Sunny day but quite windy here at the RV Park, which is out in the flat desert, about 1/2 an hour's drive from Palm Springs. Temps down from 90 to around 70s or so.
Did some culture vulturing today in P.S., went to the Agua Caliente museum in a wee house right down in the centre of town, in the Village Green area, about the Cahuilla indians of this area. A movie showed how they survived in the harsh desert climate, and how they found food and made shelter, and got their game to eat, made pottery and baskets.
We didn't know that acorns are edible here, they have to be ground up, and the 'flour' washed repeatedly with water to take away the bitterness first. It is quite weird but their land holdings form a checquerboard pattern in this valley, so you see lovely developments, interspersed with pieces of raw empty desert land. Strange indeed, something about land being granted by the railway like that in that pattern.
The natives seem to have retained legal advice to assist them in interpreting government legislation that concerns them, since the 1950s or so. Clever of them.
Then we went into the oldest house in P.S., I think it's called the McCallum house, he was one of the earliest pioneers in this area, the climate was pretty inhospitable, and some of the first inhabitants besides the natives and the ranchers were tuberculosis patients, seeking a dry environment where it would be easier for them to breathe. The earliest settlers seem to have been ranchers, but what a way to try and eke out a living.
As ever in the desert water was a constant challenge, and one of the more successful ranchers widened an irrigation canal, and thus ensured a more consistent supply of water. The water source for here is pretty well the Colorado River, and there is a huge canal called the All American Canal, which feeds PS, the Coachella Valley and its water needs.
McCallum house is an adobe building, it has been expanded over the years, and shows in photos the history of the development of this area. There were small hotels here over the years, but it was really the film industry that found a dry and bright place to film in that got it launched, about the 1920s or so. Before that it had been mainly sparse ranching, with the constant threat of lack of water limiting growth.
After the film industry started the Coachella Valley gradually developed as a playground for film stars, and a sunny retreat for northerners seeking sunshine and desert dryness. Now it seems that water worries have been addressed, and the new concern is power needs, which are somewhat helped by the huge windfarms that have developed along the I-10 corridor.
The wind comes along 1-10 from the coast via the mountain passes, and now powers the windmills. They are getting bigger and bigger in size and number, but what better use for a very windy corridor than to "farm" the wind flows?
Today was very gusty wind, after our museum interlude we went and explored more stores downtown in Palm Springs. Di found the sunhat she had lost a couple of days ago, it was right where she had left it while helping Jen and Sue with their clothing purchases.
We had lunch at Las Casuelas, a pretty Mexican restaurant right in the heart of P.S., in an old house with lovely arches, and pretty tiles and both outdoor and indoor seating. Delicious food.
Dinner back at our trailer, and then coffee/tea at Dave and Wendy's trailer, Jen and Sue wanted to see it, and tomorrow is Wendy's birthday, so we gave her wee somethings toward that.
We did laundry here late this evening, and now it's time to fall into bed, meanwhile in the back of both our minds is the thought that we soon have to pull up stakes, and go on our northward trek toward home once more. We will likely leave here this Saturday, April 11th, though there are high gusty winds predicted for this week and weekend off and on, which is a bit of a concern for us both.
It has been such fun to have had Sue and Jen here, and show them the area, and tour them around to our favourite sites.
Tomorrow is our get together with cousin Jenn Hett and her friend for dinner at Maracas, and then we'll attend the P.S. VillageFest night market, which runs from 6 til 10 PM on the main street of P.S.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Forgot to add that it's gorgeous sightseeing in the valley
Forgot to add that it's just lovely touring people around at the moment, all the blooming plants and trees are at their peak, the bouganvilla, palo verde, ocotillo, oleander, even cactus are flowering and so lovely at the moment.
Many of the pretty housing developments have landscaping outside their walls, and it's breathtakingly lovely with pinks, reds, yellows, whites, and flowers everywhere.
Such a sensory treat for visitors and residents alike.
Many of the pretty housing developments have landscaping outside their walls, and it's breathtakingly lovely with pinks, reds, yellows, whites, and flowers everywhere.
Such a sensory treat for visitors and residents alike.
