We Tour Jojoba Hills

There has been so much going on here that I can't wait until tomorrow to write about it! On Friday we took an official tour of Jojoba Hills. Our tour guide, John, was very thorough and answered all of our many questions.

First of all I must start with this shot of the surrounding area.  This is a typical view here. There is a tiny white building at the base of the Paloma Mountains--can you see it? Probably not, because the mountains are so huge and the building is so small.  Maybe you will get some idea of the size of these mountains. Click to embiggen.

John used a golf cart to transport us to the many areas of the park because it is quite large and there are a lot of hills. We see a lot of fit people around here! There is a clubhouse that houses a large dining hall and kitchen, a library with thousands of books videos to borrow, locker rooms with saunas, exercise room, billiard room, card room, mail room, craft room, sewing room, a pool and two hot tubs (one in the sun, one in the shade.)

The heated pool has a fabulous view of the mountains, and I am told that it is a bit surreal to be swimming in it in January when there is snow on the mountains.

We visited the site of Mama and TJ, Jr, two desert tortoises who live at the park. Their owner found a tortoise as a child and painted his initials on the shell. As a young adult he set the tortoise free because he could no longer care for it. Years later, while visiting his old home which had been sold to another couple, the man found his old tortoise and reclaimed him, along with the creature's mate and offspring. While old TJ the tortoise has passed on, his wife and son now live here in a yard enclosed by a stone wall.  They come out for bites of rose blossoms which grow nearby, and will gently take them from your hand.

The park features many waterfalls and ponds, all built and maintained by volunteers. Here is "Viagra Falls"...

...and Pond 6, not too far from the dog park.

This time of year the Aftrican Daisies are in bloom around the park, and they are really lovely.

I cannot get over how friendly the people are at this resort.  We were invited to a dinner on Friday night (no charge to members or guests) of lasagna, sausage, French bread, and dessert.  After our meal we had entertainment consisting of a small band and singer, while we all danced the evening away.  There is quite a large dance floor in the clubhouse.

I didn't take photos of the drawing and ceramic studios, the woodshop and metal shop, the air gun range (set off where the rest of the park can't hear the shooting,) the four pickle ball courts and tennis courts, the boondocking area and free RV storage area for members, or the ranch house complex that houses a kitchen and lounge for the use of all. The amazing part is that there are only a small handful of employees here--the park is maintained by volunteers who do a little bit each week to keep it beautiful. People do what they want to do...some garden, some build structures as needed, some give tours, some teach...

Fascinating place! I am sure we will enjoy our stay here.