Sightseeing in Southern California

Week of January 15, 2017

We enjoyed the Rally and have been staying at the Elks Lodge here in Indio for this past week taking in a few of the local sights.    We spent an afternoon driving around Palm Springs which I had not been to since the mid 1960’s.  I don’t remember much about my visit then so don’t know what changed, but I know it is quite different and built up from the 60’s.   Lots of palm trees, beautiful homes, shops and traffic.

 Notice the snow on the mountains to the west of Palm Springs as a result of the rain storm in the area last Friday.

We had hoped to take in the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum and the Palm Springs Historical Society  Museums, but they were closed for the day.  However, we did learn a bit about the two homes found on the”Village Green” along the main street of Palm Springs.

The McCallum Adobe is the oldest remaining building in Palm Springs built in 1884 for John McCallum, the first white settler in Palm Springs.  It has been relocated from somewhere else to here and has exhibits of photos, paintings, clothing, tools, books and Indian ware from the early days of Palm Springs.

The second home is Miss Cornelia White’s “Little House” built from railroad ties taken from an abandoned Palmdale railroad in 1893 by the city’s first hotel proprietor, Dr. Welwood Murray.  The Village Green area also contains a lovely fountain and numerous stars in the sidewalks honoring local pioneers and movie stars. 

We walked along the street for a short distance and took in some of the shops before going in search of a local restaurant to fill our tummies.  Elmer’s is located along the main street and has been on this site since 1960.  Service is the name of the game here as well as Elmer’s famous buttermilk and German pancakes.  While we enjoy breakfast at any time of the day, we opted for sandwiches which were delicious. 

Taking the I-10 back to Indio we observe this area near the freeway heavily filled with wind turbines.  What a sight.

On Wednesday of this week, we take a drive west to Joshua Tree National Park which was declared a U.S. Park in 1994.  It had been a National Monument since 1936 and is so named for the Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia) forests that are native to the park.   The park covers 789,000 + acres with a large part designated as wilderness area.  The park includes two deserts – the higher Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert with the San Bernardino Mountains running through the southwest edge of the park and numerous campgrounds geared for the small RV’s or tenters and many hiking trails.    

After a stop at the Visitor Center at the south end, we proceed to drive north for 47 miles through many different areas of flora and rock formations in the park.  While plants from one area could be found in others, some of the areas were uniquely one type of plant.

Ocotillo

Cholla

Notice Yellow bud where flower was in sprng

Joshua Tree

Rock formations were interesting and unique.  We stopped at a rock area for our lunch before proceeding on and returning to the Elks Lodge. 

Skull Rock

Split Rock

Ceil and I found time one afternoon to take in all the local thrift stores, Dollar Tree and Hobby Lobby while Ron remained at home content to enjoy his computer and photoshop some of his pictures.  We found a few “treasures” along the way.

Sunday finds us on our way west to Yuma and Ceil heading back to ABQ.  It was fun to attend the Rally and to have Ceil with us.   We always have fun together and look forward to seeing her in ABQ when we are there in April.  Safe travels home, Ceil.