Seven is more than a number; it’s a cycle. In these years the desert has stripped away my distractions, handed me stillness, and taught me to watch life unfold on a different scale. It remains a place profoundly ruled by nature, no matter how popular it appears on the surface. Here, under a vast sky, I’ve learned that sometimes you have to step away from the known world and let the wilderness transform you.

Explore the most engaging and impactful social media posts from Joshua Tree National Park in 2024, crafted by photographer and content creator Paul Martinez.

The desert is a place where time blurs—ancient landscapes and fleeting human traces coexist in an endless dialogue.