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The Magic of the Desert and the Rumbling of the Ground


The Lonesome Gods, by Louis L'Amour, begins with a map of early Southern California. Names leaping from the page include Agua Caliente, Thousand Palms, Taquitz, Moronga Valley, Indian Wells and the San Jacinto Mountains. L'Amour describes the beauty, the colors of the setting sun on the rock formations and the magic and power of the desert. The mystery of the place is enhanced by the rumbling of the ground and the magic of those who inhabit the spiritual home of Native Americans who have lived in the region for centuries. I had read half of the book when I experienced the pull of the desert. Let's go! Our home in La Jolla is a short two hour drive to Riverside County, the location of Palm Springs.

The Mission Inn gives the Californian desert a European flavor. Courtesy of Mission Inn. Of course, I went online to check our hotel options and realized that, on the way over, a stop at the Mission Inn in Riverside would be a perfect addition to our getaway. The Mission Inn, in this writer`s opinion, is the most unique hotel in all of California and worth a special trip. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Historical Hotels of America. It is like staying in a Spanish castle. Officially, the architectural style is Mission Revival, but it feels and looks like Spain or Portugal. There are nooks and crannies, rotundas, courtyards, chapels, niches, patios, fountains, spiral staircases, galleries, stained glass windows, doors of all sizes, gardens, turrets and domes, statues, and catacombs.

The owner and restorer of this masterpiece is local businessman Duane Roberts. I promise you will be surprised and amazed by the beauty and wonder of this eclectic and eccentric hotel in downtown Riverside. There is a well- equipped fitness center, an Olympic-sized pool, a Jacuzzi, and massage therapy is available. The rooms feature mini bars, cable TV, evening turn down service with chocolates and a most appreciated morning paper delivered to your door. The most fun, though, is to roam the hotel and grounds. Find a shady spot and read and relax. That's what this magical place is all about.

The Mission Inn began as a 12 room adobe boarding house in 1876. In 1902 the expansion began and continued for the next 30 years! The Mission Inn today is completely renovated and is first rate. The hotel features 235 architecturally unique rooms and suites and two outstanding restaurants, Duane's and the Mission Inn Restaurant. The hotel operates the Mission Inn Coffee Company which features sandwiches, salads and soups along with a range of coffee items for casual dining. The Mission Inn also features a legendary Sunday Brunch; people travel from all over the area to attend this extravaganza. Taking care of guests and dining is taken very seriously at the Mission Inn.

If you decide to eat at the Mission Inn restaurant, request the patio. It is romantic and delightful. Courtesy of Mission Inn. Our first night my wife and I ate at Duane's, the signature restaurant. This elegant dining room features prime steaks and seafood and has an extensive wine list. Our first surprise was a complimentary bruschetta served by our knowledgeable waitperson. Everything is à la carte and there is a wonderful selection of appetizers, salads, entrees, and side dishes. We chose the honey glazed shrimp and smoked salmon as our appetizers. We were not disappointed. We then split a wonderful beef steak tomato, grilled Maui onion and roasted garlic salad course. It was flavorful, fresh and easily enough for two. For our main course, my wife ordered a steak and Lyonnaise potatoes. I chose a veal chop and grilled portabello mushrooms. Duane`s offers a choice of four sauces to accompany your beef: merlot, Duane's special sauce, bearnaise, and mustard and peppercorn. We asked to sample all four and our request was cheerfully honored. The steak was tender, flavorful and prepared perfectly. The veal chop was outstanding and the portabello mushrooms were easily the best I`ve ever tasted. Desserts were offered and we shared a white chocolate macadamia nut cake.

Duane's is deservedly a busy place; the service is up to the ambience and the food. It is a very special restaurant. Make reservations before you go, as they fill up quickly. Try to arrive at the Mission Inn midweek. "Riverside Wednesday Night" takes place then and is a wonderful farmer's market featuring locally grown fruits and vegetables along with arts and crafts. Bands play throughout the venue and Main Street is closed off to traffic. It is fun! The local Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau are also located downtown and offer a wide array of walking maps, historic tours and arts and cultural information. The Mission Inn Foundation and Museum offers a first rate, 70 minute tour of the hotel. Do it; it is fascinating and educational.

