Play Time

No I Wasn't Playing Golf . . But!

Photo by Ryan caven on Unsplash

Last week, my daughter, son-in-law, and I went on a 5-day car trip to Palm Springs, CA. We stayed at a delightful Airbnb situated on a golf course. While he golfed, we painted, exercised, and relaxed for two days.

This trip isn’t the first in the past three years. We’ve been to Hawaii, Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe, San Diego, Victoria, BC, and last year we went to Glacier, Yellowstone, and the Tetons National Parks. But our first trip together was in 1989, when we visited his parents in Canton, China.

Most trips these days are with their dogs, Fallon and Ivy. And, yes, I am fortunate that they include me. I would never have had such great experiences otherwise.

One day, we toured the area. I thought you might want a glimpse of places you’ve never been to, at least I hadn’t.

The first stop was at the north end of the Salton Sea, which is said to be an oasis in the desert, adopted by millions of birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. California’s largest lake stretches about 35 miles in a remote valley - 227 feet below sea level. It isn’t aging well.

However, we were the only ones there, and it was peaceful and quiet. I was surprised to learn that the “sand” was ground shells. At the south end of the sea is the Sonny Bono Wildlife Center, but we didn’t go that far.

Instead, we drove north of Desert Springs, into the mountains to a vista point - 4000 ft. above sea level overlooking the Coachella Valley.

And back to Palm Desert for lunch.

We drove home on Thursday. The finishing touch was a stop at the Harris Ranch Resort for dinner.

The Ranch is located in the foothills of California’s San Joaquin Valley and is reminiscent of an early Hacienda - known for its Western hospitality and cuisine. Trust me, the food was excellent, and the gift shops were delightful.

We are back home safely and already talking about the next trip.

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