So Cal Club Corp Tour #2

This second 2020 So Cal trip had been planned for almost a year. It all began in 2019 when we visited Palm Springs and stayed a week at the South Palm Canyon resort, for which June traded a week at her time share. Upon leaving, they offered an almost free, 4-night stay and a gift certificate in return for listening to a 90-minute presentation. We accepted and planned to return in 2020, the main draw at the time being the Indian Wells Tennis Tournament in March. June also booked a week at her time share, but a short gap in between the two stays caused us to go back to the LA area for a couple days.

Drive to Wine Stone Inn (Fri, Feb 28)

On Friday morning, we loaded June's Subaru and made the 5 hr. drive down the 101 to Orcutt, Ca. (just north of Santa Maria) where we would spend the night at the Wine Stone Inn. It is becoming easier for us to break up our longer drives into a couple of 4 to 5 hour drives. June found some deal on Travelzoo where got a picnic lunch at a close-by winery, wine tasting in their bar, a nice cozy room, and continental breakfast in the morning. It all went very well except for one small and rather curious glitch.

That night after drinking, we headed up to the room. We used the 'credit card' key to unlock the door, and it opened slightly, just enough to see that the little mechanical latch that you can throw from inside the room to provide extra security, somehow got thrown.

Mechanical door lock

Drive to LA Hospital, then Desert Breezes (Sat, Feb 29)

The day before (Friday Feb 28), Alicia had their baby, so we decided to take a detour to the hospital to welcome her into the world. Even at this time, Corona Virus was not a big deal.

Baby Isla - 1 day old

Driving into the Cochella Valley

Desert Breezes - View from the balcony

Shop and otherwise Putz around town (Sun, Mar 1)

Our first full day there, we decided to have breakfast out, hit the shopping highlights (Pete Carlson, PGA Superstore), tour our favorite El Paseo art museums, and then do some grocery shopping.

Palm Desert Hilltop Cross Hike (Monday, Mar 2)

We stumbled upon this hike we have never done, and it was pretty good, moderate hike on a VERY windy day. There were quite a few people, but again, no thoughts of Corona Virus.

Hilltop Cross Hike

Indian Wells Golf (Tues, Mar 3) Classic Course - Site of the old Bob Hope Invitational

Hole #3 This could have been the prettiest, most fun, and best-kept course we played on our So Cal travels.

Waiting for the green to clear at hole #18

Mission Hills Golf (Wed, Mar 4) Pete Dye Challenge Course

This  was also a beautiful course, home to the Dinah Shore invitational. But what a BITCH! There was significant water on 14 of the holes. Check it out

We played with a very nice couple from Toronto who played it before. We didn't get lost! But several of my golf balls did.

Bump and Grind Hike, plus the Thursday night Market in Palm Springs (Thur, Mar 5)

Trailhead for the Bump and Grind This popular 4-mile loop has become one of our favorites. Check it out

Midway up this steep stretch is the first time I have ever seen June have to stop and rest while hiking.

Overlooking the 111 East

At the Thursday Night Market, we ate at Fish Market, wandered through the VERY crowded streets, and then strolled into this very quaint venue and listened to a great jazz band. Never thought of Corona Virus. Next week, the market was closed.

Indian Palms Golf (Fri, Mar 6)

We got a great deal on golf moose - and it was still barely worth it. Of course, we were spoiled having been playing the most beautiful courses in the area.

Alicia and Garrett's (Mar 7, 8, and 9) - As planned, we drove back to LA to hang out for a few days. Here is where we started to pay more attention to the Corona Virus.

Manhattan Beach (Sun, Mar 8)

June and I took Cora to Manhattan Beach

Navy Golf (Mon, Mar 9)

While the ladies took an extended walk through the neighborhood, I took a short trip to Navy Golf course. I wasn't planning to play; just hit balls and putt. But when I got there, the place was pretty empty. So I got a small bucket and paid for a round. It was $30 total to walk. While I was chipping, I looked over to the first tee, and it was like a tour bus just dropped off a bus load of golfers. I finished hitting and checked in. There were about 30 Koreans gathered around the 1st tee (not that there's anything wrong with that). I eventually went out with 3 Korean guys about my age. One of them, the best golfer, spoke pretty good English. The other two were OK golfers and they were 'parking lot golfers' VERY well dressed! But they all were very friendly and I had a great time with them. And I played pretty well.

