From Pine Trees to Palm Trees

After about 5 days back home, to spruce up the yard and take care of life there, plus trying not to have ALL our blood taken by mosquitoes, we find ourselves in Palm Springs, California.

YAY!

Oh, how we do love this place. Probably the thing we like most is that the sun will be out, and in full force, about 99% of the time. (Not to mention there is a HUGE Target with their HUGE carts just down the road. Everything does seem to be bigger in the good ol' USA.)

This trip, we flew in on the tail end of forest fires, burning in the mountains to the west of Palm Springs. There was also the chance of thunderstorms, so it was cloudy as we landed. There really has not been rain since we arrived yesterday but a decrease in temperatures and winds has helped the brave firemen and women get a handle on the blaze. Today we saw blue sky and things are starting to clear out.  The bizarre thing to me is that it is still warm out, around plus 30  degrees Celsius!

This was actually taken at 6 P.M. a couple days after the weather cleared!

Well, enough talk of weather! You would think I was from Canada or something! :)

Here are a couple photos of the LOVELY backyard, and where we spend a lot of our day.  To stay in a house, is the way to go -  the only way we travel anymore with kids. I have to admit too, I like having a washer so we don't have to pack much. In this heat, the clothes dry in no time at all, laying out in the sun!

To have a pool is even better. And, come to think of it,  I would assume it is harder to get a house without a pool of some sort. It is a God send when you are visiting, let alone vacationing here in the summer. Temperatures can reach up in to the mid forties!!!! YIKES!!!

 

This being our fourth trip here, I have started to have a bit of a plan for our arrival. After picking up the rental car, we have a quick bite to eat.   P.F. Changs' chicken lettuce wraps and dumplings are what we devour! Then we get to the house, unpack, and check out what is there. While my family is frantically tearing apart my well packed suitcases, looking for swimsuits, I make a grocery list. I also unpack while they horse around in the pool, buring off the weariness of travel. I like to feel settled as soon as possible, so I totally unpack everything first.

Then I  take the rental care for a test drive, around the block, to Albertsons, and pick up groceries. We also head to Costco to get some items as well. It is a very large (of course), and a great place to be on a hot day. They also sell Churros which we all love, especially the kids! Amyah and Max were so good with our shopping, Chris gave them the money to go and get one each, ordering and paying on their own.

And, we are now off to relax and soak up the rays. :)