Putting a (Palm) Spring in my Step

Firstly. Apologies for the delay in this blog entry, the wifi at the previous hotel was very, very unreliable.

The Coachella Valley is simply one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’ve posted some photos but they don’t do it even a vague justice. The combination of huge mountains, palm trees and desert makes a stunning vista.

It’s also one of the hottest. I, a geek for summer, is very happy about that. I thought I might struggle to adjust from winter, but nope, I was immediately looking for a rock, that I could lie on like a lion and just bask. Sadly, my travel partners are not as super keen as I am.

There’s been a gap in blog entries because there’s been not a lot to say.  Flight was long, but fine.  Then we drove to Palm Springs. Yesterday was mostly focused on recovering from jet lag for three of the four of us, and for worshipping any and all sun gods by the other.

A basic summary of the actual trip to Palm Springs. LA freeways are terrifying, blinkers/indicators appear to be optional, the Palm Springs area is mad for windfarms, and despite the instincts to just drive straight to the hotel, you really should stop for hydration.

So today was our first proper day. Unfortunately it got started a little later than planned as the one person who spent yesterday behaving like a lion, took it too far and slept for about 12 hours l ike one.

We started the day with a drive into actual Palm Springs, as we’re staying in a nearby town - Palm Desert. We drove up to the Visitor Center, where I bought a mid century modern architecture map. I  and we would advise that it was only $5 but not worth it.  I was sort of hoping for a suggested path, but they
didn’t offer one. So we drove around a bit blindly, trying to find places on the map, mostly unsuccessfully. What you don’t realise is that the mid century modern places are not as prominent as you’d expect, the majority of the buildings are much more South Western adobe style. So we didn’t really see what I’d hoped for.

The architecture was my main reason for coming here, so I had to dull the pain of missing out on most of it, by going shopping. And shopping I did. Plus size shopping is so much better in the US, it’s insane. There are so many choices, so many extended sizes. I can shop so easily here but basically can’t buy anything in store in Adelaide.

Things I learned while shopping:

one - people get very confused by you not wanting either their loyalty card or store credit cards, especially when you try and say it’s because you are Australian.

two -that Courtney having an e in it, is apparently quite the surprise.

three - that when a store has a buy one get two free sale, the pressure to find the third item is intense.

four - there is something really weird when a store asks you to contribute to a charity and the charity is to help a primary school teacher with school supplies. I find that so screwed up.

five - I wear a smaller size here 😀

six - and this is the most horrifying, I bought jeggings because it turns out they are both super comfortable and look amazing. I’m going to buy more.

So, yes, I shopped. I shopped hard. R.I.P. my shoulder and back, who died lugging around my now insanely heavy suitcase.

Dinner was at a sports bar. The great thing about a holiday is when you forget what day it is, and so we rocked up oblivious to it being Friday night. Thankfully we didn’t have to wait too long, and the deliciousness of the world’s most over proportioned dessert made up for a bad mac and cheese.

So, despite the lack of mid century modern architecture, a very high recommendation for the Palm Springs area, it’s an absolute stunner.

The next chapter will feature an old English flashback and possibly the most famous highway in the world.

Toodles

ROADTRIP!!

This is a quick blog tonight, because I am so tired, and just wasted what little energy I had on seven hundred and 96 attempts to recover the password for this site.

It’s funny how when you are on leave you can often find yourself happily walking many kilometres, without thinking, when if someone suggested you do the same at home, you’d just raise an eyebrow before walking to the couch. It’s also funny how you get really smug about how much you walked, until it’s 5pm and you’re lying on your hotel bed whimpering.

Soooo. We’re on holiday again - yay. (Burglars if you are reading this, we have both a ninja and a samurai housesitting, and several angry Dobermen.)

We’re roadtripping around the USA with my parents in law. The itinerary is a bit undecided but effectively it’s two nights in Palm Springs, then nearly three weeks driving (exactly to where is the undecided bit) to Chicago, where my parents in law leave but we stay on for a couple of days to see wonderful friends, and then a good old stay in Disneyland.

My parents in law generously decided to accompany us, so we could do the roadtrip, as my dream is to get to Winslow, Arizona. (It’s a reference in Take It Easy by the Eagles. That band means a lot to me). I can’t drive and A doesn’t want to.

I’ll give more detail on all of the above in later blogs.

Tonight’s the first night but we’re still in Australia. (BOOOOORRRRRING.)

We’re in Sydney tonight, as we’re heading off from here tomorrow. So we’ve spent the afternoon wandering around Sydney. And sorry, Sydney but speaking of boring, man I find you dull. Pretty harbour, and I do love the Bridge and Opera House, but everything else. Meh.

Our plan to walk around the city and get dinner before heading back to our airport motel was scuppered by both the boredom and how unfit I am, so we ended up having a fancy dinner at the McDonalds in the international terminal. So classy. So really embracing new experiences and vacation life, here.

So that’s where we are. And now I’m going to nap.

Back as soon and as often I can.

Hope you’re well!