Winter Desert Gatherings

During the winter season, nomads migrate to the desert in Arizona Quartzite and California's Salton Sea and Joshua Tree areas, where vibrant gatherings bring communities together. This seasonal migration represents the culmination of the Pacific West Coast journey—a time when travelers who have followed the path from Washington's borderlands gather in the warmth of the desert to celebrate community, freedom, and conscious living.

These winter desert gatherings offer a powerful culmination to the seasonal migration, where regenerative cacao creates spaces for connection, celebration, and transformation in the heart of the desert. From the massive Quartzite gem show to intimate community gatherings, each event brings together nomads, travelers, and seekers in a spirit of mutual support and celebration.

The Nomad Community: The desert becomes a temporary city of vans, RVs, and converted school buses—a community of people who have chosen a life of freedom and connection. Here, you'll find workshops on sustainable living, skill-sharing sessions, music circles, and spaces for deep conversation and connection.

Regenerative Cacao in the Desert: As an Agroverse partner experience, these gatherings incorporate regenerative ceremonial cacao, creating sacred spaces for connection and celebration. Whether it's a morning cacao circle at sunrise, an evening ceremony under the stars, or a community gathering around the fire, cacao serves as a bridge between individuals and the larger community.

Pop-up Vendors: At these winter desert gatherings, you'll find pop-up vendors like Rhythm and Stones (founded by Michael Johnson), Raye Workz (run by Ranette), Llama Bus, and Prism Percussions (founded by Jenifer Runnion), offering handcrafted items, artisanal goods, and regenerative ceremonial cacao. These vendors are part of the vibrant nomad community that creates spaces for connection, celebration, and conscious commerce in the heart of the desert.

This experience represents the final destination of the Pacific West Coast journey—a place where the path that began in Spring with the Okanogan Family Barter Faire finds its winter home in the desert, creating a full cycle of seasonal migration and community connection.