California – Autumn 2013

The blog has been quiet for the last 6 weeks whilst we have been in California.  We started our trip by flying into Palm Springs which, as has been said before on this blog, is probably the nicest airport in the world.  Within 15 minutes of landing we had collected our bags and rental car and were driving the 3 miles to our condo.  What a surprise when we entered the unit, the living area and kitchen had been redecorated and the kitchen surfaces tiled and the shower had been refurbished.  We quickly settled in and enjoyed the beautiful weather for just over a week before we headed up to San Jose to spend Thanksgiving with Jo and the children.  We went to see Sienna and her year group give a small open-air concert in celebration of Native American culture.  Thanksgiving Day started with a get together of families at a local park.  There was a mass American football game followed by a pot-luck lunch/brunch.  It was a lovely atmosphere and everyone enjoyed themselves.  Later in the day we had a lovely Thanksgiving meal prepared by Annie and Jo. The following day we headed for Capitola.  It was supposed to be cold on the coast but it was a lovely day with Oliver and Sienna playing on the beach whilst Alexander and Gerry fished from the pier.

Both had caught a couple of fish up to a foot long when Gerry caught a Steelhead (a member of the trout family) that must have weighed 6 lb. The fish would have made a lovely meal but is a protected species in California and we returned it to the sea. 

The catch caused quite a bit of interest because of its rarity and the man who runs fishing on the pier insisted on taking a photograph for the record book.

We returned to Palm Springs and a change in the weather from being 10 degrees above normal the temperature dropped to 10 degrees below normal.  Although cool, it did not dampen our spirits!! We managed to have a decent walk and swim nearly every day as well as do Christmas shopping.  An attempt to drive to Idyllwild for lunch failed as Annie did not like the thought of us getting caught in the snow. High in the hills as we climbed towards Idyllwild the snow ploughs were positioned and there were signs saying snow chains or winter tyres were required.  The sky was certainly very grey and the temperature had fallen to just above freezing when we decided to turn around.  The roads are steep and windy enough in dry conditions so Gerry was not too upset at the decision to return to the Valley floor and more sensible temperatures!

After a few days of iffy weather the temperatures climbed back up to the high 70sF.  We enjoyed several evenings sitting on the deck above the swimming pool watching the sun set and the pink/red glow in the sky.Palm Springs is made special for us by the many friends we have at Ocotillo Lodge.  This visit was no exception and we enjoyed several meals out and evenings sitting chatting with a glass of wine in hand.  Perhaps then it is no surprise that we were sad when our time came to leave.  The sadness was offset however, by the prospect of Christmas in San Jose with Jo and the children.

The children were very excited at the prospect of Christmas. We took the grandchildren to see Father Christmas at a much decorated house near where Jo lives.  The owners of the house decorate their home every year and over the years have raised just over $940,000 dollars for the Make a Wish Charity

Unfortunately, the picture does not do the house justice. 

We celebrated an early Christmas with the usual excitement early in the morning as stockings were opened!

Opening of other presents was to wait until Christmas Day when the children returned from three days staying with their father.

The children were so tired when they returned late on Christmas Day that opening of Christmas presents was postponed until the next day when they could enjoy them. 

The day after Christmas was beautiful weather wise so we went to the seaside at Capitola to bask in the fresh air and sunshine!!!!!

Perhaps not surprisingly, Alexander and Gerry spent a couple of hours fishing whilst Sienna and Oliver enjoyed playing on the beach.  Apart from one small sea perch and a starfish, Alexander and Gerry had no luck.  Looking back at the beach from the pier it was hard to believe it was Boxing Day in the Northern Hemisphere!!! (Gerry heard someone say it was 83F and had no reason to doubt the accuracy of their comment)

A day later and we headed home to a frosty and damp Fairford.