Joshua Tree National Park DayTrip

Joshua Tree National Park is only a one hour drive and very easy drive at that. From Palm Springs take Highway 10 W to Highway 62 until you reach Joshua Tree and follow the signs.  Before you enter be sure to stop in at the Visitor Center on the right hand side of the road.  Rangers are there and will help answer questions, provide maps and are happy to help with suggestions for  hiking, camping, off roading, picnic sites, etc.  There are also books and supplies for sale as well as a cafe next door.  Bring water, wear a hat, good shoes and don't go near the Jumping Cholla!

 Across the street from the Visitor Center is a great store full of fun things, be sure to check it out.

The park entrance is clearly marked and a great spot to take a picture!

 This National Park is over 800,000 acres and encompasses three different deserts; the Sonoran, Mojave and Colorado Desert,  From Palm Springs the most direct route brings you into the part of the park that is filled with natural rock formations and thousands of Joshua Trees which are indigenous in only two parts of the world, Jerusalem and here at the park.

There are many hiking trails for all levels of hikers, the paths are clear and are marked with information

 Be sure to bring lots of water, and do not touch any plants, the cactus needles can be painful and the Jumping Cholla just needs someone close by to throw of some very fine and difficult to remove needles.  Keep your pets with you, don't let them wander, the coyote pup below had to be rescued by animal control.  The poor hiker below well...

 Plants come in various sizes, as you can see below, doesn't matter how big or small they are nasty to deal with.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: http://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htm
http://www.nps.gov/jotr/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

State Fare Bar and Kitchen at The Ritz-Carlton in Rancho Mirage

The highly anticipated Ritz Carlton opened with much fanfare and rave reviews for the restaurants.  I finally made it to State Fare, which touts farm to table freshness utilizing ingredients grown or produced in California.  The restaurant has a large outdoor patio and for those who opt to sit inside ceiling to floor plate glass windows with sweeping views of the Valley, gardens and pools below.

My good friend Tammy is the Communications Director and she knows what a foodie I am so she surprised me by ordering some of what have become guest favorites.   I am in a bit of a food coma as it was impossible to just take a taste of such delicious items and then politely leave the rest to save room for more.  

The staff was amazing and the service outstanding, pictured from the left is the Food & Beverage Director Damian Jenkins, myself, Tammy Perezchica-Pshebylo, and Chef Bruno Lopez.

We began with Panko Crusted Avocado with a Tomatillo Salsa and a Red Chili Aioli. The creamy avocado with a crunchy seasoned crust was amazing- light and delicious. I was especially wowed by the salsa, not spicy but packed with flavor.  

 The Short Rib Sliders were piled high with tender beef, caramelized onions and crispy coated deep fried onions, the buns were fresh and did not fall apart.  

We asked the kitchen to split meals as, well one can only eat so much!

The salad course was the "First Ladies Unconventional Cobb Salad 18" originally created for then First Lady Nancy Reagan. The Thyme & Lemon dressing was very light and the variety of farm fresh tomatoes were the perfect ripeness and firmness, we opted to have the Blue Cheese, which was a very good quality.  

Our next dish, (yes we kept going!) was the Pacific Swordfish which had a very light Tandoori Spice and a Yogurt Raita.  The farm to table freshness really shined with the Cucumber and Fennel Salad, crisp and flavorful.  The Swordfish was tender and moist, it was really cooked just perfectly!

The picture is a half portion, as you can imagine we were slowing down considerably but still managed to enjoy every bite.  

Yes, we did dessert!  As State Fare plays on State Fair Funnel Cake is on the menu.  I have never had Funnel Cake before so I have nothing to compare it with but I highly doubt that fairs serve an amazing fruit compote with kumquats, blueberries, blackberries and more served with fresh cream and a side of nutella!  

For a full menu link to their website: 

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/RanchoMirage/Dining/StateFare/Default.htm

Palm Springs Museums

Palm Springs Museums

Right off of Palm Canyon the main drag in town is the Palm Springs Art Museum and in the hub of Palm Canyon there is a small cluster of Cultural Museums.

Palm Springs Art Museum\

The Art Museum always is changing exhibits that are quite good and worth a trip inside.  The museum is not overwhelming and can be seen in an hour or more depending on how much time is spent on each exhibit.  Palm Springs is very fortunate to have a very active art community and very generous donors that keep improving and expanding collections.  Be sure to stop in at the Gift Shop, they have some very beautiful and unusual pieces.

1. 
   
   
2. The Glass exhibit is excellent, there are several exquisite pieces.
3. 
   
   
   
   
   
4. 1. 101 N Museum Dr, Palm Springs, CA 92262 (From Palm Canyon head west on Tahquitz, walk 1-2 blocks and you cannot miss the museum on your right.

