11 



ONE 



the what and the why 

 of desert country 



ON THE BRIGHTEST AND WARMEST DAYS MY DESERT IS MOST 



itself because sunshine and warmth are the very essence 

 of its character. The air is lambent with light; the caress- 

 ing warmth envelops everything in its ardent embrace. 

 Even when outlanders complain that the sun is too daz- 

 zling and too hot, we desert lovers are prone to reply, 

 "At worst that is only too much of a good thing." 



Unfortunately, this is the time when the tourist is least 

 likely to see it. Even the winter visitor who comes for a 

 month or six weeks is mostly likely to choose January or 



