Palm Springs   March 2021

Skip to the pics

We left home on Sunday morning, March 7 at about 5:30 am. Neither of us slept well. But our drive down was quick and pleasantly uneventful. We finished Camino Wind by John Grisham. I discovered I would much rather have a leisurely ride through the desert rather than a race on the 210.

That evening we checked into the Palm Spring Tennis club, a beautiful facility that backs up to the mountains. Then we grilled a steak and June made a salad, then took a walk downtown. We came back and had a soak before bed. BTW: the WI-FI SUCKS! But the bed was good and the location is superb.

Monday - We first went grocery shopping at Jensens close by, but was NOT great. June was highly disappointed in the Gluten Free bread choices, but we stocked up with breakfast, lunch and dinner stuff.

June had her one and only Johnson and Johnson vaccination shot at high noon at CVC in Cathedral City that was arranged by Alicia. The shot was way more hype than pain. The only adverse affect was a sore shoulder. I had my first Moderna shot exactly one week before at the CVC in Rohnert Park.

We drove home for lunch and June realized the Pharmacist wrote her name as June June. So we drove the 15 minutes back to have him fix the error as we thought some countries may not like that when we went to prove that we had been vaccinated. But the guy was at lunch so we hiked on the Hermit Crest trail, right across 111. On that hike, we met a guy who told us this trail was a short cut to Murray Hill, a popular destination in that area. I hope we do it before we leave.

After the hike, we had earlier reserved a tennis court, so we did that and the courts were wonderful. We hit for less than an hour, as June's knee has been sore, and she has blamed it on recently starting to play again. We went to the room for a shower and a soak. We feasted that night on BBQ ribs, twice backed potatoes, cole slaw, and a ice cream bar for dessert. Good day!

Tuesday - Earlier we realized that Tues would be VERY windy, so first thing we canceled our trip to Mountain Vista golf course. From the hot tub we can look up at the mountain. I have been wondering how/where we could get up there. So I found the Carl Lyken trailhead located just a couple of blocks away. We did that trail which connected to the Art Museum trail head. June's knee starting giving her some pain and worry a short ways into the hike. It was EXTREMELY uncomfortable climbing down at the Art Museum. But we finished, walked another quarter mile back to the room and had a shower and a snack. June Straved the hike.

Then we took a drive to Mecca in the desert, Pete Carlson's. Right by there, we first stopped for lunch at Calif Fish for our first dining out experience since last year in the desert. It was outstanding, and we have left overs! Much better than our disappointing trip to Carlsons. June tried on several outfits, none of them fit. She was freaked out by a woman walking around without a mask! I tried on a pair of $100 K-Swiss shoes, which felt good but not that good. We went a short ways to the PGA store, where June again struck out, but I bought a pair of 30 waist shorts, and a Nike black shirt for $100. 

We drove home, showered, soaked, and settled in.

Wednesday - The forecast for the day was rain pretty much all day. I played tennis with Cort, a guy from Boston who is still working as a Business Prof at MIT. He had beautiful form but was a bit rusty from a long winter. I introduced him to the game of 11's. It started to rain right at 9am as we left the court.

On court with Cort

Then June and I hiked Tahquitz Canyon, where I got free admission as a VET. The entire hike was 2.2 miles and had an excellent flowing waterfall at the far end. We came back and soaked in the tub. On the mountain behind the resort, I spotted a family of Big horn sheep. After soaking, I took my phone and headed part way up the hill to get a very poor pic an video of the beasts.

At the entrance to Tahquitz Canyon, there is a public trailhead to the North Lyken Trail. It connects to the South Lyken trail that we hiked in 2019 from South Palm Canyon. If we had 2 cars it would be a perfect one-way hike of about 2.5 miles.

That evening we did laundry and got Pho for dinner very close by. It was the first time I had Pho in one year. It was good, but not the same as eating in.

Thursday - Played golf at Tahquitz (TAH-kwish) Golf Resort. A couple of years ago, we played this course with Geoff and Sue, but we played the Legends course. This year, June and I played the Resort course. It was a great layout (meaning we didn't get lost) very good pace of play, (we had 3 in front and 4 behind us), and exceptional views of the snow-covered mountains around us. It was a bit chilly and started to get a little windy. We both played pretty well. There were no deals and we payed $75 each. Worth it!

We came home and had a drink and a soak. We barbequed a couple of chicken thighs, and salad. We watched the Players tournament on TV as the WiFi prevents any streaming at all.

Friday - I played tennis at 7:30 with Cort. We do the usual, short warmup, one game of 11s, then a set. I won the set 6-4, but it was close. He has a very good all-court game, but he doesn't move as well as me. We started a 2nd set, but had to quit abruptly at 9.