More retail therapy in the Coachella Valley today
Off today into the Palm springs area for more retail therapy. First to Ross Dress for Less, then onto J.C. Penney and the Westfield Mall, where we continued to find some stuff we absolutely couldn't do without!!!
Ate in the food court there, and then went over to Shields Date Plantation at the edge of Indio where we watched their film about how they cultivate, pollinate and harvest their dates, very labour intensive indeed.
Who knew that people have to pollinate the female trees by hand using powder puff type of things. And that the trees don't yield their first crops for about 15 years or so. Interesting. They also need a huge amount of water, but yet are damaged by rain.
The dates are wrapped in protetive bags while they are still young and ripening on the trees. The trees have to be stripped of their protective and lethal thorns, too.
Shields maintains that the Coachella Valley produces 95% of the dates grown in the US. The Medjool dates are the big fat sweet ones that we enjoy, but other dates are used for different purposes, and Shields himself pioneered the development of date flakes to be used in sundaes and other confections. Sue had a date shake, they have a kind of soda fountain like you would have found in the 50s or so. Very fun.
Their gift shop had some dates to try, Shields himself cultivated some new kinds of dates, calling them brunettes and blondes.
Once we had finished there we went over to Agua Caliente Casino, where we introduced Sue and Jen to a new life of crime. That is, we showed them how to play the penny slots. We all promptly lost very small amounts of money, then checked out their gift shop for deals, and after that went to the delicious prime rib buffet.
Jen treated us all, it was very good. They have Mexican, American, Oriental and Italian Food, and a dessert buffet to die for.
The wind came up as we were coming home, the temp this afternoon was 90, but on the drive home around 7 PM it dropped down to 70 or so, and the wind buffeted the truck.
All in all another full day for the four of us. Sad that the girls have to leave on Friday, and then we'll roll on out of Desert Hot Springs and our winter hideout on Saturday, heading northwards. Groan indeed.
Ate in the food court there, and then went over to Shields Date Plantation at the edge of Indio where we watched their film about how they cultivate, pollinate and harvest their dates, very labour intensive indeed.
Who knew that people have to pollinate the female trees by hand using powder puff type of things. And that the trees don't yield their first crops for about 15 years or so. Interesting. They also need a huge amount of water, but yet are damaged by rain.
The dates are wrapped in protetive bags while they are still young and ripening on the trees. The trees have to be stripped of their protective and lethal thorns, too.
Shields maintains that the Coachella Valley produces 95% of the dates grown in the US. The Medjool dates are the big fat sweet ones that we enjoy, but other dates are used for different purposes, and Shields himself pioneered the development of date flakes to be used in sundaes and other confections. Sue had a date shake, they have a kind of soda fountain like you would have found in the 50s or so. Very fun.
Their gift shop had some dates to try, Shields himself cultivated some new kinds of dates, calling them brunettes and blondes.
Once we had finished there we went over to Agua Caliente Casino, where we introduced Sue and Jen to a new life of crime. That is, we showed them how to play the penny slots. We all promptly lost very small amounts of money, then checked out their gift shop for deals, and after that went to the delicious prime rib buffet.
Jen treated us all, it was very good. They have Mexican, American, Oriental and Italian Food, and a dessert buffet to die for.
The wind came up as we were coming home, the temp this afternoon was 90, but on the drive home around 7 PM it dropped down to 70 or so, and the wind buffeted the truck.
All in all another full day for the four of us. Sad that the girls have to leave on Friday, and then we'll roll on out of Desert Hot Springs and our winter hideout on Saturday, heading northwards. Groan indeed.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Jen's sore feet- too much walking in new shoes
Today we left around 10:30 and went down to Palm Springs. Parked the truck and the four of us went slowly down the main drag of Palm Springs, going in and out of some lovely shops. Sue and Jen both found jackets to buy, Sue found a denim one with flowers on the front, and Jen found a gorgeous lime green one, and a black one too, with giraffes on it. Sue and Jen both got jackets for half price. We ate lunch at an outdoor patio restaurant, burgers all round. They were yummy. Temps were up to about 90 or so, but are supposed to go way down tomorrow, with breezy weather. Ick.
