Last Day... Time to head to LAX

After checking out of the hotel we hit the road bound for LAX. Interesting to see how technical Palm trees are in Palm Springs! 

We decided to go to the outlet shops, we flagged it away after 45 mins as the price + Pacific Peso = nothing really that special.

We enjoyed being topless again. Interesting trying to use spray on suntan lotion with the roof off, going 65mph. We managed.  

Ryan did the driving today and did a mighty fine job. 

We arrived in one piece to the airport where we got ourselves a day hotel room so that we could have a nap, shower and a Denny's pig out.... Not sure what it was, but it had cheese, lots and lots of cheese!

We are now sitting in TBIT (Tom Bradley International Terminal) awaiting our big bird home.... And enjoying the view.

Fingers cross the Qantas hospitality is just as good as it was coming over.

This trip has been a nice time away from the usual grind, it is always fun and fulfilling experiencing the world with those who you love. And Daggie - see you soon lil man!

This has been the first 'big' trip without Mum checking in on the antics and I've certainly felt that little piece missing this time around. But I know that she has been with us the whole way and enjoying the trip too. 

With that aside, thanks California you've been great.

Until next time, bye-bye now.

Time to plan the next one.

xx

The hot and the cold of it...

Bit of a delay in posting as we've been out and about.

Yesterday was a mixed bag. The first half spent in the heat of the day driving around the desert with the roof off the Beetle..

The Joshua Tree National Park is simply stunning - a reminder of both NZ and Oz. 

Who would have expected sunburn in winter. Anyway. The next part was spent up a hill, quite a big hill, looking at the Cochella Valley and the San Andreas Fault from above. 

It was a great way to have a complete escape from normality... No mobile signal....nothing!

Ryan is out there somewhere doing his best to imitate one of the trees...

Some interesting sights out there indeed..popcorn anyone?

The Cholla Cactus Garden was angry looking, but gave us some inspiration for our backyard at Chateau Nundahpants.

Next stop.... The cold bits! 

So the 5000ft bit wasn't enough, so we caught the Tramway up to the Mt San Jacinto State Park. It was only 8500ft, and 4 degrees, real teeth chattering stuff.

There was a great view from the top (and on the way up - as the car rotated so everyone could get a view of the surroundings).

Clyde hasn't seen snow before, lucky for his fur coat.

As it is a state park the wildlife were rather protected, so there was no feeding of the little critters!

But, yet again the view was rather boring....not! Nice to escape into the wild again.

Not much to report...

It has been a quiet few days in the desert, and maybe a few vodka fuelled nights. We have certainly caught up on a lot of sleep which has been well overdue. We managed a trot around downtown and just checked the place out. Bumped into Lucille Ball, she's looking great.. Just a little bit flirty!

Yesterday was rather cold.... And it snowed. Today is the complete opposite, expecting high 20's. 

Right after breakfast we are heading out in Bertie Beetle to Joshua Tree and to the Tramway (to play in the desert snow!).

Food has arrived, so time to go.

All Sorted...

Hmm, the pissed-off-ness has been rectified.

1. Get in convertible Beetle.

2. Take lid off Beetle

3. Go cruisin'

4. Accidentally find Westfield

5. GO SHOPPING

6. GET VODKA (Belvedere = US$25... That's about AU$700 right?)

7. Drink said Vodka (once back at the technicolor rave hotel)

8. Prepare to go 'downtown'

Sorted.

Now, please enjoy a random photo of a Palm Tree.

Now, where is my drink.

Hangover to follow....

That is all!

Hello Palm Springs...

Well, here we are... In the middle of the desert in California.

Yesterday was a long day with only a few hiccups. We learned very quickly that the exchange rate is far uglier than it was the last time we were in the States. So when rental car companies take a "little" bond... It converts to a rather large one.  And when the hotel doesn't tell you that they are taking a US$95 per day bond....it then wipes out the travel card completely.

Oh well, the very helpful hotel manager certainly had words to his Receptionist who was more interested in telling us where to get drunk...handy, kinda, not really...Certainly not on the top of the list after a day of travelling and minimal sleep.  It was also fascinating to hear all about the Receptionist's love of various Australian skaters.  Quite frankly, I couldn't give a f..k! But hey, feel free to over charge my card by US$500, and thanks so much for reversing it, I am sure we can make good use of the currency by the time it is available...when we are home next week. Dickhead.

It is almost impossible to get a spot by the pool unless you are up at 8am reserving it and as for a quiet time... The rave / house / doofdoof started at 10am.  It would be almost acceptable being some disco music, you know a touch of Donna Summer... Not sure what the kids are listening to these days.  So, in lieu of a seat by the pool, we opted to sit out the front of our room on the grass..... The grass where Guest's dogs happen to crap....and can't be f..ked to pick it up afterwards.  Nice to see some of the furry friends running around, makes us miss our little bundle of trouble more. Shame their owners have no idea.

Anyhow on the brighter side of life.. we had a fab flight on Skippy's 747-400. Friendly, engaging and organised service a really lovely experience. Ryan knocked off 4 movies, I managed 2. The 2.5 hour drive from LAX to Palm Springs turned into a 3.5 hour trek, that Los Angeles traffic leaves the Gateway at peak hour for dead. Our hire car turned out to be a convertible Beetle... A little camp indeed, but lots of fun.

This morning we went for a quick walk about the block.  This place is a renovated exposé of what happened in the 60's and 70's.... And it is nice to feel young (in comparison to many others here).

Clyle had a quick peek around the 'hood too. He is brought to you by the letter 'S'.

First impressions of PS is that it is very funky, relaxing (apart from the hotel pool party thing that is going on). 

The time in the sun was not too bad at all, just super noisy and a little on the nose after 'Fluffy' dumped a surprise next to us.

Yep, we are in the middle of nowhere. 

Later we will venture out and explore...and lose the cranky-pants in hope of finding some serenity. Oh the serenity. 

Although really disappointing, I know we will make the most of it.  Two words. FACTORY OUTLETS. 

Maybe time to take advantage of the free transport here...

Things could be worse...

Are we there yet....

Obligatory "Wet Wipe" of seat area, gotta be careful of them plane germs, and nothing beats a good moist towelette!

Operation ChapOtto Desert Storm

So, here we are again. More than ready for a week away from the usual chaos and a plane ride on a 747.

"Nullarbor" is the beauty taking us away today.

I hope the jet lag plays nicely!

Next stop LAX and Palm Springs.