From Pioneertown to Yucca Valley to Landers on to Joshua Tree – here’s a collection of what I saw while docenting for PS Mod Com’s High Desert Tour 2012 in Southern California’s eastern Mojave Desert.

First stop was La Haut Desert Aerie.  Nestled in desert landscape is a hand-hewn home with a collection of hand-painted ceilings – some in the North African Berber style and hand-stamped walls reminiscent of Moroccan zillij.  The floors are a brilliant kaleidoscope of colorful tiles.