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Update on SXSW Music Festival, vintage (food) trailers in Austin

Julianne G. Crane
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Update on SXSW Music Festival, vintage (food) trailers in Austin

Each March, Austin, Texas, rocks with its immensely popular South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival. This Hill Country bicycle mecca continues to keep its reputation as “The Live Music Capital of the World” with more bands performing per-square-inch than any other place in the known universe.

Save money by registering early … click here for details.

More than 2,000 bands and solo musicians from around the globe are perform in over 90 venues across Austin. In addition to all the music there are more than 250 films screening in the SXSW Film Festival.

With all these famous people in town, one might easily overlook three funky vintage trailers that have been converted into popular eateries.

‘Hey Cupcake’ Airstream

Red Velvet cupcakes – “The Best.”  (Julianne G. Crane)

If you love fresh, delicious cupcakes … a must stop in Austin, Texas, is “Hey Cupcake!,” a sweet roadside stand located in an Airstream trailer at 1511 So. Congress Ave.

After catching a glimpse of the silver Airstream, I pulled over and did some critical research.

When I asked for “something traditional,” a gracious young man recommended the Red Velvet cupcake (red velvet cake, cream cheese top for $3). “It’s what we’re famous for,” he smiled.

An excellent choice, the Red Velvet is over-the-top, mouth-wateringly yummy. There are four other ‘Hey Cupcake’ locations in Austin and they all serve nine lip-smacking cup cakes.

‘Ms P’s Electric Cock’ – Spartan

Ms P’s Spartan dazzles Austin’s music crowd. (Julianne G. Crane)

Just a couple blocks toward downtown and the Capitol Building at 1101 So. Congress is a gorgeous Spartan, home of Ms P’s Electric Cock.

“Ms P has been perfecting her fried chicken for years and has always wondered why there aren’t any REALLY GOOD FRIED CHICKEN places in Austin,” states the Website. “Her friends and family have always said “you should open up your own fried chicken joint.” So she rigged a food trailer and is serving the best Fried Chicken in the ATX.”

Ms P’s is open Tuesday-Thursday 11 a.m. till the chicken runs out, around 11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday  11 a.m. till midnight; Sunday: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. 
Information: 512.912-7778

 ‘Flip Happy Crepes’ Avion

Flip Happy’s Avion serves delicious crepes. (Julianne G. Crane)

A vintage Avion trailer sits at the corner of 300 Jessie St. and 1400 Butler Rd.

 Flip Happy Crepes  specializes in hand-made crepes in a festive outdoor setting in South Austin, just a short walk from Barton Springs Road and So. Lamar Blvd.

Serving delicious hand-made savory crepes, sweet crepes, and Saturday and Sunday breakfast crepes. They also specialize in fresh French pressed coffee and provide other assorted beverages.

Open September-June — Wednesday- Sunday, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
Call: 512.552-9034

Right next door to the Flip Happy is the historic and endangered Pecan Grove RV Park near the heartbeat of Austin.

To read more about the RV Lifestyle click on RVWheelLife.com

— Julianne G. Crane

Photos by Julianne G. Crane

Free camping on Washington’s Columbia River

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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Free camping on Washington’s Columbia River
Where you gonna find views like this — and free camping? (R&T DeMaris photo)

Looking for a free place to camp, maybe drop a line in the water for a bass, perhaps even a passing salmon? Avery Park, on one of Washington’s loneliest highways may be your fix.

West of Wishram on Washington Highway 14, Avery Park is technically a “Treaty Fishing Access Site,” which means during the Native American salmon harvest season, the place is closed off to all but tribal members. But any other time of the year, everyone can take advantage of this free river campground.

It’s nothing “special” in terms of access to utilities. You’ll find a vault toilet and garbage dumpster, but not much more to complicate your life. “Sites,” are basically where you pull your rig off and park along side the river shore. At the east end of the campground is a fine boat launch ramp, but shore fishing works fine here.

Summers are generally mild, and trees provide shade if you need it. Summer weekends can be busy, but if you pull in by early afternoon on Friday you’ll probably be able to secure yourself a site. Tugs pushing barges up and down the Columbia provide a foreground to great views of Mount Hood. Be prepared, by day nearby rail traffic will run by, but happily decreases substantially by night.

Jump off Interstate 84 on the Oregon side and cross the bridge in front of the Dalles Dam. Head north and follow the road to Highway 14, head east a little over nine miles and watch for the sign.

