Finding Your Oasis

The name was evocative — Whitewater Preserve.

Fascinating. Made me think of rafting.

But I knew there weren’t any rapids, per se, in Southern California.

Were there?

Yet here we were, following the trail, clearly marked — River Access — in a place we’d never expected, surrounded by yellow wildflowers, rocky terrain and snowcapped and towering mountain peaks to the east.

And more unbelievably, we could hear it — the unmistakable and inviting sound of a flowing stream, almost a torrent — somewhere along the wall of this vast desert canyon.

We crossed the little man-made moveable footbridge, turned the corner and there it was, the Whitewater River, just rushing by. Then rushing by some more. Then rushing by some more. All day. All year?

Mystified, we gazed at one another and said, “Wait, this has been near Palm Springs… all this time?”

Eddie and I love to travel; love easy road trips.

For years Palm Springs has been a favorite let’s-just-get-the-hell-out-of-town escape from the sprawl of Los Angeles. My partner loves the tranquility of the desert (in the non-intense summer months) and I’ve also come to enjoy this destination. It’s just so different from the big city — a whole other ecosystem, and an easy drive away.

If you time the traffic right.

So for years — years! — we’d apparently sped right over this gushing, beautiful river (of literal white water) on Interstate 10, just five or six miles outside of Palm Springs, and never even noticed. Not once.

In fairness, it’s easy to get distracted by the giant wind turbines, the Mt. San Jacinto peaks rising before you, and by the sense that you’re finally only moments away from arrival into your mod and chic desert escape.

So the first time we heard about Whitewater Preserve, we were dubious — even expecting it to be some manmade reservoir and water treatment receptacle that had maybe been prettied-up to serve as a place to visit.

A fake water-feature destination.

But no, it was apparently a natural river, flowing almost year-round from the San Gorgonio Mountain and thus adding to the underwater aquifer that Palm Springs is famous for.

Really?, we thought. All year long, in that hot, baking desert?

Further research tells us the Wetlands Conservatory acquired the area in 2006 and spent a decade improving it before it became part of the Sand to Snow National Monument in 2016. Thanks again, President Obama.

Eddie and I are suckers for any free nature-viewing experience and after 16 years of exploring California, anything new-to-us is energizing, so we were off to give it our usual once-over.

And whoa, it did not disappoint.

It’s become an unexpected outdoor happy place for us.

After multiple trips, the Whitewater Preserve has already become a destination we recommend to even the most jaded pool-lounger snob who claims to know everything about Palm Springs, darling, everything! (Turns out they don’t).

The preserve is a short drive and a world away from the pulsating music around the pool, the constant dinging of that casino slot machine or the crowded art gallery opening gala.

Is there anything so instantly relaxing as the gentle sound of flowing water? Especially when you find it in what is otherwise a harsh desert environment. Talk about an oasis moment.

A short and easy drive off of Interstate 10, after paralleling the flowing river you never knew existed and still don’t believe does!, you come to the well-designed visitor center area with serene grasses, good signage and lots of parking.

There are well-marked hiking trails, and surprisingly just a mile in you can literally meet up with the Pacific Coast Trail, the epic north-south continental hiking trail featured in Cheryl Strayed’s book (and movie by the same name), Wild.

Whitewater is now on the itinerary every time we’re out to the Coachella Valley area during varying seasons and every time it’s unique — because the river is never in exactly the same place.

Bathing towels, water shoes and lightweight folding chairs have begun accompanying us so we can join the other frolicking folks and perhaps take a bracing dip of the toe — or more — in the cool waters.

It’s truly invigorating to be out in nature and feel so alive, simultaneously cooling off in the heat of summer and seeing towering scenery in every direction.

But the biggest thing for us?

That sense of discovery that can still be found right in our own backyard.

If you’re a restless wanderer with a sense of wonder like we are — a global vagabond or a weekend road trip warrior — you’re in the know then that the itch is persistent. It’s real and if you allow it, it’s life changing.

Nowadays, as Eddie and I zip over the Whitewater exit on our way to some other destination, it’s become a fun sidetrack moment from the farthest-right lane of traffic.

Is it still flowing?!?

Whether it’s February, August, November or December, we can’t help but take a quick glance from the highway — and always, always — at least so far — even with zero snow visible on the mountains, even though it hasn’t rained in months, we scream with glee, nod together and say —

Yes, it’s still flowing!!

Sometimes it’s the “little” things — like the gift of continuous water in a giant desert — that can bring the most joy to your heart.

You may even find your heart in the desert, if you allow it.

Thanks for reading words written by a human for humans. This piece was originally published on Medium.com.