High Desert Magic
I can taste the sweet satisfaction of a dream seen through. Yes, I took back my trip to Joshua Tree National Park. It was a truly amazing experience. Known as a positive vortex of energy (there are a few of these throughout the world), Joshua Tree worked its magic on me. I was hiking through sculptures of rocks and boulders that were at once mystical and majestic. The Joshua Trees with their bent stances and signature green spikes dot the landscape against the backdrop of rock formed mountains. I hiked freely on trails with names like Hidden Valley, Skeleton Rock and Hall of Horrors. You couldn’t see the trail from the front, so it was always a surprise.
I fully expected to struggle with my gait mid-trail. That didn’t happen. It was like I had access to temporary superpowers that were overriding my Parkinson’s symptoms. I didn’t require an explanation. What I did require was faith in my abilities, a hat and lots of water. The park was full of wonder. We saw climbers scaling giant rock walls and even “high-liners” who traversed the slack lines they miraculously hung from boulder to boulder.
Taking a break from the daily routines of life and changing your environment can be very effective tools for rejuvenating the nervous system. For me, escaping the city into nature in my favorite state with my best friend was what I needed most. I took in the vast blue high desert sky and the clear crisp air. What a welcome change from the grey skies of New York, the blustery winter winds and ice storms.
As my Parkinson’s limitations fell away, I felt a sense of freedom. I wonder how much of this success came from my mindset: free spirited, heart full and no responsibilities. A new empowerment has taken up residence in my body. I can impact the progression of Parkinson’s by doing the things I love. I see more trips to California in my future.
About Miriam
I share my personal stories to offer a glimpse into what it is like to live with Young Onset Parkinson’s, revealing honest and intimate reflections. Hearing other people’s stories can be a lifeline for many of us living with this neurodegenerative disease. I hope to inspire and educate people living with Parkinson’s and to create community through shared experiences.