Desert
rat: Slang, a person who has spent a long time in the
desert.
Shannon Swanson-Briggs came to the desert at the
age of 10, spending a great deal of time in what was then known as
Joshua Tree National Monument. Shannon
graduated from 29Palms High School and only left the desert once
for a brief period. Shannon returned to the desert, loves the
weather and hiking, particularly local spots not yet discovered by
the burgeoning tourist population. She and Destany are like two
peas in a pod.
DJ, as
she is also known, is a born and raised desert rat and was a Joshua
Tree 'poster child', appearing in the local newspaper as a helper
and participant in many local community events like Coyote Fest,
Turtle Days (Joshua Tree is famous for it's desert
tortoise population) and the Joshua Tree Music
Festival. Her love of
theatre began at the age of eight, as part of a local community
youth acting class. DJ then became involved with the Hi-Desert Cultural Center,
taking on many behind-the-scenes jobs. That love now propels her to
Seattle's Cornish College of the Arts in
the fall. To supplement her college expenses, DJ is selling some of
her art, which can be found on her Facebook page.
Though
growing up in the desert was fun for both of them, it has also
brought tragedy. Shannon's brother, DJ's uncle, Rick, was struck
down by cancer two years ago at the age of 46 and they also lost a
dear family friend in a desert natural disaster, demonstrating that
while the desert can be beautiful and magical, it can also be
dangerous and devastating.
About the Podcast
Desert Lady Diaries: 30-minute conversations with women who live in the desert. Find out why they came, what they do here and why they stay.