The Oasis

Day 261

On our second day, we headed for the Palm Springs visitors centre to get more details on the area. The centre was located close to downtown, so after a short visit we did a brief drive through the town. On the far end we stopped in front of the Palm Spring Art Museum for a short visit with Marilyn Monroe before heading to the Indio Hills to explore the Coachella valley oasis. 

The Coachella valley oasis is located right on top of the San Andreas Fault. When the two tectonic plates shifted thousand of years ago, they created a fissure. Over time water between the plates was forced to the surface creating a natural oasis. 

When we arrived, I was sceptical of what a natural oasis was supposed to look like, I expected a little pool of water with a few plants surrounding it. I was wrong! From where we parked, you could see the tops of palm trees surrounding the area but really appeared as nothing special until you entered. Once in the park, the whole area changed from a desert to a jungle with no exaggeration. 

When you enter the little valley, you begin to cross multiple catwalks over the water and marsh. Once on the catwalks, you are literally standing over the North American and Pacific tectonic plates…. That thought alone made my day and gave me the creeps at the same time. 

Welcome to Palm Springs 

One small area had some interesting outdoor art. 

A 26 foot tall, 34,000 pound stainless steel and aluminum Marilyn Monroe in downtown Palm Springs. 

For any of you guys thinking it, I took the liberty of answering it. 

The red line is the San Andreas fault.

Standing on the fault line 

When you exited the trail on the far side you came right back out into desert.