Kayak on the Colorado - 5-04-13

Another adventure with the Seniors...

an Intergenerational Trip with the Indio Teen Center and the Indio Senior Center.

Fifty of us in total. 

 

We were bussed out to Blythe, CA and picked up our kayak equipment there for our 17-mile trek down the river.

 

Allan is smilin'...he hasn't rolled his kayak yet.

Was a beautiful day on the river...was quite surprised how clear it was.

 

And here I am...made it!

The wind picked up about half way through...we were all paddling hard then...was glad to get off the water by then.

Was a fabulous trip...our Seniors go everywhere.

 

 

 

Disney's California Adventure Park - 4-30-13

Finally made it to Anaheim to tour Disney's California Adventure Park.  With Jenny's help in plotting the most efficient way to see the park and deciding on our 'touring plan'...we headed to Radiator Springs first.

 

...to ride the Radiator Springs Racers. 

I was hoping to get the Lightning McQueen racer, but didn't.

 

Some great scenery on the ride...

 

...and you really end up racing on the track...quite thrilling.

(that's not me.)

 

This was my favorite part of the park.

 

Always Minnie around...singin' and dancin'.

 

Headed over to Paradise Pier to ride California Screamin'...scared me to death!

Allan's favorite was...Toy Story Midway Mania...plus all of the thrill rides, too.

He wanted to ride The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror a second time, but I refused.

Glad we did all of those rides before lunch.

 

Then it was off to ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree...yee ha!

 

Had to see Goofy directing....

 

...the water show. 

Getting warmed up for the evening's performance of the World of Color.

 

Had a reservation for lunch at the Carthay Restaurant (Jenny's suggestion, too)...absolutely the best meal ever!  Was a great break to not only eat, but sit down from a busy morning.

 

Rode all the rides that were on our "touring plan"...then had time to go back and ride Radiator Springs Racers again...loved it. 

 

 

Was even prettier at night.

 

Back to Paradise Pier...getting ready for the World of Color water spectacular.

 

And...the grand finale to a great day...The World of Color!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April - Canadians leave, Alaskans arrive

A busy month as we said good-bye to all of our Canadian friends...lots of dinners out and Happy Hours were enjoyed.  Is always like summer camp when every leaves...hugs and kisses as we say "see you next year."

Went to the Annual Big BBQ at Augustine Casino (4-14)...great country bands playing all day long.

Can't pass up the picture booth...need to learn some line dances before next year's BBQ.

Hoped to win tickets to Stagecoach...we had the attire, but didn't!

Then more Alaskans arrived...Karen & Daryl for a week's visit...April 17-23.

Off to the Living Desert to feed the giraffes.  That's me!

 

...and Karen.

We were the only two adults in line waiting with all the little ones.

Hey...we're just kids at heart!

 

Riding the Cheetah!

 

Checking out the garden train display.

Always something new to see.

 

And can't pass up the bloomin' cacti.

Love this time of year.

 

Then it was lunch out at Don Diego's...after walking 5 miles around the Living Desert, those beers sure tasted good.

 

Yes, this is like summer camp...off for a bike ride with Karen & Daryl.

 

Dinner at our house with all the Alaskans...Carolyn (Pam's mother), Karen & Daryl, Allan (former Alaskan), Sue and Pam.

We're heading off to an ABBA Tribute concert.

 

The girls...waiting for ABBA.

 

The guys waiting for ABBA.

 

And...here's ABBA.  Sounded so much like them, it was amazing.

We were dancing in our seats.

 

Always a project to work on while Daryl's here. 

They're replacing the 40-year old exhaust manifold.

Who's doing the most work...Daryl or Allan?

 

Had to take Karen & Daryl to see Marilyn in Palm Springs...before she leaves in August.

 

And, always stop for a drink at the Azul 'swingin' bar in P.S.

(Karen loves this bar.)

 

Our final dinner with the Alaskans before they leave....at their condo in Rancho Mirage.

 

Sue and Pam were without their husbands...so Daryl and Allan decided to be their subs for the evening.

 

Another trip with the Seniors...a bus tour of the windmills (4-24).

Such a deal...bus tour & history of the windmills, tour of P.S. and lunch...can't beat that!

Our guide (pictured above), an engineer, had worked at several of the "farms" previously, so was very knowledgeable about the operation.

An interesting fact...there are 43 separate 'windmill farms' all owned by different individuals.

 

Off the bus to check out the windmills up close.

 

Then it was off to the Thousand Palms Oasis for lunch.

 

Always interesting at the Oasis!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Whitewater Canyon Hike --- 4-17-13

Off with the Seniors for our last hike of the season to Whitewater Canyon. 

Always do this one at the end of the year when the weather starts warming up...as it is cooler up in the basin.  April is one of the best months for the flowers and blooming cactus.

 

Invited our Alaskan friends, Sue & Pam, to hike with us.

The Senior group wondered if they were old enough to join us...and believe it or not...Pam is a grandmother.

 

The trail climbs about 400 feet with gentle switchbacks...

 

...offering grand canyon and mountain views of the Whitewater River basin.

 

Stopped at the top for a quick snack...just a little further down on the trail, we saw a rattlesnake.  Ugh!  We had been warned...it was the season for them.

 

A little greenery on the way.

 

Just a 5-miler and...

ended up at the beautiful ponds at the Visitor Center.

Another great hike!