The Gem of the Desert

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 11:45 AM

Ok SLO is beautiful. MM has got the Coastal Beauty. We(Ernie Ball) down in the Desert
have it made too.

Take a look..........

Blue Skies 360 days a year.

P.S. Also we have better mexican cuisine than SLO could ever dream of.

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 11:50 AM

#2

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 11:52 AM

3rd pics

**Beth** · 07-05-2005, 12:14 PM

Wow, Derek! Those are great pics! I was just driving down Washington yesterday and looking at the mountains that border Indian Wells. Absolutely stunning, this area we live in...

**Beth** · 07-05-2005, 12:18 PM

Oh yeah, AMEN about the Mexican food...

[low, booming announcer voice] "It's....TACO WARS!!!"

El Mexicali in Indio beats Chilie Pepper's in San Luis Obispo ANY DAY...

OK, way too much food talk on the forum -- going to lunch, RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE

**bovinehost** · 07-05-2005, 12:23 PM

My best friend Fred Drake (RIP) opened and operated Rancho De La Luna in Joshua Tree. I loved going out there and hanging out with him - he recorded Queens of the Stone Age, Victoria Williams, Daniel Lanois worked with him for a bit....it was always fun.

And what a beautiful place. Fred left us a couple of years ago, but the Rancho is still open and doing well and managed by some of the coolest guys ever.

That's Fred. One of the best drummers ever.

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 12:37 PM

#4

**philthygeezer** · 07-05-2005, 01:34 PM

Agreed. The desert can be incredibly beautiful.

These are some images I shot in Southern California and Nevada:

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 02:15 PM

Hey Jack,

You get around. Why don't you come down to the desert on your next trip?

Desert Derek

**bovinehost** · 07-05-2005, 02:27 PM

Man, I'd love to come see you guys and make a side trip over to Joshua Tree.

How are operations split up between Indio and SLO? Who does what?

**Derek** · 07-05-2005, 02:45 PM

Jack,

We have the String and accessories manufacturing down here. All sales, marketing
and shipping is down here as well. The MM factory is in SLO along with Sales and shipping for instruments.

We have Joshua Tree about 40 minutes away but we also have a few cool other places to show off.

the smokin Mexicali "Jalapeno Shrimp peppers" are the best.

**Beth** · 07-05-2005, 03:13 PM

OMG Desert Derek just decided what my dinner would be tonight... shrimp poppers from El Mexicali!!! YUM YUM! They're closed on Mondays, not Tuesdays, right???

**bongo man** · 07-05-2005, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by Derek

Ok SLO is beautiful. MM has got the Coastal Beauty. We(Ernie Ball) down in the Desert
have it made too.

Take a look..........

Blue Skies 360 days a year.

P.S. Also we have better mexican cuisine than SLO could ever dream of.

hey man
great pics--and you're right about the food situation;-)))
take care
cliff