“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.” – Mary Lou Cook
During our SoCal Desert trip, we saw unique art that sometimes didn’t make sense. Art that was colorful and made us smile while other art that confused us. My favorite kind of art is when someone turns what was once trash and makes it useful again. Individuals such as these have inspired us to make our bottle fence.
Cabazon Dinosaurs
It is hard to miss these large dinosaurs when you’re driving. While they are large and cool to look at, there isn’t much here for older children. There are two large dinosaurs that you can take pictures in front of. The pink dinosaur is actually a gift shop so you can enter inside of it. If you have younger children or children who are fans on dinosaurs then you might want to check out The World’s Biggest Dinosaurs Museum. This is a popular stop and many simply stop by to stand in front of the Brontosaurus which is 150 feet long and the Tyrannosaurus rex that is 65 feet tall.
Located at 50770 Seminole Drive Cabazon, California 92230.
Palm Springs Windmill Tours
If you think windmills are pretty neat then you’ll love this tour. While you won’t be climbing up a standing and working windmill you will have a chance to enter inside one that is on the ground. This is an interactive tour. You will be given a device to watch on and you will be making six stops while watching and learning all about the windmill blades, turbine, and more. You will be able to get out of your car and explore each stop. You can take as long as you would like. After the sixth stop you return the device and you are given a map to continue. There are six more stops you can make.
Located at 62950 20th Avenue Palm Springs, CA 92258.
Salvation Mountain
This is one happy and colorful mountain which happens to be fifty feet high. Leonard Knight could have used any message but he decided to honor God with this positive art piece. You will find cars, couches, mailboxes, and more here. There is a lot to look at here with many wonderful photo opportunities. To get to Salvation Mountain you will have to pass a homeless camp known as slab city which used to be a former U.S. Marine Corps Base. This is one of the last places where you can actually live for free. Thanks to social media this mountain is packed with tourist.
There are no restrooms nearby.
Since you are entering a community, they ask that you wear a mask at all times. We respected their wishes. They don’t want anyone to climb on the mountain. Salvation Mountain is free to the public.
Located at Beal Rd, Calipari, CA 92233.
Bombay Beach
This is not one of those beaches that you don’t want to get into your bathing suit and jump right into because it is located on the Salton Sea and is below sea level. People still live here but only around 200 residents. The temperature in the summer can reach over 120 degrees so if you plan to visit come during the cooler months. This is now an abandoned town. Photographers come here because there is so much art here. You’ll find random chairs, doors, swings, and more here. If you drive around town you can stop by and see the Toy House (Third St east of G Ave) or The Bombay Beach Drive in art installation (E Ave south of Third Street).
Oasis Date Garden
We wanted to stop and get some lunch while learning something about dates but we couldn’t accomplish either of these. You see, during covid-19 everything that was inside was closed to the public. Traveling is sure not the same. We were pleased that they were still open and offered shakes. You can choose from: strawberry, mango, blackberry, butterscotch, cactus, chocolate, peanut butter, coffee, mocha, date, banana, and raspberry. They have an outside area under palm trees where the grass is so green and soft. Take off your shoes and enjoy your shake. The shakes are pretty big. Order one and share with your loved one.
You can also buy a large box of dates. We paid thirty dollars for eleven pounds of dates. When we came, they were not taking cash so you have to be prepared to pay with a debit or credit card.
Located at 59-111 Grapefruit Blvd, Thermal, CA 92274.
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