Week of Dec 7 2014

Another glorious day in the Coachella valley

Monday: the moon going down in the West

The sun coming up in the East!

we sure are lucky to be here.  Eric went ski/skating for about 30 minutes, wore him out!  We spent the remainder of the day lounging by the pool.  Was making pasta sauce for dinner when the neighbor (Kim) came over to invite us for dinner at their place, Kim and Brent they provided a wonderful salad and scalloped potatoes. We could not say no, as they are so nice and trying to clean out the fridge. I made my almost famous Apple Crisp with craisins and pecans.  There was another couple (Norine and Matt) they brought a delightful desert and one other man (Dave) brought the ham and beans.  All of the food was so good.   All Canadians, very fun group to spend the evening, talking and laughing.  They are all leaving for Christmas this week and will be gone for about a month, as we are leaving here on Jan 1st we will not see them again.  too bad.  In fact the park is clearing out..  most going home for the holidays.

Tues: another lovely day to hang by the pool.  The temperature is around 80, and forecasted to be in the upper 60's next week.  we must take advantage of the heat while its hot.

we are still having trouble with our Dish hook up, so can not watch the Packers game... but was able to keep up with the scoring.  Go Pack!

made our reservations for the Salton Sea Jan 1-8.  Its about 70 miles east of here.

Tues:  we got up early to go on a bird walk at

there were about 20 people there for the walk.  we seen 17 different species and one new bird!  A western Screech Owl!  oh how excited we were!

As we were driving out we seen some wild white faced animals!

Well they were probably not wild but they were skittish and no fence to keep them corralled.

Eric has a nasty cold so it was time to go back and relax by the pool.  Right now everyone is leaving for the holidays so we pretty much have the pool to our selves!

well Eric had to share his cold with me...  I now have a sore throat and sneezing.

but after dinner we headed to see some Christmas lights

Simmons Family lights, have to watch them with the music, very cool

less than a mile from the dancing lights is

50 houses on this one street decorate their homes, each one was different, a great walk to look at them all

no camels out here in the desert, so they use ATV's

campfire california style and Santa taking a bath

Eric's favorite surfboards

early to bed with these blasted colds!

Wednesday: another bird walk today at Big Morango Preserve.  again about 20 people showed up.  We did not see any new birds although there is a Varied Thrush somewhere there so we will go back to find it...

but did find a Hummingbird taking a bath

one huge snake!  Eric is trying to overcome his fear of snakes...

obviously the snake is carved into the tree..  he really is not ready to overcome his phobia.

this is the lowest price for Diesel we have seen and we are in California!  can't imagine what Oklahoma prices are.

pool time in the afternoon, becoming a broken record!   this cold/flu has hit its peak, a little night time drug and early to bed again...

Thursday: Cloudy skies kept us away from the pool, but we did manage to get a 3 mile walk this morning.

lunch at:

the food was pretty good, the guacamole was really good, the potato soup was good and the fish tacos were OK.

We both felt well enough to go to the Walk of the Inns in PS.  There are about 20 small inns/hotels that open a few rooms for us to look at, some free wine, popcorn, cookies, etc...  it was a fun walk.

the palm trees and ski are reflections in the glass window.  it looks pretty cool though.

very retro, 50's style properties.  we were hoping to see the one we planned on being at for Thanksgiving but it was closed for pool repairs!   we walked the Village fest after the Inn walk, lots of people on the streets tonight.