June and I hiked at Indian Canyons, the other, and much bigger paid hiking trails on the Cahauilla (Ka-WEE-ah) reservation. Again, I got free admission as a VET. The have 3 canyons: Palm Canyon, which we hiked up for a mile, and back on an adjacent hillside 2 miles, for a total of 3. Then we drove back close to the entrance to the start of the Murray and Andreas canyons. Because the wind was picking up, and it was chilly, we chose the short, 1-mile Andreas loop. It was gorgeous!

Saturday - I played tennis at 7:30 with Cort for the last time. We did the same and had another fabulous time. He won many points by taking my 2nd serve kick to the backhand up the line with both topspin and slice. I stopped hitting to his backhand and hit the slice to his forehand instead.

We spent pretty much the entire rest of the day moving to Desert Breezes. We had a couple of glitches: the gate confusion, which to use and how to get in. We eventual followed someone in the Fred gate. Then the front door would not open. A service guy came and replaced the lock. Frustrating!

After a long and slightly confusing phone discussion, we ordered Mario's that evening as they offered the fuscelli pasta in Gluten-free. We shopped at Ralph's next door, then picked up the food and drove home only to discover that they gave us the non-gluten-free 'spaghetti' instead. I started eating as June called. I took the partially-eaten spaghetti back and they apologized and gave us fuscelli. They let me keep the spaghetti. More frustration!

That evening the Players moved to ESPN and all that was available was the same loop of Golf Channel 'Live' commentary. So we streamed the first couple of episodes of WILFRED on HULU. I really liked it; June not so much.

The clocks turned back that night.

Sunday (3/14/2021) - We have been in the desert 1 week. We met with Geoff and Sue for the first time since we have been here. They invited us to play at their course (Oasis CC) and then have a meal with them on their patio. They rode in their cart, so we used their walking carts. It is a very short course (par 60) and very well maintained. We have played their course before and found it to be very challenging. The greens were rock hard and very fast and undulating. I realized in order to score better, it is best to aim for just off the green, then chip and putt. Otherwise, the ball will roll off the back and leave a downhill putt. I posted my score, a diff of 23.7! Yikes! 

Oasis CC

We have drinks and snacks on their patio and watched golfers approach the 4th green. Sue served an Asian salad with shredded chicken. It was the first time in a year that we shared a meal with friends. We were all recently vaccinated. It was wonderful!

Monday - It was supposed to be really windy, so we planned to hike La Quinta Cove. We found a nice trail, Bear Creek, and headed out. We got about a half mile out, and a strong gust hit us like a physical slap in the head. That was all it took to discourage us from continuing. We did take a short detour to the top of a small peak near the trailhead.

The rest of the day we spent doing errands to Shields dates, Whole Foods, and a local candy store. We also swam and laid by the pool. That night, my right shoulder/neck were worse than ever, so I stopped swimming laps, at least for a few days.

For dinner, June served up her famous Meatloaf, brought from No Cal, with backed sweet potato. Delish!

The WiFi at Desert Breezes was good enough to stream, so we tried a few new shows that evening.

Tuesday - Indian Wells Cove course. After a nice soft boiled egg breakfast, we got to the course in plenty of time, even after driving to the wrong facility. After a nice warmup, we were sent to the 'Cove' course, about a 5-minute cart ride through a neighborhood. We were told we would be playing with another couple, but after 10 minutes, they didn't show. so we played alone. What a beautiful course! There really weren't too many surprises thanks to the SwingU app on my phone, giving us a nice look at each hole with yardages. I chose the 'Black' tees (really their Blue tees), because it matched the Blue tees at home at around 6200 yds. I played well on the front 9, chipping in 2 shots, and making a 25' putt. The back 9 was not so good, but I finished with 80, right at my 8 index. June played OK, but the real treat for her was the warm weather and beautiful views, taking photos on almost every hole.

We came home, relaxed by the pool, then started a Swedish Hulu series, 'Bear Town', based on a book written by Fredrick Bachman, which we listened to many years ago. 

Wednesday - Tuesday morning, I walked over to the tennis courts to see if anyone was gathering. I was lucky enough to chat with a group of 6 who had just finished playing doubles. I explained my situation, and a woman gave me the number of her husband Frank, who she said also enjoyed singles. I met with him Wed. morning, and I had a delightful time. He introduced me to a game called 'Up and Down'. We played several games and got good and winded.

June and I then made a trip to PGA Superstore, where I bought a discounted pair of K-Swiss Essence 2 shoes for $80, and another pair of shorts. June also bought a new pair of tennis shoes.

We then visited several of June's favorite stores on El Paseo. We had a fabulous 'patio' lunch at the French restaurant Beaux DeArts. She would buy a new swimsuit, and we visited the ever-popular Cota Art gallery.

We did some grocery shopping at Whole Foods, close by the Fred/111 intersection. They have a water dispenser, which we used to fill our 3-gallon jug.

We came back, had lunch, laid by the pool, then tried our new shoes on the tennis court. We also made a date to play doubles with Frank and Sue on Saturday morning. 

