Pushin' It!

DAY EIGHTY FIVE

Papa's got a new pair of shoes!

I was quite excited to get a new pair of Patagonia trail running shoes delivered the other day and could not wait to try them out. After putting them through the paces, I can only say one thing.

My feet are in love.

I decided to put my new kicks to the test by going to Pushwalla Palms. It's the only trail I hadn't done this year at the Coachella Valley Nature Preserve so I figured this was the perfect time. The preserve honored my new shoes by putting some new steps on the trail.

You hike high on the ridge above Horseshoe Palms.

There are still some flowers along the trail but they are on their last legs. If you want to get out and see wildflowers in the desert, you'd better do so this weekend.

The palms and the mesquite are doing quite well, though.

Except this one palm which created a little trail limbo. Good thing no cars were around.

The oasis is strong and healthy with new growth emerging to replace the toppled trees.

It's easy to see why the oasis is so strong. There is a lot of flowing surface water.

There are several stands of large healthy palms at this oasis.

The trail goes right through one of them but I take the trail that goes around. Do you think I want to get my beautiful new shoes muddy on the very first day?

On the way out of the oasis, you come across this carcass of a vehicle that just didn't quite make it. I wonder if maybe a palm tree fell on it.

I feel so good that I literally run most of the way back from the oasis to the car. Of course, it's mostly downhill so that helps.

It's funny how a new pair of shoes can make a person so happy. Somewhere, Imelda Marcos must be smiling.

REALLY Hidden Palms

Day Twenty Three

Lack of time kills my plans more often than not.  I had less than an hour before dark and I didn't really want to do a hike near home that I'd already done.  Today's hike, though, I'm gonna have to do over.  I didn't quite finish. 

A different hike everyday has been my goal for this first month.  It looks like I will be able to accomplish it but it's getting tougher.  I'm not running out of hikes but the hikes I want to do are getting further away.

I decided I'd go over to the 1000 Palms area and hike toward Pushwalla Palms.  I knew I wouldn't have time to get all the way there but I thought I'd go part of the way and then just turn back.

I started following the trail signs on this well marked and well traveled trail.

No map needed here.

I get to some big steps going up the bank.

Here's a closer look

I decide to change course and head to Hidden Palms instead of Pushwalla.

The sun is starting to set and I'm not really that close yet.

I get to where I can see that tops of palm trees but that's it.  I'm losing light already and I want to get back before dark.  Besides, my son is making a chicken dinner on the BBQ and I can't miss that.  I'm gonna have to come back another time.

I make it back to the steps during twilight but I did bring a light just in case.  

Down the steps and back to the car I go.  I'll be coming back soon.

1000 Palms is a great place to visit if you are ever in the Coachella Valley.   Next time I go there I'll give myself just a bit more time.