desert flowers

It's been a remarkable winter in California.  No genuinely hot days to speak of until, oh, this weekend ahead, and plenty of snow on the mountains and rain down below.  It's caused deaths plus a whole lot of problems for thousands of others, I know.  And yet, it's so badly needed in this era of drought.

The big evidence of the winter still sits on the mountain tops.  Yes, even in SoCal.  We have some pretty high peaks here, but the snow has come down below 5000 feet on multiple occasions.  The small evidence?  The flowers blooming all over.  People get excited about the explosion of poppies, but I am rather smitten by the beauties of the desert.  A lot of yellows all about, in among the surprising stretches of greenery, but some other colours peeking through.

Van and I took Olive for a walk late morning,

and even in the Rancho Mirage neighbourhood, there were delights.  I'd have to look up the names of the flowers other than the prickly pear,

but these were just a few of the ones I noted nearby.  I believe that they are all native desert plants as well, which is all the more delightful for seeing them.

And then, later in the day, we went for a drive and walk and saw so much more.  But that will be a post to write on Thursday or Friday, not late at night Wednesday (or rather, Thursday given that it has gone midnight) when I can't sleep.

Sunnylands

Two weekends in a row now we've made our way to Sunnylands estate with out-of-town guests.  Last weekend we took Courtney and Robert, this weekend we took Cathy and Bob.

Sunnylands is the former estate of the Annenberg family (of TV Guide and Seventeen fame).  Now owned and operated by a family trust by the Annenberg children and grandchildren, the estate sits on over 200 acres in Rancho Mirage.  It's extraordinary.  Conrad, Van, and I did the house tour over a year ago, and I am keen to go back (and take others with me).  

Our first trip this month was a garden and grounds tour.  It lasted about an hour.  There were surprises.  I thought there might be more lush floral gardens, but no, not all that much.  There is a nine-hole golf course. 

A number of small lakes.  A Chinese pavilion where the golfing Annenbergs took their lunches.  A totem pole,

which was terribly incongruous with the surroundings but commissioned, erected, and restored with the cooperation of the BC First Nations from which the artist came.  It was mixed sunny and cloudy weather, and the views of the mountains were awesome.

We made our second trip this past Saturday without having booked tickets.  Rather than do a tour, we thought we would have a simple lunch at the visitors' centre, then walk the grounds surrounding that building.  It's no less lovely for only seeing that much - lush grass, views toward the mountain, some fine gardens of native cacti and trees. 

We also took another peek at the small, free exhibit on the dining ware from the estate.  Some stunning pieces, but certain small ones - enameled, gilded sterling silver coffee spoons - caught my eye. 

Even cooler?  The place cards.  Wow, some of the names of guests at the estate over the years. 

A whole social sphere that I cannot even fathom, only watch on television.

So yes, we'll need to go back.  If you come our way to the desert, holler, and maybe we can get a hold of some tickets!

Joshua Tree

Courtney and Robert came to visit us in the desert this past weekend.  A first trip there for her, though not for him, and we hope they enjoyed themselves enough to come back.  Fingers crossed!

Conrad, Van, and I have done Joshua Tree twice now in the past few weeks.  First it was a drive there on Boxing Day with Marie,

and then again this past Saturday.  Funnily enough, it was grey weather, both times, quite unlike my first time up to Joshua Tree in May of this past year when Allan and Paul were visiting the desert.

Ah well.  At least it's an easy drive from Rancho Mirage!

So we set out near lunchtime on Saturday,

knowing we had all afternoon thanks to a late dinner reservation, and time to drive and stop.  Or we might have stopped more but for the weather.  Yes, some rain in parts, and brisk temperatures.  At the overlook where we can take in the Coachella Valley, I think it was 43 degrees.  Brrrr.  The warmth of the car and the comfort of Yacht Rock Radio was welcome!  Still, we did get to show them the namesake plants

as well as the chollas

and rock formations that the park is known for. 

And yes, I dozed off on the drive home.  The nap instinct is still strong with me.

I'd love more time to explore the park rather than drive end to end and stop for occasional photos.  I'm not a vigorous hiker, but I think I could enjoy a proper hike or two in there, given preparation (water, sunscreen, the usual).

On the other hand, that's three trips through Joshua Tree in the past eight or nine months.  In truth, I'd be happy to leave off driving through there again for a little while.  Given how much time we spend down in the desert these days, there's a lot of other hikes and sights to enjoy.

But no, never say never, right?  :-)