Downtown Palm Springs

The city of Indio, where we are staying with Adele, is about 30 km South of the City of Palm Springs. They both lie in a valley that runs approximately North-South with several communities between them. So a drive into downtown Palm Springs is about 40 minutes along Highway 111. It is a pretty trip with palm trees and resorts all along the way.

The three of us went downtown for the afternoon one day and I went by myself on a second day. The main shopping district is not very big and is mainly on Palm Canyon Drive. It is a street that has developed to serve the tourists and so it is full of shops, galleries and restaurants.

The buildings appear to be older and done in a faux Spanish Western style with beautiful bougainvillea hanging over walls and patios. With palm trees towering overhead the effect is completely charming.

Of course the stores have their share of tourist kitsch but there are other stores with fashion clothing, art and furniture. And there are restaurants everywhere, most of them offering Mexican food.

It is an interesting mix and great entertainment for an afternoon.

Susan and Adele standing by this most wonderful cactus plant we found in a little side street.

One shop we found kept Susan browsing for an hour. It was called “Fashion Fix” and it was run by two guys who had excellent taste in clothing. Their styles were loud and flamboyant and just the sort of thing Susan likes. So much to chose from but expensive. Susan settled for a pair of pants covered in little jewels which were really pretty. I am sure we will see them at the next party!

A dress by the door that Susan almost bought. I think she should have.

While Susan shops I entertain myself taking pictures in the store and out in the street. It keeps me busy and I enjoy it. I have done this everywhere we travel. She can shop for as long as she likes and I am content.

On the left is a selfie I took while in the store in one of the mirrors. I have a collection of selfies from Hawaii to St. Petersburg to Rome!

We found Marilynn again but this time in the daylight. This is actually a very impressive statue. It is a good likeness and the colors are right on! And look at the size of it.  This could have been a terrible sight but they have actually done a good job. And she is set in a very nice location by a park surrounded by palm trees.

Adele and Susan sitting with Lucille Ball. You can see the sun is very strong here and it casts deep shadows making photography very challenging.

On another day I went downtown by myself. Actually, I set out to see the windmill farm just north of the airport. Apparently this is one of the biggest wind farms in the United States. There is usually a good wind blowing down the valley which makes this an ideal location.

After seeing the windmills I drove into Palm Springs and walked around on my own. I met Gary Dorothy in his photo gallery (www.imageville.us) and we talked photography for a while. He does really nice work! I remember being in his gallery the last time we were here in 2015.

By then I was hungry so I walked down to Las Casuelas for a Mexican lunch and a beer.

Restaurant Las Casuelas on Palm Canyon Drive in downtown Palm Springs.

Las Casuelas has an inner courtyard open to the sky.

And that is downtown Palm Springs. It is not big but it is very enjoyable. There is lots to do and lots to eat. And we are not talking about all of the other attractions such as golf for which the area is famous. And there is the weather. It is the middle of January and we are walking around in ourt shirt sleeves. I really like Palm Springs!

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