We throughly enjoyed a warm Christmas with the snow dusted San Jocinto Mountains as a spectacular backdrop. It was clear, crisp and sunny here in the desert today making a perfect day for some outdoor activity.

We are based in Indio which is in the Coachella Valley at the base of those gorgeous snow dusted mountains. The valley stretches along the eastern side of the range, including the cities of Palm Springs and Rancho Mirage. Much of the range is embraced by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument created in 2000. Mount San Jacinto State Park is located along the flank of San Jacinto Peak. Part of the eastern flank of the range is located within the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. In 1990 the California Legislature created the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy to protect the mountains surrounding the valley. This makes it an outdoor enthusiast’s delight…hiking and biking opportunities abound.

I thought we would be hiking our selves silly but my broken toe has gotten us back on our bikes. I think I am falling in love again!!! Today we spent the morning in Palm Springs, biking the wash and lovely residential areas that surround it. Palm Springs is incredibly biking friendly, much like Portland, with well marked bike paths and routes that wind along the base of the mountains.

In case you are wondering, Palm Springs is a desert resort city in Riverside County, California, United States, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 107 mi east of Los Angeles, 123 miles northeast of San Diego, and 268 miles west of Phoenix, Arizona. The population was 44,552 as of the 2010 census. Palm Springs covers approximately 94 square miles, making it the largest city in the county by land area.

Biking, golf, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, and tennis in the nearby desert and mountain areas are major forms of recreation in Palm Springs. The city is also famous for its mid-century modern architecture and design elements that really appeal to Wally and I. We had a ball cruising the area, looking at the architecture and enjoying the balmy day. Traffic was almost non-existent, thanks to the holiday.

6.5 miles went by really easy and it was a great ride to break in the derrière to the saddle again but I think I want a to upgrade to a big ole comfy cruisers padded seat!

We may be living in a small space but that didn’t stop me from making a gluttonous Christmas meal. Prime rib smoked on the traeger topped with porter caramelized onions, green beans with a mushroom madeira sauce, roasted baby potatoes and pecan pie. We may need to up our game tomorrow and do a 15 mile ride but the feast was so good and worth every calorie.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas from the warm, balmy desert. We are feeling truly blessed, relaxed and ready for what ever the new year brings.