Get out of Vegas and cool down in Pioche’s free RV park

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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Get out of Vegas and cool down in Pioche’s free RV park

Hot and tired out from the heat of southern Nevada? Las Vegas lost its sparkle? RV air conditioning given up the ghost? Here’s a fairly fast cure: Point your RV’s nose north on the Great Basin Highway (US 93) and head for Pioche. The name may sound a bit like a card game, but the town of “Pee-Oach” has a stormy history, a pleasant present day, and a free RV park.

Part of the 180 mile run from Sin City to this “Silver” city is listed as a scenic route, and by Nevada standards, that’s the truth. Rocky hillsides and draws give way to some verdant green as you pass through one of Nevada’s great wildlife refuges. A few – make that very few – small towns break up the scenery. Perhaps one of the most interesting road signs too, just outside of Caliente. Here, a local motel advertises its name, plastered right alongside a artsy set of railroad tracks. Yes sir, that’s what helps me sleep, the sound of a good, long freight train outside my wall.

But Pioche breaks the usual, “ghost town” glass by being a truly friendly little burg. Back in the day –- the 1860s and 70s, Pioche was no place for the faint of heart. Silver mining brought riches, tawdriness, and plenty of murder. The local “boot hill” cemetery received 72 internees by way of bullets before anyone ever died of natural causes. Violence aside, the townsfolk were right proud of their little community, which led to an early debacle worthy of present-day U.S. politicians.

By 1870 the desire became fertile to build a suitable courthouse for Lincoln County, and Pioche, being the county seat, had the appetite for the building. Initial estimates were far less than the $88,000 it took to build the two-story edifice, and bond issues to finance, and repeatedly re-finance the construct finally rang up the local cash register to the tune of a million bucks.

Today, behind the courthouse is the town’s welcome center for RVers. We stress the “behind” part, because when we stumbled into town late one afternoon, we mistook the town’s big green park to be the RV facility. We were enthralled with free electric, but couldn’t possibly level the rig next to the curb by those free power outlets. Next morning, after a good night’s sleep and a walkabout found that the RV sites are down below – not above – the courthouse. Sorry, no free electric at the RV park, but water and garbage service, and you’re all welcome to up to a seven-night stay. The town has set up a nifty “motorhome” contribution box for those that take the hint.

The town park, just a short stroll away, has horse shoe pits, a community swimming pool, elaborate kids’ play equipment, and plenty of inviting greenery.

After having seen first-hand the trouble some small communities have in “getting it together” in cooperation, we’ve got to hand it to Pioche. With a population of less than 2,000 souls, they have every right to take pride in the town park they’ve put together. Drop in sometime.

Fun retro cafe fills the belly, museum stretches the mind in Grand Junction, Colo.

Julianne G. Crane
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Fun retro cafe fills the belly, museum stretches the mind in Grand Junction, Colo.
Main Street Cafe, Grand Junction, Colo. (Julianne G. Crane)

This is the second RV Short Stop post on a day spent in Downtown Grand Junction, Colorado, while our truck was being worked on at Scotty’s auto shop. The first post focused on the city’s ‘Art on the Corner’.

The retro feel of the Main Street Cafe pulls people into this popular 50’s-themed eatery at the corner of 6th and Main.

 Inside retro Main Street Cafe. (Julianne G. Crane)

Outside red-and-white CocaCola umbrellas shade customers from the summer sun while inside the walls are lined with glossy photographs and posters featuring cultural icons Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and the Three Stooges. Other memorabilia include hula hoops, poodle skirts, one-piece swim suits and 45 records. There are pretty decent $3.50 breakfast specials (i.e. 2 eggs, potatoes and toast).

RVer Jimmy Smith reading about exhibits. (Julianne G. Crane)

A couple blocks away at the corner of Ute Ave. and 5th St. is the Museum of the West, a division of the Museum of Western Colorado … which is “the largest multi-disciplinary museum between Salt Lake City and Denver. Over the past forty years (they) have grown to include three major museum facilities, three active outdoor paleontology sites, an educational center and a respected research library,” according to museum’s website.

Replica of Stagecoach (Julianne G. Crane)

The Museum of the West “offers a thousand years of history that can be experienced. ‘Ride’ in a stagecoach, ‘fly’ a 1958 Cessna from Walker Field or gaze upon an ancient cup and ladle from the Anasazi. Study Ute and Fremont Rock Art, see the real firearms that outlaws used, sit in a one-room schoolhouse and visit the Pastime saloon to experience western Americana at its best.”

