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It never rains in Southern California?

By
Real Estate Agent with Elaine Stewart is the #1 Individual RE/MAX Agent for 13 years straight in the Coachella Valley. (760) 668-2399 BRE# 01169846

 

 Umbrella

Sometimes it seems that way, and certainly that's been the case over the past few years. We've had quite a dry spell, a drought even. But surprise surprise! if the beautiful Coachella Valley didn't get more rain in one day (this past week) than it the past two years combined! 

I've written before on this blog about how the aquifer underneath our desert floor provides us with much of our water, and how this makes us less dependant on the Colorado River and other sources California's water comes from. That's great for pragmatic water uses, yes. But nothing beats that fresh smell after a desert rain.

Many folks believe the smell comes from Desert Sage but it's mainly the Creosote Bush (which covers much of the Sonoran Desert, where the Coachella Valley sits on the extreme western edge). These plants are more moisture-driven than most desert plants, so they have very long roots,  up to 60 to 70 feet sometimes. Also, they have pores on them to absorb even more moisture, and these open up after a rain, to absorb it.  Hence the amazing scent it produces.

Somebody should bottle the stuff if they haven't already. Yes, we've all come across candles and sprays and potpourris called "Desert Rain," but they pale in relation to the real thing.  Better yet, ask a Palm Springs Real Estate agent where you might find a field of Creosote, perhaps it's adjacent to (or even part of) your new home in the desert?

Comments(2)

Deborah Burns ~ Seattle Real Estate Agent
Realty Executives -BRIO - Seattle, WA
That is interesting about the creosote bush and the desert air after the rain, something I did not know, thank you Elaine.  I also remember the fresh smell of the rains approaching on the wind, I think that part of that was the actually ozone and dampened dust.
Dec 05, 2007 01:02 AM
Rob Baldwin
US ECO-GREEN REAL ESTATE INC. - Santa Clarita, CA
REALTOR, Santa Clarita
Elaine, I to love that smell. Funny you mention it never rains in So. Cal. Once upon a time I was taking a oceanography course and was talking about that very same fact, when all of a sudden the sky opened up and it poured. She had the back door to the class open so it was'nt hard to hear. I am glad we are finally getting some well deserved rain.
Dec 05, 2007 11:13 AM