California, Palm Springs - Teri and Jessie

After a couple of days on our, own Chris and I were joined by her friend Teri and her son, Jessie (aged 5 months).

Teri was just here for a few days but had to bring a ton of stuff! - snugglie, car seat, stroller, diapers, baby food and of course a pool floaty.

Jessie is a very easy going little guy and tolerated the pool

though not overly enthusiastic.

We went to Old La Quinta but found that it was a relatively new shopping area made to look Spanish. We walked around but there wasn't much to see. On the way home we found a Trader Joe's.

Teri had lots of friends mention that she should go there so she texted them, asking what was good. These were their recommendations. The cookie butter was delicious and tasted like ginger cookies with the consistency of peanut butter. Don't read the ingredient list though - basically oil, sugar and spices (no ginger though?).

Thursday we went for a hike. This one we didn't pay for but did leave a donation.

We started at an oasis with huge palms.

along a boardwalk over brackish water.

This was all we saw in the way of wildlife

though there was the mandatory rattlesnake sign just to worry Christine.

We hiked through desert

towards the next oasis

which was blocked off as they are trying to reintroduce a native fish that was decimated by the introduction of crayfish to the pool, years ago. It was a flat and leisurely 2 mile hike.

Thursday night we went to downtown Palm Springs for Villagefest and walked the whole pedestrian street, in and out of some shops and booths and had a bit to eat.

 

Friday afternoon they flew back home and we stopped at Del Taco on the way to the airport just to give it a try.

Friday afternoon I took another watercolour class and this is what I got done in a 3 1/2hour class. It flew by.

That evening I had a watercolour sky. I have not been getting any colour at sunset as the sky is always clear.