Waking up in my room at Alex’s Airbnb, I felt the energy of the high desert slowly awaken my senses. After the morning rituals – including me finally understanding how to program settings on my Fuji X-T30 via Fuji Weekly’s fantastic app – Alex suggested that we walk down to the main drag to get coffee.

Joshua Tree is a vibe as well as a place in the high desert. The walk was short – but invigorating in the morning heat. When we arrived at Bliss Cafe, the staff was welcoming and treated us like locals. Well, maybe him more than me as he’d been there a few times prior to my visit. Conversation was lively and jokes flew as I decided on a smoothie.

I settled on the Perfect Date (Dates, Strawberries, Raspberries, Bananas, Almond Butter, Almond Milk) with a shot of espresso.

As Alex and I settled into a table, I sipped my smoothie as conversation flowed. The bright and wide space of Bliss Cafe made time effortlessly flow. Naturally, when it became time to head back up to the Airbnb and to go on my personal adventure to Joshua Tree National Park, I felt suitably caffeinated and ready for discovering the uniqueness of the landscape.