Then and now

This is an old postcard of the original lodge. Several of the buildings were constructed in 1921, making them among the oldest in Palm Springs. As I mentioned, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz stayed here often and relaxed in the gardens and pool with friends like Victor Mature. I’m hoping for the ghost of Victor, walking around without a shirt. ☺️

Much of the old building is unrecognizable, but this iconic view of the mountains is the same one movie stars gazed on while lounging in the pool area.  The motel is on the western edge of the city up against the San Jacinto Mountains.  You wouldn't guess we're just a few blocks from the main drag.

This view is one of the things that makes Palm Springs so special. Through hard work, luck and persistence the city fathers and mothers somehow managed to keep the development out of the mountains. No small feat. The valley floor, of course, is a different story. The miles of date palm trees we drove through in the old days are long gone.

But between the serene grounds and unblemished west view, it still feels like a different time and place. 

And here's a different sort of view. We drove out to Desert Hot Springs yesterday. Lady Gaga ate here.  A restaurant scene from "A Star is Born" was filmed inside when she and Bradly Cooper were on that motorcycle trip across the country. Jalisco Tire Store and Restaurant is on the way out to Joshua Tree National Park. We decided to skip the park this time as it's very crowded.

If Gaga didn't have a street taco, she should have.

They were good. We shouldn't have, but then we topped it off with a date shake across the street at Windmill Market.  Another landmark in the Coachella Valley.

Today we'll check out our favorite desert garden in Palm Springs, and tonight meet up with an old friend for Mexican food in Palm Desert, about a half hour south of here.  The weather is warming up nicely and no wind.