Tuscon and Warm S. Cali

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The days during our travels seem to fly by which is no excuse for not keeping in touch with all of you more often. So I’m setting a goal of blogging every two weeks during the rest of our trip. And if I don’t you can hold me to it.

We enjoyed our 12 days in Tuscon at Catalina State Park watching the sunset light up the lovely mountains and of course getting in several good hikes. We got to see nephew Gary and family one more time It was so fun sharing memories of times when Gary would stay with us as a young one. We enjoyed the sun reflecting on the mountains of Catalina State Park where we stayed. Some say “when the mountains turn pink it’s time to drink.” That’s fine for the drinkers.

We hiked to Ramona Pools which is a series of mountain pools and waterfalls. Stunning! We met up with RV friends Doug and Suzie and hiked in the Madera Canyon, Bog Springs Trail. The 5 mile hiked morphed into a 7 mile hike (we missed a turnoff) which we completed just as total darkness enveloped us. That was calling it close. Our reward was a delicious Mexican dinner. Funny how food is always the reward!

Our next 2 week stop was in Palm Desert 1000 Trails Park. Cousin Linda lives in the area so we had our very own expert concierge and hiking companion. Indian Canyon and the Bump n Grind trails were lovely. Linda and I visited the Sunnyland Center which is the historic Annenberg Estate, home of Walter and Lenore Annenberg. They hosted meetings and retreats for presidents from Reagan to Obama and international political meetings. Both also served as ambassadors of the US, the first and only couple in history to do so. We saw the Annenberg Center which featured Impressionistic paintings and gifts from the famous people who visited there, lovely desert gardens and sculptures and a film including actual footage of the celebrities who visited there.

We drove up the mountain about one hour to the charming, artsy town of Idyllwild. The Ernie Maxwell trail was fun with landscape and trees similar to Michigan. Again we treated ourselves to ice cream, at the Ice Cream and Jerky shop. We asked for soft ice cream and were served a simile made of soy, tofu, yogurt, and seeds all for only 100 calories per ½ cup. If you’re thinking that it sounds awful you are correct; it was weird and not even worth the 200 cals.

Next we met up with another Linda cousin (from the other side of our family), and her husband Mark from Los Alamitos. We camped at the Pechanga Casino RV Park near Temecula. Linda is a fellow quilter so we were in “quilt til you wilt mode” and had a ball. Other than quilt shopping and a few meals at the casino it was low key. The guys hiked.

On to our favorite Escapees Park, Jojoba Hills outside of Temecula. It was built by Escapee volunteers and sits right in the mountains, capitalizing on the desert horticulture. The planning for the needs and wants of RVers could not have been better. The quilting room is great, there is a hiking and biking group and every activity known to seniors. Okay that’s enough!

Palm Springs cousin Linda stayed with us for the weekend. Don’t share this with our Michigan friends and family, but we had to stay in today because it was too hot outside. In the 90’s. Shush!

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Comments

[kathie Cramer]

sounds lovely!
Hey Nancy, Love the way ou write! Makes me want to follow in your foot steps! You picked a good winter to be out there! Enjoy!

[Whitley RVers]

Thanks Kathie! You made my day! I wish you were following us. Only problem would be that Terry could not get a word in edgewise. Hope you are well and the package arrived for Jack. Love.

[karla]

I would rather join the escapees than eat that faux yogurt. And you are not eliciting any sympathy from us as you swelter in the 90s while we shiver in the sub zeros. But then...we're just jealous. See you when you get back. We'll buy you some real yogurt! k/p

[Whitley RVers]

Next year will be your year to escape MI winters. Maybe we can escape together!! How is your second retirement going? We are so happy for you. The Freedom!!