Post renovation, post Christmas, post AGM package
preparation; it seemed a good time to get out of Dodge for a week. San Diego
was our destination but here we are in Palm Springs instead. It’s 10 degrees
warmer than it should be so each day is getting into the low 80’s which is fine
by us but we’re hearing some concern expressed because there is no snow-pack, at
all, and that’s an important water supply for the valley. According to a guide
that we spent a few hours with this is the hottest driest desert in North
America. The guide is a burned out hippie/surfer/new-ager so his info might be
suspect but it sure feels and looks dryer than Arizona at this time of year.
We spent a day with Vancouver friends who live here in the
winter, went up the tramway, did a couple of desert hikes, hung around the pool,
and generally haven’t taxed ourselves at all. Not even shopping although Jim
did manage to find a few things he couldn't live without.
These first 4 photos are from a visit to Indian Canyons with our surfer dude guide, Richard. The canyon we hiked in is an oasis of native palm trees, quite different from the imported ones in people's gardens. The 'skirt' is full of wildlife and insects, a city structure of its own (4th pic). The 2nd pic is a palm trunk coated in mud from a flash flood which are to be taken very seriously. According to Richard if you are hiking and see a cloud, get out of the canyon as fast as you can. The mud was up at least 20 feet from where we stood. Third pic is supposed to have been the inspiration for the rock in animated movieThe Lion King; a photo of it was in Walt Disney's creative department.
The next 3 are from our excursion up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a rotating tram built in Switzerland of course, that rises a steep and dramatic 8000 feet. Below is the dry, dry desert floor but at the top and on the west side of the mountains is heavy forest because of humidity from the west coast. It was interesting to see the profound contrast. Building the cable towers was quite a feat and accomplished mostly by helicopter. Crazy people, helicopter pilots, along with surfer dudes.
Palm Springs itself is a small town and definitely caters to tourists with lots of restaurants, FREE parking, a couple of street markets, and quirky sights. The statue of Marilyn Monroe is in the middle of town and is huge. The 'sculptures' are in a private garden in the movie colony area which we also toured with Richard who called Marilyn Munroe, Mary Jean Baker. We decided he's enjoyed too much Mary Jane in his life.
Speaking of Mary Jane the palm trees are freaking me out a bit. Either I've spent a lot of years oblivious, there's something in the water, or these trees are different. They are super shiny and reflect the sun or moon like glitter. Maybe it's because the air is so clear but with a full moon this week the back-lit palms look like Christmas decorations.
Of course I can't get a good photo of the phenom but here's a daytime shot that sort of shows it. On the other hand the Betty Ford Center is just down the street.
