Collecting Memories: The Living Desert Zoo Palm Desert California

Postcard can be found at https://www.etsy.com/listing/198639667

Most children love going to the zoo and I was no different.  In my very early childhood I lived near the wonderful Milwaukee Zoo; it was at least an hour drive so it was too far to go often but close enough to make a visit once in a while.  

One of my best memories is a trip to the zoo with my grandparents.  People were more frugal with their funds at that time so my grandmother had packed a pick-nick lunch of my favorite foods which included homemade Sloppy Joes!  Isn't it funny what things stay with you in your memories?  

I have never grown out of my love for zoos and I am especially blessed to live near the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert California.  What is especially lovely about this zoo is that the animals our housed in a habitat very similar to their natural homes.  Happy animals are much more fun to watch than sad caged animals.  They also have created a beautiful botanical garden throughout the park along with a giant model train scape and so much more.  You can spend hours and hours and never see this zoo in its entirety.

Terry and I are members so when we go we hit our favorite spots first and then spend time exploring the rest of the zoo.  I have noticed that because of the seasonal changes the zoo's botanical gardens change so much that it is like visiting areas for the first time.

Collecting Memories

Some of my favorite memories are of rock hounding with my husband.  Rock hounding has been a hobby of mine since I was able to pick up a rock and ask "what is this?"  Even if those around me said "a rock" I knew that there was more, the swirling colors, the sparkling shimmer had to mean more than just a rock.  I was right.

I have spent many hours studying gems and minerals, the land, maps etc. to find some of my best treasures.  But nothing can compare to the memories that I created with my husband.  I will cherish the panoramic mountain views, rushing rivers, and silent deserts hikes over any gem or mineral we found.

One such adventure that we took was to the Mohave Desert.  Not only did we find a wonderful collection of agates and opalite; we hiked in the Mohave Desert.  How many people can say that?

Moorten Botanical Garden; Palm Springs

Moorten Botanical Garden was founded in 1938 by Chester and Patricia Moorten and remains in the family.  Their son Clark Moorten continues the family tradition today as owner and operator. 
The garden has over 3000 varieties of different plants, mostly cacti, that are strategically placed to create natural paths and seating areas. 

Terry and I enjoyed our visit to the garden yesterday.  Humming Birds were happily click and squeeking while we wondered throughout the natural paths.  The highlight of our tour was when a one of these bumbly little birds came 2 inches away from Terry's face and just hovered there for several seconds.  I was so stunned that I couldn't get a camera shot but I was able to get Terry's attention and he saw it just before it darted away.  What a wonderful moment to share; it was straight out of the Disney movie Pocahontas!

If you live in Coachella Valley or if you are ever visiting the area, stop in to visit Moorten Botanical Garden it will be a nice little break and well worth the $4 to tour.

 

 

 

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The Living Desert in Palm Desert, California

My Hubby took me to the Living Desert just down the road from our house in Palm Desert.  Most people who know me know how much I love going to the beach but I have a new favorite!  What a beautiful place and wonderful way to spend the day.  It is like crossing a botanical garden (desert version of course) with a zoo and then adding a few other features in besides. 

We spent most of the day there yesterday and was only able to see part of it.  I am more excited about getting a membership; I am going to love being able to explore the shady paths and bright desert scenes on a regular basis.  I hope my pictures do it justice (please note these images are copyrighted.)

 

Scene along the main path at the Living Desert, Palm Desert, California

One of the paths that branch off of the main one in the Living Desert

One of the paths that is off the main road lined with native Cacti at Living Desert

Elk (at least I think can't remember) at Living Desert

Giraffes at Living Desert

Closeup of Giraffe at Living Desert

Topographic Map Sculpture at Living Desert  PS for Palm Springs

Model Train at Living Desert

Carousel at Living Desert

Carousel at the Living Desert

Weather Center at the Living Desert, Palm Desert California

Grateful For Our Beautiful World

There is so much turmoil and there are so many things that concern me about our government, society, economy, and overall our future.  But I can still look outside at the mountains and palm trees and think "what a beautiful world."  I am so grateful that.  It helps me realize who's still in control.  God has given us life and such a beautiful planet to live it on.  I truly enjoy life despite all of its issues and I know that He has great things in store for me, my family and all of His children.

Stay forever grateful it is a wonderful feeling to just let that emotion grow inside you.  I love the beauty that surrounds all of us and there still is so much of it we just need to take a minute and actually notice.

I want to capture that beauty and share it; sharing a sign that God is still with us and still has us in His hands.  I truly believe He wants us to enjoy life and not to focus on all of the negative.  Why else would He create something so amazing?


Images, pictures, photographs can never compete with the experience of actually going somewhere and seeing it for yourself.   But there are many artist that come so very close; they draw you in and capture your imagination.  Their imagery pushed me out the door to explore those captured moments for myself, a big part of what made me land in California.

I am taking in everything since we moved to Palm Springs.  It has such a rich history, so much culture and so many amazing events to enjoy... but yet there is still a wildness that goes along with being located in the desert.  What a thrill!

A beautiful Watercolor of a Palm Springs Golf Course from MaryHelmreichWatercolors at http://ow.ly/kvdmr




A wonderful vintage Postcard capturing the fun and beauty of Palm Springs that still exists today!  Found in ThePostcardDepot at http://ow.ly/kvbAg

Beautiful Photograph capturing the Palms at night found at BreathOfAnAngel at http://ow.ly/kvao8

A Landscape Photograph of Joshua Tree National Park just outside of Palm Springs found in Etsy shop Myan Soffia at http://ow.ly/kvdNI

A wonderful Print that captures the wild beauty of the Desert Found in ETaddeiPhotography at http://ow.ly/kvebk

Whenever I feel stressed I try to get to the beach; it clears my mind and just takes away anything that is bothering me.


Beautiful SeaScape Print from InBetweenPhotography at http://ow.ly/kv7ZU

This beautiful Print was found at Etsy Shop Deeper at
http://ow.ly/kv8kR

I seen my first dolphins in the ocean (not in an aquarium) at Long Beach a couple weeks ago and they have been on my mind since.  I tried taking a picture but only have a few of just the fin as they are going back into the water (fast little guys.)  There were a couple of different pods swimming together throughout the day, it was one of the coolest things I have seen!  Since I couldn't get the shot I thought I would share this wonderful set of cards I found with you.

A Wonderful Card Set From Randy Ruby Photography at
 http://ow.ly/kv8m6

What beauty do you see?  What makes your heart swell with gratitude?   Please share and if you would like me to post some images from your area email me at ButterflyInTheAttic at yahoo dot com (family friendly of course.)  I would love to share.

New Listings ~ Postcards

Here are a few wonderful vintage postcards that were listed today.  Thank you

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77630910/antique-linen-postcard-desert-in-arizona

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77630580/vintage-postcard-switchbacks-through

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77630225/antique-linen-postcard-oak-creek-canyon

http://www.etsy.com/listing/77629796/vintage-postcard-desert-wild-flowers