Our two week stay at Desert Hot Springs went amazingly fast. It was great fun and made more so because our friends Diann and Rich from Albuquerque joined us. We were able to park our RVs next to each other at Catalina Spa & RV Resort for a week. While we were there, we also had a weekend visit from Maureen and Dennis who drove over from Huntington Beach. Maureen and I have known each other since 4th grade and were roommates at WSU.
There is a LOT going on in Desert Hot Springs and all the adjacent communities – Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and others. There are art shows, Casinos, street markets, Indian pageants, golf-golf-golf (for a price), restaurants, etc. And the weather was perfect – during the first week temps were in the 80s, the second week temps were in the 70s; you can’t beat it.
We strolled the main streets of Palm Springs, had a date shake at Shields’ Date Orchard, spent an afternoon at a home show– we had to turn down offers for hot tub and ceramic tile roof installations – HA! We played golf on a 9-hole course three times, did lots of driving and sightseeing. We even spent an afternoon driving through the San Jacinto mountain range above the Palm Springs area and to the city of Hemet. The residents claim it is a much better place to winter than the Palm Springs area because it doesn’t have the wind. Yes, the Palm Springs (Coachella Valley area) does experience relatively frequent wind – just west are a series of wind farms, just a clue that there may be a breeze.
Pics:
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy beginning to 2008 – we’ll be back in touch down the road.
There is a LOT going on in Desert Hot Springs and all the adjacent communities – Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, and others. There are art shows, Casinos, street markets, Indian pageants, golf-golf-golf (for a price), restaurants, etc. And the weather was perfect – during the first week temps were in the 80s, the second week temps were in the 70s; you can’t beat it.
We strolled the main streets of Palm Springs, had a date shake at Shields’ Date Orchard, spent an afternoon at a home show– we had to turn down offers for hot tub and ceramic tile roof installations – HA! We played golf on a 9-hole course three times, did lots of driving and sightseeing. We even spent an afternoon driving through the San Jacinto mountain range above the Palm Springs area and to the city of Hemet. The residents claim it is a much better place to winter than the Palm Springs area because it doesn’t have the wind. Yes, the Palm Springs (Coachella Valley area) does experience relatively frequent wind – just west are a series of wind farms, just a clue that there may be a breeze.
And then it was time for the four of us to hit the road again – on to Twenty-nine Palms, CA, just outside Joshua Tree National Park. It was much cooler there, but we managed to play a round of golf at a 9-hole course next to the RV park. And we spent a day driving through Joshua Tree National Park. It was quite green, due to rains a couple of weeks before. There were many wild flowers blooming including the Ocotillo. You don’t always see that in the desert. The rock formations were also amazing – monoliths and interesting rock formations.
Pics:
Top - View of Gordie, Diann, and Rich at Ruby's Diner on the main drag of Palm Springs'
Middle: Joshua Tree Nat'l Park - 'Marmot' figure; Cholla cactus garden; Hummingbird on Ocotillo cactus flower; sunset at 29 Palms; Skull Rock
Then on Thursday night the rains began, and it rained and rained and rained all day Friday and until 4AM Saturday morning. Once it was over the sky cleared and the winds came. On Saturday we all took off for Needles, CA and crossed a huge dry lake bed that was actually a lake. To see the desert covered with water is an amazing site.
We are now in Needles for a month. At Christmas we will join son Jeff and Darcy in Chandler for a trip to Boise where son Kelly and his family are hosting a family Christmas. It is the first time in 5 years that the boys will have been together. We’re excited!!!
We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy beginning to 2008 – we’ll be back in touch down the road.
