It's always gratifying when a long-range plan or goal comes to fruition. C, K, and Crystal were able to visit the Palm Springs, California area in early November with Crystal joining us for the first of 2 weeks before returning to Illinois to her nursing job. We have now been there 3 times in the past 5 years and, in some ways, enjoy it even more than Florida. The weather is warm with low humidity and nothing but sun and blue skies! The locals ignore the weather forecasts because it's nearly always "low eighties & sun".
We especially enjoyed visiting Joshua Tree National Park, driving one day through the beautiful mountains to church, and also visiting a large true Oasis. I also climbed a local mountain. We'd recommend Palm Springs for any adventurous family of K's who are looking for a quiet and relaxing travel plan. And, it is gorgeous looking in every direction, with the desert taking on a beauty all of it's own.
Joshua Tree Nat'l Park -- the largest of all US parks, it has millions of rare Joshua Trees (Biblical) and rock formations like you've absolutely never seen before. Many campers & rock climbers converge here as the huge round boulders form every conceivable shape and image. The park is over 50 miles wide and long and it takes a full day to drive through it. No, that is not me climbing that large rock.
Photo taken at the summit of a local mountain with Palm Springs in the background. A fun hike!
Here's a true oasis in the desert with gigantic palm trees a few thousand years old. The large brown rocky "ridge" in the background is the famous San Andreas Fault which will likely be the site of California's next big earthquake. Experts say "it is 10 months pregnant" and could happen at any time!
There's mountains no matter where you look as Palm Springs lies in a desert valley no longer inhabited by movie stars like in the 1960's -- they've all moved on to Vail, Aspen, or Las Vegas.
Despite being in the desert, Palm Springs city is green and lush with huge natural underground aquifers of clean water which keep the grass green, the abundant beautiful flowers in constant bloom, and the sprinklers going on the "over 100 golf courses".
3 comments:
Two weeks vacation is always a good thing...and this looks like a wonderful place, with your recommendations backing it up. Glad Crystal could join you for part of it too.
Beautiful. Sounds and looks like a place to add to the vacation list.
Y'all take some of the neatest trips. Great pictures - thanks for sharing them.
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