I love the desert and when Steve told me he needed to meet up with his brother, Kevin, I joined in the fun.  It was a perfect day to head to the Coachella Valley.

While Steve and Kevin talked 'shop', I explored the local history.   Palm Desert's neighboring town, Palm Springs, was famous for  being Hollywood's playground, since the 1920s.  It was a place for celebrities to relax and escape from the hustle and bustle of showbiz. The legendary "Two-Hour Rule" of Hollywood studios put it on the map as a perfect getaway. Actors under contract had to be available within two-hours from the studio just in case last minute film/photo shoots had to occur.

And while Palm Desert was right next door, the early maps labeled Palm Desert as a Sand Hole. In the 1930s a few homes were built and lots sold.  Edgar Bergen (of Charlie McCarthy fame), who had a ranch here, talked some brothers into developing the 1,600 acres used by General Patton's tank repair facility during the war (World War II brought General Patton to this Desert to train for African warfare).

No one, way back when, ever dreamed this would become a world-class destination resort. No one except Cliff Henderson and his brothers Randall, Phil and Carl, who along with their brother-in-law and investors, including Edgar Bergen, Leonard Firestone and Harold Lloyd, turned a sand hole into a sparkling jewel called Palm Desert.  Each time I return here, I learn a little bit more and become eager to return again.