Welcome to the Mojave Desert and the wonderful community of Twentynine Palms. Ever since my first time here in 1979 I have fallen in love with the raw beauty, power, and constant but subtle changes of this land. Located in Southern California, the Mojave Desert is part of the great desert ecosystem of the southwest and encompasses more than 25,000 square miles. The climate is characterized by extreme daily temperature changes and an average annual precipitation of less then 5 inches. 

Some of the most well known areas are Joshua Tree National Park, Death Valley, and the Mojave National Preserve. Other less known areas of interest are Amboy Crater, Mitchell’s Caverns, Hole in the Wall, and the Kelso Depot, just to name a few. All of these are within a days drive from here.

    RAIN, RAIN, RAIN.  We almost received in one week the amount of rain we normally get in one year! Hard to believe but more is one the way. Records were set in many places.  The road I live on turned back into the wash it used to be. We can still use it, but is is pretty tore up. Some of the local highways and road suffered too, so be careful driving out here with all the pot holes. Don't think they will be fixed anytime soon. Remember, we're broke out here in California! One blessing to all this rain at this time of the year is we should have a bumper crop of wildflowers this year. Time will tell but I expect it. 

    Current averages are highs in the 50's and 60's and the lows range from the 30's to low 40's. The latest rain was on January 22nd with 0.10 inches of rain with more on the way. The total for 2010 so far is 3.25 inches and was received all in one week. Remember that we only received1.80 inches all of last year!

    As for the night sky there is not much this time of year. There is a small meteor shower February 8th. It is called the Alpha Centaurids and you may see around 6 per hour in really dark skies.