A great night of tennis

Just got in from tonight's matches...saw some great tennis again.  Worked the South Reserved section of Stadium 2...had a real seat to sit in this time...not just a bleacher.  Yeah!  Made for a very comfortable evening of watching.

First match...Tsonga (France) vs. Nalbandian (Argentina)...I was cheering for Tsonga, but he lost.

Kind of looks like my serve...right?

Nalbandian, in case you didn't know what he looked like.

Next match...Ryan Harrison (USA) vs. Gilles Simon (France)...went 3 sets. Ryan lost. Ryan had a hard time controlling himself...broke his racket and threw his racket several times.

Last match of the evening...Nadal/Lopez vs. Paes/Stepanek (doubles).   Fabulous match.

Nadal/Lopez won.

See how close I was.

More tomorrow...in Stadium 1...the big one.

Celebrating Allan's 65th & more tennis

Ellen & Allan...smilin' big.

Our one day off from tennis...played this morning with our group from the country club...now waiting for friends to arrive for dinner on the patio. 

Toasting (with Almond Champagne, of course) Allan's (3-15) & Bill's (3-13) birthday...will these birthdays ever end?   Thirty one years ago in Alaska (yep, that's a long time), we celebrated their birthdays at a little different location...Chena Hot Springs (about 60 miles outside of Fairbanks) at a cabin in the woods.  Spent the week-end cross-country skiing, soaking in the hot springs, and drinking hot buttered rums.   We all decided this was a much better location this time around....enjoying the warmth of the desert.  Bill and Shari were passing through on their way back to Alaska and dreading what is waiting for them in Fairbanks.

And, it was warm enough to eat outside.

Only one year a part in age...their hair is the same.  (Allan didn't like this comment.)

Now...back to tennis.  Worked the main stadium yesterday...saw lots of good matches.

Here's Verdasco and Del Potro...Del Potro won...barely.

Then saw Azarenka (#1 woman) and Goerges...Azarenka won.  Azarenka plays Radwanska next...who is already complaining (in the paper) about Azarenka's grunting, too.

Then it was Sharapova, the grunter, vs. Vinci.  Sharapova won.

Then it was Nadal vs. Granollers, both from Spain.  Didn't get down courtside before the match started...so my close-up isn't too close.   (Nadal is in the blue on the far side.)  Got off work just as this match was starting, so Ellen and I moved to the upper stadium.  Nadal won...and continued to do his usual routine before every serve...pick his pants and fiddle with his hair.  He must get looser underwear!

We got bored with this match, so we headed to some outer courts to watch our only hope for an American reaching the Finals...Christina McHale,  but she lost in the 3rd set tie breaker.  We then moved over to watch the USA doubles ladies...Huber & Raymond beat Gajdosova & Mattek-Sands in a tie breaker, too.  

 I'm picking up pointers for doubles...so watch out!

Then we were too tired to stay for the evening match of Canada's only hope, Raonic lose to Federer.

Today I work evening...so have some great matches lined up. 

This may be boring for those of you who don't follow tennis...sorry!  Just love working this tournament.  Only a few days left.

Best shot of the day

Was walking by the practice courts...and there he was.  Couldn't pass up this shot of Djokovic.

Then Ellen and I saw him later with his trainer doing exercises in the green...that's him in the background between us.  We're smilin'...he's a looker!

Azarenka serving...almost lost her first round to Barthel...went 3 sets.

MY COURT....

(I was working the reserved seat section, so was up close and personal.)

First match...Isner.  Man, he's skinny and tall.  He won.

Next match Berdych...he won.

Then Stosur, who won the US Open last year.  She won, too.

Then we all stayed to watch the Wozniacki match.

Not up close and personal on this one.

Some seeds have fallen early...but some great matches. 

After my matches last night...saw Federer for the first time...they moved me to Stadium 1...started watching the Radwanska match, but decided to move to Stadium 2 to see our little American

 Jamie Hampton play.  She finally won in 3 sets.  Home late for Ellen and me. 

Off today...played our own tennis with the group.

More tennis tomorrow, I work Stadium 1...hoping to see Nadal.  The field is shrinking. 

Carol has come & gone -- our week of activities

We picked her up at the airport...then hit the Happy Hour trail.  First stop...Cliffhouse for Mai Tai's.

Next stop...LaQuinta Resort for margaritas.  Sat outside on the patio listening to music & enjoying the magnificent flowers...

Our usual Sunday...breakfast at the polo grounds...Carol's first experience.

Just relaxing and enjoying the day.  Then it was off to the Palm Desert Community Center in the afternoon for "Sunday Sounds"...a great piano concert by Bob Allen...a review of the music from the 60's in an hour.

Then we came back to the house and had a dinner party with our neighbors to celebrate all of our birthdays...again.  Lots of Almond Champagne was embibed by all.  Carol finally got to have a birthday celebration with us.  All this was done on Sunday...we were tired.

Getting ready for tennis...my uniform.

A morning free...Hiking the Eisenhower Loop at the Living Desert. 

After Zumba and Yoga at the Fitness Center it was back to the "Gardens" for more tennis..decided to watch an up & coming young American , Jack Sock, but he lost.  The stadium was cheering him on.

They have improved the IW Tennis Gardens this year...lots of places to watch the matches.  This is where we always meet just in case we lose each other. 

More to come with tennis this week whether you are interested or not.

