Hikes in March, 2014

Black Rock/Panorama Loop

at Joshua Tree National Park (3-19)...

a 6.6 mile hike...

beautiful scenery.

 

Super hikers...don't we look the part?

What a magnificent Joshua Tree in the background!

 

Some of the other hikers...Carolyn, Tammy & Sandy,

neighbors in Indian Palms, too.

 

...a moderate to strenuous hike with a 1,200 foot elevation gain...

 

Our group!

 

There were steeps out.

 

And, it's springtime in the desert...the yuccas in bloom.

 

and the cacti are just starting.

 

What a great time to go hiking!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Amy's visit

Met Amy, my niece, in San Diego (3-27)...

 

...And went to the San Diego Zoo

 

Saw lots of animals from the coolest...

 

to the slimmest...

 

to the most unique...

 

...to my favorite.

 

And, even saw some seals...human ones, too.

 

Then headed to the desert for the week-end.

Took in a polo match.

 

and, can't leave the desert without Happy Hour at the Cliff House.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Lots of eating in March.

 

Lots of partying this month...

 

AJAKS Birthday celebration (3-13) with our neighbors...

(Allan, Janet, Alan, Karen & Sally, thus AJAKS),

all of whom have birthdays either in February or March.  \

It's now a tradition...Sally has the dinner party.

 

Then Carolyn's Happy Hour (3-20)

(to say good-bye to the Canadians)

 

 

 

Another dinner out at Beate & Wolfgang's on 3-23

 

Our Tennis Tuesday ladies luncheon (3-25)...

Lucille, Beate, Kerry, Leona, me, Gail & Dean

(only two Americans in there)

 

Pool Party at Pat & Helene's on 3-26

 

 

Thank goodness we all play tennis to work off all of this eating!

 

 

 

 

 



The players...up close.

I got to see them all...here are just a few.

Stan Wawrinka

 

The Roger series...

really up close

Roger & Stan...doubles partners.

 Li Na

 

Maria Sharapova

 

Michael Chang...courtside...Kei Nishikori's coach.

 

Even got to hear the Bryan Brothers band....

 

 

...and had a great view of their match.

 

John Isner

 

And, here's Janet playing in the Volunteer Tournament.

 

At the Volunteer Banquet...with my buddies, Carolyn & Lucille.

The culmination of a great two-week tournament.

 

And finished off the week with having my picture taken with some of the girls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All about tennis now!

It's BNP Parabas time! (3-02 to 3-16)

Opening night was the "McEnroe Challenge"

with John McEnroe playing Jim Courier.

Can you guess who this is serving?

 

Once the sun went down...it was a little chilly in the stadium.

Allan always comes prepared. 

But we stayed until the bitter cold end.

 

Ellen and me on our first day at work!

We're pretty bright this year, don't you think?

 

And enjoying Happy Hour at the house afterwards.

She just found out it was snowing back in W.Va.

I may make a desert rat out of her yet.

 

More to come...

 

 

More get togethers!

With the Canadians..

Another dinner party at Leona & Gordie's...(2-26)

Allan in his American flag jacket

(had to remind everyone that we were American's.)

Our usual group...Carolyn, hiking buddy; and Leona, tennis buddy.

 

Appetizers on the patio...no snow here!

 

Look at those smiles...maybe it was the wine!

 

Then we started dancing...

Leona, me and Beate.

Oh...such fun we have!

 

With our neighbors...(3-2) at our house...

to welcome the Oregonians back.

Bob, Karen and Alan & Sally

 

 

Sally with Mike (an Oregonian)

others were in the house.

Lots of food and the best desserts ever by Sally...

Boston cream pie and cheesecake.  Yum, yum.

 

Couldn't miss Sunday Sounds at the Palm Desert Library...

the Palm Springs Gay Men's Chorale.