In the Spring of 2023, we decided to go West!
We spent several weeks in the Palm Springs area where we enjoyed the desert, food, golf and mineral springs. The high, dry heat was a gift to Peter’s golf game and Monica’s attitude. While staying at the Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa, Pete’s golf game got better and better each day. When Monica played with him, she actually hit more balls than she missed!
Here’s a slide show of the beautiful Rancho Mirage Golf Resort and Spa (and us playing golf). Swip away!
Palm Springs Mineral Spas
To relax after all of the golf, Peter spent time at the Palm Springs’ new Spa at Sec-He where he enjoyed the “Agua Caliente” hot mineral spring. It’s said that the 105-degree water from the area’s many mineral springs is over 12,000 years old!
The California Desert
Monica has always been fascinated with geology and deserts, so she was in her element in Palm Springs. Johsua Tree, the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas fault area were our favorite locations. We took an extended jeep tour around Palm Desert, hiked into canyons and crevices, viewed the landscapes, wildlife, and learned how about its rich oasis. We learned how the Cahuilla Indian tribe survived and how the Pacific and North American plates affect earthquakes. Although it was extremely hot, we (especially Monica) absolutely loved it.
Swipe through these photos of our Palm Desert trip:
Palm Springs Tram
We took the Palm Springs Tram to the top of the desert and ate at its Peak Restaurant. It took us by surprise that the temperature was over 100-degrees on the ground, and there was snow at the top. The scenery was breathtaking.
The Food
We enjoyed dining at many of the historical restaurants in Palm Springs and touring celebrity home locations from the past and present. We especially loved the Le Vallaris restaurant, which is built into a mountain wall – and where all the great movie stars used to dine.
The desert is a far cry from NYC and Florida, and it felt like a different world. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!
Coronado and La Jolla, California.
After leaving Palm Springs, we went to Coronado, California and stayed at the Hotel Del Coronado, most famous for being the set of Some Like It Hot starring Marilyn Monroe. We didn’t take many photos during our visit because we were taking a technology break, but it was a glorious island and hotel. We felt we had gone back in time to the 1930s, 40s and 50s. It oozed old time glamour, and we loved watching the Naval Academy fighter planes practice above us.
We spent time in San Diego and took a private tour of La Jolla. Monica has been intrigued by La Jolla since she took her niece Olivia to San Diego a few years earlier – and now she wanted to go with Pete Kelly. The greenery, the scenery, the ocean and the sea lion caves were unforgettable.
While in California, we decided to make several changes in our lives, such as removing toxic elements and instead, nurturing our relationship with each other, our families, and our most healthy friendships.
Our California trip was the catalyst for all of our adventures to come.