It was a cool three hour stroll through a thousand years of history.

Museum of the West (Julianne G. Crane)

Museum of the West
462 Ute Ave.
Grand Junction, Colorado
(970) 242-0971
URL: museumofwesternco.com

Summer Hours
May 1-Sept. 30
Tues-Sat, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Winter Hours
Oct. 1-April 30
Tues-Sat, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Admission
$6.50 for Adults, $5.50 for Seniors, $3.75 for children (3-12)
$20 for Family groups

To read more RV lifestyle articles by Julianne G. Crane, go to RV Wheel Life.com

Photos by Julianne G. Crane

‘Art on the Corner’ in Downtown Grand Junction, Colorado

Julianne G. Crane
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‘Art on the Corner’ in Downtown Grand Junction, Colorado
RVer and bicyclist, Jimmy Smith, checks out sculpture. (Julianne G. Crane)

If your truck or RV needs fixing near downtown Grand Junction, Colo., and you find yourself stuck with several hours to fill–you are in luck. Recently we found ourselves in just that situation (read more about that by clicking here).

‘Sip n’ Splash’ by James Haire.  Julianne G. Crane)

A woman sitting in the auto shop’s waiting room told us that Main Street, just a couple blocks away, was the place to go to eat and walk around. Off we went.

We stumbled onto our first sculpture–a giant bicycle at the intersection of Main and Fifth Streets (above). When we spotted the second sculpture — ‘Sip n’ Splash’ — across the street, we knew we were in a very special downtown.

‘High Heeled Feet’ by Clee Richeson

We soon discovered there are more than 100 sculptures in a variety of mediums and styles, from abstract stone pieces to realistic bronze renditions. Called “Art on the Corner” (AOTC), it is a free year-round outdoor sculpture exhibit. Established in 1984 by a local sculptor, it is one of the first of its kind in the USA.

Three-quarters of the collection consists of permanent sculpture and the remainder is part of the annual invitational one-year show. The temporary pieces are for sale to the public.

There is also a splash area for children that is open during the hot months. Little kids (and an occasional big kid) run through this interactive fountain to keep cool.

Another post spotlights the retro Main Street Cafe and the Museum of Western Colorado which is also a cool place to spend a hot afternoon.

‘Art on the Corner’ 
Location: Main Street, Second to Seventh Streets, Grand Junction, Colo.
Hours: Daily 24/7.
URL: www.downtowngj.org/aotc 
Price: Free.

To read more RV lifestyle posts by Julianne G. Crane, go to RV Wheel Life.com 


Photos by Julianne G. Crane

Top ranking “family friendly” RV parks list

Russ and Tiña De Maris
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Top ranking “family friendly” RV parks list

Looking for a family-friendly RV park? RV industry Goliath, Good Sam, has released their big list of what they rate as tops for family RVing. In alphabetical order by province and state, here’s the list:

