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I think people should hike or walk every day. Few do. One does not need a wilderness trail to enjoy a good walk. Hiking around town can be fun. Joyce and I like to walk to downtown Palm Springs and back home, which is an 8 mile round trip. Of course, a walk downtown usually means eating once we get there. Today was Palm Springs’ 75th Anniversary of incorporation, the there was a big birthday party going on. Since no taxpayer monies were spent on the gala affair, we decided to walk downtown and check things out. The picture above is our view as we leave the house. We would end up doing right around 12 miles today.

About 15 minutes into our hike I decide to check the weather conditions. It is already 91 and the foretasted high is 93. Looks like a pleasant and balmy spring day ahead for us. 🙂

Along the way we catch up on what each other did during the week at work, discuss the Boston tragedy, and generally solve all the world’s problems.

Most of the desert plants and trees are in bloom, and we stop once in awhile to look at them. The 1.5 hours it usually takes for us to stroll downtown goes by quickly and we stop to check out a few historical sites too.

This is a privately built pedestrian bridge that connects two sections of a clothing optional resort. Notice that the bridge has solid walls.

004 — The tower from the original El Mirador Hotel, which was the playground of the rich and famous in the 1930’s. Today it is the home of Palm Springs’ largest hospital, Desert Regional Medical Center.

Palm Springs first public library, named after Welwood Murray.

4 miles completed. Time for some ice tea.

Don't ask -- and yes, she is wearing underwear :) — Don’t ask — and yes, she is wearing underwear 🙂

We sit a Starbucks and leisurely drink our ice teas, while watching all the tourists. Refreshed, we head over to the O’Donnell Golf Course, where the 75th Anniversary bash is being held. The golf course sits right at the base of the San Jacinto Mountains. Although I have never been on the course, I have seen it many, many times. For most of the first mile of the Desert Skyline Trail, O’Donnell is visible. When we get there, we walk around the exhibit area and listen to a little music. Live music plays all day, from 3 pm until 8 pm.

Once we check everything out, we go back into the downtown area and have a great early dinner at Hamburger Mary’s, a well known local eatery. From there we walk to the south end of the downtown area working off our meal, so I can make room for some ice cream. Turning around we head toward the Cold Stone Creamery so I can get a double scoop of chocolate and coffee ice cream in a waffle cone. Joyce is content to watch me enjoy it. Then it is back to O’Donnell for the evening activities.

Entrance to O'Donnell Golf Course — Entrance to O’Donnell Golf Course

One of the exhibits - Palm Springs Fire Engine #1, an old La France. There are many antique cars on display too. — One of the exhibits – Palm Springs Fire Engine #1, an old La France. There are many antique cars on display too.

The band stand. Some pretty good entertainment during the day and evening.

Had a lot of fun watching the little kids climb this rock wall. Most of them made it to the top.

A little before 8 pm the Laser Show and Fireworks started. I have never seen a laser show and I suppose the 1,000 tall section of mountain made for a better background than most people get to see. Fireworks were going off at the same time, and I have to admit it was the best fireworks display I have ever seen. Although it was dark, at times the mountain was lit up by the fireworks behind the laser beams. We had about 20 minutes of sensory overload — music synced to the laser show and fireworks — all happening at once. I have to say, it was very impressive.

Then we headed home around 8:15 pm. We walked fairly fast as Corky the Wonder Dog, needed to be fed and taken for a walk.

Temperatures were still in the 80’s and the walk was wonderful. Our course was different than we walked earlier in the day, so we could complete a loop without walking the same streets twice.

Below are some pictures of the laser show and fire works if you are interested.