Latest news with #highdesert
Forbes
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Today's ‘Wordle' #1445 Hints, Clues And Answer For Tuesday, June 3rd
How to solve today's Wordle. Looking for Monday's Wordle hints, clues and answer? You can find them here: The first Tuesday of June is upon us and apparently I've brought rain back with me from Scotland. It's quite lovely, actually. There's never enough rain in these high desert mountains. I'll take every drop I can get, and so will our poor, dry forests. Rain also means more time to spend indoors solving puzzles! Let's solve today's Wordle, shall we? The Hint: Taking care of business. The Clue: This Wordle begins with a vowel. Okay, spoilers below! The answer is coming! FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder . . . Today's Wordle Every day I check Wordle Bot to help analyze my guessing game. You can check your Wordles with Wordle Bot right here. I almost guessed ELDER as my opening guess today because I was writing about Elden Ring, but then I disliked using two E's and so I came up with a different word that had some similar letters: DEALT. This left me with just 36 remaining words but I chose to try all new letters for my second guess, CHOIR. Two options remained: VAPID or ADMIN. I chose the latter because I was 99% sure VAPID had already been a Wordle. Luckily for me, I was right! Today's Wordle Bot The Bot and I keep trading days. I win, then it wins, then I win. Today I get 1 point for guessing in three and 1 point for beating the Bot. The Bot gets 0 for guessing in four and -1 for losing to me. Our June totals are: Erik: 3 points Wordle Bot: 0 points 'Admin' is a clipped form of 'administrator,' which itself comes from Medieval Latin administrator ('one who manages'), based on Latin administrare ('to manage, attend to'), a compound of ad‑ ('to') + ministrare ('to serve'), from minister ('servant'). Let me know how you fared with your Wordle today on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook. Also be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow me here on this blog where I write about games, TV shows and movies when I'm not writing puzzle guides. Sign up for my newsletter for more reviews and commentary on entertainment and culture.
Travel Daily News
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Travel Daily News
Hotel Wren opens in Twentynine Palms
Hotel Wren reimagines a 1940s motel into a design-focused, nature-inspired retreat, offering guests a serene high desert experience. TWENTYNINE PALMS, CALIF. – Hotel Wren, a meticulously reimagined 1940s roadside motel, is now open in Twentynine Palms, offering a design-driven stay at the gateway to Joshua Tree's north entrance. Designed by Jessica Pell, founder of Los Angeles-based Manola Studio, the 12-room hideaway blends historic motel culture with modern craftsmanship, embracing the rugged beauty and quiet magnetism of California's high desert. Set just 10 minutes from Joshua Tree National Park, Hotel Wren is more than a place to stay – it's a space designed for stillness, where the vastness of the desert meets a considered, intimate retreat. Here, architecture and landscape exist in quiet conversation, inviting guests to slow down, take in the shifting desert light, and experience a place that feels both timeless and deeply connected to its surroundings. A Love Letter to the Desert 'Hotel Wren is my love letter to the desert, a place that still recenters me every time I return,' says Jessica Pell, founder of Manola Studio. 'Joshua Tree has a way of making you feel both small and completely at home – its ancient rock formations shaped by time, the endless horizon, the sky burning gold before deepening into a field of stars. It quiets the noise and makes you listen. I wanted Wren to reflect that stillness, a space where architecture and landscape exist in quiet conversation, where every material and every detail is chosen with care and intention.' A Harmonious Blend of History and Modern Design Once a 1940s roadside lodge, Hotel Wren has been reimagined with care and restraint, preserving its original layout, restoring steel casement windows and architectural character, while introducing timeless materials and custom craftsmanship. The 12-room property balances rustic warmth with refined simplicity – where hand-troweled plaster meets custom terracotta floors, carved woodwork, and hand-painted tiles inspired by the high desert's flora and fauna. The interiors mirror the desert's shifting hues – cream, sand, sage, adobe pink, rust, and deep ochre—colors that evolve with the changing light. Santa Barbara-style plaster coats the walls inside and out, while Saltillo tile and fossilized flagstone ground the space in a distinctly Californian vernacular. At the heart of the hotel, the lobby serves as both a welcome space and a living room, where guests gather, linger, and take in the mountains that cradle Joshua Tree National Park. A fireplace, framed by warm custom millwork with hand-carved motifs by Nik Gelormino, anchors the space, celebrating the rhythms of nature. Above, a mural by artist Kim Swift stretches across the walls in homage to the surrounding landscape. Custom metal and glass doors frame the view, while vaulted ceilings create an airiness that lets the desert light in. The space is layered with a curated mix of vintage, custom, and locally sourced pieces, and bookshelves, hand-selected by Pell, hold volumes on astronomy, geology, hiking, birding, philosophy, and nature – an invitation to engage more deeply with the land and sky. Suites Designed for Slow Living Each suite-style