We found lots of wonderful stores, and then walked a long way down the road looking for a cafe that sold some art that Sue was looking for. We found the cafe, it had closed half an hour before, but Sue bought a small painting from them, and then we had coffee at IHOP, and caught a cab back to where the truck was parked.
Came home and we 4 went for a swim in the pool, and then had a yummy salad that Lary made for us.
Poor Jen blistered her heel yesterday, and today she blistered the bottom of one big toe. So she is lame and in pain, but perhaps happy with her purchases. Hope so.
We found lots of wonderful stores, and then walked a long way down the road looking for a cafe that sold some art that Sue was looking for. We found the cafe, it had closed half an hour before, but Sue bought a small painting from them, and then we had coffee at IHOP, and caught a cab back to where the truck was parked.
Came home and we 4 went for a swim in the pool, and then had a yummy salad that Lary made for us.
Poor Jen blistered her heel yesterday, and today she blistered the bottom of one big toe. So she is lame and in pain, but perhaps happy with her purchases. Hope so.
Sunny 90F Monday
Sue and Jen arrived right on time on Saturday evening. We went and listened to the Jazz concert in the Garden on El Paseo, the swanky shopping area, for half a hour and then went to "Falls prime Steakhouse" for a great meal. We got them settled in to their park model trailer wich will be home until next Friday.
On Sunday morning we all went to the College of the Desert (COD) street market. Spent a couple of hours there doing retail therapy, and then came back to the park and spent some time in the pool. Very nice afternoon. Had Happy Hour at our trailer and Dave and Wendy came over to meet Di's sisters, they hadn't seen Wendy since High School days (wasn't that just yesterday).
After Happy Hour Lary made a chicken, shrimp and sausage Creole Jambalaya. Dinner was finished up with a lemon meringue pie courtesy of the master bakers at WalMart. After the girls went back to their trailer Di and I watched the American Country Music Awards hosted by Reba McIntyre.
We are really enjoying having Sue and Jen with us and we are just waiting now to head off and do some eploring with them. We think we'll go into Palm Springs, see the sights there, perhaps hit a casino for lunch or dinner, and mooch around the town areas, so that they can see where they are, and explore some downtown delights.
On Sunday morning we all went to the College of the Desert (COD) street market. Spent a couple of hours there doing retail therapy, and then came back to the park and spent some time in the pool. Very nice afternoon. Had Happy Hour at our trailer and Dave and Wendy came over to meet Di's sisters, they hadn't seen Wendy since High School days (wasn't that just yesterday).
After Happy Hour Lary made a chicken, shrimp and sausage Creole Jambalaya. Dinner was finished up with a lemon meringue pie courtesy of the master bakers at WalMart. After the girls went back to their trailer Di and I watched the American Country Music Awards hosted by Reba McIntyre.
We are really enjoying having Sue and Jen with us and we are just waiting now to head off and do some eploring with them. We think we'll go into Palm Springs, see the sights there, perhaps hit a casino for lunch or dinner, and mooch around the town areas, so that they can see where they are, and explore some downtown delights.
Friday, April 3, 2009
Very high winds in Palm Springs today & a bad fire
Overnight last night Lary pulled in the slide, as the winds had gotten much stronger, and the canopy over the slide bangs and makes us bump around inside the trailer. Lots of grit, dust and sand flying everywhere. Getting ready for Sue and Jen to arrive tomorrow.
Got Di a pedicure in Desert Hot Spirngs today, not bad except the fellow nipped a cuticle and made it bleed a bit. Erg. Lary bought beac towels for Sue and Jen, we'll use them to replace ours.
There was a brush fire that started over in Palm Springs late this afternoon, on the tramway road, and it got big quite quickly as the winds went as high as 52 mph this afternoon. Because of the high winds the fire had to be fought on foot, they couldn't use planes to douse it. Some folks were evacuated, they used a reverse 911 emergency call system, and apparently it worked very well.
We went to the Blue Coyote restaurant tonight in Palm Springs with Dave and Wendy, you could see lots of emergency vehicles still at the fire scene, and the electricity flickered momentarily in the restaurant. It was a mortgage burning party, as Lary and I just paid off our home mortgage completely. Whoo hoo.
