A few months ago, I saw an Instagram post about an upcoming meteor shower which caught my attention. Images of shooting stars illuminating a dark sky were enough to beckon me to the desert (even with temperatures reaching 115). The post recommended Joshua Tree National Park as an ideal place to witness the Astro event due to the wide-open spaces and absence of light pollution.

I quickly shared the information with my husband who is always up for a new adventure, especially if it provides a great photo opportunity. We booked reservations for an RV park and loaded up Howie (our home on wheels) and off we went. We camped in Twentynine Palms which is about a three-hour drive from home. Perfect for a weekend getaway.

As someone who knows very little about astronomy, I had no idea what to expect. So, I did a little research and learned the following …. The Perseid meteor shower happens annually between July and August and can be seen around the world. During this period, the earth passes through debris left behind from the Comet Swift- Tuttle. I know, it sounds unappealing, but the result is a magnificent show of shooting stars. This year, the peak of activity was scheduled to occur on August 12^th between midnight and sunset.

We visited the park two evenings and saw meteors on both visits. Our lightweight zero-gravity chairs were perfect for fully reclining and enjoying the vastness of the desert sky. The meteors appeared approximately every five minutes and varied in size and intensity. They soared by so quickly, that with a blink of the eye, it was easy to miss.  I know I say it often, but there really is nothing more soothing for the soul, than to be surrounded by nature. This was a new experience for me and it was so worthwhile.

Unfortunately, there was a downside–the crowds!  I’ve never seen so much traffic in Joshua Tree at one time. We arrived early to do sunset hiking and had no trouble with parking. But as the evening of the 12^th (the peak) went on, cars were lined up, bumper to bumper, for miles on the two-lane road. The noise, lights, and general disregard for the desert was disheartening.  People were having gazing parties with music and cookouts, setting up portable outhouses, pointing lasers into the sky, and going off-road to create their own parking and viewing spots. Any illusions of stargazing in an empty, silent, national park, were found only in Instagram photos. Perhaps if we had hiked off the main trails, we may have discovered some tranquility.

But here’s the thing, we always have a good time wherever we go. We understand that life is full of surprises and the journey includes embracing it all. And sometimes, the crazy is what makes an adventure more memorable. When we returned to our RV, we could still see the shooting stars from our quiet, empty, campsite. There really was no reason to inundate the national park to enjoy the magic.

If you haven’t taken the time to enjoy the annual meteor shower, I would highly recommend. The experience reminds us to slow down, recognize how very small we are in the grand scheme of things, and appreciate the beauty of the universe.