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Lake Dredging Underway on the Phase 1 Golf Course at ORI
It’s the end of June, and yes—it’s hot. But the dry desert heat hasn’t slowed progress at Outdoor Resort Indio. One major summer improvement is now in motion: dredging the lakes on the Phase 1 golf course. After years of buildup, it was time to clear out the accumulated silt. The southern lake was tackled first, using a smaller, specialized dredging rig—think oversized industrial pool cleaner. The system uses a vacuum head that injects air to stir up the muck, then suctions it out. It’s a two-person job: one to manage the suction pole and another to guide the boat into position. The silt and water are pumped into massive black disposable porous bags via a long, flexible hose. Water gradually drains from the bags, leaving behind the dense sediment. According to the owner, there’s an art to filling these bags. To prevent them from potentially rolling back into the lake (like a giant creature from The Blob), they must be filled slowly—starting with the corners and center—before fully loading them. I didn’t ask how he learned that fact, but I can image. When work moved to the north lake, the team brought out the heavy-duty sled-style dredge. Equipped with a rotary tiller and high-powered suction, this rig required anchoring with ground stakes and steel cables to prevent it from being pulled too quickly across the lake by its own suction power. A Few Fun Facts:
1. The north lake had up to 4.5 feet of silt—reduced to just 6 inches by the end of day one.
2. All those lost golf balls? Yep—they’re now in the black silt bags. The smaller dredge got about half of them in the southern lake, but the larger dredge got them all on the northern lake. Anyone want to bet on how many?
3. An underwater camera was tested to film the action, but with visibility at just 6 inches, it was a no-go.
4. Once the black bags are full and drained, they’re left to bake in the summer sun. Once dry, they’re cut open and the nutrient-rich material is repurposed elsewhere in the resort. Disposable giant black bag…who would have thought. And in case you’re wondering—yes, the ducklings are doing just fine. The draining water brought plenty of worms to the surface, and they seemed perfectly content enjoying the cool water and a surprise buffet.

Your Guide to July Fun in the Coachella Valley
July in the desert may bring the heat, but it also brings a sizzling lineup of events that make summer worth celebrating! From fireworks and festive pool parties to family movie nights, baseball under the lights, art walks, farmers’ markets, and star-filled skies—there’s something for everyone this month across Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Indio, Rancho Mirage, Cathedral City, and beyond. Whether you're a local, a visitor, or an RV resort guest soaking in the season, this calendar is your ticket to the best of summer fun in the Coachella Valley.

CLUBHOUSE REMODEL UPDATE: First week of June
The transformation continues at Outdoor Resort Indio! In this update, our dedicated volunteers are wrapping up the meticulous work on the clubhouse shutters—bringing an end to the long hours of sanding and prep as the next phase approaches. Meanwhile, across the resort, exciting new lot construction is underway. With pipes installed, concrete forms set, and framing in progress, the vision for these new spaces is quickly becoming a reality. Stay tuned and subscribe for the latest behind-the-scenes updates from one of the finest Class A motorcoach resorts in the country! Sign up for our ORI newsletter to get weekly udates.

Roll-Em-Up Taquitos: A Coachella valley favorite
This isn’t your typical fast food—made fresh daily tortilla chips, beans with just the right amount of heat and fluffy rice. The taquitos, available in both flour and corn tortillas, are the star. I always enjoy the classic shredded beef in corn tortillas, but my favorite has become the chicken taquitos in flour tortillas—softer, flavorful, and still satisfyingly crispy on the outside. A fun twist on a traditional taquito that I haven’t found elsewhere.

A Taste of Italy on El Paseo: Sottovoce
While exploring El Paseo near Tommy Bahama and The Hideout, Linda and I discovered a hidden gem that’s quickly become one of our favorite stops in the valley—Sottovoce, an Italian-style coffee shop offering pastries, wines, and that perfect afternoon pick-me-up.
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