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Itineraries

“They loved us,” Craig exclaims. As a high school music teacher, Craig Gahnz is very proud of his chorale’s recent successful performances in Italy. Rancho Mirage resident, Craig and his partner Vince Keenan live a busy life working and caring for their two adopted sons Spencer and Carter. Craig is in tip top physical shape. He has to be to balance his busy teaching career, leading the chorus at his church and school, and being Dad to two active children at home. Craig’s professional career started as a hoofer on Broadway where he sang and danced on New York’s Broadway; but now he’s living the good life in Rancho Mirage.

Here is Craig’s 3-day action adventure itinerary.

Rancho Mirage residents Craig Gahnz with his partner Vince Keenan, cycling at dusk without breaking a sweat. 
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Craig Gahnz
 

Get out the bikes! A Sunrise ride from Rancho Mirage to Palm Springs and back starts our day.

A 10 mile bike ride west takes you to Palm Springs and a 10 mile ride east takes you to La Quinta. For specific bicycle routes, visit www.cycleclub.com. Hungry?
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Craig Gahnz
BREAKFAST There are plenty of great breakfast choices in the area when you finish the bike ride, but Ruby’s Diner is first in my book. American breakfast classics served up in generous proportions. Oh and the pancakes, so good.
  You deserve to relax now. Try my favorite treatments from Spa Las Palmas at the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa. Begin with a Turkish Salt Scrub followed by a Shiatsu Massage, both restorative and great for the skin.

Now to take the new you and sport a new style. Marco Davinci at The River is the place for all the hottest designer jeans and form fitting tees. The britches make the man!
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Craig Gahnz
  Modernism is BIG is the Palm Springs Valley. Perhaps the most significant collection of architecture and shops with mid-century modern accessories can be found in the region. Head for Palm Springs and stop first at Palm Springs Consignment: a warehouse size outlet chock-full of finds. Then onto Modern Home for one of California’s best resources for retro interior design. Next the 111 Antique Mall for cool kitsch. Modern Way is where you can find furniture by the big mid-century designers such as Eames and Elrod. The Galleria is an arcade with a collection of small shops filled with vintage artwork and objects from around the world. And Fitzsu Society is dedicated to designer objects and accoutrement by many contemporary names such as Frank Gehry, Max Bill and Michael Graves.
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Craig Gahnz
DINNER Now marvel at mod architecture. Ken Kellogg’s restaurant masterpiece in Rancho Mirage now houses Haleiwa Joe’s Seafood Grill. This amazing organic almost underground building is a not-to-be-missed destination where great cocktails can be had along with scrumptious food. Truly memorable end to a Modernist day.

But wait! Hit the Agua Caliente Casino • Resort • Spa Rancho Mirage and see if lady luck is on your side. Bet she is!
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Craig Gahnz
BREAKFAST The jewel of the Palm Springs Valley is 20,000 acres of pristine desert wilderness located within the Coachella Valley Preserve. With 20 miles of hiking trails; a morning hike here is a great way explore the desert flora and fauna.

Take a picnic breakfast or at least a smoothie or squeeze from Juice It Up. That way you can hike while sipping on a “Lava Flow”.
LUNCH Another jewel of the Palm Springs Valley and Rancho Mirage is Las Casuelas Nuevas Mexican restaurant. Tradition and a relentless commitment to dining excellence inspired a unique fusion of the timeless tastes of Mexico with modern style.
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Craig Gahnz
LUNCH The Delgado family has owned and operated restaurants for 50 years in the Palm Springs Valley and welcomes you to try their family recipes and new creations while enjoying their award winning atmosphere, cuisine, patio and of course margaritas!

Stop by the Atrium Design Center to check out the design-central of the Palm Springs Valley. With the hottest mod and contemporary home accents and furnishing stores in the valley; this is a must visit for anyone near Rancho Mirage.

Reserve a sunset “Champagne” adventure, hot-air-balloon ride with Fantasy Balloon Flights.
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Craig Gahnz
  It’s a really memorable way to spend an evening in the Palm Springs Valley. FAA-certified pilots guide 2 to 10 passenger, multicolored hot-air balloons aloft to give you a bird's-eye view of the many country clubs, the low desert's winter wildflowers, date palm groves, and citrus. Be sure to make a reservation at least a week in advance.
DINNER Dinner at Lord Fletcher’s can be a blast. Mate, it is like stepping right into an English pub. Roast beef and Yorkshire pudding – Cheers!

For a taste of old Hollywood with a splash of Bing, cap off the night with a drink at Bing Crosby’s Restaurant and Piano Bar. The bar here can get packed, the vibe is classic Hollywood and is worth being seen here.
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Craig Gahnz
  Wagons ho! Well, while wagons may no longer be the mode to explore the desert, Desert Adventure Jeep Tours are. The Indian Culture Jeep Tour delves into the lives of the Cahuilla Indians to give you a glimpse of the customs, ceremonies, and everyday lives of these hunter/gatherers. I recommend the Faultline Adventure; a journey through a natural palm oasis, spectacular box and slot canyons, and an ancient fossil bed as your jeep winds its way through the incredible maze created by the San Andreas Fault.

Now that you got the lay of land, check out our wildlife at The Living Desert. Here you can catch a glimpse of Rancho Mirage’s, Bighorn Sheep as well as learn about our local tarantulas and butterflies.
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Craig Gahnz
DINNER Let us wrap up the day with lettuce wraps at PF Chang’s China Bistro. The P.F. Chang's experience is a unique combination of Chinese cuisine, attentive service, wine, and tempting desserts all served in a stylish, high-energy bistro.

Finally just relax. Enjoy a night cap at Piero’s Acqua Pazza. As the moon rises over the Santa Rosa Mountains, you too will know why this is a perfect ending to another perfect day in the Palm Springs Valley and Rancho Mirage.
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