Traveling is my inner child’s time to shine. She and I are easily amused and fascinated by many things. Going to the airport means learning new places or new experiences in old places. My energy is very much press my nose against the window to see all that I can see. 2024 started off with a trip to the desert. My best friend is out west for work, naturally I had to visit her. All I know about the Palm Springs area is Real Housewives homes and Coachella. With no expectations, I was up for anything. I just wanted to spend time with my friend. Waiting for me were awe-inspiring views and a place I must return to.
Getting There
I enjoy the airport, especially a good one. Spacious, high ceilings, ample seating, and running like a well-oiled machine. Denver International Airport hit all the marks and my scone was less than $4, amen. Snow and -6 degrees reminded me of Illinois. It’s the cold that gets in your bones and the thickest of down coats is mildly helpful. I moved to escape it, but it’s familiar like an old friend. My inner child was highly entertained by the plane next to us turning around and kicking up a snow screen. Snow wheelies, I love it. My desire for a white Christmas was satisfied in less than two hours. Cherry on top? After an empty middle seat on the Raleigh flight, I had the row to myself out of Denver.
Flying over mountains and various rock formations with a soundtrack in your ear, beautiful and strange. The feeling of possibilities makes the mind wonder and wander. This country’s land, the indigenous land, is glorious. Seeing the majesty from the sky is breathtaking. Moments to feel small and marvel at nature are necessary. I was unaware that the Coachella Valley is surrounded by mountains, glorious, multilevel, 360 degree views of mountains. In the Target parking lot? Mountain! Walking on the sidewalk? Mountain! Going to the restroom? Mountain! It’s surreal.
My Stay
My home for the week was the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa. Renovation construction didn’t take away from my good time. The grounds are beautiful and I sat out in the sun writing. In the spring I’ll do the same in my backyard. I took advantage of the fully loaded fitness center. Ran three miles on the treadmill, foam rolled my rebellious hip flexors, stretched, worked on splits, and a little fish flop practice. It’s the best workout I’ve had in a while. Relaxing at the hotel, I realized coming out to California may have been the best thing I could have done for myself. I needed a break, I needed to see something new.
Things I Ate
Food, my great love, is a priority on every trip I take. A fresh salad and ribeye steak, medium, grilled by Best Friend started things off. I’m still thinking about that ribeye over a week later. The resort breakfast buffet drew me in the first morning. I vowed to avoid greed, it sort of worked. I can’t pass up a breakfast sandwich or French toast. Or fresh pineapple, a veggie omelet, Cajun potatoes, and chicken sausage. Focal points make a statement and the lantern strung tree at El Patio didn’t disappoint. Enjoyed a carnitas platter and a Jamaican margarita underneath it for lunch. Pacific time beats me up, so dinner never happened. Just a spicy watermelon margarita at Azúcar & Sugar High. There’s a brownie back there I need to try. Best Friend told me she had the best sandwich of her life in the desert. I needed it and the following day I got it. She didn’t lie, TKB Bakery & Deli can do no wrong. Dirty Riverside, no mayo, no mustard, a side of fries. You ever had focaccia jalapeño bread? The flavors were really talking when the second half went down for dinner. I’ll be back with a cooler because I need a few pies too.
Things We Did
Once well fed, it’s time for the sights! How about a 2.5 mile ride up the face of Mount San Jacinto on the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? First, you’ll conquer a steep climb from the parking lot, Lot A for us, to the Valley Station. Gravity was in full force at the 2,643 feet elevation. Tickets can be purchased ahead of time, we purchased on site with no problem. Casually gliding up the face of a mountain with the floor rotating beneath you, where do humans get our nerve? Our curiosity and positive use of great minds can lead to amazing feats. Only downside, the car’s small swing going over the towers. The dip on the way down was easier to handle. The entire valley is visible from the Mountain Station, at 8,516 feet elevation. Walking along the path up top, I finally knew what Beyoncé meant by “…the wind is talking”. It’s humbling to hear, the air moving through the peaks. On a warmer day, I want to hike a trail or two.
The casual mentions of Joshua Tree National Park that I’ve heard, did not do it justice. Those adorably funny looking trees are delightful. All over are giant pieces of granite. Formed over thousands of years they’re beautiful and climbable. Some are rock piles in various shapes, others are enormous and solid, measuring stories high. I need two days to hike and scramble across the rocks with childlike zest. There ain’t nothing but outside in my phone. Trying to capture the beauty of Joshua Tree is a bit like trying to catch the wind. Key’s View is spectacular. The only comparable vistas I’ve seen are at the Grand Canyon. Cascading mountains, the setting sun, mist, shades of oranges/pinks/blues/violets, I desperately wanted to capture it all. Ruins and abandoned mines are out there. Hiking trails need to be explored. Best Friend loves the great outdoors, she was wind-swept and extremely happy.
I can add these experiences to the core memory file with my Best Friend. Puerto Rico, Mexico, birthday trips, Renaissance World Tour, and now Palm Springs. She’s my favorite person to spend time with. We get to talk, laugh, sing, eat, get a little lost, and conquer fears. What I want the most is to continue to nurture my friendships so that we can share and support each other for the duration of our lives. I’ll hold these memories close until the next adventure.
