Palm Desert

CONDO VIEW

 Ron and Sally invited us to come and stay with them for a week at their condo in Palm Desert, so ten hours and 700 miles down the road here we are. We left the snow and 40 degree temps for sunshine and 90 degrees. We are here at a resort facility with a beautiful golf course surrounding the housing property. We can see the mountains with snow capped peaks while we are in the pool on a 90 degree day.
 

 This river flows through the complex with waterfalls, rocks, islands and shoreline.

 

 The walk way over to the workout room. I pass ducks, birds and bunnies along the way. I haven't seen any snakes... yet!

 This is a look out the back of the property. You can see the golf fairway and then the desert.

 We are up on the third floor.

Shields Dates
We got the city tour yesterday and stopped at the Shields Date groves, took a tour and did a little shopping.

 We have our "winter white" smiling faces on.

 

 Shopping in Shields. Dates of every kind and in everything! I never knew it takes a a palm tree 20 years to bare fruit and it takes a male and female tree, and 10,000 acre feet of water per year. I guess the best place for these trees is on the side of an oasis spring in the desert.

Marriott Resort Hotel
We stopped by one of the two Marriott Resort hotels and looked around. Beautiful!

 Flamingos in the pond on the entry drive.

 The entrance and main section of the hotel. It is surrounded by beautiful grounds and an 18 hole putting course around the front and the right side.

 The entry is massive, with a spectacular view of the man-made lake through the far windows.

 A look out the back of the hotel. You can take a boat from inside the hotel lobby to take you to golf or to a restaurant.

 Fountains in the water add a flare of beauty.

 A view of the blue covered outside dining area, surrounded by water and spectacular golf course and desert mountain views. 

Marriott's Desert Willows Restaurant
We left the hotel and went across the street to have lunch. The restaurant overlooks the beautiful golf course and the desert landscape. What a spectacular contrast between the water, green grass, parched desert and mountains.

 Cactus fruits

Billy Reeds Restaurant
We drove from Palm Desert, through several towns to Palm Springs to get to Billy Reeds Restaurant for a piece of pie. Mom had coconut cream pie and I had the Boston Cream pie.

On the way in we were struck with the size of the koi in the pond (maybe 10 lbs. or more) and the pile of turtles on the rock beside them.

 I was able to catch a shot of a hummingbird that was darting around the plants.

What a great afternoon together with Ron and Sally... beautiful desert sights, wonderful food and a great time together in one of their favorite places.