Vacation ideas

A desert oasis is generally a lush, water-rich area in the middle of the desert. It can be something as simple as a small pond filled with water after a rain, to a cavern into which water constantly flows such as is found at Montezuma’s Well in Arizona. Over the years they have been used by travelers to refresh themselves, as well as by story tellers to provide comic relief or a sinister turn in a tale when a hallucination leads to ruin.

Speaking of Montezuma’s Well, this desert oasis was first brought into the public attention in 1878 in a Handbook to Arizona written by Richard J Hinton. But it may have been discussed in print long before that. In 1583 a Spaniard named Antonio de Espejo wrote of ditch running from a pond to an abandoned pueblo. Many believe this was a description of Montezuma’s Well and the nearby Montezuma’s castle. The well is a sinkhole into a cavern where over a million gallons of water flows each day. At present, nobody has been able to trace the source of the water that flows into this desert oasis.

Many other restful types of places have taken on the name oasis.  Idaho’s Desert Oasis RV Park is an example.  The park is open from May through mid September.  People visit from all over the country to go dune riding in the sand, or to explore nearby caves.

The caves near the Desert Oasis RV Park have a remarkable origin.  They are tubes formed from cooling lava.  They snake underground for miles and miles, going wherever the lava was able to flow.  Lava insulates very well.  Thus it’s cool inside the caves even on the hottest days.  Visitors are reminded to bring jackets.

Other popular recipients of the oasis name are hotels. One such is the Sheraton Desert Oasis in Scottsdale Arizona. The Sonaran desert is its home.  There is a lot to do there.  People can visit nearby art galleries, museums, or even take in a rodeo.  Don’t forget to drink when you visit the desert.

A desert oasis can be a life saver for someone traveling under the hot sun and over the hot sands. It can also be a hotel, park, or rest stop in the modern world.