La Quinta & the Palm Springs area

We don't want to make our friends in the Northeast angry; so we won't discuss the fact that it has been in the 80s and sunny, everyday here.  Although, it IS really, really nice!  Have been "camped" at Lake Cahuilla Recreation area, a Riverside County park, overlooking a lake and the mountains.  A definite recommendation for all of our RV friends, if they find themselves in the Palm Springs area.  Nice sites, electric, and water.........and of course, a great climate for this time in February.

We rented a bargain car; expecting a Chevy Spark (a tiny subcompact), but were able to upgrade to a Mustang convertible for ten cents (really!).....Nice.  With our wheels we were able to visit all of the sites including the famous Shields Date Farm where you can get a Date Shake and learn the Sex Life of a Date.

Hiked, after a climb into the mountains near Idyllwild CA.  The Deer Springs trail did a good job of keeping us in shape with a 7 mile, 1800 foot climb.  Ending at Suicide Rock, we were presented with great mountain vistas with pine trees.  What a contrast to the desert we left behind!  And of course, a stop back in Idyllwild for some ice cream before our top down drive back to our campsite.

Have been keeping very busy with visits with our friends as well as biking along the landscaped boulevards of the gated communities and golf courses.

Today, we biked to the old town of La Quinta for Sunday's farmers market.  Before leaving the area in the next few days, we plan to visit the Living Desert, a stroll down El Paseo & Palm Canyon Drive, and maybe some relaxing.

Even made it to Sunnyland, the Annenbergs estate that is now used for important international summits.  Since Ronald Reagan, Presidents have been using this estate as a West coast Camp David.  We lucked out as Obama had been here with the King of Jordan over the weekend, so Sunnyland was open to tour early in the week (usually only on the weekends).  Stopped into the very modern glass, steel, and stone visitor center where we learned of all the important summits and dignitaries who have visited.  Also toured the magnificent gardens!

Morey with his favorite Manzanita;
can I grow this in New Jersey?