Shannon Cheesman is a writer, blogger, and desert enthusiast living in Borrego Springs, California.
As a relative newcomer with two decades of experience in journalism, marketing, and storytelling, she offers a fresh perspective on life in the Anza-Borrego Desert.
On her blog, Shannon shares an honest and relatable look at her journey of discovery, highlighting local landmarks, seasonal shifts, and the unique nuances of small-town living.
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Our Hummingbird’s Nest Disappeared, And We’re Still Not Over It
We never expected a hummingbird to change us. But then my husband set up a camera near a nest, and our hearts melted a little. Over 50 years on this planet, and neither of us knew much about hummingbirds. We’d never really seen one up close and were fascinated by the meticulous way she fussed…
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We Live in the Desert. So Do the Creepy Crawlies.
Desert living is great, but there are some harsh realities you have to learn to accept if you want to live in this environment. One of those is the creepy crawlies. Here’s what my husband and I have encountered in our first year and a half in the desert. 🕷️ Arachnids These are the eight-legged…
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We Thought It Was Done, But Our “Magic” Mesquite Tree Came Back to Life
“We call that the magic tree,” a neighbor told me when we first moved into our new home in Borrego Springs, California. She was an elderly woman who had stopped by during our post-move yard sale. “It’s been there for years and survived every big storm that’s come through here,” she added. At that time,…
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Watching the Seasons Turn in the Desert: Life in Borrego Springs, California
The landscape has changed dramatically in Borrego Springs, California, in the past few months. The colorful, sweet-smelling wildflowers and greenery have given way to a dry, dusty brown terrain parched by heat. I thought about that today as my husband and I rode our e-bikes throughout town and on the backroads, getting in some early…
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Over 100° in March? Life in Borrego Springs During a Heat Wave
March is usually one of the most pleasant times of year in Borrego Springs, the sweet spot before the real heat sets in. Early in the month, highs usually hover in the low 80s, gradually warming into the 90s by April. Not this year. This year, we skipped the gentle ramp-up entirely and jumped straight…
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The Pros and Cons of Living in Borrego Springs, California (From a Local Who Lives It)
After just over a year of calling this small desert town home, here are the pros and cons I’ve come to know firsthand.
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Desert Sky Stunner: Lenticular Cloud Over Borrego Springs
I have a thing for clouds. The wispy ones that make a sunrise or sunset glow. The puffy ones that look like animals or faces if you stare long enough. The dark, brooding ones that roll in and signal a storm. And then there are the lenticular clouds, the ones that look like funnels, stacked…
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High Winds Hit Borrego Springs, CA: Our “Magic Tree” Takes a Beating
People who’ve lived in Borrego Springs, California, for a while have probably experienced their fair share of high wind events. For me, just over a year in, this was the strongest one I’ve seen since moving to the desert. The forecast for February 18 called for gusts up to 65 miles per hour. By mid-morning,…