The Lonesome Gods spoke to us while we were at the Mission Inn. L'Amour’s description of the earth rumbling came alive as a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rumbled through the desert! Was it a coincidence or did The Lonesome Gods intend to send a message to "The Practical Traveler" of Greatest Escapes?

Information on Riverside can be found at http://home.pe.net/~rdp/ or call the following for maps, tourist info, etc.

Historic Mission Inn Tours at 909-781-8241 Riverside Visitor Center 909-684-INFO

Next we were off to Palm Springs and our stay at the San Marino Hotel, just a short 45 minute drive away. On the way over, we stopped at the Windmill Farm. What is that you might ask? Well, after the oil embargo in 1973, finding alternate power sources The Windmill Farm harnesses the endless power of the wind and transforms it into electricity for nearby residents. Courtesy of The Windmill Farm.was a big political issue. Believe it or not, the Windmill Farm "grows" electricity. Palm Springs is in the Coachella Valley. The entrance to the valley is one of the windiest spots in the world! There are 3,000 turbine windmills that provide electricity to 155,000 homes each year. They dot the landscape like extraterrestrial sculptures. Stop in, the tour is fun and educational. Take a look at www.windmilltours.com

 

Now on to our choice for lodging, the San Marino Hotel. This cozy 15 room inn was designed in 1947 by noted Palm Springs architect William Cody. It is an example of the Wright school of architecture, with extensive use of glass and angular stone walls. Each unit is uniquely furnished, including interesting use of color and design. The artist wife of the innkeeper has several of her original pieces in each room. The inn is built in a U-shape around a pool and garden area featuring the San Jacinto Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The San Marino Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Palm Springs just one block off trendy and historic Palm Canyon Drive. You can easily walk to shops and restaurants. A hiking trail into the desert mountains is two blocks away and provides a wonderful early morning trip. Don't forget your suntan lotion, good walking shoes, a hat and lots of water. The secret to any outdoor activity in the desert is to hydrate and rehydrate!

An excellent place for some good old R & R. Courtesy of the San Marino Hotel.Since we had chosen a room with a kitchen, our first stop after unpacking was for supplies at a very convenient supermarket. The hotel offers a delightful continental breakfast so all we needed was lunch and dinner. The San Marino has a BBQ and supplies for guest use, so our choices of entrees were centered around outdoor grilling. A couple of nice bottles of wine (on sale, of course!) and locally grown fruits and tomatoes and we were ready to settle in, read, relax, eat and enjoy the desert. The San Marino Hotel is a real charmer and an easy place to unwind. Palm Springs is a well known and famous destination. As a result there are many activities that compete for your time. The golf is superb, tennis courts abound and a full range of dining and shopping is available. The Visitor Center offers free coupon books to save money at restaurants, shops and attractions. The Tourist Bureau offers free guides, brochures, etc. Their website is www.palm-springs.org.

In town, pick up free copies of Travelhost, Desert Key Magazine, Palm Springs Visitors Guide and the Best Read Guide Palm Springs. They all contain valuable tourist information, coupons, maps and shopping tips. This trip had one purpose, R&R. So we chose to sit pool side, enjoy great weather and read. I finished The Lonesome Gods on our second day just as the sun dipped behind the San Jacinto Mountains. As the sky turned gold than red and dark purple, I understood the power, mystery and beauty of the desert and L'Amour's love for its lore. Try it...

Western Watch: Upcoming at Greatest Escapes will be the "Practical Traveler's" backyard getaways to beautiful Coronado, CA and the Glorietta Bay Inn and the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in San Diego's North County.

How did the "Practical Traveler" save money on this trip?

1. Found online specials for hotel rates and traveled in a shoulder season.

2. Asked for equivalent discounts such as offered to AARP or AAA. Even if not a member; most hotels will extend them to you.