  • Good Sam’s Top Family Campgrounds:
  • Glowing Embers RV Park & Travel Centre, Edmonton, Alberta
  • Catherine’s Landing At Hot Springs, Hot Springs, Ark.
  • Anaheim Resort RV Park, Anaheim, Calif.
  • Los Angeles/Pomona Fairplex KOA, Pomona, Calif.
  • Pismo Sands RV Park, Oceano, Calif.
  • Vacationer RV Park – Sunland, El Cajon, Calif.
  • Colorado Springs KOA, Fountain, Colo.
  • Stateline Campresort & Cabins, East Killingly, Conn.
  • Live Oak Landing, Freeport, Fla.
  • Sun-N-Fun RV Resort, Sarasota, Fla.
  • Pine Mountain An RVC Outdoor Destination, Pine Mountain, Ga.
  • Cajun Palms RV Resort, Breaux Bridge, La.
  • Cherry Hill Park, College Park, Md.
  • Cape Cod Campresort & Cabins, East Falmouth, Mass.
  • Normandy Farms Family Camping Resort, Foxboro, Mass.
  • Covenant Hills Camp, Otisville, Mich.
  • Harbortown RV Resort, Monroe, Mich.
  • Myers Lake Campground, Byron, Mich.
  • Silver Creek RV Resort, Mears, Mich.
  • Vacation Station RV Resort, Ludington, Mich.
  • Grand Casino Hinckley RV Resort, Hinckley, Minn.
  • Yogi On The Lake, Pelahatchie, Miss.
  • Basswood Resort, Platte City, Mo.
  • Hi-Desert RV, Winnemucca, Nev.
  • Friendly Beaver Campground, New Boston, N.H.
  • Yogi In The Smokies, Cherokee, N.C.
  • Cross Creek Camping Resort, Columbus, Ohio
  • Pleasant View Recreation, Van Buren, Ohio
  • Bissell’s Hideaway Resort, Fonthill, Ontario
  • Campark Resorts Best Holiday Trav-L-Park, Niagara Falls, Ontario
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Niagara Falls, Ontario
  • Artillery Ridge Camping Resort, Gettysburg, Pa.
  • Gettysburg Campground, Gettysburg, Pa.
  • Hershey Highmeadow Campground, Hershey, Pa.
  • Lake-In-Wood Resort, Bowmansville, Pa.
  • Otter Lake Camp-Resort, Stroudsburg, Pa.
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Camp Resort At Shangri-La, Milton, Pa.
  • Chris’ Camp, Spearfish, S.D.
  • Hart Ranch Resort, Rapid City, S.D.
  • Rafter J Bar Ranch Camping Resort, Hill City, S.D.
  • Best Holiday Trav-L-Park, Chattanooga, Tenn.
  • Loretta Lynn’s Ranch, Hurricane Mills, Tenn.
  • Memphis Graceland RV Park & Campground, Memphis, Tenn.
  • Nashville Shores RV Park, Nashville, Tenn.
  • River Plantation RV Park Inc, Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
  • West Lake RV Resort, Houston, Texas
  • Zion RV & Campground, Mount Carmel, Utah
  • Bethpage Camp Resort, Urbanna, Va.
  • Grey’s Point Camp, Topping, Va.
  • Maple Grove RV Resort, Everett, Wash.
  • Sherwood Forest Camping & RV Park, Wisconsin Dells, Wis.
  • Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort, Warrens, Wis.

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park, California

Julianne G. Crane
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Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at Yosemite National Park, California
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias Trailhead

The Mariposa Grove, just two miles inside Yosemite National Park‘s South Entrance, (off Hwy. 41) contains about 500 mature Giant Sequoias which are said to be the ‘largest’ living things on Earth

While the Giant Sequoias aren’t the tallest or biggest around (basal diameter)–in total volume they are the ‘largest’ living things known to humans.

The tallest tree in the Mariposa Grove is about 290 feet (88 meters). The biggest in basal diameter is just over 40 feet (12 meters). The oldest is around 3,000 years.

After finding a parking slot at the trailhead (above–notice the size of the cars versus the size of the trees), we purchased a brochure (50 cents) written by NPS Ranger Jon Kinney (1946-1986) which included a map of the Grove trail system. (Both brochure and map are available for download online.)

‘Grizzly Giant’ (Julianne G Crane)

We hiked the 0.8 miles from the parking lot to the Grizzly Giant. There is about 500 feet of elevation gain from the trailhead which sits at approximately 5,500 feet.

What grabs one’s attention first about the Grizzly Giant (right) is its girth. It is one of the largest trees in the Mariposa Grove and, at an estimated age of 2,700 years, one of the world’s oldest living Sequoias.

As you approach its base and look up, the lowest limb is almost seven feet (2 meters) in diameter, and that mere branch is larger than the trunk of any non-Sequoia in the grove.

Some 50 yards beyond the Grizzly Giant is the California Tunnel Tree, cut in 1895 for stagecoaches.

Julianne & Jimmy at Tunnel Tree

Most visitors don’t know that two trees in this grove were tunneled, one of which is still standing–the California Tunnel tree. Walk down and stroll through a tree.

Further up the trail is the Mariposa Grove Museum, fine cabin, built in 1930 and restored in 1983. It occupies the site where Galen Clark built a small cabin in 1861. Inside are exhibits on the ecology and history of Giant Sequoias.

According to the brochure, “It’s these trees’ resistance to fire, disease, insects and decay that allows them to live through the centuries. Only by toppling do they finally succumb.”

Mariposa Grove sign (Julianne G. Crane)

More Information:

Learn more about visiting this unique area by clicking on the Yosemite National Park’s Mariposa Grove.