Tennis Group Hike - Painted Canyons - 2-29-12

Off to the Painted Canyons in Mecca to hike the Ladders again.  When our tennis group decided to go there for their Annual Picnic...couldn't pass it up.  Sixteen of us in all...some stayed behind to just enjoy the canyons...and socialize, while seven of us proceeded forward.  You are probably getting tired of seeing the pictures of the canyons, but we are so amazed at the scenery.  Can't stop taking pictures.

The first set of ladders...at least they were all up this go 'round.  Had 2 choices to get to the next slot...either this way (had to climb over some boulders before heading down this ladder)...or...

come in this way...which was a little tight.  Allan decided he couldn't fit this way.

Heading up into one of the slots.   Finally a tall enough ladder to get there.  Last time we hiked here, it was kind of tricky...the ladder stopped about where my right foot is now...had to be pulled up.

Into one of the slots.

Some had to be helped...no ladder here.

Gives you a perspective of the slots.  Great topography.

A little tight. 

Allan has turned into quite the hiker...never says "no" now.  Must be that new back.

That's where we came from...four of the group turned around here with 1 hr in.  Allan, Bill and I continued on.  We talked Bill into doing the entire loop with us...would take 3 hours total.  Once up on top...can see the Salton Sea...and all the canyons around.  Just love hiking here.

The octotillo was starting to bloom.  Hope to plant one of those in our yard this year.

Once we got back down to the valley floor, came upon these white rocks...interesting.

And here's Bill scooting down...no ladders here.

But needed them on this section.  Had 2 sets of ladders to get back out of the canyons.  Once we got to those...we knew we were almost there.  Allan and I think we could lead this hike now...know where to go.

The tennis group. 

Had beers waiting for us when we got back...tired, but another hike under our belt.

What's Happened from 2-19 to 3-2

Just now catching up on what we've been doing since our cruise...so here's our two-week review:

Sunday, Feb. 19th:   On Geri and John's last day with us, went to a piano concert to hear Linda Gentille, a professional pianist whom we saw on our Hawaiian cruise...and just loved her performance.  When we saw she was playing in Palm Springs, we told Geri & John we had to go see her again.  We arrived early at the Church of St. Paul...and Linda was the only one there and had to unlock the door.  We hadn't eaten dinner yet and told her we wanted to make sure we had a seat...she said she'd save us one up front.  So, off we went to dinner and when we returned to the church...yes, she had saved us seats up front with her mother, who didn't know that we were to sit with her.   Her mother told Geri that the seats were saved for someone else.   Luckily we found seats elsewhere even though the church was packed.   Anyway, we loved her concert...she studied with Liberace as a teenager and has a style that is truly her own.

Monday, Feb. 20th:  Couldn't miss the annual President's Day / Riverside County Fair Parade.  Allan and I walked from the country club down to it...is only about 2 miles from the house.   Always enjoy the bands and the horses.

Oops, that's not a horse. 

Lots of Mexican dancing horses, too.

Friday, February 24th:  IPAC's performance of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee"...a musical comedy which told the story of the contestants lives through song and flash backs during the hilarious spelling bee.  They needed 4 extras for the Spelling Bee and asked Allan and I as we came into the theatre if we'd like to participate...both of us refused...decided we didn't want to embarrass ourselves on stage.

Sunday, February 26th:  Back to Palm Desert's Community Center for "Sunday Sounds"...heard the Caballeros...the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorus.   Just love all of the musical concerts that they put on...plus they're FREE.

Wednesday, February 29th:  Annual Indian Palms Tennis Picnic...our group decided to head out to the Painted Canyons for a hike / picnic.  I'll post pictures of that separately...16 of us went...everyone brought a dish to share...plus grilled sausages.  A great time to meet spouses, too.

Then that evening we went to another FREE concert at Pete Carlson's Tennis/Golf Shop...out in the parking lot to hear the Boy's & Girl's Club jazz band "Heatwave"...we've become "Heatwave" groupies...have seen them perform 4 times already in the desert. 

Their female vocalists are so smooth...we go just to hear them.  Plus Pete puts out tennis & golf clothing to sell for $5 an item (proceeds support the Boys & Girls Club)...I always find another tennis skirt or top.

Thursday, March 1st:  Out to the Tennis Garden to pick up my uniform for my ushering job starting next week...decided to stay and watch some pre-qualifying matches...amazing how those "lesser" players can hit.  Then headed to PD Community Center again for their final "Chefs at the Library" series...it was Castellli's (one of our favorite Italian restaurants) executive chef doing his thing...we learned how to make Penne Puttanesca...looks easy enough.  Since we were on a roll...decided to try out a new Happy Hour at Greg Norman's Wallaby's at PGA West...they have a live band, The Roadrunners, (most band members were older than we were)  playing out on their patio.   A great setting that overlooks the golf course with the mountains in the background...our era of music, yummy appetizers...and even got to dance.  A 'go-back to' definitely.  Love dancing down here...always early...4:30-7:30...home in bed by 8 p.m. 

Friday, March 2nd:  Another First Friday concert at the LaQuinta Museum...when I saw the advertisement for "enjoy reggae and steel drums"...had to go. 

The Desert Ridge Academy Steel Drum Band (6-8 graders) played first outside in the courtyard...surprised how good they were.

Then we went inside the museum to listen to "Island Rhythms", a reggae band from L.A.  Made Allan and I want to be back in St. Thomas.  They played all of our favorites...many Bob Marley's ...everyone was just swingin' and swayin' to the rhythms.

We ended the evening with Clint...over at his restaurant "The Hog's Breath"...to celebrate both of our birthdays again.  Got to keep the party going.

More to come...Carol's arriving!