There are so many trees and they are so tall!

The park is beautiful and right along the Smith River.  Teddy enjoyed the water but really wanted to know what happened to the ball his dad threw into the water!

Teddy enjoying the Smith River, too cold for me

Where is it???

We took a drive on a dirt road from Jedediah Smith Redwood SP to Crescent City called Howland Hill Road  an unpaved stretch of Howland Hill Road offers motorists an intimate encounter with the towering old-growth redwoods in Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. Numerous pull-outs and trailheads along the way, including the Boy Scout Tree Trail and  Stout Grove.  It was a beautiful drive that you don’t want to be in a hurry.

We had a beautiful drive and then we enjoyed a little of the Crescent City Harbor.  We found a farmers market that was just closing up but one guy was still selling homemade cookies for $10 a bag (almost as pricey as Girl Scout cookies) I bought two bags because once you ask you feel as though you should help the guy out! The cookies were good and they are already gone!.

We stopped and had a look at the lighthouse which is still operational but no tours since Covid and you can only go at low tide unless you want to swim over.  We took a nice walk on the Jetty which goes out into the harbor about 3/4 of a mile – I almost made it the whole way but turned around.  I was pretty tired and sore after we got back to the car.

Our last day we hung out in the park. We took a hike (Paul says it was a walk) since I walk so slowly.  We did about 1.5 miles and I felt pretty good but I had walked a mile by myself in the park earlier and after we returned, had lunch and sat down I was very sore!  The good news is the next morning I was fine – this healing is going to be a long process.

Today we had to leave to continue north along the coast into Oregon but before we left we enjoyed breakfast at Hiouchi Cafe in Historic Hiouchi.  Old fashioned, homemade food to order and amazing waiters.  Paul had hash and biscuits and gravy – she told the cook make it a small order and it was still 2 breakfasts!  My french toast was great with fresh sweet blueberries.  I ate the whole thing.

Off to see our friends Ed and Peggy in Port Orford Oregon where the temps will be in the low 70’s if they get that high!

Been here but only to drive thru; this trip we stayed 2 weeks at a very nice RV park in Indio, Indian Waters RV Resort, that we thoroughly enjoyed.  Pickleball, water sports, cards, shows, breakfast on the patio and happy hour.  A very nice park with really nice people that spend the winter here from Canada, Washington, Oregon and California.  We will be back

We like some touristy things so we got tickets to ride the Palm Springs Tram:  Wow, what a view.

The tram ride up was very exciting and with my knees I was hurting by the time we reached the top.  So after arriving, checking the view we found the bar!  1 martini later I was ready to explore.   There are lots of trails with snow on the ground we stayed inside the lodge.

From the tram station at the top

The ride down was much smoother and I got a chair so my knees were very thankful.

Marilyn is forever in the heart of Palm Springs.  Paul enjoyed the view.

A piece of street art that I found interesting.  The puddle of water was part of the display.

We ended our day in Palm Springs at Stout Burgers and Beer.  Very good burgers and not too pricey.  The patio was very nice with the firepit tables.  Palm Springs was a very inviting downtown and next time I hope to be able to walk as there were lots of interesting shops and the people watching was the best.

Coachella Valley view from a vista point on State Route 74.  The road is very twisty and you can see in this photo where we came from.  From this vista point I could see 5 golf courses.  They stand out because all around them is desert or a few homes.  We drove this road to the top and came around to Route 243  and came near Mt. San Jacinto, a very high peak.  We saw some snow on the ground and the views were beautiful although looking towards San Diego it was quite hazy.

We ending in Banning where we caught I10 back to Indio where we will be for the rest of the week.

I saw we are in Palm Desert or Palm Springs but we are actually east of there in Indio. We usually only pass through here so this time we will actually ride the Palm Springs tram and see Joshua Tree NP.

We found a really nice, small park in Indio – Indian Waters RV park.  It’s a smaller park but what I really like is during the winter between most of the sites (ours included) there is really lush, green lawn that the painstakingly care for.  During the summer we are told it dies because it is just too hard to keep it green.  Glad we are here in the winter – in fact I would not have any interest in visiting in July.

We are enjoying the amenities everyday.  Paul plays pickle ball and I have been taking the water aerobics class.  You can actually get a descent work out if you push yourself and right now my knees only let me do exercise in the water.  I tried a petal bike for the chair and my knees were very angry.

We have also played card bingo, poker and had the free waffle breakfast.  Not really free as you paid well to get into this place.  It’s actually cheaper than what we have paid in Mesa.  Staying in CA is ok so far.

Joshua Tree NP.  I cannot walk far so this was definitely a driving tour.  I did get out and walk up to a few trees and rocks.  My big test was walking up the hill at Keys View.  Not far but uphill quite a bit from the parking lot. I made it but didn’t take any photos.  It was a beautiful day.

Teddy loves touring!

                                  Cholla Cactus Garden

There were many rock formations, this one above is the Split Rock! And then there were the trees!

The largest Joshua Tree (we think!)

Acres and Acres of these trees

Some Joshua Trees didn’t have much growth

                          Dead Tree

I actually walked up the hill to get a great view but it was hazy so I took this photo from the parking lot! I love to see people in nature, They were both on their phones! I guess the view wasn’t that good.

We ended our tour of Joshua Tree in the town of Joshua Tree and I found a bakery on Yelp that got rave reviews for their cookies and cakes.  The baker is a Fine Arts practiced so it sounded very promising.  The Fine Art Cookie company did not have an address on their website (a first clue) but Yelp gave directions.  We followed Yelp about 4 miles into a lovely desert neighborhood until it finally said you have arrived!  Either its not a real business our she is cooking in her kitchen.  We did not stop and cookies will have to be another day.

Back to the RV.  And the hot tub tonight.  I wake up very early each morning with the sunrise in my bedroom window, one of these morning I’ll get up and capture it to share.  We do like wintering in the desert.