Model Train Exhibit at The Livind Desert

The Living Desert Model Train Exhibit.
This model train exhibit is one of the largest displays of G-gauge model trains featuring one of the longest model train trestles in the world.

Following are some of the pictures we took. It sure was fun and very entertaining for us. We had a great time! Gordon took the pictures.
Enjoy!

There are a number of benches to sit down and rest and enjoy the trains passing by the different landscaped scenery.

Santa Fe train just about going into a tunnel

Santa Fe Train crossing a bridge at the Grand Canyon

Palm Desert Wild Flower Nature Walk

We took a weekend to use some free night points Gordon had accumulated from his staying at hotels travels and stayed at the Miramonte Resort and Spa in Palm Desert. We decided that going to a resort in the winter to the desert was better than going during the summer. It was our first resort experience and we loved it. But we also loved the many things to go out and do in the areas close to our resort. There are many great nature centers in this are. We went to one that had hikes and guided wild flower nature walks from the nature center. We did the wild flower guided walk and loved it.

Our nature tour guide knew so much about the plants here. He would point out to so many wild flowers, plants, bushes and trees here. It was overwhelming!

The guide giving Gordon one of the plants to smell

This kind of bushes were everywhere here. They have no color but I think they are beautiful

Trying to photograph those curly white vines growing round many of the plants

Plants were labeled

A bird resting and blending so nicely at the top of this tree

This tree does not ever have leaves because its trunk and branches are green and do the work the leaves do.

closer look at the branches of this tree that does not need leaves

At the end of the walk at the nature center, they had snakes there. Yes this is me touching this snake.

Having Fun With Saguaro Cactus

Exploring the area around the Miramonte Resort and Spa where we were staying, we came to this street that had a walkway that was landscaped so beautiful with desert plants, flowers and trees. It also had Saguaro cactus. As we drove we kept seeing them. We decided to stop and walk some of the pathways and get close to these giant Saguaro cactus.

Zulita was thrilled to see Saguaro cactus and be so close to so many of them since she studied about the Saguaro cactus a month ago with her class.
The Saguaro grows in the Sonoran desert, which stretches through parts of Arizona, California, and Mexico. This cactus can grow as tall as 50 feet, weigh up to several tons, and live for two hundred years.
The Saguaro's sharp spines protect it from harm. The accordion-like pleads in its skin expand in the rain, storing extra water for the long dry times.

Gordon next to one of the Saguaro cactus along this walkway. Very tall cactus!



Love these flowers:-) They had some of these here and there in this walkway.





Zulita sitting next to one of the Saguaro cactus


She touched it and it did not feel good to her finger. They have very sharp stiff spines.

Gordon did better, he was more careful when touching them:-)

Loved walking down this street. Beside Saguaro cactus, it was landscape with all kinds of desert plants, flowers and trees. It also had the great view of the valley below. It was overcast and a little cool the whole time but rain never came down.

Eating Lunch at one of our Favorite Restaurants

Had lunch at one of or favorite restaurants, Las Casuelas Nuevas at Rancho Mirage

Zulita enjoying her spanish vegetable rice.

After our great lunch. Ate a lot, got very full and even delicious flan for dessert:-)