Palm Springs

Someone in this travel party of two made the suggestion--"Let's go to Palm Springs.  Its only a two hour drive."  When you hail from a state like Idaho a drive of a couple of hours is easy, relaxed and does not happen on a race track.  The person planning the little trip happens to be a passenger not the driver and is great at arranging these little jaunts then just sits back and rides.  The driver usually goes along with the plans and thinks about the validity of the decision.

   
It seemed many- many people were going to Palm Springs.  Many- many people are always going places in California.  What was a two hour trip turned into a three hour journey because of construction.  Traffic lanes narrowed down to two then down to one.  Creeping along gave
us a chance to notice how the terrain changed.  We moved through mountains with huge outcrops of boulders to mountains of scrub brush and finally mountains of sand.

  We passed acres of wind farms providing a source of renewable power for a small amount of the population.  The wind blows through that area much like Idaho Falls or maybe-- would I dare say even harder.  Once we entered the city itself it was a whole new world.  Calm, slow traffic, little traffic.  A small spot in the desert that absorbs all the tension people bring with them. It is easy to understand why it is a popular vacation spot.  43,000 call Palm Springs home.  Thankfully it is an area that has not been over run or over worked.

 

 

     Many of the tract homes built in the 50'sand 60's by Alexander Construction Company are a coveted piece of real estate.  Very simple style-- they were affordable and had interesting lines.  Each house was the  the city's history.  If you own one of these homes you are among the lucky.  California modern style was a new, fresh idea which still thrives today.

 

An afternoon gave us a small taste of Palm Springs.  More time could have been spent, but we chose the Palm Springs Art Museum and a drive through older neighborhoods looking for the unique homes.  Considering the slow pace at which travel takes place, we ran out of time.  If it was bad coming, going back to San Diego during rush hour could be daunting. Contemplating a long, slow drive we bought food to eat along the way--black licorice, potato chips and mixed nuts.  A less hectic drive back.  Junk food always helps.

 

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Doing Laundry

I had to do a little bit of laundry today. Being a light traveler makes airport navigation easy, but somewhere before the trip is over I have to do laundry.  Of course, that means a trip to a laundry facility.  I am not totally new to such places--I just haven't had to use them for many years.  I made many trips to the basement of our apartment in S. Weymouth Massachusetts apartment for the purpose of providing clean apparel for our small family.  I carried a baby in the basket of clothes down the stairs while a toddler waited at the top for me to return to get him.  I would put him on my right hip, the detergent and a toy care in my left hand and head back down. 

Neils and Bree have a great little apartment, but no in house washer and dryer. This is the first time I have walked down an alley to reach a laundry facility--not saying that is bad just different.

You exit through the back, down the stairs and into the alley.  Not a bad alley as allies go--no dark corners, or garbage piled high. 

Actually it is a pleasant alley. Other apartments have entrances from there along with employee entrances to the shops facing Girard Street. I think alleys have character simply because they are naked and up front with no pretense--they are what they are.  This alley has a lot going for it.  Two little yellow apartments are hidden there.  Small wooden homes built many years ago, perhaps before their street became an alley.



A gate to --maybe the secret garden

There is no  direct route to this secreted washer and dryer.  Turn left then, turn right and you still haven't a clue.  Just keep walking straight ahead and look for the white door on your right.  Never would you ever guess that in a tiny space behind that door would be a washer and dyer both fully equipped with coin slots.  The sign makes it official---OPEN DAILY 8:00 to 10:00.  Two loads and
we are clean again.  When the last load went into the dryer the next customer was filling the washer with her soon to be clean clothes.  She had tied her dirty clothes in a plastic garbage bag and launched it  from a second story window.  
  
 Had a quick chat with her and found out she had a double knee replacement recently and wishes people would not be so careless with the little laundry room.  Off she went to open the door to one of the little yellow houses in the alley.  An interesting two hours.  One never knows what waits down an alley.

 

 

 

 

Launch site of dirty laundry.  I wonder what really goes on behind that closed door.

 

 

 

                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

Something Different

Its lucky we are to have kids that turn their apartment over to us in scenic La Jolla Village for two weeks while they vacation.  There is no problem having fun here: the ocean, weather, food, interesting locals, flowers--what more could a person ask for.  When friends back home tell you snow is in the forecast, this is the place to be.

A small apartment but done in style.  A comfort attractive homey place

We are nomads living out of suitcases trying to keep things organized.  I have a tendency to misplace items.  It would help if I traveled with a suit case that had no zipper pockets, yet I fear not having enough room to pack all I need thus the necessity of pockets. I have no solution for the problem since I refuse to travel with less.  I am already down to the bare bones.



The apartment is in a fun downtown section. Above the red awning is the window looking onto the street.

We can hear the people laughing and talking as they walk down the street.  Things come alive about 6:00 as they look for places to shop and have dinner.  It is warm enough to open the windows and enjoy a nice breeze off the ocean as well as the sounds of street life.

With no agenda.  We have stayed in La Jolla today walking and exploring.  There is much to see and blocks to hike. A favorite walk is always along the beach to check out the surfers and the seals. Tomorrow I think the farmer's market in Little Italy is on our to do list After that well, we just have to see.  

I am fascinated by the amount of shopping taking place here. High end shops call this part of La Jolla home and have faithful consumers.  I wander into the shops to browse and immediately am asked if I need something special.  Oh ya--right.  Next question--are you from here?  Why are they asking--Do I stand out like a sore thumb?  I am wearing a necklace, earrings and a Jones of New York shirt.  My Jeans are almost skinny.  What is the give away--my payless shoes?  That must be it.  Tomorrow I will wear my Sketchers.