Atacama

There is a desert in the southern tip of South America: Atacama, Chile.  It is known as the driest place on earth.  One part of it holds the record for 173 months without rain.  Some friends of mine toured Chile last year, and found the desert one of their least favorite sights.  Every six years or so some pink and purple flowers bloom in this desert, but nothing like the way they are blooming this year.  This year, after rare high levels of rainfall, they are carpeting the desert floor.  Such blossoms haven’t appeared in 18 years.  Butterflies are visiting. 

Imagine waiting 18 years for this explosion of beauty. 

This information and more – with pictures! – is available at The Washington Post.