Navy Golf Course #1 Tee Very nice, well maintained course. And pretty long from the blue tees.

Palm Canyon Checkin (Tues, Mar 10)

Right after we got in, we learned that Indian Wells Tennis was cancelled because of Corona Virus! So we instead took a nice hike, just before the rain started, very close to the resort.

Garstin Trail Short, 2 mile walk. But strait up the hill with a great view overlooking the Indian Canyon golf course and the resort.

Beautiful evening sky from the resort. The Garstin trail goes up the hill on the left.

Desert Falls rainout (Wed, Mar 11) - I went to the gym to spin a stationary bike for 30 minutes. Then, on our way to the hot tub, we remembered that Friday we had the 90 minute presentation to go to. Wouldn't it be nice if we could get that done today? We strode into the big meeting room, and the said that we could! It took longer than expected because the closer came on to offer us an unbelievable deal! We could get a short-term teaser for only $4000, which would buy us like 20,000 points. When we asked what exactly that would get us, 'well, that all depends on the resort and the time of year.' Finally, we asked, 'How about this resort in the spring?'

'Well, I'm not sure. Blah, blah blah.' Then I got a hold of their secret book. That resort, which was not that nice, would have been 11,000 points in high season (springtime). Yikes! That would be over $2000 points/week. See ya!!

Lyken Trail Hike (Thurs, Mar 12)

Not really a hike, but a short scenic walk just after the rains.

Close to Indian Canyons, an ancient Indian Preserve where they charge you to walk the trails.

Strange rock formations

I love the desert in the Springtime

Desert Falls Golf (Fri, Mar 13) We met Steve and Sheryln that morning for breakfast. June offered to shop with Sheryln while Steve and I took the ClubCorp deal that we canceled on Wednesday. We had a great time. I played pretty well, but Steve played way over his handicap. I could have easily made at least 3 legitimate excuses for him, the first of which was he was playing with rental clubs. He never offered ANY excuses, but instead genuinely congratulated me on my round. What a guy!

Drilled it right down the middle

Good time on a beautiful golf course

Drive to Scottsdale (Sat, Mar 14) Around Thursday, when we started hearing about closures and restrictions at home, we talked about the possibility of going on to Scottsdale to see Dennis and Mary, and possibly play a little more golf. I gave him a call and got the unequivocal, 'Absolutely!' They both were extremely hospitable.

So Saturday, instead of driving West, we headed another 4 hours East. We all went on a nice hike close by on Sunday, played golf on Monday, and June and I played a ClubCorp course near there on Tuesday.

Black Mtn. Hike (Sun, Mar 15)

Gorgeous floral display

A very popular hike, kind of like an amusement ride

Good times!

Traditions Golf (Mon, Mar 16)

Dennis booked us an outing at Arizona Traditions in Surprise. Mary, who almost never plays golf, was a trooper. Dennis packed beer into his cooler (bag), and we had a great time. Dennis says he rarely has time to play, his clubs were a mishmash of the hundreds of used clubs in his garage, then he goes out and shoots a 74 (on a par 70 course). I, on the other hand, was tired from hiking the day before. And I never played that course before! And I just bought a club that I never hit before then! And he got me drunk! Yeah! That's the ticket! (See how good I am at making excuses?)

Oh yeah, and Timberly was providing Dennis with emotional support!

Anthem Golf (Tues, Mar 17)

Not too far from Cave Creek, this very beautiful ClubCorp course was lots of fun, even though we were 'Social Distancing' by then. We played with two guys from Toronto who were getting ready to go home in a couple days with their wives. June always apologizes for her play, but one guy finally told her they play all the time with their wives and she has NOTHING to apologize for. I think it made her whole trip! I agreed. She is a delight to play golf with. (I know, you shouldn't end a sentence with a prepositional phrase. Tough Shit! I'm retired.)

June trying to help me suck in my gut.

This guy was literally petrified - hard as stone