You can visit Yosemite all year, though some areas of the park are inaccessible by car from approximately November through May due to snow. You can drive your car into and around the park.

When the Mariposa Grove Road from the South Entrance (about 5,000 feet elevation) is closed during winter, you can still walk, snowshoe, or ski up the road (two miles with about 500 feet of elevation gain).

You don’t need reservations to visit or enter Yosemite National Park, but reservations for lodging or camping are essential if you plan to spend the night in the park.

The park entrance fee is $20 per vehicle. This is valid for unlimited entries to Yosemite for seven days, and includes all occupants of the car.
If you have a Senior Pass entry fee is waived.

To read more by Julianne G Crane go to RVWheelLife.com

Click on photos to enlarge: (Top) The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias trailhead’s parking lot. Notice size of cars in comparison to these largest living trees on the planet.  (Second) Grizzly Giant. (Third) Julianne G Crane and Jimmy Smith at the California Tunnel Tree. (Fourth) Entry sign to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. (Photos by Julianne G. Crane)

Historical ghost town and funky Burgdorf Hot Springs, 30 miles north of McCall, Idaho

Julianne G. Crane
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Historical ghost town and funky Burgdorf Hot Springs, 30 miles north of McCall, Idaho
Burgdorf Hot Springs (Julianne G. Crane)


Burgdorf Hot Springs is a “rustic” resort nestled in the mountains of Idaho, north of McCall.

 Established in 1870, Burgdorf is both a hot springs and ghost town. Remains of cabins and an old hotel can be seen in a meadow on private land surrounded by the Payette National Forest. Burgdorf offers 15 rustic cabins for rent ranging from 70 to 132 years old.

Camping: There is no facilities for RV/tent camping on the hot
springs grounds, however there are two small forest service
campgrounds nearby. For information on those click on: RVWheelLife.com

 

Primary soaking pool, at far end are two smaller covered pools. (Julianne G. Crane)

The hot pools and cabins are open to the public 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Burgdorf features two small, 6 x 6-foot spring box pools (113°) and a 50 x 85-foot large pool (100°-104°) about chest deep, with a kiddy pool. Pools are fed by 150 gallon/minute hot water, both with sandy bottoms.

During the summer it is accessed north out of McCall, Idaho, by car along Warren Wagon Road (however in the winter access is limited to snow approved vehicles or cross-country ski).

“Pets on leash only” include bob cats.

Cost: Adult price is $6, Children under 14 – $4. Free for children under 5 years of age.

Dogs on leash only (that should read “Pets” on leash only. The day we were there a guy dropped by with his 11-year-old de-clawed bob cat.

This is not one of the cabins for rent.

Contact information:
Burgdorf Hot Springs

404 French Creek (USFS #246)
McCall, Id. 83638

(208) 636-3036

E-mail: BurgdorfHotSprings@gmail.com
URL: www.burgdorfhotsprings.com/

Directions: From McCall, north on paved Warren Wagon Road 30 miles to Burgdorf Junction, go west (left) on NF 246 dirt road about two miles.

For more stories written by Julianne G. Crane about the RV lifestyle go to RVWheelLife.com

 

Photos by Julianne G. Crane

Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns, in southeast Oregon

Julianne G. Crane
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Crystal Crane Hot Springs near Burns, in southeast Oregon
Crystal Crane Hot Springs natural pool. (Julianne G. Crane)

Weary travelers making their way east along US 20 from Bend to Burns, or north-south along US 95 in eastern Oregon might want to take a side journey along Hwy 70 to the wide spot in the road called Crystal Crane Hot Springs.

Yellow-chested Black bird (Julianne G. Crane)

Located 25 miles from Burns in the wide-open spaces, this  natural outdoor spring reservoir offers a panoramic view of the high desert region of southeast Oregon.

From “geothermal activity deep within the earth, the springs emerge with steaming hot water rich with minerals.”  Visitors can soak from early in the morning to witness a high desert sunrise to late at night to take in the immenseness of the starry sky.

Oscar the resident cat by showers.

Just a soak:
Pool: Day Use: $3.50; Family Day (Tuesday) $2/person
There are also private tubs $7.50/hour per person.

Staying overnight:
RV Sites: Water/Power: $18/night,  (2 people)
Water/Power/sewer: $20/night (min. two nights)
There are flush toilets, good clean showers.
There are also small cabins.
Price includes soaks anytime between check in and 11 a.m. the following morning (check out time)

Sign from the road.

