Springtime in the Desert … with Friends!
Springtime in the Desert … with Friends! To fully take advantage of the glorious weather, we jam-pack February with FUN. Walkin’ And Rollin’ For Friends Tour de Palm Springs is back, bigger, and better than ever on February 11th! Donate or participate! Choose Friends as your charity and 100% of the proceeds comes to us! THANK YOU! Ways to Participate: 1) Sign-up to ride or walk as a Friends participant, register with our non-profit code: FODM23 (located under “Additional Information” section of application). 100% of entry fees are returned to FODM as long as you use the code. 2) Donate directly to Friends’ Pledge Page by this Friday, 2/10 Rockin’ & Rollin’ With Friends Join us for delightful evening of live music and dancing at The Gardens on El Paseo with Lisa Lynn and the Broken Hallelujahs on Feb 18, 2023 from 4:30 PM to 7:00 PM. Shake a tailfeather or sit ‘n sip a little wine – and help raise funds to support Friends’ mission and programs. Get your tickets soon – it’s very likely we’ll sell out! Thank you to our sponsors Agua Caliente Casino Palm Springs and Terra Nova Planning! MUSIC IN THE GARDENS … WITH FRIENDS! Wildflower Walks Start in February A sure sign that locals are expecting a fantastic spring, Friends will be leading Wildflower Walks on the Randall Henderson every Monday in February and March! Learn about our desert spring wildflowers! You will walk about 45 minutes on the Randall Henderson “Wash” trail and learn how to identify the various wildflowers. Sorry no dogs are allowed. Bring 1 liter of water per person. Wear close-toed shoes, sun hat, sunscreen. RSVP is required and you must bring your ticket with you for check-in 15 minutes prior to start time. Ticket reservations begin 14 days prior to the event. WILDFLOWER WALKS WITH FRIENDS HEY… WAIT FOR ME! The story of the quail family sculpture in Friends’ foyer by Dick and Suzanne Southard Having lived in California for 20 years we truly enjoyed watching all the birds especially the quail. My wife suggested that I carve a quail family. We had watched many families and I don’t believe we ever saw one that didn’t have one of the young the trailed behind……that, prompted my carving and it’s name. When I get a vision I start looking at my wood and decide which wood fits which piece and the same with the bases. I had this large unique piece of Manzanita Root and had wondered how it might be used. As the quail carving progressed I saw it would greatly enhance this piece of art. I took advantage of the richness and the grain of Butternut and characteristics of the wood to carve the quail. I needed harder wood for the legs and feet so I chose Grapevine, a stronger wood. The top knot, is a slice of Walnut. I needed a graveled area for the quail to stand on. I discovered a way to make an appearance of sand, by grinding many different woods and combining them to look like gravel. So the title was clear : “ HEY WAIT FOR ME” Friends’ February Events + Wildflowers! haga clic aquí para español Wildflower Nature Walks Enjoy learning about our desert spring wildflowers. You will walk about 45 minutes on the Randall Henderson “Wash” trail and learn how to identify the various wildflowers. RESERVATION REQUIRED Mondays, February 6, 13, 20, & 27 8:30am-10:30am Randall Henderson Parking Lot 51500 CA-74, Palm Desert, CA, 92260 Rancho Mirage Full Moon Hike Grab your hiking boots and join Friends of the Desert Mountains docents on a full moon hike on the Bighorn Overlook trail loop. You will experience the views of our desert mountains in the amazing wash of moonlight and shadows. Astronomers will have their telescopes set up for star gazing. This is a family friendly easy 2-mile hike with 275 feet of elevation gain. The trail is narrow, 2 feet wide and on cobbled desert terrain. No dogs for this hike. RESERVATION REQUIRED Monday, February 6 7:00pm-9:00pm Rancho Mirage City Hall 69825 CA-111 Rancho Mirage, CA, 92270 Long Canyon Trail Hike This is the newest trail to open in the Coachella Valley. The trail is part of Joshua Tree National Park. We will explore the area and learn about the Metropolitan Water District and how they transport water to the Los Angeles area. As we enter the wilderness area, we will discuss how the low desert plants have adapted to the higher elevation. This trail is mostly level with gradual elevation gain. Hike is easy, 2 miles in/out. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 9:00am-11:00am Long Canyon Parking Area Long Canyon Rd (dirt road) Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240 La Quinta Full Moon Hike Experience a hike by moonlight! See the beauty of the shadows and wash of moonlight over our mountains. We will be looking for all types of night creatures along the trail. Astronomers will have their telescope set-up to view the night sky. This is an easy 3-mile loop hike with 150 feet elevation gain. The trail is 6 feet wide at the beginning and narrows to 2 feet wide with cobbled, uneven desert terrain. No dogs for this hike. LIMITED TICKETS! RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 7:00pm-10:00pm La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA, 92253 Night Sky Stars Observation Friends of the Desert Mountains astronomers will be setting up their telescopes and are inviting you to their “star party”. A clear night sky offers an ever-changing display of fascinating objects to see stars, constellations, bright planets, a full moon, and sometimes special events like meteor showers or an eclipse. While observing the night sky, occasionally we might see the international space station moving over the Coachella Valley. NOTE: OVERCAST SKIES AND HIGH WINDS CANCEL THIS EVENT. RESERVATION REQUIRED Tuesday, February 7 7:30pm-10:00pm La Quinta Cove Trails Parking Lot Calle Tecate at Avenida Bermudas La Quinta, CA, 92253 Herb Jeffries Trail Interpretive Hike Celebrate Black History month hiking the Herb Jefferies Trail. This urban trail begins on a narrow, uneven, uphill climb and intersects with the Bump-n-Grind. We
Springtime in the Desert … with Friends! Read More »









