Getting Creative in Joshua Tree, California
The Field Trip Newsletter #89
Hello! How is everyone? It’s been such a busy year; I can’t believe it’s mid-July. I remember, as a child, summers were so quiet and long. I would wake up and read for a few hours, wander to the Oxford Square, or go to the library. I would play in the woods with the neighborhood kids and maybe play Atari in the evening. It was so simple. I’m trying to gain a little of that sort of time freedom back, but life seems to be moving faster and faster each year. We plan family trips around the hikes we can take in the woods or the rivers we can swim in. We look for places that offer us a break from the doom scroll of social media and where we can take time to read or sit and listen to music. I think we as adults need this unplugging and creative reflection.
My good friend Eva Jorgensen is a masterful travel planner. She wears many hats, but one big part of her creative world is leading trips through France, specifically Paris—her trips center around gathering groups to experience artists' studios, the food of France, culture, art, and design—a dream life. You can pick up her book Paris By Design to travel from with Eva from home. Sidenote: I was also a contributor to her book.
While in California this past spring, I took a day trip to Joshua Tree, although a day was not enough. I felt this wave coming over me while surrounded by trees and boulders. I just wanted to write, listen, watch for birds, take pictures, look at the clouds, and slow down, much like my childhood summer days.
On the drive back to Los Angeles to catch my flight the next day, I listened to the Rachel’s and made a running list in my head of all the things that I would do if I had just a bit more time in Joshua Tree and all the ideas that poured out of me, thinking about this small town.
On my flight home, I wrote out my list. As I pulled into my driveway, back in Mississippi after the long trip, I noticed a message from Eva asking me if I’d be interested in co-hosting a creative retreat with her in Joshua Tree in October. Without knowing any more details, I enthusiastically said, “YES!” We planned to talk in the next few days, and Creative by Design: Joshua Tree was born. As if she were reading my mind, she described all my thoughts swirling around in my head as a vision for the trip. I’m excited to lead a photo walk with everyone, too. I’ll be sharing photography tips, editing your photos, and more.
If I had to use only one word to sum up everything planned, I’d use magic! The time to sign up is closing very soon, so act fast! See you in the desert. - Erin
Coming up: We’ve just returned from Vancouver Island, British Columbia, and I will undoubtedly share the island's details here soon, as well as our back-to-home schooling plans.