanist / ecologist in me can’t help but marvel at its richness. It’s a place where saguaro cacti stretch skyward like ancient sentinels, delicate wildflowers splash the sands with color, and unexpected greenery—like ferns and watercress—thrives in surprising abundance.

On the river, you get to witness it all. Our group—a motley crew of adventurous friends from all walks of life—spent a week immersed in this vibrant world. Rafting the Salt River is not for the faint of heart, but it’s an incredible way to experience the desert.

Being out there, surrounded by the intense sun, the rushing ((and sometime frozen) water, and the blooming desert, fills me with a sense of aliveness and creativity that’s hard to put into words.

The Salt River reminded me, once again, of how deeply the experience of a place can shape what I create. It’s more than an adventure; it’s a dialogue with the world around me, a way of translating the raw, wild beauty of the desert.