Good food but poor service, Palm Springs tends to be pretty busy on weekends, and this was no exception, with very noisy patrons near us in the restaurant, too.
No homes were lost due to this fire, many nearby towns sent their fire engines and emergency personnel to fight it. The winds here are high in the spring and fall apparently, and the mountains and the I-10 corridor make a perfect tunnel to accelerate the wind. At times today it was very hard to open the truck doors, and we were even blown around in the parking lots. The dust and grit gets everywhere, and swirls around and clouds the air a lot.
Temps are due to cool a bit as a result of these high winds, there was an art show cancelled today in P. S. due to the wind. There are 2 big art shows this weekend, as well as a big Ladies Golf Tourney that wraps up this Sunday.
The temps should go down from the 80s into the 70s, but the winds should calm a bit, til mid week when they may whip up once again. Perhaps the slightly cooler weather will be better for Sue and Jen. Can't wait to see them.
We are meeting our California cousin Jennifer Hett from the Dana Point area on the California coast this coming Thursday night for dinner, and we all hope to take in the Palm Springs village fest night market that night. Should be great.
They arrive about 5:30 PM Saturday, and are flying Vic to Van, Van to L A, then L A to here, so will be pretty beat after that trek.
Got Di a pedicure in Desert Hot Spirngs today, not bad except the fellow nipped a cuticle and made it bleed a bit. Erg. Lary bought beac towels for Sue and Jen, we'll use them to replace ours.
There was a brush fire that started over in Palm Springs late this afternoon, on the tramway road, and it got big quite quickly as the winds went as high as 52 mph this afternoon. Because of the high winds the fire had to be fought on foot, they couldn't use planes to douse it. Some folks were evacuated, they used a reverse 911 emergency call system, and apparently it worked very well.
We went to the Blue Coyote restaurant tonight in Palm Springs with Dave and Wendy, you could see lots of emergency vehicles still at the fire scene, and the electricity flickered momentarily in the restaurant. It was a mortgage burning party, as Lary and I just paid off our home mortgage completely. Whoo hoo.
Good food but poor service, Palm Springs tends to be pretty busy on weekends, and this was no exception, with very noisy patrons near us in the restaurant, too.
No homes were lost due to this fire, many nearby towns sent their fire engines and emergency personnel to fight it. The winds here are high in the spring and fall apparently, and the mountains and the I-10 corridor make a perfect tunnel to accelerate the wind. At times today it was very hard to open the truck doors, and we were even blown around in the parking lots. The dust and grit gets everywhere, and swirls around and clouds the air a lot.
Temps are due to cool a bit as a result of these high winds, there was an art show cancelled today in P. S. due to the wind. There are 2 big art shows this weekend, as well as a big Ladies Golf Tourney that wraps up this Sunday.
The temps should go down from the 80s into the 70s, but the winds should calm a bit, til mid week when they may whip up once again. Perhaps the slightly cooler weather will be better for Sue and Jen. Can't wait to see them.
We are meeting our California cousin Jennifer Hett from the Dana Point area on the California coast this coming Thursday night for dinner, and we all hope to take in the Palm Springs village fest night market that night. Should be great.
They arrive about 5:30 PM Saturday, and are flying Vic to Van, Van to L A, then L A to here, so will be pretty beat after that trek.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Lazy day Wednesday- hiking Thursday
Wednesday Lary and I went into Desert Hot Springs to do a small shop and have lunch.
We had Happy Hour with Dave and Wendy sitting out on their "patio" beside the trailer under the awning.
Thursday morning Lary, Dave and Wendy went off to a hike in Andreas Canyon near here, organized by a seniors group. I have a sore foot so didn't go with them, it was to be about 1.5 hours long.
Sunny today, the temps are supposed to be in the 70s over the weekend, and Friday is supposed to be windy again.
We had Happy Hour with Dave and Wendy sitting out on their "patio" beside the trailer under the awning.
Thursday morning Lary, Dave and Wendy went off to a hike in Andreas Canyon near here, organized by a seniors group. I have a sore foot so didn't go with them, it was to be about 1.5 hours long.
Sunny today, the temps are supposed to be in the 70s over the weekend, and Friday is supposed to be windy again.
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