Canyon geology December 4, 2008

When hubby and I were leaving Palm Canyon, I noticed the rocks jutting out of the earth. Must be a fault line right there, I thought. Yup. Notice how the rocks come out of the earth at an angle? That's why there is a stream through the canyon and why so many palm trees grow in that area. You can always spot fault lines in our southern California deserts...just look for palm trees and an oasis! Look at the rocks coming RIGHT out of the earth!

The Cahuilla Indians even have a legend to explain earthquakes. Tahquitz, according to one version of the legend, lived in the canyons and when he stood up and moved, he caused an earthquake! Since he was a HUGE man, this helped them to explain earthquakes in our region. An earthquake! Nah....it's just ole Tahquitz moving around, shifting his position! Isn't that clever? I was actually on top of Mt. San Jacinto once during a fairly good-sized earthquake. Being on top of 10,000 feet of granite, it was a rather sharp jolt, unlike our desert earthquakes, which seem to rumble through the region. This one was sudden, sharp, and strong. During desert earthquakes, I can usually hear them moving through the sand FIRST and they are more like waves. This one was definitely a sharp jolt!

Palm Canyon and Cahuilla Indians Dec 3, 2008

The Cahuilla Indians lived in these palm canyons during the desert winters and moved up into the mountains and the oak groves during the summers. They had water nearby from the streams and the palm trees provided excellent shade. They also provided materials for their houses and baskets. I used to visit the Palm Springs Desert Museum with my classes and see their beautifully woven baskets which were also made from the palm tree fronds. They were woven so tightly that they were waterproof! Incredible! These photos show how they used the palm fronds.

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!