Description: On Valentine's Day, we headed east on I-10 for an hour long road trip. We go to the Living Desert once a year, in winter. It is the best time of year. The temperatures were in the 70s with clear blue skies and sunshine. Along the way, we passed the Wind Farm in Palm Springs that seems to grow every year. It looked like a haze in the air but it was the wind kicking up the desert sands. Dust in the wind!
The Living Desert always offers something new for us. This year it was the camel rides. You can actually ride a camel just like a pony ride. Even the camel looked happy.
Our first encounter was with the butterflies and hummingbirds. There is an enclosure that you can walk through and view these incredible creatures in their natural habitat. There was even one hummingbird sitting on a nest of eggs, unfazed by human peering.
Next we went to the Wildlife show which was excellent. We were able to see birds and other animals up close and doing what comes naturally, like eating a mouse before our eyes. The host of the show gave us interesting information and kept the show at a good pace. The animals were very entertaining.
We walked around the park which is very handicapped accessible. The African area makes you feel as if you have traveled to that continent. Village Watutu is well done and has a snack bar and restrooms. After, we saw the camels and giraffes. There is a petting zoo for the kids that is well done and kids love it.
The North American Gardens are beautifully done and has a shop where you can buy plants. this is a good place to get ideas for drought tolerant plantings. Down the path is Eagle Canyon where the wild dogs and cats reside but we skipped that area this year.
There are shuttle rides for an extra charge. Many volunteers offer good information and are happy to answer questions. All in all, we will go back next winter. It made for a wonderful Valentine's ay.
Close