Off we go to China Ranch Date Farm.  China Ranch Road winds down a steep, narrow wash then opens into a lush oasis.  Date palms are scattered among the cottonwood and willow that line the banks of a meandering creek.  It is a lovey setting.  The “Ranch” is a collection of run-down buildings with a fair number of trailers thrown in for what we imagine is housing for ranch labor.  The gift shop is chock full of stuff ranging from Native American crafts to spiritual crystals and hand-made soap.  We sample a half dozen varieties of dates from the dozen or so they grow here.  I come home with a pound of Zahidi dates.  They are not as sweet as many we tried with more of a real flavor.  We passed on the many baked goods (cookies, muffins cakes and breads) but did share a date shake.  It was tastier than I recall my last date shake…not just sweet but sort of nutty or earthy tasting.  Quite good.

Trails along the creek and ridges are probably quite nice but it is rainy and muddy so we take a pass on the hiking and head back to town.  The weather didn’t allow for a great first impression of the place.  Perhaps it is worthy of another stop some bright, sunny, but not too hot day to check out the rest of what the “Ranch” has to offer.