A super bloom is a sudden outbreak of wildflowers that exceeds a regular spring bloom. After the heavy rain and colder weather this winter in Southern California, enough water was locked in the soil for dormant wildflower seeds to sprout and produce colorful wildflowers. Desert wildflowers usually bloom only for a short period of time, […]
Things to do: Joshua Tree National Park
I spent many hours last year in and around Joshua Tree National Park, visited many places between the towns of Yucca and Twentynine Palms. There are still a few things on my bucket list, so I’d better stop writing and go and explore! First though, I want to start a “living” bucket list for Joshua […]
Colorful Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve
Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve sits on the northern edge of the Coachella Valley in the Indio Hills, just a few minutes away from Palm Springs. Wildflowers A couple of weekends ago I ventured out to look for the first signs of wildflowers. I wasn’t disappointed. When I arrived I stopped at the ranger station and […]
Araby Trail: wildflowers, and a storm brewing
It’s not a secret that Araby Trail is my favorite hiking trail in Palm Springs. I use it as a workout trail, a show-my-friends-the-town-from-above trail, get-out-of-the-house-trail, and just-enjoy-the-outdoors trail. Today I wanted to see whether the recent severe rain falls (that closed several of the man streets in Palm Springs) did any damage to the […]
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park – Southern California (guest post)
This is a guest post by Boston Lynn at Let’s Get Rocked. Check out her amazing concert photography! “I love the Vasquez Rocks” Let me tell you about one of my favorite spots, and let’s keep it our little secret! This spot is close to my heart and close to my home, so I go […]
Best of 2017
2017 wasn’t unkind to me. I had quite a few (mini) adventures and loved most of the year. Trying to pick a few “bests” and “favorites” wasn’t quite as easy as I expected. But here it goes: Best unplanned adventure – a friend and I were waiting for the Lowest Glow on Earth balloon festival […]
The Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge or the World’s Toughest 6K
This race was not for the faint-hearted. What sounds like a fun way to start a Saturday, a 6k run or walk, is still kicking my butt more than 30 hours later. One Word: Uphill The Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge is an uphill 3.7-mile race with an almost 2,000 feet elevation gain. It’s your […]
My favorite hike in Palm Springs – Araby Trail
Now that it’s finally fall again and a little cooler in the desert, I can hop back on my “work-out” trails here in Palm Springs. My favorite trail starts right behind Vons Supermarket off Highway 111. I refer to it as Araby Trail, but I noticed that the All Trails App calls it Goat Trails. […]
Hiker’s Coffee Hour – 10/13/17 edition
Grab a cup of coffee, sit down comfortably and read the stories of hikers, some who hiked all or part of the Pacific Crest Trail, some who hiked the Appalachian Trail, many who hiked local trails. Their stories and experiences are fun – and sometimes scary – to follow. Relax, sit back and read: Following […]
Fall Bucket List – the Hiking and Exploring Edition
I never quite know what to say when people ask me about my favorite season. Summer brings fun days at the beach, winter brings cold nights in front of the fire-place. A margarita on the patio or a hot chocolate to warm my hands? When it really comes down, my favorite seasons are spring and […]
12 Tips for staying hydrated during your hike
With the fall weather bringing temperatures down, the hiking season has started again here in Southern California. After a fairly long summer break – about 5 months for me – I have to re-learn the tricks of hiking safely. I noticed after my last hike that shortly after the hike I felt fatigued and a […]
Hike: Mt San Jacinto State Park, Palm Springs
I have no idea where to start. There are so many things that fascinate me about Mt San Jacinto State Park. Let’s start with how to get there: Hike up the mountain I hear you say “What?!” And, no, I didn’t get there this way. You can start this hike with the North Lykken Trail […]