I walked and fed the dogs, we readied the travel trailer, and we hooked-up the truck. All by 8:00 a.m. We only had a 145 mile day to reach our next destination. And, we gain an hour in California. My friend, Linda Brockie, is a ranger at the Thousand Trails. She sent me several text messages about various sites that were open at the park. We arrived by 10:00 a.m. I generally like sites that are at the west end of the park --- adjacent to the large desert. Lucky Site #13 was available. I stayed in that site last season too.
That afternoon, on a walk with the dogs around the circumference of the park, I stopped by to see good friends, Linda and Rick Brockie. They lost their 5th Wheel to a fire in September. But, they have a new travel trailer and are very happy with it! Linda mentioned that another friend, Larry Parks, was going to teach his brother-in-law how to play pickleball. Perfect timing! Larry worked with Tom on pickleball techniques. Larry is way more qualified than me to teach the sport!
One of my favorite sushi places is Sam's Sushi in La Quinta. They have a delectable lobster roll. Last year, being on my own, I would order it for a "to go." But, Tom and I had a nice dinner at the sushi counter.
It was nice being back at the Palm Springs Thousand Trails. It is like being home. There are so many friends and fun pickleball. Tom and I hit the pickleball courts two days in a row.
By the third day, Tom was a little sore from the pickleball activities. So, we took a break and went to a local theater to see the new film
Darkest Hour. It stars Gary Oldman and has good reviews. I liked it!
Before the show, we also visited a store that had been recommended to Tom by a friend. It was called Good Feet. They sell shoe supports for people with foot pain or balance issues.
I reached out to Pat and Bill Wheeler. While we are in the desert, it made sense to make a day trip to the Jojoba Hills RV Park in Aguanda. It is an hour and twenty minute drive over the Palms to Pines Highway 74. We decided to make the trip on Friday, December 29.
Christmas, once again, is at the Kuwata home in Pasadena. My sister Wendy and her husband Kai took over the holiday after Richard and I left Los Angeles almost fifteen (!) years ago. So, the plan plays out --- drop the dogs off at The Grand Paw Resort by noon on Christmas Eve.
Drive the 125 miles to the Jonathan Club in downtown Los Angeles and check into the hotel for a two-night stay.
The Jonathan Club concierge made Christmas Eve dinner reservations at Cafe Pinot --- a short walk from the club. Prior to our dinner, we visited the Tap Room on the 2nd floor of the club. The bar tender took a very nice photo! Tom and I were in festive burgundy.
As usual, the dinner at Cafe Pinot was very good. Downtown Los Angeles was lite up for the holidays.
The next morning, we had a buffet breakfast in the Tap Room and leisurely strolled down Figueroa to LA Live! and the Staples Arena. I told Tom it was a four or five block walk. Well, maybe more! One highlight was the recently opened Wilshire Grand Center. We took the elevator to the Intercontinental hotel lobby on the 70th floor. The views were not as spectacular as they could be --- hazy skies. This building is now the highest building west of Chicago.
The Wilshire Grand Center took over this tallest building prestige from the Library Tower built in 1989.
We arrived a few minutes early to the Kuwata home. We were asked to come at 2:00 pm. We brought wine and a pecan pie from Trader Joe's. All the Sheltons began to trickle in. It was going to be a smaller group for Christmas --- only 15 of us. We took the family photos at about 3:45 pm. There is the one of the six Shelton siblings.
And there is the photo of the family. Thank you, Tom, for being the photographer!
The routine for the day after Christmas --- check out of the Jonathan Club and pick up the dogs by noon.
It was an easy commute to the desert. We stopped at the Thousand Trails RV Resort and dropped off our suitcases and clothes before picking up the gang. The Grand Paw Resort is not inexpensive, but they do a great job caring for Ramsey, Kelsey, and Libby.
Tom and I have been having fun playing the game of Rummikub. I have met my match. Tom wins more than I do, but it is a great game of strategy, tiles, and luck.
I got a text from my friend Sara. Her Mom, Jeane Edwards died on December 26 at age 92. She had been in the hospital for three weeks with lung issues and it did not look good. Mrs. Edwards was an incredible lady and will be missed!
On Thursday, I played some pickleball in the morning. Tom sat this one out. The courts had been really busy the other day. In the afternoon, we drove over to Palm Springs and had adult beverages and appetizers with long-time friend Alan Buckelew, his daughter Erin, and his son-in-law, John. Alan and I both lost our spouses in 2016. Christine Buckelew died unexpectedly of a massive heart attack in February. Alan is the COO of Carnival Cruises, the parent company of Princess, Cunard, Holland America, etc. Since the death of Chris, his position has slowly evolved into more of a consultant. He plans to retire next November --- just before his 70th birthday.
Alan, Erin, and John rented a home in Palm Springs for Christmas. They were heading back to West Los Angeles the next day.
Friday, December 29, arrived. Tom and I loaded the dogs into the truck and we headed over to Aguanga, California. There, we visited long-time RV friends at the Jojoba Hills SKP RV Resort. Bill and Pat Wheeler and Walt and Pam MacQueston live there. Other friends, Claudette and Larry Van Dusen, dropped over for lunch from Wilderness Lakes Thousand Trails in Menifee. It was a fun three-hour visit.
The temperature at the park reached the low 80's. Rather than boil the dogs in the truck, I set-up a "pad" for them to lounge on for the hours we were there. It seemed to work.
That afternoon, we stopped at the local Stater Brothers Market to pick up groceries for the next few days. This market was started as a butcher shop and it has retained quality meat for all these years.
The next morning, while walking the dogs, I happened upon a beautiful sunrise. With this park and the palm trees, it can be captivating.
Saturday, December 30, I thought it best to introduce Tom to the beautiful La Quinta Resort. It is beautifully decorated for the holidays, sits in the majesty of the Santa Rosa Mountains, and was built in the 1920s. Many Hollywood celebrities and wealthy families have spent time here. It is currently operated by the Waldorf Astoria.
The main dining room bar was not yet open, so we had Cadillac Margaritas, guacamole, and chips on the picturesque open deck.
Oh, what do the simple folk do! After our drinks, we drove several miles to Fisherman's Market and Grill for a lovely dinner. For dinner, I had Cajun lobster tacos and Tom had fried clams.
The next day was New Year's Eve. Tom and I decided to play things low key. We did some laundry in the afternoon and had steak, baked potato, and sauteed brussel sprouts, and a nice Malbec for dinner. We celebrated the New Year "a la" New York City time with Prosecco Italian Sparkling wine.
Happy New Year! Happy 2018. What a difference a year makes. Life is good at our RV site, Lucky #13.
For the new year, I played several hours of pickleball. Tom came out for some games too.
The rest of the day was very low key. I must have contracted some 12-hour bug. I slept most of the day and night --- except to participate in some "doggy" duties. Tom was helpful with some "doggy" duties as well. The plan was to have crock-pot pork, cabbage, and squash for dinner on New Year's Day. That dinner was postponed a day.
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