Palm Springs and Riverside

When we successfully passed the photo/fingerprint process in LAX Immigration Hall, the overworked official that admitted us asked if we'd be at the "Royal Wedding" next year.  He clearly appreciated our generally couth attitude and classy appearance.  And so we headed off for our day in the desert with me at the wheel looking in our view pretty much the part.

We gunned the big shiny Buick Thingummy onto the LA Freeway and headed for the desert.  Great drive, dramatic mountainous landscape and nothing like anywhere we're used to in Europe.  In just  just a couple of hours we were in Palm Springs, a resort town for the rich and famous in the 1930's, now morphed into a holiday and/or retirement destination. We loved it.  Weather was warm and dry and good for wandering aimlessly around the (somewhat cheesy) shops.  But the highlight was a visit to Indian Canyons in the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation.  A great hiking destination, but we didn't have time or the right footwear and anyway the warning signs about the rattlesnakes made N feel a tad uneasy.  We checked out the world's largest palm tree oasis and were on our way to the waterfalls on the edge of the reserve when we were flagged down by a couple of hikers who'd lost their way.  Of course the first rule of driving in the States is NOT TO STOP FOR HITCHIKERS.  But hell, dusk was falling and and I couldn't face the sleepless nights worrying about whether they ended up as a pile of bleached bones on the side of the track, so we picked them up and got them back to their car.  All warm inside from our good deed, we had to leave the reserve without really exploring it properly - so Palm Springs be afraid, be very afraid - we will be back!  (But with rattleproof walking shoes)

On to Riverside and arriving chez Geerlings-Leapman, we kinda thought how weird to visit the children of friends of Nick's parents whom we don't know. What do we have in common apart from Facebook and a surname (and funnily enough, a shared experience of living in Leytonstone)?  But it was a great evening, with wonderful home made food and some very distinguished wine.  PLUS the added bonus of a personal tour of the artist's studio and review of his work in progress.  We were thrilled to connect with this family and and we found lots to talk about.  Geerlings-Leapman family, be afraid, be very afraid - we will be back!