An oasis in the desert

I already told you we weren't totally lazy on our trip. I think we achieved my perfect balance of activity, lounging and eating good food. Sigh. So maybe I should take back what I said about there being nothing to do in Palm Springs. There are LOTS of hikes for those outdoorsy types (that we pretend to be). I'm so glad we dedicated one morning to take Jack on his very first hike. It was GORGEOUS! The contrast between the blue sky, red rocks, yellow sand and green palm trees was breath-taking. And it was so quiet. I'm discovering more recently how much nature speaks to me, particularly the quiet. This sounds funny now as I type it but I even took a video of the quiet so I could remember it - I don't have a lot of silence in my life right now!! If you're a lover of nature, eat these up. If not, sorry for a boring picture post! :) 

  

 Look! We found the springs! 

 As you can see, Jack was a fan of hiking.

 

 

The end!

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

Honestly, one of the beautiful things about Palm Springs was that there wasn't actually all that much to do. There is definitely a high end shopping scene (which couldn't be further from my cup of tea) and also golf (not my tee either - pun intended!) So it was nice to feel free from pressure to leave the pool to get out and do and see. We did, however, hit up one tourist attraction, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Yowsa! It was so worth the money! It's apparently the world's largest revolving aerial tram and man, was it ever steep (and fast!) 

Looking up:

And then back down at a passing tram

In 12 minutes, we'd gone up to 8,000 ft above sea level with stunning views of the valley below and the forest (yes, green forest) atop what had appeared below to be a barren desert hillside.

Gorgeous! And cold.

I couldn't get enough of the contrasting green next to dry and dead. I mean, where are the roots of these trees on the rocks?

Rainbow sky

We intentionally timed our trip so we could see the sunset from on high. I wish cameras did sunsets justice!

The sky was literally on fire!

The trip up cost a pretty penny for us cheapskates but I would definitely do it again and would recommend it to anyone who finds themselves in the vicinity. And word from the (now) wise: pack a coat!

Palm Springs Getaway!!

SUNSHINE!!! It was what the doctor ordered. So, with agreeable babysitters for the girls (the grandparents!), Graham and Jack and I headed for the hills figuring it was now or never. Who knew the dessert could be so incredibly beautiful?!

We'd been considering the idea of a family vacation before Graham starts his new job and I head back to work but then we realized bringing all 3 kids would turn the event into more of a trip than a vacation and so plan B was born. It was JUST what we needed after a rather exhausting Fall, adjusting to life with three kiddos. Jack was a dream traveler and allowed us much of the R & R we needed. 

We used airline miles to book at room at the Riviera which was quirky and modern and just our style. When we arrived, we checked in at the front desk and were asked if we had any room preference. I told them not really, but that I'd prefer something with a view as "we always seem to get the shaft and get the room overlooking the dumpster." The guy at the front desk tapped at his computer and then told us he had a nice room that he thought would be just right for us. After lugging all our bags all the way across the resort to said room, we threw open the curtains to see a lovely view of......

THE LAUNDRY FACILITIES!!! 

We sat there for about 10 minutes weighing our options and finally settled for the path of high maintenance given that we were going to be here a full week and spending a lot of time in our room with a napping baby. We returned to the front desk to request a new room only to be told they were booked solid. Of course they did have a suite we could upgrade to for a few more dollars a night...

SOLD!

I was so glad we chipped in the extra dough. The suite was SO much bigger with a much nicer balcony and a HUGE bed. 

And a full sitting area too!

For the most part, we spent our time here (and who wouldn't?):

The pool was gorgeous and we had it pretty much to ourselves on the weekdays. On the weekends, the partying singles from LA joined us and I did my best to blend right in, holding my 3 month old baby in one arm and my book "Positive Discipline" in the other. 

We figured out our poolside system, sneaking in picnics complete with wine (in coffee cups!) that we'd purchased on a Trader Joe's run, taking turns with who was "the parent." Let me tell you, it was DIVINE and I read 1 3/4 books over the course of the week! We even had two lucky days days where Jack took marathon three hour naps while BOTH his parents lounged and read. 

He was a star and played happily on the pool chairs and on the bed of towels we created beneath. I swear people must have thought we were crazy, leaning down and talking to the cement ground. Then suddenly they'd spot Jack and realize we had a baby down there. 

The life...

 

We weren't entirely lazy on our trip though. We ran three of the mornings we were there and it felt good to introduce Graham to the feeling of running without the layers of gloves and long sleeves! We also enjoyed as many meals as possible OUTSIDE. Some of our favorite restaurants included happy hour at Sidebar (at our hotel), Cheeky's, Birba, Tinto and King's Highway at the Ace Hotel.

I was a big fan of our breakfasts (my favorite meal!) in particular, with views of the mountains and palms to boot.

And coffee. Good coffee.

Can I get on a plane and go back?