guestroom is designed to feel like a private residence, a space to unwind, reset, and take in the stillness of the desert. King or Queen beds are dressed in Parachute linens, and rooms are stocked with Wonder Valley bath products, a yoga mat, a meditation blanket, and a pantry of artisanal teas and Canyon Coffee – small luxuries designed to encourage ritual and rest. Half of the rooms face the western desert, with bathtubs and private patios that open directly to the vast landscape. The remaining rooms offer enclosed patios and showers, creating a more secluded, intimate retreat. All feature built-in banquettes and gas fireplaces, inviting guests to sink in and stay awhile. In keeping with the hotel's commitment to reflection and presence, rooms are designed without televisions, offering a rare chance to unplug. Hotel Wren is also a 21+ property, fostering an environment of quiet connection to nature, to self, and to one another. Windsong: A Curated Bodega of Provisions and Objects More than a shop, Windsong is an extension of Hotel Wren's ethos – offering provisions, handcrafted wares, and objects that deepen a connection to place. Located just off the lobby, this carefully curated bodega blends desert essentials with keepsakes that carry the feeling of this landscape beyond the stay. Shelves are stocked with ceramics, textiles, natural apothecary, rare books, and handcrafted goods from independent makers, alongside a well-edited mix of pantry staples, wine, and provisions meant to be enjoyed under the desert sky. Whether selecting something for a hike, a home, or a memory, Windsong exists as a quiet invitation – to slow down, appreciate beauty, and take a piece of the desert with you. A Thoughtful Approach to Hospitality At Hotel Wren, luxury is about intention, not excess. It's felt in the warmth of a welcome, the ease of a well-considered space, and the quiet details that make a place feel personal. The hotel was designed to feel like stepping into a home – where every element has been chosen with care, and hospitality is rooted in connection. Guests are welcomed with a cocktail, invited to linger in the courtyard, and encouraged to settle into the rhythm of the desert. Evenings unfold naturally, with impromptu gatherings, shared conversations, and moments of stillness by the fire. Hotel Wren was created to foster a sense of belonging – where design, experience, and hospitality come together with thoughtfulness and ease. An Invitation to Experience the High Desert Long known as the quieter gateway to Joshua Tree National Park, Twentynine Palms has always been a haven for artists, adventurers, and those drawn to the raw beauty of the high desert. Now, a new energy is taking root, as a wave of design-forward stays, eclectic gathering spaces, and locally-driven businesses are reshaping the town's identity. Historic spots like 29 Palms Inn, a beloved adobe retreat from the 1920s, remain at the heart of the town, while Kitchen in the Desert, Out There Bar, and Mas o Menos have created new gathering places for artists, musicians, and travelers. The dusty 1930s and '40s motels, old adobes, and scattered homesteads that define the town's architectural landscape are now being carefully restored or reimagined, blending raw, utilitarian charm with a more refined, design-driven sensibility. As part of its commitment to environmental stewardship, Hotel Wren embraces and contributes to this evolving landscape, pledging a portion of proceeds to local organizations focused on land conservation, habitat restoration, and ecological preservation. More than just a place to stay, Hotel Wren reflects the spirit of Twentynine Palms – where history, design, and desert magic converge.
CNET
24-05-2025
- CNET
The 8 Hiking Gadgets I'm Taking for Spring and Summer Treks
My beautiful high desert location is famed for hiking when the days warm up and we spill out to explore the lakes, rivers and mountains surrounding us -- always trying to stay one step ahead of the crowds. And when prepping for a hike, I've got some tech I love to bring along. If you're planning a hike or camping trip in the next few months, take a look at my favorite gadgets and essentials that I've found can make all the difference, from an afternoon out on the trails to a whole weekend exploring. See what you need to add to your pack for next time. 1. A GPS tracker and communicator GPS communicators are a much-praised upgrade to traditional GPS maps. Garmin/CNET For serious hikers, a GPS device is a must-have, especially when exploring less-trod trails and documenting your route afterward. It also functions as a safety net if something goes seriously wrong or you lose your stuff (climbers may even want a dedicated tracker for their additional supplies). I like the basic GPS trackers like this $30 LandAirSea model, but it's easy to upgrade to a GPS watch. Nowadays, there's a new GPS darling on the scene that combines GPS with a satellite communicator or walkie-talkie, like this $400 Garmin model. That's pricey, but communication features can be invaluable, especially for more serious forays beyond the trails or for volunteer trail work. You could also upgrade to a GPS map version, like this more affordable $200 Garmin version. 2. Collapsible trekking poles Collapsible hiking poles come in very handy for unexpected events. Trekology Trekking or hiking poles are generally associated with uphill trails and icy or slippery conditions, but I've found they're a lot more useful than expected. Collapsible poles from Black Diamond or Trekology can easily fit in or on your pack and only come out when needed. They're a lifesaver if you or a buddy gets unexpectedly winded, finds a rough patch trail or becomes injured and needs a bit of help getting back to the roadside. You'll frequently be glad you brought them along. 