Ah, The Wonders of The Road Trip
The California Desert is Alive and Well—Go Visit!
Greetings Boomers, we’ve successfully passed the Summer Solstice and now it’s almost the end of June, which will mark the half-way point in the year 2020. One would think living in these highly unusual and extraordinary times, that time would slow down just for a bit. With the constant barrage of news and attempting to regain some aspect of normalcy, that doesn’t appear to be the case. It seems we blink and it’s the next day. Even my young GenZ friends say how fast the time is passing.
So I’m here to say, let’s not waste a minute of our lives, especially with those things that are completely out of our control. Let’s live the best and live the best we can each and every day. Easy to say, huh. But, really, we have so much to be thankful for. Our friends and family are ever present, and just look around at the surroundings mother nature brings forth.
As the second greatest generation, we Boomers still strive for the best we can be. Yes, my BoomerGuy and I have certainly had our share of issues throughout our lives, and they still go on because they’re not over by any means. Nonetheless, we get up each morning and dust ourselves off with as much positivity as any two people I know. My BoomerGuy is the most optimistic person I have ever been around.
We are so richly rewarded living in southern California. We can point the car in any one of a number of directions and be transported to a wide variety of venues and scenery like no place on this earth. Towering mountains, agricultural lands that stretch forever, lovely beaches and the ocean, high and low deserts, et al.
So, what do we do about it. Alas, the Road Trip. We were going to take a road trip to the wineries in Temecula this past week. Unfortunately, our schedule got a bit turned around due to the needs of family. So, we punted and hit the road slightly closer to home, namely the Coachella Valley for a day trip. As I’ve mentioned, we lived in the desert for over 11 years and enjoyed all things “deserty.” As now, when the temperatures hit 100 degrees the colors of the desert absolutely pop! The Mesquite, Agave, Jacaranda, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Bougainvillea, Lantana, and an assortment of flowering cactus… Actually, you can take the heat up to about 105 only because it’s so dry but be very careful. Stay hydrated because your body will not perspire like normal at least that you will notice, and all of a sudden you begin to feel faint or disoriented. So drink plenty of fluids—a large amount of Gatorade and Vitamin Water is still not enough. I always bring little ice packs purchased from Amazon, along with frozen bottled water in an ice cooler.
For us older folks, the one good thing about the dry heat is that your body does not seem to ache. In my case, having rheumatoid arthritis, it’s truly amazing. I am limber and without pain. Talk about free therapy. However, let’s not forget, it’s hot out there and will be through October. I always said we could count on cooler days when Halloween arrives.
But it’s truly a sensational place to get away from the doldrums of the coronavirus, even if it’s just for a day or perhaps a weekend. There are so many things I love about the desert, and apparently so do the folks from LA. They have been coming out in droves over the past number of years driving real estate prices to new highs. And of course, there’s the Coachella Music Festival and Stagecoach which draw hundreds of thousands to enjoy fun filled music concerts, rock and country, respectively. This year due to the pandemic, both have been rescheduled from April to October. If you’re so inclined, buy your 3-day tickets and prepare for a thrilling explosion of light and sound, not to mention wall-to-wall crowds.
The great thing about a desert road trip at this time of year is that there is little traffic congestion. The snow birds have departed which makes it quite easy to venture about and explore, and now the stores and restaurants are reopening making it even more inviting.
Just recently, my BoomerGuy and I spent six months for a business engagement at the spectacular Legacy Villas which is located in La Quinta. Once through the gates, it’s as though you are transported to a quiet place in Spain or Morocco. The Santa Rosa mountains are right outside your door and if you’re lucky, you might see Bighorn Sheep roaming about, or hear a baby calling for its mother. This particular development has pools galore, so it’s a great place to bring the grandkids and let them splash about in wonderment, and be sure to bring your pool noodles. Check out the photos below.
Most people when they hear about the desert think of Palm Springs with its touristy feel of shops and restaurants along with the explosion of mid-century homes. But I have found the communities of Palm Desert and La Quinta to be a bit more on the charming side. El Paseo, aka Little Rodeo Drive, is well-known for its high-end fashion flair, and is now adorned with hundreds of American flags in advance of the 4th of July weekend. And old town La Quinta is a perfect spot to stop and have coffee and a pastry at one of the many boutique coffee spots. The historic La Quinta Hotel and its grounds are truly breathtaking.
Remember, this can be yours for a day trip or a weekend get-away from it all if you live in SoCal. Please don’t hesitate to go out and explore using your own day trips wherever you might live. And right now, I think many of us could use just that kind of respite since we’re still reluctant to jump on an airplane or cruise ship.
Please stay healthy and safe and remember to practice good hygiene to protect you and your loved ones.
