ROMANCE AND SEX LIFE OF A DATE…REALLY!

Sunday, February 15 - We hiked in Lake Cahuilla Recreation Area today in La Quinta, CA. This is part of the Riverside County Regional Park and Open-Space District.

The trail is predominately a route within the wash between the foot of the Coral and Santa Rosa mountains and to the North, The Quarry at La Quinta Golf Course.

We really don't like this type of hike because the sandy conditions make walking in the area very difficult. Pretty much like walking on a coarse sandy beach. The trail is an out and back trail covering the same area in both directions. With that in mind we knew we could turn back if the sandy conditions became troublesome. We stuck with it for about three miles and called it a day.

The trail on the mountain was very rocky and close to the edge.

We did see an something interesting and weirdly out of  place. Up on the ridge, overlooking the nearby golf course was a bronze horse mounted on a sturdy concrete base. Now how did that get there and what was the reasoning behind its location? That was a question we were unable to answer.

Lake Cahuilla is very nice.

If are looking for a good workout but not at the strenuous level, this is the hike for you.

We stopped at the famous Shields Date Garden on the way home. Man was it packed!

Founded in 1924, this is a famous landmark in the Indio, CA, area. We started by viewing a movie telling us all about the farm, everything you would want to know about raising dates and of course the founder, Floyd Shields. It is a very interesting movie.

They of course sell and ship dates all over the world. They do have a tasting area for all the various kinds of dates they raise. We didn't know there were so many kinds.

Marsha had to try these at least once….and we mean once.

They also have a very beautiful outdoor/indoor restaurant that we heard has a delicious menu. There is a tour among the date trees available for a fee.

Oh yeah, they sell hundred of date shakes too! We enjoyed one a couple weeks ago, so decided to skip that delicious delicacy this time.

If you are in the Indio, CA, area, be sure to stop in, see the movie and taste all the treats they have on display.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

 

LOST PALMS OASIS…JOSHUA TREE

Friday, February 13 (hope you had good luck) - We hiked the Lost Palms Oasis trail today in Joshua Tree National Park, Indio, CA.

We left home a little later than usual (7:30), and that had us ending our 7.5 mile hike too late in the day....Hot, Hot, Hot. The temperature gauge read 88 degrees at 2:00 p.m..

This area of Joshua Tree NP is considered "high desert.” We quickly realize that, as we climbed the 10 mile incline on East bound I-10 to the park entrance.

The trail, although a little longer than we prefer, is an enjoyable hike. It is very well marked and doesn't have too much of an elevation gain…about 400 feet. The problem is you gain and lose the 400 feet numerous times as you climb in and out of the washes and canyons.

Much of the hike is in coarse sand. Slow going here.

Be prepared for some rocky climbing.

Lots of beauty all around.

The two canyons we hiked through were lovely.

Once you reach the Oasis at the end of the trail it is a pretty scary climb down into the canyon, if you want a close-up view of the palm trees. Remember, if you climb down there, you have to climb back out! YIKES!

Besides the Palms in the bottom of the canyon, they are way up the side of the canyon too.

Brunch with a view.

On the way back to the trailhead, Paul thought we could take a short cut down one of the washes. Men! After about a half mile, Paul agreed with Marsha…We better go back to the trail. He insists it would have eventually brought us out to about the Saltan Sea.....30 miles away! Ha Ha!

On the way back, we were able to see the Salton Sea…waaaay over there.

Just when we thought we were almost back to the trailhead, our legs said….Oh No! Not more steps.

Regardless, after nearly 5 hours, we returned to the trailhead a little tired and ready to head home.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!

A MOVE TO INDIO ELKS

Thursday, February 12 - Our seven day stay at Desert Pools RV Resort was up. They were not willing to extend our stay under the Passport America discount even though they had plenty of vacancies. With that in mind, we headed to the Indio, CA, Elks Lodge.

This was our first movement East since we left Ohio. No, we are not heading there yet! There's snow in them thar hills!

The Indio, CA, Elks Lodge in an RV destination for sure. They have 55 campsites, some on gravel and some on the blacktop. There is only 30 amp electric and water. There is a dump station on sight and you can use their "blueboy" portable dumper to extend your stay without moving to dump. The streets are paved and the sites are nice and level.

We are in Site #22. It is a corner lot and bigger than some of the others. Bella is enjoying her new home. There is grass for her to graze on! What a treat to her.

Looking left.

You do have to be an Elks member. The Lodge is available for your use. They have a brunch on Sunday, lunch every day, and dinner each night they are open and entertainment on the weekends. Our initial reaction is that it seems like a pretty nice place to stay for a week or so. They do have a one week limit if the place is full and there are campers in the dry camp area waiting for a spot. If vacancies are available, which there are numerous spots open today, you are permitted to stay as long as you wish. The host and hostess are super nice.

Indio, CA, is a large city (40,000+), so there is all the necessary shopping establishments and big box stores. There are plenty of hiking trails and other outdoor activities in the surrounding desert and mountains.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y’all back real soon. Have a great day!