Thursday - Played golf with Geoff at Palm Desert Resort. We have played there a couple of times before. The course was very well maintained, pace was great, never even seeing anyone in front or in back of us, and the weather was perfect. June played well at 1 stroke under her 25 index. I had a horrible front nine and a rather average 40 on the back. Geoff had a good front nine, but not so good on the back. 

Friday - I played tennis again with Frank at 8:30 am. We played 11's, then a set while June came out to watch while someone cleaned our place.

Afterwards, June and I hiked at the Badlands in Indio on a recommendation by Frank. As it turned out, it is a rather bland trudge across a very sandy wash, then into a rocky climb up the hills. We stopped as soon as we saw that it was mostly climbing and headed back. We walked a total of about 2 miles.

Just as we finished the hike, I got a call from Mike (my brother) telling me that our aunt Grace in Wisconsin, had passed away. He found out from an estate lawyer, who wanted to know our mailing addresses.

We looked for a place close by to fill our water jug, and eventually learned there is a dispenser outside of Ralphs. We also did some grocery shopping while there. We later spent the day at the pool. Chipping at the small putting green at the Breezes.

Saturday - Played doubles with Frank and Sue. They are both very good at doubles, and were very competitive. June started a bit off as she had just recently started playing tennis again. We lost the first set, but we quickly recovered and played well after that. We won the second set and it looked like it shocked them. Sue was joking that we needed to play another set and this time it would be 'no-holds-barred'. It was very competitive, but they won. We felt good about how we played. I would not see Frank again as he was heading out to hunt with his son in New Mexico.

Frank, Sue, and AJ

That night, we met Geoff and Sue at the Vue restaurant at Indian Wells, then putted on one of their many greens with lights flashing. As we played, music was playing lightly, and a laser show was visible on the adjacent hill. Electronic scoring was provided and we chose from several games. A lighted 'star' would appear on the green where the person would drop a ball, then the hole would be lit where the person would hit to. They would putt out, then you enter their score. We played for one hour as some of us would huddle under the gas heater. Good fun!

Indian Wells putting green at dusk from the Vue. Thanks to Geoff for the evening and the picture.

Sunday, (3/21/2021) - June and I hiked to Murray Hill. We started at a trail head that I found as part of a All Trails hike. I forgot to change hikes on the map, and although we followed the right trail to the Hill, I thought we were OFF the correct trail. Then I remembered as we approached Murray. It was helped when we saw a sign that showed it was the Clara Burgess Trail, which goes directly over the top of the Hill. As we sat at the top of the hill, I found the Murray Loop trail that continues over the peak, and back on the loop.

Murray Hill from the South/West. We hiked around from the right, over the top, then back on the left. Total was about 8 miles and 2500 ft of elevation gain.

Monday - We didn't do a whole lot because of a very long hike the day before. We laid around the pool and did some chipping on the putting green.

Tuesday - We planned to play golf at Woodhaven with the Ramseys, but the wind was very high, so we cancelled at the last minute. We did very little that day, a little swimming and chipping on the putting green.

Wednesday -Another windy day. So we did the usual: Hit tennis balls in the morning, swimming, grocery shopping, chipping on the putting green.

Thursday - We planned to play golf at Mountain Vista, but again, it was crazy windy, so we cancelled. We hit balls in the morning. While we were out there, we noticed a young man on the next court hitting balls (mostly serves). June encouraged me to hit with him, so I invited him to come over and he gladly accepted, but offered that he had to leave for school in 30 minutes. As it turns out, Eduardo Gonzalez was easily the best tennis player I have ever hit with, regardless of age, and he is 15, a sophomore in the local high school! Even though we were lightly hitting, his ball came at me like a bullet with heavy top spin off both his forehand and backhand, and often jumped into me on my forehand side, away from me on the backhand side. After a while of this, I recommended he hit me some serves, then we could play out the point. I had hit against some hard serves before, but this was on a different level. His first serve was a bullet with topspin. His second serve had an IMMENSE amount of kick. Honestly, I would rather take my chances with his first serve.

A very polite and humble young man, he chatted with June while we hit. He lives in the Breezes homes, and asked how long we would be here. I didn't see him again.

Friday - Alicia, Cora, and Isla arrive. Lots of pool time.

Saturday - Garrett arrives in the evening.

Sunday (3/28/2021) - Golf with Garrett at PGA West; Greg Norman course.

Monday -Trip to Living Desert with the Sapps. Garrett leaves that evening.

Tuesday - Alicia leaves that afternoon.

Wednesday - Golf at Woodhaven with Geoff and Sue.

Thursday (April 1) - Golf at Mission Hills, Palmer course. (A Club Corp course). Our tee time was around noon, so we arrived an hour or so earlier, only to find that the Dinah Shore course is being used for the ANA Inspiration tournament

Friday - we leave for home

Check out the pics