We left the Phoenix area and went south to Tucson for a brief New Years stay before heading further West. Our time in Tucson was limited but we did manage a chilly New Years Day hike.
Yes, that IS snow in the Catalina Mountains. In fact, the day we left there was snow in the air. Mind you, not Buffalo snow but snow none the less.
Lake Havasu City on the California border was our next stop.
Lake Havasu City is home to London Bridge. The bridge was built in the 1830’s and once spanned the Thames River in London. The bridge was purchased and reconstructed in Arizona in 1972. It now spans a canal to an island in the Colorado River.
Our “backyard ” offered a great vantage point for watching the sun set on the California side.
The plan was to head over to Joshua Tree National Park. The Trump Tantrum put an end to those plans. (We’ve learned the importance of flexibility when traveling). Instead of staying in Joshua Tree we found a spot at a private RV park in Desert Hot Springs, CA.
The appeal here are the mineral hot spring pools of varying temperature as well as its proximity to Palm Springs and a couple of date farms.
Our favorite farm is the Sam Cobb Farm. They do an internet business if you are interested. Dates must be pollinated by hand and as they ripen are “bagged” on the Palm to keep birds and insects at bay. No pesticides are used here.
Our son alerted us to the Palm Springs Film Festival which was taking place while we were in the area. We saw “Blue Note: Beyond the Notes” by Sophie Huber, it’s a terrific documentary and comes highly recommended.
A macchiato, Palm Springs style
There’s plenty to see as you wander Palm Springs.
While Palm Springs is a picturesque city to wander around, the desert in this area is starkly beautiful. Mostly barren hills are punctuated by oasis of native California palms. One afternoon we took a walk through the Coachella Valley Preserve-Thousand Palms Oasis situated along the San Andres Fault.
The Louisiana Red Crawfish, introduced in the 1950’s is wrecking havoc on the oasis’s biodiversity.
It turns out that two of Shelly’s high school friends live in Desert Hot Springs. We met up for pizza and had a great time catching up with Jim and Suzy.
One last desert sunrise and then on to the Pacific Ocean.
Tincan Travels 
Not Buffalo Snow! we still have NONE! it is in the 40’s but will lower hopefully later this week; just had a dusting, but it is not sticking and we can not ski! Too warm for January for sure and Lake is not frozen!
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Palm Springs looks awesome, especially the mineral springs. I was there once for a business trip and got the gist of the place but didn’t have time for fun. Would love to go back…especially about now. We’re starting to get a storm here…snow, wind, yuk….we’ll ave to content ourselves with the sauna…. Keep sending the pics; at least we can imagine escape! __Karen & Dan
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Keep having a GREAT time! Thanks for including me!
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Who are Jim and Suzy? Anyone I’d remember??
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Jim Hodges & Suzy Powell now Hodges.
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How many ways to say, ‘love traveling with you – if only vicariously’? Thanks for sharing!
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Love following you 2
We are leaving the cold behind for 2 weeks in Virgin Gorda!
Our paradise for 6 years.
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