Palm Springs. Unique & Friendly

My Grandson and I went to visit my daughter Trisha in La Quinta near Palm Springs. I've been there many times but this trip was different. Shane was driving. He turned off the 10 Freeway onto Highway 111 and we immediately encountered strong winds. Powerful gusts rocked the car back and forth and tried to push it out of the driving lane. Shane slowed and did a good job holding his line. We arrived at "windy corner" where there are usually dirt bikes and quads climbing the sand mountain on the right. Nobody was there today. Too much sand was in the air.  The bikers wisely stayed home.

Shane

There were flat sided trucks being pushed one way and another on the road. We passed by the outpost village of 1950's homes at the base of a mountain on the right. Homes there are nestled on the flat desert floor. They looked tired, worn and in need of paint - but appeared to be out of the wind. As we continued toward the village of Palm Springs the wind gusts continued to bump the car left and right.  We stopped at the red stop light at the Aerial Tram intersection. The wind wasn't quite as strong here. When the light turned green we resumed our drive and in a few minutes we began to pass the northern edges of Palm Springs. There were way too many vacant retail shops appearing along the roadside for a couple of miles with sad looking "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs in their windows. As we got closer to the center of town the businesses and shops were cleaned up, freshly painted and looked prosperous. Mid-town Palm Springs was welcoming, quaint, a little rustic, delightful and busy.  Here the wind had died to a mild breeze. It was a dry 104 degrees and mist making devices were working over the patio restaurants and along the side walks. Yes, they do cool it down a bit.

As we worked our way south through dozens of stop signals we passed several small villages, each with a monument waterfall,  manicured landscapes, golf communities, and both old and new desert homes. Brilliant flowers were all in bloom. The bright red geraniums and purple bouganvilia were especially beautiful. As we drove there appeared to be an over abundance of  large and famous restaurants. Everyone in the desert must eat out.  

At Ramon Road we turned left and within a few blocks found the trailer park where my Uncle Warren and Aunt Erma lived during the 1960's. We waved at the memory as we went by. Then we passed the Palm Springs Masonic Lodge where I tipped my hat. Then in a moment we were near the Palm Springs Air Museum. We had visited there on our last trip and found it as beautiful and interesting as ever. If you've never been there you have missed a five star attraction.

My Feet / Trisha's Pool / La Quinta Mountain

Shane and I finally made it to Trisha's home in La Quinta. Inside it was cool, the beer was cold, and the welcome appreciated. Her dog Pops made sure we were formally baptized by tongue licking, and the large pool beyond the great room windows was beckoning.

All was right with the world.

more to come

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