yes, but how was PS otherwise, Peter?

If you had told the me of 30 years ago, living in Terrace, BC, that I would spend half of my life (almost that at this point) in the US and that I would LOVE visiting the desert, heat and all, I would have scoffed.  Greatly.  Loudly.  Pointedly.  And yet here we are.

I do love going down to the desert.  I loved it even before Van was in our lives and we were spending so much time at the house he owned in Rancho Mirage.  Is it a vibe?  Amenities?  Landscape?  I don't know.  I don't think about it that much.  I just like going.

So here's what I enjoyed this time...

Our hotel.   

For years we've driven past the partially complete property in the middle of downtown Palm Springs, wondering when it would ever be re-started and finished.  Well, guess what?  They finished it last year, and it's now a Hyatt property.  It's also dog friendly, so we could bring Olive.  Our verdict?  Good hotel!  The room was basic but spacious.  The artwork around the facility was cool. 

The layout of the hotel and the landscaping were great. 

Nice pool - we only lounged by it but didn't splash in it. 

All in all, it was an impressive space.  We'd go back.

Walking around town. 

It was nice to stay where we did because it meant easy walking each morning.  I went through Old Las Palmas and surrounding neighbourhoods.  I went past the Palm Springs Art Museum. 

The mornings were mild enough that walking was fine.  I was glad to get out, see the town, take photos, get some steps in.

The cocktails! 

Yep, my mostly dry March is over at this point.  I really need to do a similar thing after spring break, though, and through until our May trip.  Anyway, I loved the inside bar at the hotel. 

Really good and interesting drinks.  A Mastiha Spritz for me,

and then a Hugo at the (not as good) pool bar the next evening.

Mostly, though, it was just great for the three of us to get away. 

Yes, room logistics and sleep can be wonky, but it's worth it to enjoy time with Conrad and Van (and Olive!).  I hope we'll be back down that way later this year for Conrad's birthday.  Should be fun! 

home again

Hey, friends!  We made it home over an hour and a half ago.  An easy ride back from the desert just as the ride down on Sunday was easy and relatively fast.  I'll post from the desert in days ahead, but for now, I've got laundry on the go, and I'm feeling lazy.  We'll catch up soon!  For now, relaxing, much like I did yesterday.  And, like yesterday, I am not getting in a pool.  🤣🤣🤣

 

PS weekend

The weekend that was in now days behind us, so of course that means I am at long last writing about it!

Van had the idea of the two of us getting away to the desert last weekend.  I know, I know - it is bloody hot there at this time of year.  Each day easily got above 100 degrees, and we can comment on dry heat all we want, but it's still hot.  Nonetheless, we got ourselves packed up, and on Friday afternoon, after I had finished off some work things, we hit the road.  Olive came with us, by the way, but you won't be seeing photos of her in this blog other than this one. 

We made sure, I promise you, to keep her in air conditioned rooms and walking on pavement as little as possible.  She was comfortable, and she loved her meet-and-greet sessions with the other hotel guests.

Anyway, Van had had an email regarding some good summer time prices at a hotel we like and have stayed at before:  L'Horizon.  It's a handsome setting, with decent rooms and a fine pool and bar area. 

It's quiet, no outside people allowed to use the bar.  And at this time of year, although they told us they had a lot of bookings (good for them!), I don't think I saw more than ten other people using the pool area at any one time.

Oh, but we used the pool area. 

Friday evening after dinner.  Saturday, late afternoon after shopping.  Sunday morning before breakfast and then checking out.  I took advantage of it.

I also took advantage of cooler morning temperature (relatively speaking) to get out on morning walks.  In part to swing by Koffi and grab a decaf latte, but also it's just nice to see the neighbourhoods nearby. 

On the Sunday morning, that moon was still bright out when I set out. 

For such a tourist town, Palm Springs can be quiet early, and especially away from the main drag downtown.

We only had the one full day there, and we enjoyed ourselves with poking in some stores, buying a few things here and there.  I had scheduled an early afternoon online happy hour with some ALA friends as well, so I got a cocktail from the hotel bar (The Rhodonite) and sat in our room and then on our patio, catching up with folks.

We also dined well.  The new Thompson Hotel downtown has some dining options, and we tried out Bar Issi. 

Terrific waiter, some clunky service from the food runners.  Good cocktails

- just look at that drink that Van has! 

A variation on a mai tai for him.  My drink was so conventional and boring alongside that (but I liked it)! 

I enjoyed the fried zucchini blossoms

and the branzino,

but that bread was the star of the meal. 

So good!   The next night we went back to Workshop Kitchen, not without some trepidation given how poor the service was the last time we were there.  This time, however, the service was quite dine, affable and helpful.  Last Words for us,

bread

and a beet salad to share,

and then the pork steak for me. 

Really super - the cherry mostarda was intense, and the meat and the grits worked well with that.  Van enjoyed his corn risotto, and passed me the heads of the grilled shrimp to enjoy. 

We didn't need dessert, but we went for it (and felt so full afterward).  A passionfruit pavlova? 

Yes, please.  It made me feel a little closer to Conrad all those miles away in New Zealand.

An excellent weekend escape, and I was glad to be back in the desert after more than two years away from it.  I do sometimes still daydream about having a nice home down there, I admit....