When we landed, we headed straight to the College of the Desert street fair to do some shopping and have lunch (mmm, hot dogs). They have the street fair every weekend during the "season" (Palm Desert talk for Fall and Winter), and it's one of my favorite things to do while down there. This trip I found some new socks, woo hoo!
After lunch, we went to the grocery store to stock up for our trip (ingredients for monster cookies were a must), then headed to the condo. As soon as we unpacked, it was time for a golf cart ride!
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| view from |
Palm Valley Country Club has tons of citrus fruit trees. While out in the cart each day, we'd pull over to steal lemons, oranges, and grapefruit from people's yards. We're so sneaky. We may have gone a little overboard though, as half the weight of my suitcase going home came from the lemons I was smuggling.
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| our loot |
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| most ginormous grapefruit I've ever seen |
When we came back from our crime spree, it was nap time for me (my life is hard), while Mom and Bub (at least he claims to have helped) made monster cookies. Monster cookies are my favorite...peanut butter, oatmeal, chocolate chip. Plus you make them monster size, so delicious.
Since it was Oscar Sunday, we sat down in the den for cocktail hour while we watched the opening of the show before we had to head out for dinner. That night we went to Acqua Pazza, the same restaurant we ate at on our previous visit. I had the same thing as before, the most delicious steak dinner ever, and this time with cappuccino ice cream for dessert.
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| filet minon mountain |
After dinner, it was back home to watch some more of the Oscars before bedtime.
The next morning, the guys left to go play tennis while Mom and I ate cookies for breakfast (this is what they miss out on when they leave). I also sat out on the patio enjoying the sun and watching the golfers.
When the men came home (*manly voice*), we left to go to In N Out for lunch, a must when you're in SoCal.
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| noms |
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| Bub and Mom |
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| Me and Papa |
Then it was off to the tram! I've seen the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway each time we're down visiting, but have never ridden it. My uncle suggested we do it this trip. This terrified my mother, but we still went anyways.
We made the turn off the road, and followed the long steep hill to the parking lot...which was just another long steep hill to climb by foot once we parked. We eventually made it, and just in time to make the gondola that leaves every half hour.
The gondolas are bigger than I imagined holding up to 80 people. They also spin around as it climbs the mountain (kind of like the Space Needle) to give you a 360˚ view.
To give my mom credit, the ride was a little rocky. Especially when the gondola would pass a tower holding the cable and the whole thing would start to sway. But it was still fun to laugh at her expense.
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| terrified |
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| heading up the mountain |
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| getting further away |
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| beautiful view of Coachella Valley |
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| arriving at the top |
After traveling almost 6,000 feet up, we reached the lodge at the top where the ground was covered in snow. Pretty cool to have such a drastic climate change in a short 14 minute ascent. We checked out the view and did some hiking through the snow.
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| panorama of Coachella Valley |
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| an informational sign for Clint to read |
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| worm holes |
After exploring, we caught another tram down the mountain.
After the tram ride, we were in need of some froyo. But when we got to the frozen yogurt shop, it was gone, how tragic! We were so looking forward to some self serve, but had to make due with hot fudge sundaes from Mickey D's next door. Bub told Papa that we'd have to find a new place to go since a daily frozen yogurt run while in Palm Desert is a must.
That night we stayed in for dinner, and had some delicious ribs. The moon was also out, so I tried to get a good shot, but my camera on my phone didn't do it justice.
We also put my grandpa to work and made him fix the toilet before bed, thanks Papa!
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| Mr. Fix-it |
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