More information:
Crystal Crane Hot Springs
59315 Hwy 78,
Burns, OR 97720
(541) 493-2312
www.cranehotsprings.com
9 a.m. – 9 p.m .
except Thanksgiving Day
and Christmas Day
Latitude:  43.439428   Longitude:  -118.639383

To read more about the RV Lifestyle written by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com

Photos by Julianne G. Crane.

Oregon’s Umpqua Lighthouse State Park & Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area

Julianne G. Crane
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Oregon’s Umpqua Lighthouse State Park & Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area
Umpqua Lighthouse

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park  is located south of Reedsport, less than a mile from the famous Salmon Harbor on Winchester Bay.

The 65-foot Umpqua Lighthouse towers above the entrance to Winchester Bay on a hill 100 feet above sea level surrounded by US Coast Guard buildings and a museum. This sentinel of the ocean contains a distinctive lens which emits a red and white flash some 20 miles out to sea.

“An earlier light structure, the first on the Oregon Coast, was built in 1857 on the south side of the river. It fell into the swollen water seven years later during a storm when the water eroded away the sand.

The current lighthouse was started in 1890 and was illuminated in 1894. It is the sister lighthouse to the one at Heceta Head just a few miles north of Florence. Both structures were built from the same plans.”

The lighthouse and museum are operated and maintained by the Douglas County Parks Department.

Freshwater Lake Marie sits within the Umpqua State Park. (Julianne G. Crane)

The adjacent Oregon State Park campground and developed day use areas are centered around beautiful freshwater Lake Marie. There is a pleasant trail around the perimeter of the lake. Access to this small lake is provided for angling and non-motorized boating. There is also a small sandy beach set aside for swimming or just relaxing.

For lots and lots more sand, a short distance away is an impressive stretch of towering sand dunes protected by the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area.

Jimmy Smith walking Oregon Dunes near Umpqua State Park. (Julianne G. Crane)

We walked along the dunes, many of which reach heights of 500 feet. Off-road four-wheeler enthusiasts enjoy the dunes in designated areas nearby.  For more information about the dunes and the recreational opportunities offered, contact the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area visitor center in nearby Reedsport or call (541) 271-3611.

Campers may experience late night noise from Dune Fest in July.

Campsite overlooking Lake Marie

Umpqua Lighthouse State Park Campground information

Approximately 10 full hookup sites
Approximately 9 electrical & water
More than 20 tent sites with water nearby
Two rustic yurts
Six deluxe yurts (one pet-friendly)
Two rustic log cabins
Hiker/biker camp
Hot showers and flush toilets

Reservations on line: Click here
By phone: Mon-Fri: 800.452-5687

To read additional articles about RV lifestyle by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com.
To read more about our stay at the campground, click here.


Photos by Julianne G. Crane:  Click on pictures to enlarge. (From top) Umpqua Lighthouse; Lake Marie; Oregon Dunes; our campsite overlooking Lake Marie, as seen from the trail.

“Best Date Shake in Desert,” great deli sandwiches in Coachella Valley

Julianne G. Crane
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“Best Date Shake in Desert,” great deli sandwiches in Coachella Valley
Windmill Market in Desert Hot Springs, Ca. (Julianne G. Crane)

If you have ever traveled through the Indio-Palm Springs region of the Coachella Valley in Southern California, chances are you’ve seen them–the numerous signs declaring “World Famous Date Shakes.”

I must admit, I’m always up for ferreting out the next great, super thick, extra frosty, spoon-able milk shake. So, the last time we pulled into Desert Hot Springs to visit my longtime gal pal, Rachel Scott, she told me about the Windmill Market on the outskirts of town that touts the “Best Date Shake in the Desert.” Off we went for our own taste test.

Inside Windmill Market (Julianne G. Crane

The Windmill Market sits on an almost-barren stretch of Indian Canyon Drive near Dillon Road. From the outside, it is modest and very unpretentious. The parking lot has a mere four slots, one of which is handicapped-only. There is enough room for most RVs on the dirt area just north of the deli, and I spotted a tour van parked on the dirt shoulder just south of the store.

The inside of this mom-and-pop establishment is comfortable and welcoming with a down-home funkiness. There are retro signs, black-and-white photographs, Moon Pies and an amazing soda selection including butterscotch root beer. The little market offers a
limited selection of fresh fruit and produce.

