Just Chillin' in Desert Hot Springs

We enjoyed some fabulous yet fast-moving travels during the last few months. But as winter approaches, the days get shorter and the sun sets earlier thanks to that "beloved" November time change. 

Dark by 5:30 ...

Really, Mother Nature is that necessary???

With the earlier sunsets, we found it more difficult to drive, site-see, and find an overnight camping spot before dark. We were also feeling a need to slow down our travel pace.

Time to change things up a bit.

We fondly remembered our extended visit to the Palm Springs area in the spring of 2017 ... the amazing desert hikes followed by a relaxing soak in the spring-fed hot tubs. After checking around, we found Caliente Springs Resort to be the perfect place for ...

Chillin' for a month in Desert Hot Springs.

The resort offered a well maintained club house complete with a large, naturally heated pool, four hot tubs with temps varying from 95 to 104 degrees, and a variety of activities ranging from yoga to water aerobics to pickleball.

Doug determined that there would "probably" be sufficient activities to keep his "energizer bunny" busy during the day. And I determined that an evening soak in the hot tubs would prevent my travel partner from deciding to get ready for bed as soon as the sun set. 

Highlights of our month in the desert included ...

 Desert and slot canyon hikes,

Hanging out with these characters straight out of a Dr Seuss book at Joshua Tree National Park,

Taking a stroll through the cute but not-so-cuddly cholla cactus garden,

Finding "interesting" desert creatures,

Bike rides into nearby Desert Hot Springs where ...

pastry shops make deciding very difficult,

Short trips to nearby Palm Springs where ...

restaurants, street fairs, parades, music, and fireworks enticed us as we strolled along its palm tree lined streets,

Colorful fruits and veggies that were available each week at the many local farmers markets ...

and a colorful worship community that helped us brush up on our Spanish each week.

As the sun sets

on our last day in the desert,

and we take our last evening soak in the mineral pools,

... we're grateful for nature's beautiful oasis

... that welcomed us to just chill for a while in Desert Hot Springs.