Having relocated from San Diego, Geneva Karwoski, together with husband Andy and daughter Prairie, has made the captivating desert oasis of Joshua Tree home. Committed to conscious living and taking life a little slower, Geneva is sharing a little of what it’s like to live in this eclectic community through her blog Cosmic Americana. She spoke to Children of the Tribe about motherhood, finding balance and shared some tips for anyone wanting to experience some of their own Joshua Tree magic.
There’s quite a bit of hype around the magic of Joshua Tree. You, your husband Andy and daughter Prairie call this desert oasis home. Can you tell us some of your favorite things to do together?
Yes, Joshua Tree is definitely having a moment and rightly so - it is truly a magical place! Our very favorite thing to do together is get out and explore the National Park. We also love vintage shopping at The End & at Route 62 Antiques. For special occasions, we love to celebrate by dining out. One of our favorite family-friendly spots is the 29 Palms Inn, after a meal there we head out to explore their natural oasis and onsite organic farm.
What tips would you give to families wanting to head to Joshua Tree on a family holiday?
Joshua Tree is a wonderful place for a family holiday, but there really isn’t much to do here in the middle of summer when the weather is very hot, so keep time of year in mind when planning a trip. Also, I always recommend adding a night or two in Palm Springs to your visit (only an hour’s drive away). The vibe is totally different in Palm Springs; you can enjoy a few days of pool parties and fancy restaurants before heading up to JT for relaxation and the great outdoors!
You’re committed to taking life slow and easy. Do you feel you have found the balance living this way?
We moved from San Diego to Joshua Tree shortly after our daughter Prairie was born. I left my job and my husband started working remotely. We’ve found a lot of time for ourselves that we didn’t have before in the hustle and bustle of the city, and discovered that we are a lot happier with life slowed down a bit. We’re enjoying fixing up our new cottage and make time to watch the sunset each night. In terms of balance, sometimes I struggle with self motivation and it’s easy to get lost in our bubble and go too long without seeing other people. We have amazing days and plenty of not so amazing days, but all in all, I wouldn’t trade our lifestyle for any other.
What has been the most surprising thing about motherhood for you?
The amount of love I feel for my daughter. I mean, of course I knew I would love her, but it’s so much stronger then I could have even imagined. It’s such a beautiful bond and I feel incredibly lucky to be able to experience it.
Your own mother was right about…
Everything!!! LOL!
Which of your characteristics would you most like your daughter to inherit?
I am a passionate environmentalist and human rights advocate, and I hope to instill these same values in my daughter.
