Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A Visit to Whitewater Preserve, Part 2

Today is the second of a two-part series on my visit to the Whitewater Preserve, just north of Palm Springs. My journey continues where it left off in yesterday's post: driving deeper into the preserve. I was in awe of the beauty of these lands, so carefully preserved for future generations of visitors. Despite being in the middle of the desert, there was abundant life, stemming from the Whitewater river from deep in the canyon. I paused along my journey to admire this view above. The multiple hues of green and yellow, with the nearby rock formations were set against the breathtaking snow-covered San Jacinto Mountains in the far distance. It was a feast for the eyes.
What I didn't see...

above: This photo is for Bee...I didn't want to disappoint you, so I put this photo of a mountain lion! But I DIDN'T see this big kitty at the preserve! It's just to entertain you and provide some sizzle to the post ;-)
Discovery of the Former Trout Farm...
Can you imagine that this beautiful pond below used to be filled with smelly trout?
The Whitewater Preserve includes 291 acres of land that were formerly the Whitewater Trout Farm. Two non-profit organizations, the "Friends of the Desert Mountains" and the "Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy" purchased the former trout farm to establish the preserve. The original trout breeding ponds were cleaned and turned into lovely pools.
above: the park grounds are well cared for and blend perfectly into the surroundings.
above: this large pond is so clean and pristine, it's hard to believe it was once used to breed trout.

above: Prickly Pear cactus were abundant and numerous.
above: Road Runners are a common sight in our desert; I spotted several at the preserve.
above: The wild brush and flowering weeds were like paint on a canvas, beautifully accenting the rolling desert hillside. It turned out to be the perfect weekend respite, I think even John was surprised at how much I enjoyed this journey into the wild. I'm just glad we never encountered any rattlesnakes. There are somethings I'd really rather just read about.
-Rick Rockhill
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13 comments:

  1. Tea N. CrumpetApril 22, 2008 at 1:28 AM

    "I'm just glad we never encountered any rattlesnakes. There are somethings I'd really rather just read about."

    I'm with you. Snakes are not nice.

    Have you had prickly pear jelly or syrup? It's very tasty. The fruit is seedy but if you get stuck on a ranch in the middle of the desert, it can be fun to make a jelly with!

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  2. limeApril 22, 2008 at 3:32 AM

    i remember the first time i was out west and saw a roadrunner. yes, i had been conditioned by a childhood's worth of cartoons. yes, i embarrassed myself in front of a local with some ignorant remark about roadrunners. MEEP MEEP!

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  3. Empress Bee (of the high sea)April 22, 2008 at 6:19 AM

    ha ha ha, thanks rick! we had a rattlesnake right by our car once in podunk and never saw which way it went. yikes! and another time i saw a big cat like that run across the upper lot at dusk. there was no way it was anything else. but i don't have roadrunners!

    smiles, bee
    xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

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  4. JeniApril 22, 2008 at 6:30 AM

    Once again, you've provided me with some great pictures of a place in your region of the world. Keep them coming, Rick!

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  5. ttApril 22, 2008 at 6:48 AM

    Awww...Roadrunners rock! My Lovee has a silver ring w/ roadrunners on it. His Dad loved the little critters and it reminds him of him now a days. How cool that you got to see them in person. :)
    Beautiful scenery there. LOVE the pond.
    Thanks for sharing.....I'll look forward to the next installment.

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  6. Real Live LesbianApril 22, 2008 at 7:53 AM

    Absolutely beautiful! And I too prefer the tamer side of wildlife! But that Road Runner is cool! Beep Beep!

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  7. AnonymousApril 22, 2008 at 11:58 AM

    It looks beautiful there. It seems a wonderful place to walk and enjoy nature.

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  8. UnknownApril 22, 2008 at 2:15 PM

    Great pics.

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  9. RhodesterApril 22, 2008 at 2:40 PM

    Ah, don't be skeert a' no rattlesnakes now, little pardner.. they's jist a' skeert a' you! And dems make good eatin' too, also's you kin cut off da rattle and gives it to yer girl fer her birdday, wimmen's LOVE dat kinda stuff!

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  10. OldLady Of The HillsApril 23, 2008 at 1:39 AM

    What a very BEAUTIFUL Place, Rick! I LOVE seeing the snow covered mountains in the distance in that one picture....The Desert is so amazing and to think they use to raise Trout right there....!
    I use to see Roadrunners ALL the time 'back in the day', when my father had this little house in La Quinta way back in the '60's. And up in Desert Hot Springs, too....They are darling birds!
    It looks like you had a wonderful time...And thanks for sharing it all with us.

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  11. SheilaApril 23, 2008 at 5:25 AM

    I have encountered a rattlesnake before and you are quite right not to desire the experience.

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  12. TWISIApril 23, 2008 at 3:11 PM

    so pretty!

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  13. whimsical brainpanApril 23, 2008 at 7:30 PM

    Those ponds look so inviting I just want to dive right in!

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Thank you kindly.