3. Filtration straw or pump LifeStraw is at the top of the game, but there are many filtration options. LifeStraw While LifeStraw has popularized the easily packaged filtration device, you can these filters in all shapes and sizes for your hike. Some even include pumps to easily filter water and add it to a bottle or bucket from a nearby river, lake, pond or pool. With something as lightweight and affordable as a LifeStraw, you can add it to nearly any pack. But filtration devices are especially important if you're going to be out for more than a day or two. 4. Collapsible canteen Collapsible bottles are easy to find and much easier to hike with. Platypus While people love their Stanley Cups and Nalgenes (where I live we're Hydroflask people), those bottles are a little too large and heavy to comfortably take on every hike, especially if you're going to be carrying around a pack for a long time. And on longer hikes when space is at a premium, they grow even more annoying. My favorite alternative is a collapsible canteen or soft water bottle, like this $30 model from Hydaway. They're lightweight water bottles designed to save space when they aren't full. As long as you rinse them out and keep them clean, you can keep them with your hiking pack so you always have a way to quickly stock up on water and take a drink without weighing you down. Read more: Best Dog Toys, According to the Experts: Our Dogs 5. Daypack with battery pack Small daypacks like CamelBak and similar brands are perfect for afternoon or evening hiking plans. CamelBak/CNET Even casual hikers should invest in a simple daypack to carry along all these gadgets I'm talking about. A daypack is the smallest and most affordable version of a hiking backpack, popularized by brands like bike-friendly Camelbak (drinking straw included). They've got just enough room to store the essentials and a couple of snacks, plus a design that helps reduce sweat when walking in the heat. There are many options to upsize to larger packs for longer hikes, but you should take a look at this Gregory pack for a more affordable upgrade. Whatever you choose, I highly recommend adding a small battery pack so you have a way to charge your phone and devices when they run low. Some of my friends love portable solar panels for charging, but they aren't quite as convenient as slipping a battery pack into a spare pouch. 6. Rechargeable headlamp Today's headlamps are light, bright, easily rechargeable via USB, and can turn any color you want. Black Diamond/CNET If you're planning on camping for the evening, watching the sunset out on the trail or plotting a moonlight hike, you'll want a reliable headlamp to light up the dark while keeping your hands free. Today's headlamp bands are easy to pull on and quickly rechargeable, making them perfect for these types of shorter excursions. Black Diamond has some of my favorite options for around $50, but you can find many different options including more affordable picks. 7. An all-purpose pad or sweat cloth Kula's cloth is designed to help women hiking well beyond bathrooms, but these pads are surprisingly utilitarian. Kula/CNET Pee cloths are traditionally for those who need to find a quiet place to crouch, go and then clean up while out on the trails, but these cleaning pads are worth it no matter your bathroom plans. With decorative art, reflective strips, anti-microbial surfaces and reliable hand protection, they can serve as coffee cozies, de facto "gloves" to handle messes or potholders for hot soups, along with anything else you need. The pads can become surprisingly all-purpose, even if they never get called for bathroom duty -- just, uhh, remember to clean them before use. If you're very sure you won't need a pad like this, take a look at this PackTowl microfiber towel ($33)designed specifically for hikes and perfect for toweling off the sweat and mosquito spray when you need to. That way you won't have to worry about staining your favorite bandana. 8. A trusty hiking app Today's trail apps are far superior to any past options, so adopt one ASAP. Gaia GPS/Screenshot by CNET Finally, adding a hiking app to your phone can be tremendously helpful (although a waterproof map is always a good idea, too). Hiking apps, both national and local, excel at providing helpful information and up-to-date trail conditions as well as easily-zoomable maps for navigation. They're a big upgrade for any hiking endeavor and most can work offline if you want to download a map. If there's no standout hiking apps for your specific state, region or mountain range, then popular generic apps include AllTrails and Gaia GPS, both with free download options. I personally like Gaia GPS more if you're willing to sign up for a plan, but the many filters of AllTrails are available at no cost, which is always a great deal. If you want to spend a bit more, the latest Apple Watch and WatchOS 11 updates include some excellent and inuitive GPS improvements for hiking and finding waypoints -- without taking yourself too much out of the experience. And if batteries fail, I always like to have a physical map packed somewhere with a compass just in case. Now that you've started your journey, why not continue with our recommendations for the best outdoor tech, the top outdoor security cameras, how to add important security when living the van life, and our Editors' Choice picks for the top AI and future tech.