Owner Lee Olsen points to menu. (Julianne G. Crane)

Owner Lee Olsen says he hasn’t changed the prices in years. The deli menu features: 

– $3.99 made-to-order sandwiches including ham, turkey, pastrami, roast beef, vegetarian and the extremely popular, nostalgic liverwurst. Comes with potato or macaroni salad, or small bag of chips.
– .99-cent loaded ground beef tacos. There are also burritos, quesadillas, salads and hot dogs.
– Daily week-day specials including Monday’s meatloaf, mashed potatoes, vegetable and garlic bread for $5.99.

But what really calls to this visitor on a warm day is that promise of the “Best Date Shake in the Desert.” Each shake is made-to-order the old-fashioned way with real milk, real vanilla
ice cream and real medjools dates from local farms. Prices: $2.99 for a small, $3.99 for a large.

Julianne and Rachel sip their date shakes in the garden patio.

Another delightful surprise is the garden patio behind the market. There are colorful plants and tables with umbrellas. Take in the mountain views

a few miles north of Palm Springs.

This is a great little place to kick off your visit to the Coachella Valley. Chances are you will want to come back for a second Daily Special, or another delicious date shake.

Fresh dates. (Julianne G. Crane)

Windmill Market
17080 N. Indian Canyon Dr.
Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240

 Take out orders: (760) 251-4489

Hours:
Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Directions:
From I-10, Exit 120 and head north for about 1-1/2 mile. It’s on the right (east)
From CA 62 (Twentynine Palms Highway), turn east on Dillion Road, 3.2 miles to Indian Canyon Drive, turn south and spot it on the left (east).
(Near the corner of Indian Canyon and Dillon)

To read more RV lifestyle articles by Julianne G. Crane go to RVWheelLife.com
Photos by Julianne G. Crane. Click on photos to enlarge.

Tubac, Arizona = Southwest art, pottery, clothing, food, history

Julianne G. Crane
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Tubac, Arizona = Southwest art, pottery, clothing, food, history
General Store in Tubac, Arizona. (Julianne G. Crane)

The recorded history of Tubac dates back to 1691 when Padre Kino established a mission at Tumacacori and the Tubac area became a mission farm and ranch. Established as a community in 1752, Tubac is sits in south central Arizona, 45 miles south of Tucson, just east of I-19 at exit 34.

It lies in the Santa Cruz River Valley and is bordered by Santa Rita, Tumacacori and San Cayetano Mountains. By the mid-1800s the area boomed with the discovery of gold in the nearby mountains.

Jimmy Smith looking through pottery. (Julianne G. Crane)

Today, Tubac is an arts and crafts colony that boosts more than 100 eclectic shops, galleries and cafes.

This internationally known artist community, with numerous historic sites, hosts a variety of special events annually including: Festival of the Arts (February); Art Walk (March); Anza Days (October); Art Experience (November); Luminarias (December).

Artisan jewelry in General Store

It’s easy to pass a lazy morning simply browsing through a handful of shops, then pausing for lunch at one of the many local eateries before returning to a few more stores for original art work, including local pottery, wood and silver work, stitchery, and amazing Southwest clothing.

Plaza Road in Tubac, Ariz. (Julianne G. Crane)

As for historical interest, Tubac has been home to at least five distinct cultures: Hohokam
(300-1400 AD); O’odham (Pima and Papago) in the 1500s; Spanish
(1752-1821); Mexican (1821-1853); and American (1853-present).

Tubac’s fortunes rose and fell with the establishment and withdrawal of military forces from 1752 through the surrender of Geronimo in 1866.

Tubac Center of the Arts on north of Plaza. (Julianne G. Crane)

The Presidio San Ignacio de Tubac was the first European settlement in what later became the state of Arizona. The village preserves three significant buildings on the National Register of Historic Places: Arizona’s second oldest Territorial School House (1885),  the Rojas House (1890), and the Otero Hall (1914).

 

For more information:
Tubac Chamber of Commerce: www.tubacaz.com

To learn more about the nearby Tumacacori Mission click here for a post on RV Short Stops.

And for more about other local places to visit, click on: the Santa Cruz Chili & Spice Co. and the Tumacacori Outpost, with its hodge-podge of antiques and collectibles.

To enlarge photos, just double click on them.
To read more writing by Julianne G. Crane, go to RVWheelLife.com

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