Cool Creamy Summer Drink


Now that it's over 100 degrees everyday, go down to Shields Date Garden and have a date shake. Drink one of those and you'll be full for hours.

For the past two days I've been shooting the date farms and gardens in Thermal and Coachella. If you've never been out there, it's beautiful.

Once you get to Thermal, drive toward the mountain down Harrison past 60th Ave. Keep going down Harrison and you'll get to not only huge date farms but also areas where grapes, strawberries and corn are grown. Who would have known?

The juxtaposition of the pastel brown soil against rows of bright green strawberry plants behind which huge date palms tower is stunning. Once you're done driving the back roads, head to Sheild's Date Garden.

Don't take Highway 10, but stay on the local roads north that are close to the mountain for scenic views of the farmlands and date palms.

Once you get to Shields, order a date shake at the retro counter, a flashback to the 1950s. The place has been there for years and sells every kind of date there is. Indulge in the free samples. Try them all and you'll get a sugar rush that suddenly gives you a burst of energy.