High Winds and Desert Lands

The weeks have gone by fast during the months of March and April. My travels with work have sent me to the most remote desert lands to the most beautiful shores of the Pacific Ocean. Long journeys on the concrete jungles of the California’s freeways have planted me in Anza Borrego State Park, the Colorado River, Red Rocks National Park and Catalina Island. Though all locations are unique in their beauty and ecology, the weather systems flowing through theses areas, however, have been oddly similar. For five weeks straight high winds, rain or lighting stormed throughout our programs.
In Anza: Heavy rain with an intense lighting storm sent 80 kids in their tents for 5 hours for protection.
Colorado River: 50 mph wind gusts left 180 kids stuck to the shores rather than happily canoeing down river. So what do you do with 180 students and your canoeing day has been canceled??? Create a carnival for them at camp of course!! As I facilitated the ring toss, my fellow employees either dressed up like bearded ladies, painted faces, told fortunes, etc.
Catalina Island: Canceled snorkel and kayak blocks due to winds and surgy waters. More hiking anyone?
Each week another epic weather system rolls in leaving the naturalists, program coordinators and cooks in stressful situations. Risk management, decision making and assessing each situation as it comes has never been so important. Not to mention the flexibility of changing your daily schedule and entertaining kids for hours of down time.

Photos: Anza Sunrise, Staff getting wind blown, Colorado River, Parson's Beach, Red Rocks