The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-02-12


HnS& place of GOODNESS in a region of
uA----4ss-~2 binding heat, an exotic and ro-
E~-Sk<- mantle spot in a country ruled
NJ * over by picturesque sheik. So
szEE~ NJ it is something of a surprise to
learn that there is a genuine
%-----1 oasis in the United States
scenic spot in our land of many natural won
ders that is unique in the New world and that
cannot be duplicated except in the Old
That is the oasis of Palm Springs on the
edge OF the cOlOrful COachella valley in South
ern California. Around it stretches the Colo
RADIO desert with its ever-shiftfng sand Dunes
entIcing mirages, delicate wild flowers and
unique plant life. Throughout the year the sun
drenches the land with its warm rays Directly
in back of the village rise the precipitous walls
OF the mighty San Jacinto mountains, reaching
skyward to a height of almost two miles and
here is where the miracle exists. The peaks of
the San JacintOs are covered with snow almost
the year round One may stand in the village
and gaze on engaging panoramas of desert
scenery, feel the vibrant rays of the sun turn
ing his skin TO a nut-brown hue, and then look
upward to see a mountain covered with snow
appearing almost close enough to touch in the
clear desert air
The desert is a coIOrfuI rainbow-like place
dominated by vivid purple hues When sunset
creeps over the sandy-land there is no more
beautiful sight in all the world, the sands aglow
the frightening shadows
One of the wonder spots of Palm Springs
is Palm canyon, whose yawning mouth forms a
beautiful "back-dOOr" for the village Palm cam
yon is winding gorge lined on both sides with
tall, graceful palms. These palms, native of
this locality, are of the Washington Filifera
variety, and their origin will probably be for
ever a mystery Eminent scientists believe that
they date from previous geologic age as these
are the only palms indigenous TO the United
States. The canyon is filed with thousands
of these desert sentinels which rise TO surpris-
ing heights and extend many miles up the can
yon.
Through this grove of stately palms flows a
COOL murmuring stream, bearing out the old
Arabian proverb that, "A palm shall grow with
its feet in water and it's head in the fiery fur
mace of heaven 1t is expected that the entrance
of this canyon together with portions of Muir
ray and Andreas canyons, will be made into a
national monument, preserving for posterity the
virgin splendor of this sub-tropical wonderland
This is but one of the picturesque canyons in
this vicinity. The place abounds in beautiful
back-country ravines. each with its different
scenic attractions and legends that have come
down through the ages from the ancestors of the
Cahuilla Indians.
Andreas canyon, named after a chieftain of
the tribe that inhabited this region in earliest
days, still contains relics of forgotten times It.
like Palm canyon, is the home of many gorgeous
palms.
One would not expect to find a coral reef in
this desert land but such is the name of a
mountain wall on the southwestern side of the
valley. There is real coral deposit here of
course, but the vanishing water of an ancient
left a quantity of calcium carbonate close
~ resembling coral, and so the queer appel
lation was bestowed the place
The DEVILS Garden is an apty named mesa
she Iictap f,a ,-;IIo,
be found concentrated growth of all varieties
of cacti, including the plump barrel cacti, those
water-flled life savers of the deserts, whose
value the government has set at S25 per cactus
Theatergoers, the world over have thrilled
TO the sight of romantic desert cheftan
charging dune his trusty-dusty mount
As depicted in the films these dunes look for
all the world like the sands of the Sahara
which they represent. The ever-shifting sand
dunes near Palm Springs have been the back
ground for many a desert cinema production
The great masses of sand with their wind-ruf-
fled burrows are memorable sight TO see
Tahquitz canyon. named for the evil spirit
of the Cahuilla Indians, has many interesting
geological formations. short distance up the
canyon a beautiful waterfall tumbles down. To
the weary traveller just off the desert this cool
spray of wafer appears like a mirage.
Other notable spots of interest around Palm
Springs Whitewater canyon the Vande-
venter trail, Two-Bunch Palms. Thousand Palm
canyon Snow Creek canyon, Seven Palms.
Painted canyon. Murray canyon Mission Creek
canyon Magnesia Spring canyon, the Garnet
Hills and Hidden Spring canyon.
The Salton sea, one of the queerest of ma
lures pranks. is located at the south end of the
Coachella valley. A great inland sea. it is the
lowest body of water in the United States and
is 2S7 feet below sea level. 1t was formed by
overflow of the Colorado river and is now a
isherman's and fowl hunters paradise Its
bouyant surface permits many unusual aquatic
feats.
But the unique location of Palm Springs does
not begin to tell the story of this fascinating
land of rare allurement. this enchanting village
which. in the past decade has been aroused
from the dodrums of a sleepy watering place
TO the position Of Americas foremost desert
resort.
The history of Palm Springs does not go
back antiquity. In fact the village is COM