The desert that is our front yard

We live in a desert.  The driest place on earth to be exact.  And, while we have a gorgeous view of the ocean from our backyard (and actually all the windows), we look directly at a huge barren mountain to our front (we are on the edge of the development).  This morning, Steve and Sadie went on a short walk to discover our front yard and the area close by.  Frankly, she loves it.  It's like a huge sandbox, which is where she would live if we let her.