Living Desert Tour

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(Victory Ranch)

Today our tour took us to Palm Desert where we spent most of the day in the Living Desert Park. It’s something that Bob and I would never have picked to do, and yet was so interesting. It told about the plants and terrain of the desert, but also about the animals. When they are talking desert, they’re referring to the American southwest, Mexico, as well as Africa, so there were giraffes, ostriches, warthogs (who are so ugly you have to feel sorry for them. AND they smell bad!) and many more. There was wildlife show that was featuring falcons and eagles. One of the most impressive stops was the animal hospital; it is 24,000 sq ft, and can house more than 450 animals, large and small. While the vets are working on the animals, we can watch the whole procedure, and they’re also miked, so we can hear. We watched them examine a small bird that someone had brought in, which was thin, and dehydrated. (Not my appraisal, that’s what we heard them say!) I’m not sure what they decided to do with him, because they put him back in the box he was brought in. Then they did surgery on a small owl that had an injured eye~~they removed the eyeball. I didn’t watch that part….too much information.

Another part of the park was the model train display. The whole display was ¾ of an acre, and could run 12 trains at one time. It was set up to look like different scenes from different ages. They said it started with two trains brought out at Christmas time, and the people enjoyed it so much the staff started working on it as a permanent attraction. My guess is that the staff (of men) enjoyed it so much they decided to work on it!! Anyway, we sure did!

The weather was gorgeous~~mid 70’s and all sun. As we dropped into the valley where the camp is, I thought how pretty it is! I know, it shocked me too! Lots of the trees are leafing out, and the flowers are budding, and the green fields up against the green hills is just pretty! Who knew!

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Photos

Isn't he pretty?
He's from the African desert, not the California desert!

This looked funny to see the head
popped over the hill! There were three others on that side of the hill, but they never didn't come over. We would see their heads peek up, and bob along the horizon, and then disappear again!

I don't know the names of many
of the plants I'm going to show you, but they were intriguing. These looked like aloe plants, on a trunk!

This gives you an idea of the size
of the aloe-like plant.

There are over 60 kinds of
palm trees. That's about all the knowledge I have of them, except they're fun to look at!

Not surprising, these are females.
Wonder what they're talking about????

This tortoise was sand colored...
lets you know where he's from!

This mining town was cute,
but don't overlook the great RV park on the left! It's overlooking the Grand Canyon.

Bob really thinks we need
to buy this, so please send your money right away! It would be fun, though!