      Phone:(760) 322-4800

      The Aqua Caliente Cultural Museums                                                                                      The Coachella Valley has a very rich 5,000 year history with the Aqua Caliente Band of Indians.  The Cultural Museums cover not only the history with the indians but also of the settlers that came to the Valley many years ago.  Located right on Palm Canyon at 219 S Palm Canyon, Palm Springs, across the street from Lulus Restaurant. Phone 760 778-1079

   2. 
      
      
   3. 
       Docents are available to answer questions and paint a vivid history of of Settlers and the Native American Indians that have lived here for many generations.
      
      
      
   4. 
      
      
   5. 
      
   6. Dioramas, films, photos, artifacts and so conveniently located too!
   7. Check on hours, as the museums depend on docents and the hours vary.
   8. As of this writing the hours posted were the following:
   9. September through May:
      Wednesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
      June through August
      Friday & Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
      Sunday: noon - 5:00 p.m.
      The Museum is closed for the following holidays: Thanksgiving (November 22), Christmas (December 25), New Year's Day (January 1), and Easter Day (April 5).
      Admission; Free, donations happily accepted
5. 
   
   
   
7. 
   

Shanghai Red's -Live Music, Great Venue, Delicious Food

If you love live music, seafood and sitting outside on a beautiful evening, this is the place for you!  The management and staff pride themselves on serving seafood brought in daily and prepared in so many different ways that everyone is happy.  

They have just remodeled their outdoor music venue and the sound system is great, there is even a dance floor that gets lots of use.  Shows start at 7:00 weekdays and 8:00pm on weekends so even in the summer you can enjoy music outside without overheating. 

There is more to the menu than just seafood, but anytime I get the chance for something from the sea I take it.  By the way, Anthony Bourdain was here and LOVED the Fish Tacos...

Fresh Seafood Sampler 

Coconut Shrimp, Clams Casino, Oysters Rockefeller and Mussels

Seafood Companeche- A little bit of spice and a whole lot of flavor

Seafood Pasta

 Anthony Bourdain made a trip to Palm Springs specifically for the Fish Tacos, he gave them an excellent review. They are quite tasty!

San Andreas Fault Sunset & Stargazing Jeep Tour

Rayce and I took the Sunset Andreas Fault  SunsetTour with the local tour company Desert Adventures. The 3+ hour tour was very informative and fun. If you have a chance to do it you really should. Our tour guide Carlos was part Geologist, Astronomer, Botanist, and Historian; we learned all kinds of great things about our valley and its history.
What a great and informative tour this is!  

The 3 hour tour began in the late afternoon with our fantastic guide Carlos.  He was very passionate about geology, astronomy and history so we were in for quite a tour.  Desert Adventures is the only tour group with permission to take groups onto 800 acres of private property.  The property sits on two fault lines the San Andreas and Pacific Plate; we are pictured between the two! That is how close the two fault lines are. .

Carlos was great about explaining how the mountains form from the earth movement, about different rocks, the dirt, well just about anything and everything nature has in this region.
The jeep held 8 people, including the driver; as it is open wear appropriate clothing and shoes for walking through the hills.  This area can be quite windy so be prepared to be beaten up a bit by the wind.

Carlos gave a great dialog on the history of the Cahuilla Indians and let us taste plants and berries that are indigenous of the area explaining what they were used for both medicinally and for food purposes. I especially liked the Desert Holly which was salty and used for both flavoring and as a snack.
Luck was upon us for the Star gazing portion, as the moon was a waning crescent and there was not a cloud in the sky.
The information can be a bit overwhelming so prepare yourself for 3+ hours of listening as you don't want to miss anything.  The terrain is breathtaking and well worth the trip as you will get a feel and appreciation for the desert and the Indians lived and flourished on the land. 
There are 3 tours in the cooler months and 2 during warmer weather, be sure to book in advance as they get large groups that can and do use the entire 15 jeep fleet.

RESERVATIONS:

Palm Springs Air Museum

The Palm Springs Air Museum is very cool; lots of vintage planes, vintage combat photos, art including fantastic murals and a nice gift shop.  It is the Home of One of the Nation's Largest Collection of World War II Flying Aircraft, the planes are in huge airconditioned hangars adjacent to the Palm Springs Airport.  It only takes around and hour or so to see the whole thing and well worth the trip. The day I was there they were having a Carnation Drop to honor fallen soldiers.  The crowd was filled with lots of Veterans and families, so there was lots of energy; definitely a great thing to do in the desert.

Discounts are offered at their website:
http://palmspringsairmuseum.org/
745 North Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, California 92262
760-778-6262

La Quinta Organic Market

La Quinta Old Town on Calle Tampico hosts a small but nice Farmers Market on Sundays from 8:00-noon.
Bring your dog, your kids and friends to enjoy a cup of coffee and listen to the music of the day.  Today there were two musicians one playing Calyspo type music and the was Joe Baldino who plays Latin inspired Jazz.  Organic veggies including all kinds of greens, root vegetables a large selection of mushrooms, tomatoes and berries were beautifully displayed.  Also available were flats of wheat grass, honey, nuts, bakery items, and flowers at $5.00 a bunch.