Week 1 - Palm Springs

October 2015 - Palm Springs CA

Saturday

We were picked up at 7 AM and took the 9 AM flight to Calgary. Flight was slightly delayed but the crew did an amazing job getting us off about fifteen minutes late. We also had an amazing and entertaining crew.

Since our food and drinks were included with our tickets we had ham and Swiss croissant and a cheese plate with a glass of wine.

Flying over the prairies.

Landed and we have a few hours to spare. First things, pick up luggage, clear US Customs, easy peasy as we have our Nexxus cards and through security.

Had to snap this - a large poster at the airport.

Head to a lounge for drinks and snacks.

This flight was also delayed but they didn't do anything to speed up the process.

Again our food and drinks were included.

Flying into Palm Springs.

The usual, pick up luggage and rental car and we're on our  way. Airport is only ten minutes away and our memories of Palm Springs is pretty good considering it has been seven years!!

It is hot!!!

Our friends have already checked in so we get the unit number and finally get settled to catch up and have an easy dinner of cheeses, crackers and drinks.

Sunday

This is the the view as we step out.

We head out to College of the Desert street fair, really a huge flea market. I'm glad we went out at 9:30 as it is HOT!

We decide to drive into Palm Springs downtown and show our friends around.

We drop by to see some old friends.

Sonny Bono

Ben Hogan

Lucy!

Lunch at Los Casuelas.

Got a few dollars lying around?

Back to the condo and some pool time. Then the guys did steaks on the BBQ.

Monday

Hot again as we head out to the factory outlets. The parking lot is very cool. The aisle are marked with the number of available spaces. When you park the green light goes out.

We agree to meet up at noon and then head to the aerial tramway. We had last been up there about twenty years ago!!

We traveled the 10-minute, 2.5-mile ride, which begins at the Valley Station – elevation 2,643 feet and ends at the Mountain Station – elevation 8,516 feet.

BUT the best thing are the world's largest rotating tramcars!

After lunch, the guys had burgers that they claimed were delicious, I had shrimp (delicious) and D had a BLT (ditto)!

Groceries and then back for more pool time. Dinner was Spanish stewed chicken thighs.

Tuesday

We wanted to see if we could top yesterday's burgers. So we suggested that we take the Palms to Pines highway to the town of Idyllwild where we had had very memorable burgers back on 2008.


View of Palms to Pines Scenic Byway Route 74 from a viewing point.
It can be quite the harrowing drive up to the Coachella Valley Vista Point, not for the faint of heart as the 2-lane road twists back and forth in a series of sharp s-curves, but fun with great views (just don’t look if you are driving!).

The temperatures will drop about twenty degrees as you climb further up.

A stop at the Coachella Valley Vista Point on the scenic “Pines to Palms” highway 74 road. The guys with the hats were part of a filming crew.

This area of California desert boasts 350 sunny days every year and almost no humidity. The scenery is unforgettable, from snow-capped mountains in the distance to brilliant blue skies and a periodic lush oasis to break up the desert browns with a splash of color. You start from almost sea level and climb to an elevation of 6,165 feet at Banning.

Idyllwild is a city in Riverside County in Southern California. It is situated at mile high elevation in the San Jacinto mountains. The views from town are beautiful. Tahquitz peak and rock are probably the most photographed. Marion mountain is also visible from town. Panoramas of Hemet and the greater Los Angeles area are visible from many lookouts near town. You can even see the Pacific Ocean on a clear day.

ANYHOO as for THAT burger...Good Times was closed and for sale. So on we go, deciding we will drive back and eat in town.

Driving back down to 467 feet above sea level we stop. That tower is the Morongo Casino and on the left that cluster of buildings is the factory outlets.

Lunch!

Bloody BLT!

Pool

Wednesday

John heads out to play golf at Mission Hills. A and D go shopping and I relax in the condo.

Some photos I took around the condo.

Dinner was spaghetti and meat sauce with garlic bread.

Thursday

This was a very interesting rain day. The plan was to go to Desert Hot Springs and then to the Street Fair but the weather put a stop to that. So we headed out to a golf place, then Marshall's, T.J. Maxx, and a couple of shoe stores. Total purchases: 1 golf cigar holder and a purse.

Lunch at P.F. Chang's attired in their pink ribbons.

Jicama street tacos.

We make a stop at the cancer survivors' memorial. More photos later.

It is raining on and off so John and I decide to go to the movies, The Martian.

We come out of the theatre and it has obviously been raining. We also see some lightning.

Back at the condo it rains on and off most of the evening and we are treated to an amazing light show. In all Palm Springs only got 0.02 inches of rain.
Since we were supposed to go to the downtown street fair we had planned on eating out. We had plenty of leftovers and we cleared those out.

Friday

John and I went back to the factory outlets with a stop at the dinosaurs. We have never actually stopped here in all the times we've been here.

Can you see John?

Lunch at In-N-Out burgers near Morongo.

 Why are these burgers so good? These burgers are made fresh when you order. The soft, warm bread is baked every morning and does not contain preservatives or sweeteners. The meat is never frozen and is freshly grilled.

Some retail therapy, mainly at Tommy Hilfiger's. Then a stop at Costco for steaks.

Great dinner, steaks with garlic bread.

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy. 

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