The town of El Dorado is coming to Thunderbird Lodge Retreat!
The town of El Dorado is coming to Thunderbird Lodge Retreat!
Lori Portillo celebrates the building of the legendary town of El Dorado.
The town is on the Ranch House property and will be completed soon! Check back for updates.
The town will be a great backdrop for parties, events and photo opportunities.
El Dorado update taken January 18th, walls and roof are in the making!
It will not be long now until this town is finished, check back for updates.
El Dorado update: photos taken January 20th, now for the finishing touches…
The Holidays Are Here!
The Holidays Are Here!
Create the holiday YOU want to have at Thunderbird Lodge Retreat!
Winter is a beautiful time to enjoy Joshua Tree.
Our houses are set up for entertaining, just bring yourselves and get away!
Pets are welcome at no extra charge!
Worth the Trip (NBC Bay Area Blog): Joshua Tree for Pet People, August 2015, features Thunderbird Lodge Retreat!
Worth the Trip (NBC Bay Area Blog): Joshua Tree for Pet People, August 2015, features Thunderbird Lodge Retreat!
“THERE ARE ANIMAL-SWEET STAY OVERS… throughout the arid area. Look to the Thunderbird Lodge Retreat, which welcomes an array of animals onto the property, including horses. A sextet of cabins gives visitors a little more room to move about, and a visit with Jewel, the resident llama, is a must. The guest areas include “pet-safe fences,” too, so your time on the property is a relaxing one.”
Where is La Contenta Road?
Where is La Contenta Road?
You ask me, “Where is La Contenta Road?”
‘Tis where the weary traveler drops his head
And rests awhile
The busy world rolls on
And never hears the desert’s gentle song.
On La Contenta Road the Joshua lifts high
Its grotesque arms as if to say,
“You’re welcome to this quiet, dusty road
And peradventure to a bright new day”
For La Contenta Road leads to the hills.
The everlasting hills whence cometh strength,
The strength to lift again the heavy load.
I know, I live on La Contenta Road.
~Adelaide Kirk
Born in the 1890’s, Adelaide and her husband, Thomas, owned the Rock House until his death in 1975. She wrote this heartfelt poem about her beloved desert. Most of Thunderbird Lodge Retreat’s properties, including Adelaide’s Rock House, are found on La Contenta Road. In fact, if you look closely, you can find their name Kirk written on a sign out front and on the rock fireplace.
So, come, rest awhile as the busy world rolls on and, renew your strength.
A Great Place for Pets!
A Great Place for Pets!
Thunderbird Lodge Retreat welcomes all pets for no additional fee! Each property has between 5 and 22.5 acres, and each has a fenced in area to keep the dogs and horses in and the deer and coyotes out. Check out a recent review left by a happy pet owner who recently stayed with us!
The Thunderbird Lodge is the perfect place to bring your pets for a relaxing vacation in the Joshua Tree area. Lori is an easygoing and incredibly helpful host — was very patient with my “high energy” dog, Max. (She’s a true animal lover.) And she makes killer chocolate chip cookies! There is plenty of fenced in yard for larger dogs. My dog enjoyed running around on the dirt roads near the property leash free with me (the cabin is on the West edge of the national park — the cars that drive out that way drive slowly so it’s pretty safe around there.) There is a lot of wildlife for your dog to chase (rabbits, quail, kangaroo mice …) I normally don’t let my dog off-leash — but the area around the Thunderbird is one of the few places I feel comfortable doing that. The cabin itself is creatively decorated and homey with a full kitchen and bbq outside. And the view is spectacular. A great place to relax and get away from it all. I liked it so much, I moved to the area from LA after my visit to Lori’s place (seriously). I highly recommend it.