It was another scorcher under the California sun.
90 degrees to be exact.
Teresa and I continued to do little jobs in preparation for our Monday morning departure.
The highlight of our day, however, was meeting up with fellow bloggers Allen and Lolita.
We have been following their journey for some time now, and we were thrilled to realize they would be in our neck of the woods this weekend.
With plans hastily made, Teresa and I drove the short distance to their park outside Desert Hot Springs.
Although they were hoping we could visit outside, it was just too hot, so we visited inside their beautiful rig with the A/C on.
Teresa and I could see why they bought this fifth. It featured a fireplace, big screen TV, and a wrap-around kitchen. Nice.
As usual, we felt like we had known them forever, and the conversation flowed easily.
Teresa brought our camera along, but it stayed safely tucked away in her purse, without a single photo. Darn.
They are a great couple and we wish them many happy RV miles.
This evening, Teresa continued to prepare and clean our rig, as we will be quite busy tomorrow.
Hope everyone has a blessed Easter Sunday.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Friday, March 29, 2013
How the Other Half Lives
There are some very wealthy people in the Palm Springs area.
Today on our way to run some errands, we drove by one of the most elite spots in this location.
It is called El Paseo Drive in Palm Desert.
Teresa's eyes were popping out of her head, surrounded by luxurious shops.
My eyes were popping out of my head surrounded by luxurious cars. There were Bentleys, Porsches, Maserati's, and Jaguars.
If you were driving in a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus or Cadillac, well, you wouldn't even get a second glance.
It was so busy, that we could not even get pulled over to park. That was probably a good thing, in hindsight.
Apparently, Good Friday is not a holiday for these busy shops.
And where did we end up doing our shopping ??
At the Target store, of course !!
Today on our way to run some errands, we drove by one of the most elite spots in this location.
It is called El Paseo Drive in Palm Desert.
Teresa's eyes were popping out of her head, surrounded by luxurious shops.
My eyes were popping out of my head surrounded by luxurious cars. There were Bentleys, Porsches, Maserati's, and Jaguars.
If you were driving in a BMW, Mercedes, Lexus or Cadillac, well, you wouldn't even get a second glance.
It was so busy, that we could not even get pulled over to park. That was probably a good thing, in hindsight.
Apparently, Good Friday is not a holiday for these busy shops.
And where did we end up doing our shopping ??
At the Target store, of course !!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Our Time is Winding Down
Our month in Palm Springs is now down to the last few days.
I brought our camera with me on my morning walk to capture some of these moments.
Last year we met a wonderful couple in Gold Canyon, that we immediately bonded with.
After we parted with them, Teresa and I carried on to Palm Springs, to this park.
We told John and Irene about this Shangri-La, and that we were sure they would love it to.
We were very excited when last summer they emailed us, and said they were coming here this winter based on our recommendation.
Suddenly, we got a little nervous, thinking what if they did not like it. Naw, that would be impossible.
So when we pulled in March 1st, we were anxious to hear their verdict.
They LOVE it, and are coming back next year !!
We have enjoyed Happy Hours together, and last night they totally spoiled us by picking up some delicious Chinese food, their treat.
Every time we get together with them, the hours fly by, and we are always shocked at how quickly the evening disappears.
Part of our discussion last night, was just how friendly the Americans are with us Canadians, and in particular, how friendly RV'ers are with each other.
There is no doubt in our mind that we have made friends for life with these amazing folks.
The last few pictures are of our site. Every site in this park is great, but one thing we really enjoy about this one is the privacy we have with our hedges.
Another bonus which is perhaps even greater than the privacy, is the fact that we are protected from the winds.
We have not even had to put our awning up yet this whole month.
That is very rare, no matter where you are.
Well, I better get to work as we slowly start cleaning everything up, reorganize a few storage bins, and prepare for the trek north.
I brought our camera with me on my morning walk to capture some of these moments.
Last year we met a wonderful couple in Gold Canyon, that we immediately bonded with.
After we parted with them, Teresa and I carried on to Palm Springs, to this park.
We told John and Irene about this Shangri-La, and that we were sure they would love it to.
We were very excited when last summer they emailed us, and said they were coming here this winter based on our recommendation.
Suddenly, we got a little nervous, thinking what if they did not like it. Naw, that would be impossible.
So when we pulled in March 1st, we were anxious to hear their verdict.
They LOVE it, and are coming back next year !!
We have enjoyed Happy Hours together, and last night they totally spoiled us by picking up some delicious Chinese food, their treat.
Every time we get together with them, the hours fly by, and we are always shocked at how quickly the evening disappears.
Part of our discussion last night, was just how friendly the Americans are with us Canadians, and in particular, how friendly RV'ers are with each other.
There is no doubt in our mind that we have made friends for life with these amazing folks.
The last few pictures are of our site. Every site in this park is great, but one thing we really enjoy about this one is the privacy we have with our hedges.
Another bonus which is perhaps even greater than the privacy, is the fact that we are protected from the winds.
