Best Western Palm Springs

After several harassing knocks at the door (Hey – checkout is noon – its 9.30am so sod off) I got away from the hotel at a little after 10am. I had hoped for a return to the JT NP but when I saw that I had a 400+ mile drive and I wanted to ride the tramway up to San Jacinto I realised that was not going to happen.

So I got myself round to the tramway – which is basically a really big cable ...

... they bother with that priority luggage label – it is roundly ignored! Finally through the formalities I could go and get my car and get over to the desert. Or so I thought.

I have rented a car from Budget and because of the length of the trip and thoughts of another fun bus had to be dismissed as it would have cost £4000+ which is a bit crazy. So I rented the second cheapest car – a compact (about a focus size) as I ...

... outlet mall wasn't quite what we were expecting. Looked around for parking for over an hour just for us to realize that we couldn't handle the madness! Mile-long lines coming out of every store that was just not worth the wait. Driving back, got stuck in traffic for an hour and then got lost coming home. Ahhhh! Tuesday night went over to yayas for authentic Mexican food! Tofu-tamales! So good, along ...

... Peak at 10,834 feet. The sunrise has no sign of coming and the waning quarter moon is casting its silver light upon a slope of granite boulders. Mars is on the horizon adding an celestial element to the desert's potent stillness.
-So far this morning we shared the trail with three women hikers who started out ahead of us. We passed them (of course) because they were slow chatty ladies, but they passed us because we were men and got lost by taking a wrong ...

... be able to change color at his control. They had also had some kind of fire-art group come and set up all kids of displays that had a fire theme. Some you could even control shooting flames into the air!

The week before we went to Roger Cunningham's birthday and then Eric Koch's as well for a "try your costume" costume party. Lot's of fun this time of year.

Hope all are doing great and Leah sends greetings too!

We have arrived in Palm Springs.

We spent the day shopping at the Desert Hills Outlet Center on the way here. It definitely lives up to its name of being a "premium" outlet. They had the standard designer fare, with great discounts. However, they just did not seem to have enough regular stuff. I was looking for some sports wear for ...

After touring San Diego, our last stop was
Palm Springs, CA. This city is in the middle of the desert surrounded
by mountains. As you drive through, there are high winds you can
encounter with sand blowing onto the road, so slow down and drive with
caution, especially at night watch out for nocturnal ...

... also with my extensive bi-lingual abilities! (If only they knew, the circumstances, I thought to myself) After a morning 18 on the Long course @ Cimarron ("Boulder") I tried to play the "Pebble" Par 3 course, but I gave up after 5, I was too tired. I went back to my shady campsite for a rest. I think the relentless heat and uninterrupted golf are finally taking their toll on me. Friday 01/06/07 - After what I said yesterday I played 11 holes and then started from the ...

... as though you are outside as well due to the sky painted ceiling and lighting. We had a gondola ride with Neil videoing us from the bank, paparazzi style. Chris, Gareth and Jo all love the theatre/drama scene and 'phantom' lived up to their expectations. Meanwhile Paul and Neil went off to find the running times for some of the free shows, Treasure Island's pirate ships, The Mirage Hotel's erupting volcano and The Bellagio Hotel's fountains. Neil is likely to remember not to ...