Of tarantulas, traffic in ‘Bohemia’

Thanks for a good story on Joshua Tree and the high desert [“Staking Claim to a New Bohemia,” Feb. 10]. You forgot to mention that this is also scorpion and tarantula country, which we’re playing up here so that we don’t get overrun by L.A. escapees.

No doubt the new wave of immigrants to Wonder Valley, east of Twentynine Palms, will complain that they, not Joshua Tree, are the real new bohemia, but don’t worry -- you did a great job.

I operate a bimonthly arts magazine out here that just celebrated its 10th birthday in January. The fact that we are profitable and growing is proof that the community feels that art and music are playing a significant role in the enrichment of life in the high desert.

Steve Brown

Publisher and executive editor,

The Sun Runner,

Twentynine Palms

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RE the “Desert Cool” issue [Feb. 10]:

Quite a nice issue about desert architecture, but for anyone contemplating buying a house and moving here: The homes are way overpriced. We have about 100,000 more people than we should. We have L.A. traffic and Sahara heat. The charm of stately date orchards and unique desert sites has been bulldozed to make way for strip malls and $700,000 cracker boxes.

My advice is to simply admire the houses long distance by reading the newspaper.

Kurt Sipolski

Palm Desert

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Nice article on the desert and environs. However, not one picture of the Joshua Tree itself?

Carlton D. Garrard

Rancho Santa Margarita

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I want to get the heck out of Hollywood and start a commune out in the desert somewhere. I almost got sick the other day when, walking home from Trader Joe’s, I saw a one-bedroom house for sale for $599,000. My stomach is turning right now just thinking about it.

Who are these people who spend such amounts on these places, and why are they allowed to exist with thinking people? I wish I were alive during the hippie days so I could be free.

Nate Lee Kasper

Hollywood