Inside Palm Canyon December 1, 2008

Hubby and I walked down the trail to the bottom of Palm Canyon. Now, mind you, I was very hesitant to do this because of my leg. I wasn't feeling any pain, but I didn't want my muscles to tighten at the bottom of Palm Canyon and then have to be airlifted out! How embarassing! So, it was with some trepidation, but also confidence that I did so! I was feeling pretty darn good and I didn't wish to spoil a beautiful day or an unique hike! So, down the trail I went. I'm so happy that I did! The view from inside the canyon, looking up at the majestic palm trees was absolutely one-of-a-kind! And, since the earth was still damp and wet, the odors enhanced our experience.

Seeing Palm Canyon 113008

After leaving the entrance kiosk, we drove a couple of miles on a very narrow road up to the trading post and Palm Canyon. Palm Canyon is at the end of Highway 111, Palm Canyon Drive. There is a parking lot there and we could see the cars sparkling when we were driving up to it. From this spot, it is 15 miles up to the Cahuilla Indians' winter grounds in the oak trees on Highway 74. They still retain that land today. My friend Barbara, who lives up in the mountains, takes her horses and rides partway down the trail which leads down into Palm Canyon. Here are some pics of our first view of the palm trees. I was much more cautious about where I was walking after reading the sign!

Indian canyons, Palm Springs, CA Nov 29, 2008

Over the next few days, I'm going to take you through the Indian canyons in south Palm Springs. There are actually 3 of them at the end of Palm Canyon Drive: Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon, and Murray Canyon. We didn't make it to Murray Canyon, but we did hike down Palm Canyon and stop at Andreas Canyon. So, today we start with the south side of Palm Canyon Drive and head up to the Indian canyons. As you can see, it was snowing on top of the mountains and it was misting a bit, but we went anyway as the turkey was in the oven and we had all afternoon to take photos! There are two things about taking photos on a cloudy day. First, you get the contrast of the clouds and our blue sky. Second, I LOVE the earthy smell after a rain in the desert. You can smell all the desert plants and the earth itself gives off a wonderful smell. The creosote bushes, which the Indians used for medicinal purposes, have a sharp odor that drifts over the area. Hmmmmm.......!!!

Skywatch Friday November 28, 2008

We had a winter storm here in our desert this week. We finally got our first rain of the season, yesterday and Wednesday. Rain was desperately needed here in the desert and I awoke Wednesday morning at 3:00 a.m. to hear it dripping off my roof onto our bedroom patio. That morning, I went outside and cast my California poppy seeds and African daisy seeds onto a bare spot in my front yard. I also went over to our daughter's apartment in Palm Springs to help her prepare for Thanksgiving dinner. The clouds around the mountains were so pretty, I drove out to the Indian canyons which are at the end of Palm Canyon Drive, in south Palm Springs. The sun was peeking between some of the clouds and I tried to wait for a good shot. The clouds were moving quickly and the light was shifting, but I was able to capture this photo. Aren't the mountains magical?

Happy Thanksgiving! November 27, 2008

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving with your friends and family today! I'm hopeful we can go see our horses today (it's still dark and I can't tell what our desert weather is like), but if we don't, I would like to drive out to the Indian canyons this afternoon while the turkey is cooking and take some photos. I drove out there yesterday when the sky cleared just a little bit and I was struck by their majesty and power. The Cahuilla Indians spent their winters in those canyons and during summer, they moved up into the oak groves on them. You know, I've lived in our desert now for over 30 years and I'm ashamed to say I've never visited the Indian canyons. Hubby used to ditch school in high school and go there, but I've never been. Maybe today?

Have a wonderful day with your friends and family and thank you for stopping by!

We have RAIN! November 26, 3008

I woke up this morning at 3:00 a.m. to the drip, drip, drip of rain. I always hear it dripping off our roof onto our bedroom patio. Of course, once I was up, the dogs wanted to go outside. Our little lab LOVES the water and she doesn't mind getting wet, but our son's Weimeraner hates water and can't WAIT to get back inside. Our German Shepherd didn't even get off his chair. He's pretty good about "holding it in". He'll go out later, maybe between rain storms.

rain forecast~ November 25, 2008

Our first rainfall is on the way! I'm excited because I threw out some California poppy seeds and African daisies and they haven't sprouted yet. They always seem to sprout when we have our first natural rainfall. I've sprinkled them with the hose and....NOTHING! Not one sprout has come up~ Anyway, apparently we not only have a storm coming in from the west, but also "tropical moisture". That means moisture coming up from Mexico and the Gulf of California. We NEED the rain here in our desert. As the cold fronts come through, snow is forecast for about 6,500 feet. My horses are at 4,000 feet and last winter they did get some snow, but it looks like this week it will be just rain, rain, and more rain.

But I'm happy that my tomatoes, beans, snap peas, and sweet peas are growing. Here's a couple of pics of them.