Palm Springs Windmill Tours

Immortalized in the helicopter chase in the movie Mission Impossible III, these fantastic windmills are an increasingly popular alternative source of energy. For centuries, the winds moved ships and people and cargo from place to place. Christopher Columbus could never have discovered the New World. Without wind, exploration of the high seas would have had to wait for the invention of the steam engine in the eighteenth century. But the wind served more than sailors and explorers. It has been used to grind grain since the 7th century. In fact, we still call almost any machine that is powered by the wind – no matter what job it does – a wind “mill.”

Today, wind power is starting to become popular again. In California, “wind farmers” have set up hundreds of wind turbines in breezy mountain passes and sell the electricity generated to major utility companies. There are now more than 15,000 wind turbines in California producing enough power to meet the needs of about one million people. California produces 80% of all of the world’s wind-generated electricity.

Through a logical progression of the evolution of the wind energy industry, visitors are given a historic understanding of its technology (how the windmills work), meteorology (why they work) and their place in alternative energy power production (how they contribute).

PS Windmill Tours lets you travel through a forest of stupendous windmills while feeling the energy as the giant blades “WHOOOOSH” overhead. Your guide will take you inside this working farm where giant machines harness the endless power of the winds. See how they work-how they start up-what happens when the wind really “howls”. Put your hands on this ancient form of power that has been modernized to contribute to a cleaner and safer Mother Earth. Realize that the environmentally friendly power that is propelling you along our three mile adventure was created by the air you are breathing.

All ages can be accommodated and don’t forget to bring your camera!