early morning light~Bump & Grind Trail~Scenic Sunday 053109

This is the entrance to the city and also a starting point for the Bump & Grind trail in Palm Desert. Many "early birds" were already on the trail last weekend by 6:00 a.m. The Bump & Grind trail is just a dirt road chisled into the hill. Sometimes at night we see car lights going up it, but it isn't appropriate for cars. Scenic Sunday for May 31, 2009.

Jacarandas and blue sky~SkyWatch Friday, May 29, 2009

Out early one Sunday morning, I spotted these jacaranda trees still in bloom. Aren't they pretty? They LOVE the desert heat.

tractor!

After my training the other day, I took the back roads home. The Coachella Valley is California's second largest growing region and this farmer was out tilling this field. You can see the mountains near Palm Springs in the background. Thermal is about 50-60 miles down the valley from Palm Springs and about 20 miles north of the Salton Sea.

Below sea level

I had to attend a training yesterday instead of teaching, so off I went to the lower end of the valley. Usually lunch is provided at these trainings, but, due to budget cuts, we were on our own. Hmmm....not too many choices in Thermal! So, back to Coachella I drove and got a sandwich from Subway. On my way back to Thermal, I spotted this interesting sign! 62 feet BELOW sea level! Wow! The valley goes even further below sea level at the Salton Sea, which is 226 feet below sea level.

Bump and Grind Trail, Rancho Mirage, CA~That's My World 052609

Sunday morning I went out early with my camera. Driving by the "Bump and Grind" trail in Rancho Mirage, I saw several hikers on the trail by 6:00 a.m. I have never hiked this trail myself (my back is still healing from the horseback ride last August) and my legs are still giving me fits, so I looked at it from afar. The water district has now closed off parking and walking to the trail from one point, but people still use it.

Memorial Day

I wish all our veterans a Happy Memorial Day!

Yellow~Sunday Stills challenge for May 24, 2009

A couple of weekends ago, hubby and I drove down to our local community college, College of the Desert, and found these delightful little flowers in full bloom back by their agricultural center. Sunday Stills challenge, "yellow" for May 24, 2009. Have a great weekend!

morning drive

After our week of triple digit temperatures, yesterday morning was FINALLY a seasonal day! I'm hoping we can turn off the air conditioner today. I took a drive through the Shadow Ridge Marriott and took these early morning pics. Our sky was beautiful with the monsoon-like clouds.

Flowers in morning light

Aren't they pretty? These blossoms are up on Highway 74, by the Bighorn development. Someday I want to take photos of ALL the yuccas and other blooming plants. Unfortunately, there is only a bike lane and plenty of "NO PARKING" signs, so I'm not sure how I'll be able to do that....(thinking....)

Mexican bird of paradise

There are many of these blooming right now. Aren't they gorgeous? I have some, but mine are yellow and they aren't blooming, perhaps because they get mostly shade?

Morning yuccas

I saw these yuccas on my morning walk. Aren't they pretty silhouetted against the blue desert sky?

college crops

All these delightful crops are growing now at our local community college. Aren't they yummy looking? Yes, that's a first crop of corn! Our local farmers have already harvested one crop!

Moon behind smoke tree~SkyWatch Friday, May 15, 2009

I love getting up and walking early in the mornings before I have to leave for work. This week I've been walking up by Highway 74. Our crisp, clear mornings and the moon behind this smoke tree provided an interesting contrast. SkyWatch Friday for May 15, 2009.

Morning light

I took my cameras and went for an early morning walk along a popular walking spot yesterday morning, up by Bighorn, on Highway 74. While there isn't much parking there (there's a bike lane and golf cart lane), I did find one sandy spot to park and off I went! Another lady pulled in behind me. Apparently that is a popular parking spot! It was a gorgeous desert morning and the air was still cool! I'm heading out again this morning. I saw this pretty pond at Bighorn. It looked so peaceful!

Is it real? That's My World for May 12, 2009

Every time I drive up the mountain to visit my horses, I drive by Bighorn. Bighorn is an expensive ($$$$$$) housing development at the base of Highway 74. Many homes there have wonderful views of the valley. Unfortunately, they are also close to the REAL bighorn habitat...(sigh...) So, instead of viewing actual bighorn, we, the public, are treated to these statues. Fortunately, the city council just vetoed another developer's plans for more encroachment on the bighorn habitat (probably due to our economy), so...at least for now...the sheep are protected from further development of their already shrinking habitat. They do wander down into a couple of nearby developments and chew on the hibiscus and lawns! Once in a while our local paper does a photo shoot of this. However, I would prefer to see them in the wild, free in their own territory. That's My World for Tuesday, May 12, 2009.

Jacarandas in bloom~~Scenic Sunday for May 10, 2009

I stopped one morning, on my way to school, and took this photo of the jacarandas in bloom. Now that the spring or summer heat is upon us, they are thriving! My in my back yard right now is full of doves waiting for their turn at the bird feeder! Scenic Sunday for May 10, 2009.

Coachella crops~~Photo Friday!

After I left school yesterday afternoon, I drove down further south in the Coachella Valley, out past Avenue 62 where there are a lot of green fields. I wanted to see what the farmers were growing. Boy, did I get an eyeful! Sod, corn, peppers, grapes were all thriving in our desert heat. One harvest of corn is already in local farmers' markets and the COD street fair! I could see where the harvester went through the field. Even though it was in the 100's yesterday, it was good to get out and see the fields of crops.

Desert morning walk~Skywatch Friday May 6, 2009

I like to get up early Saturday mornings and take a walk. One Saturday I visited the Santa Rosa Mountain visitor center, up on Highway 74, before they opened. I saw and hear quail and various desert birds. And, look at that beautiful California sky! SkyWatch Friday for May 6, 2009.

mountain apple trees

Only 30 minutes away, up in our local mountains, the apple trees are blooming. I'm sure that Julian has a lot of them, but we haven't driven that far since last fall. These trees are next to the ranch where I board my horses. Aren't they pretty?

Street Fair flags~That's My World for Tuesday, May 5, 2009

We have a local street fair at our community college every weekend. During the winter, the hours are 7:00 - 2:00. Once it gets hot, the hours are 7:00 a.m. until noon. This weekend, more than half of the vendors went to another BIG street fair down in Carlsbad. Who wouldn't blame them? Down by the sea? HA! I'll have to look that one up sometime! Anyway, there were a few vendors left. That's My World for Tuesday, May 5, 2009.

Yellow flowers at COD~Mellow Yellow for 050409

Hubby and I drove down to College of the Desert yesterday afternoon to see their agricultural garden. These delightful yellow beauties were in full bloom. Aren't they pretty? Mellow Yellow for Monday, May 4, 2009.

Mountain wildflowers~~Scenic Sunday 050309

When hubby and I stopped for lunch at the Paradise Cove Cafe, I spotted this field of wildflowers to one side of the restaurant. It was full of little yellow flowers and tire tracks! Scenic Sunday for May 3, 2009.

3 pigeons on a fountain

Hehehehehe! These three pigeons were out enjoying the fountain one morning.

Desert morning~~SkyWatch Friday, May 1, 2009

The view from outside my front yard on a desert morning. Unless we have a few clouds, I don't get to see the pretty desert pinks! SkyWatch Friday for May 1, 2009.