One of Several Hangars at the Palm Springs Air Museum

The Coachella Valley is a prime location for an aircraft museum if for no other reason than many former military and civilian pilots retired there. As a result, the museum is unusually well staffed and equipped with planes and flying paraphernalia.

Last Monday, I visited the museum for the third time. I was happy to see that they had a new temporary hangar for a Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, which holds three records for speed at Mach-3 and above. Developed by Lockheed’s famous Skunk Works in Burbank, California, the SR-71 proved so useful that it was brought out of retirement twice.

SR-71 at the Palm Springs Air Museum

Of all the tourist sights in the Valley, I think the best two for children are the Living Desert in Palm Desert and the Palm Springs Air Museum. Never have I seen children so attentive as they viewed the exhibits. And, speaking as an adult, I found myself pretty attentive too.

Afterwards, my brother and i ate a great Mexican lunch at the San Miguel Taqueria on Ramon near Thousand Palms.