PALM SPRINGS

Heading east out of San Diego towards Palm Springs which I know is a little weird as most itineraries follow either a linear or circular route.

Heading North East

There’s a noticeable change in scenery which now looks like someone emptied a packet of giant shredded wheat across the landscape.  It’s rocky and all plant life has been fried to a crisp.  The land is dry, dusty – even the air is hot.

What happened to the greenery?

Nothing but dust and mountains

But even in the midst of this desert like terrain there are places where you can commune with nature.  Thanks to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, we’ve been stuck up a very large mountain all day looking for raccoons and breathing in that pure, fresh pine air.

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

The tramway is a cable car system that takes you high up into the San Jacinto Mountains State Park.  A 10 minute ride covered a 2.5 mile ascent to a height of around 8,500 feet. The views from the top across the Sonoran Desert were breath-taking.

Amazing view across the desert from the top

At last - the great outdoors

Fresh clean pine scented air

I think those pesky raccoons were hiding in a cool cave somewhere out of the heat but we did manage to catch a glimpse of what looked like chipmunks and grey squirrels.

Cute grey squirrel

I think he likes me

No raccoons but lesser spotted tourists in the woods

Palm Springs is an oasis in the middle of nowhere.  The springs have long evaporated in the Californian heat-wave but I noticed plenty of palms and wind farms on the way to the hotel.

Caliente Tropics Hotel - Palm Springs

Our abode for the night is the glamorously named Caliente Tropics, a sprawling motel/hotel almost at the end of town.  We’ve been upgraded into a larger sized room (for free). 

Room 234 - lounge

Room 234 - bedroom

I’d call it a suite rather than a room as we have a bedroom, separate lounge, bathroom and small kitchen/utility area.  You could accommodate a whole family in it but for the price (£43) who’s complaining!