Lazy Lizard Ranch Entrance – Photo: Brenda C Hill
Today I travelled through a high desert sand and wind storm to reach a rural ranch on a dirt road in the Lucern Valley of the Mohave Desert. The Lazy Lizard Lodge is a hidden gem, yet well known to the owners family and friends who seek a quiet oasis of peace and tranquility.
What I love most about the Lazy Lizard is exactly what the name suggests. I can lounge around the large sunny pool all day like a lazy lizard.
Old Stage Coach Stop = Photo: Brenda C Hill
This 60 plus acre ranch offers fascinating history lessons . Once a stage coach stop, a commune, a guest ranch, and a movie set, the amiable owner and manager, Jerry, is happy to fill you in.
Jerry’s Festive Margarita Bar – Photo: Brenda C Hill
My other favorite spot, especially after a wilderness hike seeking wildflowers, is the Margarita Bar. I feel as if I am back in Key West or the Bahamas dancing with Jimmy Buffet while sipping a cold margarita.
Lazy Lizard Single Room – Photo: Brenda C Hill
Each room has a different desert view and varied vintage decor. Most are enhanced with handmade quilts. Local quilters meet at the ranch to perfect their craft.
For culinary adventures one can drive a short way for surprising options including a pizza place, A Mexican cafe with an an early happy hour, the general store which sells pools and fireplaces, plus prepares fresh sandwiches.
China House is perfect for our group of six writers with large round tables and many choices of authentic cuisine to share family style. Besides the popular Polynesian and Cantonese pu pu platters, one can dine on Mandarin or Szechwan cuisines
Cafe 247 – Photo: Brenda C Hill
Perhaps no cheeseburgers in Paradise, yet the Cafe 247 serves a dozen specialty burgers. I enjoy the all day brunch of California burritos with deep fried jalapeño poppers.
The 247 cookies are made from scratch and are freshly baked. Another unique treat is elderberry and salted caramel ice cream shakes. No chains near the Ranch. Simply good ole school regional cooking from the heart.
Lucky me to discover a real ranch retreat with a cool pool only an hour away from the hot springs near Palm Springs. This spot is ideal for couples, a girls get-away, corporate retreats, family reunions, or a single writer seeking solitary stillness.
Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers AssociationSociety of Professional Journalists
California Writers Club
Books By Hills Success With Writing Where And What in the WorldBrenda Hill is an Events Blogger with Amigos de La Cruz for the Vallarta Tribune. The weekly covers entertainment, art, culture, and news for Riviera Nayarit,
Puerto Vallarta.If you would like to submit a guest post on food, wine or travel to Where and What in the World, we would be happy to feature your travel experience , drink, special wine tasting, or family or simply delicious recipe. If you go to submission tab, you will see how to submit, as well as have the opportunity of telling us if you would like to would like to be a regular contributor. When uploading a file for submission, you are also able to upload jpgs. Please feel free to put a last paragraph about you and a link to your profile. No html please. You can also include a head shot.
Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
