We decided to spend a few days in Desert Hot Springs at the Caliente Springs Resort. That was a good place to get our laundry done, clean up the trailer, and hang out at the pools.
We took a day to explore the area around the town; and because it was H’s birthday, I took him to lunch where he finally had his first In-N-Out Burger. As the saying goes, “Nothin’s too good for my baby!”.
That afternoon, we visited the Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs. Cabot Yerxa homesteaded 160 acres in DHS, and in the process of digging a well, he discovered the mineral springs that the area is popular for. He was able to dig another well close by and find fresh water, too. He had found the perfect place to build; so when he was 58 years old, he began building his pueblo.
He spent many years building his pueblo, which he used as a home and a museum. Before he died, his pueblo was a mere 5000 square feet. He invited artists to retreat there, and kept the floor of one of his “living rooms” as bare dirt in order for his Native American friends to feel comfortable when they visited.
The tour was interesting. I found his “bedroom” to be claustrophobia inducing. But when he was single, I guess it made sense for him to sleep there. It was next to the fireplace for the cold nights, and in the lower level of the house so it stayed cool in the summer.
If you’re ever in Desert Hot Springs and you are retired (they will ask), it’s worth the $11 price tag to tour the pueblo.
Be sure and check out H's Gallery for more pueblo photos.
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