We have not even had to put our awning up yet this whole month.
That is very rare, no matter where you are.
Well, I better get to work as we slowly start cleaning everything up, reorganize a few storage bins, and prepare for the trek north.
Monday, March 25, 2013
Lady's Choice Today
After five days of hiking and touring, we were starting to drag our feet a little, even with our humongous boots off.
The great news was that we both lost a pound or two with all this activity.
This morning I suggested to my darling bride that she pick and choose the day's activities.
And with that, we cleaned up and headed to the Cheesecake Factory, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Trader Joe's !!
Teresa was all smiles as she slipped into a sundress, and strapped on some comfortable sandals.
First stop was The River Mall where two of the stores were located.
We were starving, so we headed straight to the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch.
It was our first visit to this franchise, so our waitress guided us along and recommended the stuffed mushrooms for a starter.
Score one for the waitress.
For an entree, she suggested the Moroccan Chicken.
Score two for the waitress, and a little extra for her tip !!
We ordered some cheesecake to take home, because we simply couldn't eat another bite.
Our next stop was the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
It goes without saying that we came home with multiple bags of chocolate covered espresso beans, but I noticed that Teresa ordered a couple of other goodies as well.
I really can't tell you what she bought, because she knows that if I find them, they are gone !!
And lastly, we hit up Trader Joe's for their fantastic pre-made meals.
They are very tasty, very reasonably priced, and very convenient.
How much do you want to bet that we mysteriously find those one or two pounds we lost ??
The great news was that we both lost a pound or two with all this activity.
This morning I suggested to my darling bride that she pick and choose the day's activities.
And with that, we cleaned up and headed to the Cheesecake Factory, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory and Trader Joe's !!
Teresa was all smiles as she slipped into a sundress, and strapped on some comfortable sandals.
First stop was The River Mall where two of the stores were located.
We were starving, so we headed straight to the Cheesecake Factory for a late lunch.
It was our first visit to this franchise, so our waitress guided us along and recommended the stuffed mushrooms for a starter.
Score one for the waitress.
For an entree, she suggested the Moroccan Chicken.
Score two for the waitress, and a little extra for her tip !!
We ordered some cheesecake to take home, because we simply couldn't eat another bite.
Our next stop was the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
It goes without saying that we came home with multiple bags of chocolate covered espresso beans, but I noticed that Teresa ordered a couple of other goodies as well.
I really can't tell you what she bought, because she knows that if I find them, they are gone !!
And lastly, we hit up Trader Joe's for their fantastic pre-made meals.
They are very tasty, very reasonably priced, and very convenient.
How much do you want to bet that we mysteriously find those one or two pounds we lost ??
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Hiking Araby Trail
Teresa and I are beginning to look like a couple of mountain goats, well, at least I am.
The fitness regime continued today, with a nice close hike that takes you right by the former home of the legendary Bob Hope.
We were out the door a little after 9 AM again, and looking forward to the challenge ahead of us.
This is a fairly popular hike, and the trail is very narrow, so if someone needs to pass, you have to stop and let them by.
The ascent was pretty steep, and we were huffing and puffing right off the bat.
In doing a little research, we discovered that the hike takes you from 400 feet to 1200 feet.
Although the morning started on the cool side, we were already on the hot side.
As you can see the trail is steep, so we stopped often to catch our breath and for some water.
Finally, we got to the point where you could see one of the homes Bob Hope used to own.
It is over 23,000 square feet, and features six bedrooms and twelve bathrooms.
It is currently on the market for a cool 50 million dollars.
The trail continues on, although we kept threatening to just turn around. Must keep going.
Some of the cactus were in bloom.
And finally, after an hour of stomping along, we reached the summit.
We stopped to slap each other on the back, grab some snacks, and drink more water.
Going downhill was easier, but it works different muscles, and now we have even more aches and pains.
I think tomorrow we will still get out and do something, but hopefully it will be something a little less strenuous.
The fitness regime continued today, with a nice close hike that takes you right by the former home of the legendary Bob Hope.
We were out the door a little after 9 AM again, and looking forward to the challenge ahead of us.
This is a fairly popular hike, and the trail is very narrow, so if someone needs to pass, you have to stop and let them by.
The ascent was pretty steep, and we were huffing and puffing right off the bat.
In doing a little research, we discovered that the hike takes you from 400 feet to 1200 feet.
Although the morning started on the cool side, we were already on the hot side.
As you can see the trail is steep, so we stopped often to catch our breath and for some water.
Finally, we got to the point where you could see one of the homes Bob Hope used to own.
It is over 23,000 square feet, and features six bedrooms and twelve bathrooms.
It is currently on the market for a cool 50 million dollars.
The trail continues on, although we kept threatening to just turn around. Must keep going.
Some of the cactus were in bloom.
And finally, after an hour of stomping along, we reached the summit.
We stopped to slap each other on the back, grab some snacks, and drink more water.
Going downhill was easier, but it works different muscles, and now we have even more aches and pains.
