Palm Springs   March 2019

Early in the year, we decided it was time to get out of the rain and cold, and back to the desert for some warmth. We spent a great amount of time on VRBO trying to find a home to share with Steve and Sheryln, but to no avail. They were either ridiculously expensive, or not available. So we booked a room at Desert Breezes just after the tennis tournament. Then June found a timeshare trade at Palm Canyon Resort for the previous week. We ended up being one day in between, so as luck would have it, Geoff and Sue had that very night available at their new place in Palm Desert.  

Here is what we did:

• Fri. 3/8 - Drove straight through listening to The Brethren by John Grisham.
• Sat. 3/9 - Alicia and Cora visit for the day, playing in the pool and the facilities. I explored the adjacent hills and found the Lyken Trail off So. Palm Canyon Drive. Wonderful!
• Sun. 3/10 - Tennis tournament. We saw Nishikori, Cilic, Shopavolov vs Johnson, and Djokavic/Fognini doubles.
• Mon. 3/11 - We went straight to stadium 2 for the entire day. We saw Kerber, Monfils, and one set of the Brian brothers. The rain came after a full day, so we headed for home.
• Tues 3/12 - June and I hiked the Lyken trail.
• Wed. 3/13 - Geoff and I went to the tennis garden. June had a sore butt from sitting too long. We stayed in stadium 2 and watched the big hitters: Isner (lost), Karlovic (lost to Thiem), and Raonic (won). Saw Kubot and Melo win that evening.
• Thurs. 3/14 - Drove to Borrego Golf and Country Club with Geoff and Sue. Had a great drive through the much-touted 'Superbloom' (a bit underwhelming), a nice round of golf, dinner and drinks at Ram's Hill Golf Course.
• Fri. 3/15 - Checked out of So. Palm Dr. and IN for the night at Scirocco Estates with Geoff and Sue. Learned the game of pickleball. Good fun!
• Sat. 3/16 - Checked into Desert Breezes. Bought groceries, ate that evening at the Fish Market in La Quinta.
• Sun. 3/17 - St. Paddy's day. Nice 'superbloom' hike at the La Quinta Cove. Dinner at Mario's.
• Mon. 3/18 - Chiropractor for June, replaced dead battery on the Subaru, hiked small part of Art Smith trail and toured the visitor's center. Dinner and pickleball at Ramsey's.
• Tues. 3/19 - Got lost finding Palm Canyon Resort, but eventually played and had a great time.
• Wed. 3/20 - Tom and Peggy drive up from San Diego for the day. Walked at Coachella Preserve. Very nice!
• Thurs. 3/21 - Golf with Geoff and Sue at their home course Oasis. Pam Springs street fair that evening.
• Fri. 3/22 - June and I drive through and hike Joshua Tree National Park. Very nice! BTW: No Joshua trees at south entrance!
• Sat. 3/23 - Drive to LA to visit the kids/grandkids. Dinner that evening at ??
• Sun. 3/24 - I played golf at Old Ranch (thanks Garrett!). June and Alicia/Cora visited Fashion Island and other.
• Mon. 3/25 - Uneventful drive home. Rain in the Bay Area - Ugh!

See the pics.