3. Shared a salad course and dessert.

4. Asked the waiter for a suggestion on a value priced wine.

5. Rented a poolside room with kitchen facilities and shopped at the local supermarket.

Here is my closing money saving hint: check out www.surcharge-free-atms.com for a list of ATMs without service charges. Happy travels....

For More Information

Mission Inn www.missioninn.com San Marino Hotel http://palmsprings.com/sanmarino

Next we were off to Palm Springs and our stay at the San Marino Hotel, just a short 45 minute drive away. On the way over, we stopped at the Windmill Farm. What is that you might ask? Well, after the oil embargo in 1973, finding alternate power sources The Windmill Farm harnesses the endless power of the wind and transforms it into electricity for nearby residents. Courtesy of The Windmill Farm.was a big political issue. Believe it or not, the Windmill Farm "grows" electricity. Palm Springs is in the Coachella Valley. The entrance to the valley is one of the windiest spots in the world! There are 3,000 turbine windmills that provide electricity to 155,000 homes each year. They dot the landscape like extraterrestrial sculptures. Stop in, the tour is fun and educational. Take a look at www.windmilltours.com

Now on to our choice for lodging, the San Marino Hotel. This cozy 15 room inn was designed in 1947 by noted Palm Springs architect William Cody. It is an example of the Wright school of architecture, with extensive use of glass and angular stone walls. Each unit is uniquely furnished, including interesting use of color and design. The artist wife of the innkeeper has several of her original pieces in each room. The inn is built in a U-shape around a pool and garden area featuring the San Jacinto Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The San Marino Hotel is centrally located in the heart of Palm Springs just one block off trendy and historic Palm Canyon Drive. You can easily walk to shops and restaurants. A hiking trail into the desert mountains is two blocks away and provides a wonderful early morning trip. Don't forget your suntan lotion, good walking shoes, a hat and lots of water. The secret to any outdoor activity in the desert is to hydrate and rehydrate!

An excellent place for some good old R & R. Courtesy of the San Marino Hotel.Since we had chosen a room with a kitchen, our first stop after unpacking was for supplies at a very convenient supermarket. The hotel offers a delightful continental breakfast so all we needed was lunch and dinner. The San Marino has a BBQ and supplies for guest use, so our choices of entrees were centered around outdoor grilling. A couple of nice bottles of wine (on sale, of course!) and locally grown fruits and tomatoes and we were ready to settle in, read, relax, eat and enjoy the desert. The San Marino Hotel is a real charmer and an easy place to unwind. Palm Springs is a well known and famous destination. As a result there are many activities that compete for your time. The golf is superb, tennis courts abound and a full range of dining and shopping is available. The Visitor Center offers free coupon books to save money at restaurants, shops and attractions. The Tourist Bureau offers free guides, brochures, etc. Their website is www.palm-springs.org.

In town, pick up free copies of Travelhost, Desert Key Magazine, Palm Springs Visitors Guide and the Best Read Guide Palm Springs. They all contain valuable tourist information, coupons, maps and shopping tips. This trip had one purpose, R&R. So we chose to sit pool side, enjoy great weather and read. I finished The Lonesome Gods on our second day just as the sun dipped behind the San Jacinto Mountains. As the sky turned gold than red and dark purple, I understood the power, mystery and beauty of the desert and L'Amour's love for its lore. Try it...

Western Watch: Upcoming at Greatest Escapes will be the "Practical Traveler's" backyard getaways to beautiful Coronado, CA and the Glorietta Bay Inn and the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in San Diego's North County.

How did the "Practical Traveler" save money on this trip?

1. Found online specials for hotel rates and traveled in a shoulder season.

2. Asked for equivalent discounts such as offered to AARP or AAA. Even if not a member; most hotels will extend them to you.

3. Shared a salad course and dessert.

4. Asked the waiter for a suggestion on a value priced wine.

5. Rented a poolside room with kitchen facilities and shopped at the local supermarket.

Here is my closing money saving hint: check out www.surcharge-free-atms.com for a list of ATMs without service charges. Happy travels....

For More Information

Mission Inn www.missioninn.com San Marino Hotel http://palmsprings.com/sanmarino