Awesome! Inspiring! Wonderful words of encouragement!
As to why deserts and not some Polynesian paradise, I think it's because deserts are simpler somehow. Perhaps more dangerous too, but that goes with the territory. I come from New Mexico, an arid place, so deserts are home. But the South Sea islands have their charms too, of course.

I was amazed, visiting New Zealand, experiencing just how gentle and kind nature can be. Much different than the dread I felt on the edge of the drought-stricken Australian Outback. But still, there were parrots and kangaroos and puzzling plants, and the crippled Outback was - noisier? - than American deserts, which just means more was going on.

Every place has its charms. It's a matter of slipping away from the Orwellian techno-mobs....
(Perv With A Dog had his eyes pecked out by scrub jays on, Fri 15 Oct 2010, 20:21, Reply)