The Citrus Visits

After spending close to 5 weeks in Joshua Tree (with brief interludes in Red Rocks and Disneyland), we were lucky to get to visit in the Palm Springs area with two separate groups. Firstly we spent a few nights in Rancho Mirage visiting Dave’s Dad and his girlfriend Susan, catching up and enjoying some serious heat by the pool. We got a taste of local culture at the local weekend market, where they sold everything from cactus honey (yum) to habanero olives. Also many items of clothing with many sparkles.

We also took a day hike out at the Indian Canyons, a preserved area operated by the Agua Caliente Cahuilla tribe. The area had several natural oases and we learned some interesting tidbits about palm trees. For example, each palm tree drinks about 40 gallons of water each day, drawn from the ground below them. The area around Palm Springs has an incredibly amount of natural ground spring water, however, the demand because of continuing development in the area (and lots of golf courses!), the supply of natural springs is being used too rapidly and the cities (Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, Palm Springs), are beginning to settle. Sink, in other words!



Later the same week, after a brief return to Joshua Tree for a few last climbing days, we returned to Palm Springs to visit Megan’s parent’s friends, David and Susan. We were treated to a lovely dinner and spent the evening chatting. In the morning, we were introduced to the satisfaction of picking citrus fruits right from the trees! Grapefruit, orange, tangerine and lemon trees are plentiful throughout the region and the trees around their house were brimming with ripe treats. David had a long fruit picker and demonstrated the process and we all had a turn at pulling down grapefruits from branches well above us. Dave and I left with a bounty of citrus, enough vitamin C to keep us healthy and happy for many days!!!!