Hope Springs Resort

At only 10 units it is a small resort and it was absolutely perfect for me. The old sign is there to keep the Mid Century ambiance but this really is Hope Springs. No kids, no dogs, no TV, plenty of time to read my books, lounge poolside or dip into the 3 mineral pools ranging from bathwater temp to a HOT 110. The breakfasts were SO delicious; fresh fruit, hard boiled eggs, good cheeses, bread, fresh tomatoes!, yogurt, granola, good breads and a few pastries. I was first up each morning (yes, I relaxed but I just could NOT sleep past 6:00) and got my pick of the New York Times, LA Times or the Desert Reporter to read. They have spa services; massages (other guests just raved about their massages), wraps, and the like but I didn't indulge in those. Maybe next time... Every good vacation should end with a little bit of longing.

Joshua Tree National Park

weedyone


These pictures are not in the order I wanted but it will have to do. One of the highlights of my escape to the desert was the day I spent in Joshua Tree National Park. I took two hikes; one to the Arch(.5) and another to 49 Palms Oasis (3.miles). The weather was fabulous at only about 78 degrees and just about no wind. I did make a few comments on the pictures if you want to read them just click on the Webshots Logo and it should take you directly to my photo album. This was Ash Wednesday. How appropriate is that; spending the first day of lent in a desert!

Every Adventure...

...begins with those first steps, the purchase of a ticket, hotel reservations, arranging the car rental, and reading the travel books. Then for me begins the worry; will the weather cooperate, should I go on guided tour or self guided, how much extra car insurance should I get, should I hike alone and run alone (both of which I love, but go against conventional wisdom). The longer between planning and traveling and the longer my list grows. But now I am here, in Desert Hot Springs, and all has gone better than I could have expected. The first night at pool side when talking with other people I mentioned it was my first time to the Palm Springs area and one woman's eyes got big and she said, "You are experiencing desert weather at it's most sublime!" At 78 degrees and only a whisper of a wind, I couldn't agree with her more. I rented a car, bought the self guided map of Mid-Century architecture and saw about a dozen places that satisfied my thirst for all things googie. The next day I went to Joshua Tree National Monument and saw amazing rocks in amazing hues of red and brown against brilliant blue skies. The 49Palms Oasis hike was probably the highlight for me. I hiked all three miles and saw nary a snake only a few lizards and Gambel's quails that startled me as much as I did them. How do those birds stay so clean and tidy looking in all that sand? They are quite pretty. This morning I awoke to the sounds of doves and a magpie instead of crows and robins. Magpies are loud! The platters of fresh fruit, cheeses, breads and hard boiled eggs drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice and parsley were the perfect start to another perfect day. It will be a poolside day, a book reading day, a slather on sunscreen and soak up the sun kind of day.

Pictures, plenty of pictures, to be coming!

What a Sweetheart!

Last summer I bought this framed piece of filigreed ironwork at a garage sale for $1.00 and put it in the shed with the intention of refinishing the frame which was ugly. I thought I would strip the ugly paint and then leave the frame looking distressed. My husband disagreed, saying a yellow frame to match the garden shed would be best. Well, I never got around to doing the work and he did, so it is yellow and I like it. I like it a lot. I think its a perfect Valentine's Day surprise!