Earlier this month, Airbnb teamed with MINI USA to offer travelers who were itching to get away from home an opportunity to escape while safely social distancing. The trip included a free MINI Cooper rental and a 3-night stay at a tiny house in New York or California for just $1 per night. I got the opportunity to experience this for myself. Is going off-the-grid worth it?
It was a Friday when the Airbnb team dropped off a blue MINI Cooper Convertible for me to embark on a 150-mile road trip to Twentynine Palms, CA. Having only lived in California for three years, Twentynine Palms was an area that I was not previously familiar with. Home to a marine corps base and a Mission Indians of California reservation, Twentynine Palms is a fairly quiet, semi-secluded area, tucked away in a desert and surrounded by mountains.
I admit I didn’t know what to expect before my trip. When I think of Black girls camping in remote areas, my mind immediately goes to thoughts of horror movies like The Hills Have Eyes. Would this be the day that I stumble upon the wrong gas station and end up dead? Would I find myself in the middle of nowhere with no electricity, no civilization in sight, no way to get home? What I encountered was much to my surprise.
Although the home was off the beaten path, it was still incredibly close to town. There were plenty of restaurants, gas stations, a hospital, police station, and shops nearby, which made eased the feeling of being secluded in the middle of nowhere.
Sidenote: I found myself dining at JT Country Kitchen every day for breakfast. You know I like to eat and their Big Ass Pancakes were to die for!
Inside the tiny house, was the best part of the experience. It was a quaint home with just enough tech and modern design to make any city girl feel comfortable in the desert.
The tiny house featured a spacious living room/dining area with a loft-style bedroom overhead. There was a blue-lit toilet/bidet in the bathroom and a separate shower across the hall with a rain head, stone seat, and a large window showcases a beautiful view of the mountains. Best of all, it was a solar-powered smart home which allowed me to control the lights, air conditioning, window shades, and music all from the touch of a button.
In a disconnected part of the home, there was an outdoors bedroom, perfect for the camper who wanted to stargaze at night.
I found the area to be very tranquil. I found peace in being able to enjoy the outdoors and get some work done. Being away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles for a moment was something I didn’t know I needed.
I regret not going hiking or getting any use out of the campfire area, but I definitely enjoyed lounging in the hammock every day.
I was never one who considered myself the outdoorsy type but something about being in the desert does it for you. The part I loved most about Twentynine Palms is that, as a Black woman, I felt safe there. It wasn’t The Hills Have Eyes at all. In surrounding areas, and businesses nearby, I would see Black Lives Matter and Biden/Kamala yard signs planted. The “Welcome To Joshua Tree” sign featured ample Black faces. Although the area was primarily white, I did see a few Black people, LGBTQ included, all being treated with respect. It didn’t feel like I had stumbled into a Sundown Town and that was a relief.
Would I visit Twentynine Palms again? Most definitely. It was everything an introverted city girl could ask for. It was the perfect mix of outdoorsy meets modern for me. I may even go hiking next time!