Thursday Challenge / Water...A Desert Oasis, Coachella Valley Preserve, California USA

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A desert oasis...

Coachella Valley Preserve, California USA

Thursday Challenge

Outdoor Wednesday / McCallum Trail and Oasis, Coachella Valley Preserve, California USA

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Exploring the desert is ongoing for my husband and me.

We drove out to the Coachella Valley Preserve this past Sunday and spent several hours hiking from one palm oasis to another.

This is the view of the first oasis as we started our hike across the incredible desert.

The trail is very sandy, almost like walking on the beach.

Even though it was relatively flat...it gave our legs a good workout!

We were treated to amazing blue skies and temperatures in the 90's.

It was windy...so we were comfortable.

There are a few stand-alone palms on the outer perimeter of the oasis.

I love the variety of vegetation...some blowing in the wind on this day.

We saw a lot of the fringe - toed lizards.

We take hiking sticks to feel a little more secure against the dreaded rattle snake!

We didn't see any of them on the trail.

...a few wildflowers in early May...that's a nice surprise.

This is the palm oasis we were heading for along the McCallum trail.

There is ground water for any oasis, but this one has a magnificent pond...not for swimming, though.

We had a good mile or so, hike to get there.

Distances on the desert are deceiving...always farther than they appear.

We only met a few people on the trail...sweet!

Looking to the north as we hike towards the west...the mountains were such a beautiful purple.

Jerry is nearly in the McCallum Oasis now.

We have reached our destination!

This is all ground water that comes up due to seismic activity along the San Andras Fault.

We are in earthquake country out here!

The palms thrive in these places.

It's called "1000 Palm Canyon."

 I took photos from every angle of this pond possible trying to capture the many reflections floating on that water.

My husband is enjoying some shade and watching little fish and crawdads, aka crayfish, swimming in the shade under the trees.

What a reward for our efforts to get here!

This is nice enough to linger awhile...and we did.

Outdoor Wednesday

Outdoor Wednesday / Indian Canyons (Palm Canyon), California

In the vicinity of Palm Springs, California the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians settled centuries ago.  They developed complex communities in the Palm, Murray, Andreas, Tahquitz and Chino Canyons.  With an abundant water supply , the plants, animals and Cahuilla Indians thrived.  Evidence of their lives in these canyons still remains today if you are willing to take the hiking trails to get back into Indian Country and see for yourself.  My husband and I enjoy these hiking adventures but, haven't covered even a fraction of the distance available for exploring on foot.

We have spent time in Palm, Murray and Andreas Canyons in the past, but, Palm Canyon was our destination this past Sunday.  This canyon is 15 miles long and is one of the areas of great beauty in North America and is considered the world's largest California Fan Palm Oasis.  Many of the trees have been singed with fire from lightning strikes during the monsoon seasons.  And, notice the fall colors in early January!

These photos were taken in Palm Canyon.  The winter weather was perfect for an outdoor hiking adventure.  In fact, winter is about the only season that is welcoming in this harsh desert landscape.

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Outdoor Wednesday