This week’s travel theme on Where’s My Backpack is all about trees in honor of Arbor Day. I grew up cold northern areas with lots of rainfall, and tall lush trees. Some areas were lowland deciduous forest. Some were filled with towering evergreens. Moving to a desert landscape was quite a shock. For one thing, you have to worry about irrigation. Irrigation? I’ve always lived in areas where the rain falls often enough you barely think about watering the grass.

Now, I live not just in the desert, but in an area with citrus trees. Citrus trees are watered through an irrigation system where the area is flooded. It is almost magical to look out over a citrus grove and see a small lake where there were just pebbles before. Especially in the desert, where water is a symbol of wealth. When my husband and I first moved the desert, we noticed that every upscale place had fountains, as a symbol of their status and prosperity.

Also, the citrus trees have such interesting branches and shapes to them. A perfectly healthy tree might have a dark and gnarly branch reaching out from lush and green boughs. And in March, their fragrant blossoms fill the air for weeks with a delectable perfume. I love that day when I step outside and every breath holds invigorating scents. On this particular day, not only was there irrigation, but rain as well. Hard downpours alternated with sprinkling drops, creating ripples on an otherwise serene reflective pool. I loved seeing two different sources of water interacting to create such a beautiful, peaceful picture.

Happy Arbor Day!

You might also enjoy Travel Theme: Freedom.