The Living Desert

On the last day of my Palm Springs vacation we headed down to The Living Desert to check out the animals.  I really wanted to feed the giraffes but unfortunately that is only an option at certain times of the day and we missed it.  Nevertheless, I had a fantastic time checking out all the animals.

Giraffes!

The Living Desert also has a beautiful carousel featuring endangered animals.  I LOVE carousels!

Joshua Tree

On my last day in Palm Springs we visited the Joshua Tree National Park.  I'm not too proud to admit that one of my reasons for visiting was because I love U2's 1987 album 'The Joshua Tree' - silly but true.  While preparing for our jaunt to Joshua Tree National Park I got sidetracked and started reading about the making of 'The Joshua Tree' the album (clearly vacation me is very easily distracted).  I happened across a quote from Bono in which he said:

"I love being there, I love America, I love the feeling of the wide open spaces, I love the deserts, I love the mountain ranges, I even love the cities."

Given his love of the wide open spaces, deserts, mountain ranges, and cities I can't help but think that he must love Palm Springs since it has all of those things in close proximity.  I think that's why I love it so much, it has everything I love so close by - even the ocean is not a far drive away. 

Anyway, I digress... back to the park.  We had decided to pack a lot of fun into my last day so we were a little more rushed than we wanted to be but luckily the information centre had a fantastic tip about driving through the park and parking whenever you wanted to see something or get out and hike.  We were so grateful for this tip since it allowed us to see so much more than we would have if we had just parked at the first entrance and walked from there.  What amazed me was that everywhere we stopped the rock formations looked a little different, it was really quite beautiful.   

The Joshua Tree itself looks a bit like the truffula trees from Dr. Seuss' infamous children's book 'The Lorax'.  They are kind of like a fuzzy palm tree (for lack of a better description).  They were so beautiful set against the backdrop of these giant rocks and valleys.  

Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!

  

Relaxation Palm Springs Style

To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change.  -Charles Horton Cooley

To me, travel is an important part of living a happy and fulfilling life.  I am as happy exploring somewhere new as I am returning to a familiar vacation spot - I'm not picky as long as I am able to get away from home and my normal routine on a regular basis.  Over the past few years my family has rediscovered Palm Springs as a fantastic Spring Break destination.  Years and years ago my Papa and Nana owned a home in Palm Springs where they would go to relax in the warmth of the desert.  I can honestly say that it is one one of the places where I am the most relaxed.  With the sunshine, the pools, the fresh fruits and veggies, what's not to love?

I returned last Friday from a week in Palm Springs with my aunt, cousins, and niece.  We spent our days lounging by the pool, reading, eating grapefruit right off the tree in our backyard, shopping, and exploring.  We had amazing weather for the whole week minus the crazy windstorm/sandstorm that kicked up one afternoon.

My daily view from the lounger

Manicured trees

Palm Trees with the infamous Palm Springs Wind Mills in the background

Sunset

Backyard Sunset

Dusk

Windstorm!!

Windstorm x 2

Full Moon

Windmills

If you are planning a Palm Springs vacation here are my list of the top 5 things to do:

#1 Evening drinks poolside at the Viceroy hotel
#2 Shopping at the Desert Hills Premium Outlets
#3 Visit the Joshua Tree National Park (pics to come)
#4 Explore the Palm Springs Villagefest an evening market that happens every Thursday night on Palm Canyon Drive.  Tip: plan to have dinner at the market - there are a lot of amazing choices!
#5 Feed the giraffes at The Living Desert


Hope everyone had an amazing week!  Cheers to the weekend :)