P.S. (I love you]

By Bob Damron

Recently, I spent several happy days between Christmas and New Year's in Palm Springs, California. With much of the nation covered with snow, P.S. (I loved you), reached record seasonal highs in the eighties! While there is a large gay communty for a town of only 30,000, it reaches a much higher peak during the season...from late October through Memorial Day.

Of prime concern is where to stay, as 'in season' reservations are hard to come by, and should be made well in advance. Fortunately, there are nearly as many gay hotels or motels as there are guest houses in Key West. For years I have stayed at the Desert Palms Inn at 67-580 Highway 111 (E. Palm Canyon Dr.) near Cathedral City...and close to most bars. On my last visit the maintenance was not up to par, and I hope congenial host Burr will correct this soon.

For cleanliness, Dave's Villa Caprice can best be rated as a

have done wonders with the very elegant El Mirasol Villas at 525 Warm Sands Drive. The Desert Paradise at 772 Prescott is straight' from January through March, but popular with gays the rest of the year. The aptly named Hideaway is a quiet and friendly retreat further out at 71-472 Culver Drive in Rancho Mirage. Other hostelries include Cactus Lambda, Chrysalis, Green Gables, Harlow Haven, Palm Canyon, Patio Manor, Pine West, Tara and the Zeppelin,

disaster area. Located just DOING

behind the Desert Palms, at 67-

Images (a disco) and Kicks (cruise bar)... it's image is not improved, and I didn't get my kicks. The hottest place in P.S. (I love it) is C.C. Construction Co., a very cruisy macho disco at 68449 Perez Road. Lesbians prefer dancing at Aunt Hattie's, 68-999 Broadway, just off Hwy. 111. Levi, leather and western guys frequent BUNS at 68-657 Hwy. 111 or the nearby Party Room, a somehow depressing beer bar.

P.S. has several gay restaurants, of which His & Hers at 68599 Hwy. 11 is by far the best.

Others include the Iron Hoof and Maria's. There are more good straight restaurants than in many major cities. Among my favorites are Adriatic, Etienne's, F. Scott's, Iron Gate, Las Casuelas Nuevas, Lord Fletcher, Lyon's, Melvyn's and the wickedly expensive Le Vallauris. While most are casual, call first for dress codes.

The Fire Island of California is about a two hour drive east of Los Angeles, and can be reached by direct flights from many major

670 Carey Road, it also has a AMERICA cities throughout America. It was

swimming pool, jacuzzi and sauna. On most late nights, there are more horny guys upright between these two places than there are palm trees. If you ever enjoyed the 'bushes' between Cherry Grove and The Pines on Fire Island...wait until you try P.S. (You'll love it).

WITH

BOB

originally settled as a movie colony 'hideaway', then discovered by Dwight Eisenhower, Jerry Ford and other affluent celebs.

DAMRON Now we're here..and I think to

For years The GAF (spelled backwards it's fag) was the most Long-time friends Bob and Jim popular club around. Now called

stay...despite harassement by the California Highway Patrol around the area of the gay bars on Hwy. 111...so don't drive if you've been drinking.

The sunny climate is the major attraction of this desert oasis, but even with hot days, the nights can be forty degrees cooler, so bring warm clothes too. Swimming, hiking, cycling, volley ball,

MARCH 1981 HIGH GEAR Page 5

golf, ping pong, tennis and other sports are available. So is my favorite indoor (and occasionally outdoor) sport...SEX! All I can say is P.S. (I love you). I'll bet you will too!

Mist-A-Henry & Sam welcome you to

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cocktails

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