I think tomorrow we will still get out and do something, but hopefully it will be something a little less strenuous.
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Hiking Tahquitz Canyon Falls
Ever since Teresa said we should try to do something every day, we have been busy.
Today was another wonderful adventure.
We were out of the rig by a little after 9 AM, clearly a record for TnT.
Our hike today was literally on the edge of Palm Springs.
Again, there was a $10 per person charge, but if it goes to protecting our natural resources, we don't mind.
After watching a 15 minute video we were ready to go.
At the last second, we decided to go on the ranger led hike, rather than the self guided walk, and we were very glad we did.
You see, normally, we just walk along looking at the plants and rocks and think, hmmm this is pretty.
But what we learned today could fill a small book on the native way of life regarding food, medicine, housing, and spirituality.
Our guide was excellent and gave us a little glimpse into what life was like for his ancestors.
We learned about the different colors on the rocks, and what might have caused it.
We learned how one plant could mean food, medicine, and shelter for people.
Not only was our guide informative, but he was very funny as well, and had us all laughing a time or two.
And finally you are rewarded with the sight and sound of a 60 foot waterfall at the furthest point.
Some brave folks waded into the water, and said their feet became numb from the freezing water.
The water comes from snow melt further up the mountain.
The whole hike was a little over two hours, but much of that time was spent stopped while our guide explained what we were seeing.
This was our first guide led hike, but I think it will not be our last.
Wonder what tomorrow will bring !!
Today was another wonderful adventure.
We were out of the rig by a little after 9 AM, clearly a record for TnT.
Our hike today was literally on the edge of Palm Springs.
Again, there was a $10 per person charge, but if it goes to protecting our natural resources, we don't mind.
After watching a 15 minute video we were ready to go.
At the last second, we decided to go on the ranger led hike, rather than the self guided walk, and we were very glad we did.
You see, normally, we just walk along looking at the plants and rocks and think, hmmm this is pretty.
But what we learned today could fill a small book on the native way of life regarding food, medicine, housing, and spirituality.
Our guide was excellent and gave us a little glimpse into what life was like for his ancestors.
We learned about the different colors on the rocks, and what might have caused it.
We learned how one plant could mean food, medicine, and shelter for people.
Not only was our guide informative, but he was very funny as well, and had us all laughing a time or two.
And finally you are rewarded with the sight and sound of a 60 foot waterfall at the furthest point.
Some brave folks waded into the water, and said their feet became numb from the freezing water.
The water comes from snow melt further up the mountain.
The whole hike was a little over two hours, but much of that time was spent stopped while our guide explained what we were seeing.
This was our first guide led hike, but I think it will not be our last.
Wonder what tomorrow will bring !!
Friday, March 22, 2013
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Today was simply an amazing day for us.
We have been wanting to take the tram since we first heard of it last year.
We chose today, because we were hoping to escape the hot weather in Palm Springs.
The forecast was for the high 80's in the valley, but a much cooler mid 50's at the top of the tram.
The altitude in Palm Springs is a mere 400 feet, while at the top of the tram you are at 8500 feet.
A remarkable feature of this tram, is that the floor slowly rotates, so that every passenger has a million dollar view.
It only takes ten minutes until you are at the top. The tickets are $23.95 each, and we agreed that if we lived in this area, we would buy the seasonal pass to escape the heat in the summer.
The first thing we did at the top was put on our sweaters, it was very chilly.
We were surrounded by snow on some of the trails, and we had so much fun watching children playing in the snow, making snowmen and throwing snowballs.
There are quite a few different trails you can hike at the top, and we chose a couple of easy ones.
The reason we chose these was because we were laboring for each and every breath at this height.
Teresa packed some nutritious snacks again, and with frequent breaks, we were able to enjoy every moment.
We had such a great time taking in the awesome sights and the wonderful pine scents.
This is a must-do for anyone visiting Palm Springs.
We have been wanting to take the tram since we first heard of it last year.
We chose today, because we were hoping to escape the hot weather in Palm Springs.
The forecast was for the high 80's in the valley, but a much cooler mid 50's at the top of the tram.
The altitude in Palm Springs is a mere 400 feet, while at the top of the tram you are at 8500 feet.
A remarkable feature of this tram, is that the floor slowly rotates, so that every passenger has a million dollar view.
It only takes ten minutes until you are at the top. The tickets are $23.95 each, and we agreed that if we lived in this area, we would buy the seasonal pass to escape the heat in the summer.
The first thing we did at the top was put on our sweaters, it was very chilly.
We were surrounded by snow on some of the trails, and we had so much fun watching children playing in the snow, making snowmen and throwing snowballs.
There are quite a few different trails you can hike at the top, and we chose a couple of easy ones.
The reason we chose these was because we were laboring for each and every breath at this height.
Teresa packed some nutritious snacks again, and with frequent breaks, we were able to enjoy every moment.
We had such a great time taking in the awesome sights and the wonderful pine scents.
This is a must-do for anyone visiting Palm Springs.
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