My New Years Visitor

Nona and I go way back, probably further than either of us wants to admit. Well, the 30th of December was her birthday and she came down to the desert to visit with me...while ringing in the new year, and to keep me company on what would of been Donna's and my 38th anniversary.

It's always a good sign to start the weekend off with a couple of filets and drink...hey Nona, no drinking for you!

43 years of a steady friendship is something some people can only dream about. Through thick and thin, we have stayed close to each other while always offering advice and positive thoughts along the way.

We started the day by thinking we would take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway trip up Mount San Jacinto before finding out there was a three hour wait...who'd of thunk it on New Years Eve?
So we headed to Whitewater Preserve for an afternoon of hiking. There again, it was crowded, but we were able to find some quiet trails to hike.

The Whitewater Preserve is a 2900 acre oasis in the shadow of San Gorgonio, Southern California's tallest peak. You can not see the peak of "old Greyback" here, but it is up there in a wilderness area. 

As we left the Whitewater Preserve we happened upon a dirt road, that had no signs against trespassing...so off we go. This road just happened to go right through a wind power field. It was the closest I have been able to get to these tall wind machines.
The birthday girl thinks she is on the Titanic or something.

As close as we were, you could feel the energy being produced and hear the hum of the blades cutting through the air. There were hundreds, if not thousands of wind generators, of all sizes and styles.

                                        They are big!

After the wind generating field, we headed to the Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve, which is located on the San Andres fault. The fault provides fractured rock layers, which in turn allows ground water to reach the surface in a steady flow. The palms need this predictable flow of water because, without it they would not survive.

Hiking up sandy washes is always more strenuous than solid ground, but the quiet and beautiful surroundings are worth the extra effort. Last time I was here with Donna, we were lucky to spot a Great Horned Owl in the palms...not this time unfortunately.

Nona found her throne and scepter in the preserve.

The skirts (or petticoats) of the palms are left in their natural state. These are indigenous date palms. Their date fruit is not like the dates you'd be used to, much smaller but (less than a raisin in size) still edible and have provided sustenance to the local Indians and animals for thousands of years. The skirts are highly flammable, which is why there is no smoking in the preserve.

Signs, signs...they are everywhere while always speaking to me.

I'm continually reminded of someone that is not here physically, but in spirit only. Babe, I'm always thinking of you...I love and miss you.