NOV. 21, Wednesday, sunny
Got up early and went to a computer session where a new program was being presented/discussed. It keeps track of all expenses and automatically calculates the US and CDN $ Dollar exchange on each expenditure. I got a free disc to download and I have 30 days to play with it so will try it and let you know. We also bought 2 tickets for the Thanksgiving dinner and went on the waiting list for 2 more cancellation.
Got a call from the Tate's around noon that they had arrived at their site and would be over shortly. They got here about 2 p.m. and we caught up to all the news from home. Rick bought himself a new "TOM-TOM" GPS and seems very happy with it. It does have some interesting features. We went over to a flea market about 4 blocks from here. It was all Mexican run and we didn't find anything that we needed. We came home and had dinner together at our place and chatted some more afterwards. They went home around 8:30 p.m.
Very windy tonight and cooler than usual.
NOV 22, Thursday, sunny and windy (Santa Anna winds)
It's really cool this morning. Had to put a jacket on to take Tucker for his morning walk. We picked up Rick and Pat at their site in Indian Wells than drove to Palm Spring to the Palm Canyon, owned by the Agua Caliente Cahuilla Indians. (pronounced Kaw-we-ah)
Palm canyon is considered the world's largest California Fan Palm Oasis. It is a rocky, desolate place yet very beautiful with all the Fan Palm trees on the canyon floor. There are hot water springs coming out of the ground. One can really smell the sulfur but we are told it is drinkable although we didn't try!!! The canyon walls are rocky and bare yet it does sustain some vegetation such as small cactus and fire brush.
We paid $8 each to get in the park which is Indians operated and owned. We drove up on a paved road to the start of the canyon and at one point, we had to go around this rock outcrop coming over the road. I wasn't sure if the truck was going to make it, but it did! That was when we realized why there was a lot back a way that said "RV DROP-OFF, DO NOT GO ANY FURTHER". We drove up about 800 feet to the Visitor Centre where they had a concession with food,drinks and souvenirs (very expensive). Maps of trails in the area were available for free. Lots of people here. We walked down to the Palm oasis and then up the canyon floor.
The palms followed the floor of the canyon and there were trails interjecting as we walked up. The trails were anywhere, from 2 miles to 15 miles long depending on the time and shape one was in and one could take any of them. We took a trail returning to the lodge which turned out to be approx. 3 miles long, up the canyon walls then along a ridge and back down. It was very warm but we had the winds and lots of water which was a good thing. We walked along a very desolate desert scenery interjected by cactus and small shrubs that looked like they were on their last leg yet were surviving in this arrid climate. We kept a watchful eye for rattle snakes but didn't see any. The trail took us approx. 500 feet higher than the canyon floor and at some points along, we could see the palms at the bottom of the canyon. (SEE PICTURES) It was very beautiful, and we got plenty of exercise. We finally arrived back at the Centre, had a drink and left.
We drove over to another canyon, the Andreas' where we met up with a guide who was very interesting and with a good sense of humour. This canyon was larger than the previous one and the rock formations were really interesting.
We had to return as we had a dinner to attend to. Dropped off Rick and Pat back at their site, drove back to ours, had enough time to wash then attended the dinner. Turkey and all the trimming. Afterwards, I went home and passed out on the couch, tired from a very strenuous day.....just not use to that kind of exercise.
NOV. 23, Friday, sunny and windy
Attended another computer session early this morning. This one was about a gadget to amplifies the reception of the WIFI signals. Had to leave half way through but will definitely investigate more.
We have T time this morning with Rick and Pat at the Indio municipal golf course. An 18 holes, executive, for only $18. Can't beat that! It was a very nice course and we had fun even with the strong winds....we seem to attract those whenever we play golf!?????
Afterwards, we drove to "BEST BUY" where Rick bought a new laptop, a Toshiba like mine with built-in WIFI. I looked for this WIFI gadget on the signal reception but they didn't have any.
We went to their site and had happy hours together. We left around 6 p.m. after saying our final goodbyes ( they are leaving for Yuma tomorrow) and we came home and relaxed
NOV 24, Saturday,
The winds were really strong overnight. I could hear the flags flapping against the front of the trailer. The small tables outside were blown around too.
Went for groceries today....and $200. later ( I guess we were really down on everything) we came home, put everything away and read and relaxed some more. The winds finally abated later in the afternoon. Also heard on the news that L.A. is getting more fires fanned by the winds. What a place to live!!!!!
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