Last Day in Palm Desert, January 5, 2017

Hard to believe it was our last day in Palm Desert

But I did wake  up in time for another beautiful sunrise

But after breakfast time to pack up and leave 

Our first stop was the Palm Desert branch of Palm Springs Art museum and sculpture garden

Above is a couple of Chihuli vases part of a really interesting glass exhibit

The sculpture garden was lovely as well

We might have gone to the Palm Springs main art museum but it was closed for a film festival event  and sadly this small one didn't have a gift shop...

Sandy had read about this exhibit of the art of actor, Anthony Hopkins in the local paper so although it wasn't officially opening Friday, we were able to go to the preview for collectors but prices were too high for us.  Even the catalogue which was fascinating about his life was $250!!!! 

 Next we went to Indio to for a free lunch at Jackalope Ranch thanks to vouchers I got for an update about my timeshare. 

 We sat outside in the most beautiful setting and it was such a nice day

Lunch was delicious

 Then we were off to airport to return car and check in-our flight was a little late but this is a lovely small airport and we had a lovely courtyard in which to wait and enjoy a glass of wine

We had a nice flight home again scoring an empty seat between us and actually roomy seats-Westjet is doing better with me currently than Air Canada, and a direct two hour flight is great! 

Thanks to Lois who had to leave the championship Junior Hockey tournament game in overtime to pick us up, here I was back in the snow!!!!  Ms Holly, my cat,  was throughly spoiled by her babysitters.  

Thanks for coming along on my trip-such a great way to greet 2017!!!!

Thousand Palms-Day 4 part 2-Palm Desert, January 4, 2017

We crossed San Andres Fault going to Joshua Tree National Park but Wednesday we saw more evidence of platonic movement as we visited Thousand Palms

First it was real Desert 🌵 and then

A literal oasis in the desert, Thousand Palms Oasis Preserve.

I liked teaching Earth Science in 7th grade

And exciting to see nature at work

Earlier we went from Desert to snow and now I felt as if I was in Jurassic Park

 It was very neat and when we got "home" and I put my feet up and then went for a swim and in hot tub 

I knew I would miss this view when I returned home

and those neat sunsets!!

We had a nice dinner at Vicki and Gavin's unit and enjoyed baby Lola and a starry walk "home"

Wednesday, January 4, 2017-part one

Another fun day...

This time I did catch sunrise just before seven

 It was beautiful then we had breakfast and set off for the Palm Springs Aerial tramway

And there were no line ups and it was an amazing ride

Taking us back to a winter environment due to elevation which I think was around 9000 feet 

People were actually snowshoeing and sliding in San Jacinto State Park.

 Going down 

Here is the gondola which actually does rotate so you don't have to move to get different views-more Swiss engineering, reminding of my trip up Sugarloaf Mountain in Rio.

Lunch stop was in Palm Springs at Ace hotel.  Here's Sandy looking pleased to be here!

In a mid century style King's Highway diner

Here is the menu just in case you decide to drop in

 It was a full day with more to come so stay tuned for part 2...

Tuesday in Palm Springs, January 3, 2017, a trip to Joshua Tree National Park

Yesterday we got out bright and early

To go to Joshua Tree National Park

 About an hour plus away

It was really awesome 

 Huge rocks so we would drive stop walk

We were quite hungry when we left but found a Mexican restaurant along the way

We went back to ritzy Palm Desert shopping area but made no purchases

Beautiful street El Paseo

Back to resort and then we walked over to nearby shopping mall and had dinner in restaurant bar where it was happy hour so our meal was half price, which was good as it was quite an expensive steak house.  It was a lovely evening although I was glad to have a warm jacket.  But no snow!

And then I walked over to see old friends, Vicki and Gavin, and their daughter Jane and granddaughter baby Lola, who had arrived, having driven from Los Vegas.  We hadn't lived in the same neighbourhood since Montreal long ago so very fun.  

Monday, January 2, 2017 in Palm Desert, California

Rumour had it that it was snowy and icy in Vancouver but not here in Palm Desert

 The view from our deck this  morning

I went for a walk then an update with member services where I scored some dining discount vouchers

this is was  in the town of Palm Springs

And then we attempted to go up the mountains above Palm Springs on the aerial tramway but we got there and were lined up for awhile and then told it was a three hour wait so we went into the town of Palm Springs and eventually had lunch using a 25 dollar discount so it was a cheap lunch...the Palm Springs film festival has just begun and lots of stars in town but we didn't spot any-Palm Desert is  about half an hour away.  

Next stop was The Living Desert which isn't far from where we were staying-I had enjoyed going there 30 years ago when it was mainly an interpretive centre about North American deserts but it has now really expanded.  Above gives you an idea of the topography.  

There is an African section and here is a Meerkat.

And a zebra…

A cheetah (he was a bit shy).

and a particular favourite of mine- the black footed cat who is Africa's smallest wild cat.  

Now we are back to the desert, American variety, with a type of heron

And this rather tubby badger!

 You can see a short video I took of a jaguar above.   I decided I could capture him more easily that way.  We saw lots more animals but  there is a limit on how much I can bore you!!!

 I think this is a desert sunflower-I have lots more pictures and since I did something like 11000 steps  there was lots to see…

Back at our place, the sun was setting around 5 and temperature dropping and I did manage to get in the hot tub.  The pool seemed a bit cool for me but kids were enjoying it…There are several pools but the near one to us is a family pool and school isn't back yet in some places.  In Palm Springs area it was the last day of holidays here like in BC.

It was a rather nice sunset!