It is LeeAnn, our eldest granddaughter's 14th birthday today and she rang us early to thank us for her card and present. Unfortunately, I was still in bed and didn't get to sing Happy Birthday to her. LeeAnn, I'm sorry but it might have been for the best as you know my singing is terrible!!! We love you and HaPpY, HaPpY Birthday to you.
We decided to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway up to visit Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area.
We got there at about 11.00am and there was a line waiting to get the bus from the car park to the tramway station. It seems they hadn't anticipated the crowds that would be here on Good Friday. They arranged additional buses while we were standing in line, it took about 30 minutes before we could get on the bus and then we had to get in another line to get our tickets, although this one moved a little quicker. Finally we got our tickets but we had to wait until the 1:10pm cable car.
We went outside and found a place to sit on the rocks in the shade along with many other people. While we were waiting I have to admit I started to get a little nervous, as I realized this might be quite the place for a suicide bomber to set off a bomb. Just imagine going up or down the mountain in a cable car with 80 people and boom!!! It was Good Friday and we had been warned of possible attacks over the Easter weekend. Anyway, I'm not one to let it stop me but it was food for thought, for a brief moment.
This waterfall was at the outside waiting area.
Watching the tram coming down the mountain
As we were waiting for the tram, I noticed a young man waiting to one side, he was alone and had been waved through the security checkpoints. My suspicions were aroused again but I decided in the end that he probably worked there. He didn't get on our tram and there were no incidents all day.
I believe that you should always remain vigilant. This was instilled in me back in the 70's when the IRA was bombing London. My ex-husband was working at the Old Bailey when it was bombed. Fortunately he was unharmed but it was an awful time for everyone as we all became aware that bombs could go off anywhere.
Finally we got on the tram and started the ascent to the top. The tram revolves 360 degrees while it is going up the mountain and does this twice, so you get to see the view from every angle. The floor moves, it takes a while to get used to, as you don't really realize it until you notice your feet are moving, without you doing anything. If you are holding on, your hands stay where they are on the rail, until you have to move them!!! I loved it, but I'm still not sure how Bryan felt, although he was happily clicking away taking pictures.
Looking back down from where we started
Another tram passing us going down
See the tram's shadow below
Climbing alongside the mountains
Getting closer to the top
There's still snow up here
Looking back down from the top
The trees on the mountain with the snow shining through
We took a picture of a couple by the sign for them and they reciprocated. This was the better of the two pictures. At least this one has both our heads in, just!!!!
There was a steep long winding pathway down to where the trails started. As we went down, a couple were sitting on a bench. I asked them if they could save it for us, for when we came back up, as I knew we would probably need it.
I liked the shadows from the pine tree on the rocks underneath
A face in the rocks, on the way down to the trails
At the bottom of the pathway there was a map showing the various trails.
We decided to take the Nature Trail, it was only a 3/4 mile loop but add the pathway down and even more the steep pathway back up to the tramway station and we knew that would be enough.
Off we went, through the trees. The path was clearly laid out though so I didn't think we would get lost.
There were several fallen trees and many interesting shapes
People were walking under this one
Although we didn't get lost, a lady with her daughter asked us the way back. We pointed her in the right direction.
Bryan taking pictures
and hiding behind trees!!
There was still some snow and ice around.
This looks as though it is dark but it was just after the picture above and shows the sun shining through one of the pine trees.
Broken tree stumps and rocks
More snow
I met a lady from Colchester, Essex who was visiting with her husband and two children. They were doing a tour of the South West States. We had quite a long chat and eventually we heard her husband calling her name as he realized he had lost her!!!
As we were walking I noticed this Western Bluebird. He was flying around and swooping to the ground. It took us a long while before Bryan could manage to capture a picture of him. He was beautiful. I haven't seen one of these before so I loved watching him.
This tree stump was huge and the pathway went through the middle of it.
Bryan standing in the middle of the tree trunk
We stopped to eat our lunch, sandwiches, cheetos and tangerines. Yummy!!!
The sun was still shining through the trees, it was a lovely day and although we had our jackets we didn't need them.
Yes, I was smelling the tree trunk. It was supposed to smell of cinnamon and vanilla. I couldn't smell anything, neither could the other lady in the picture. I think somewhere they had a camera recording silly people smelling tree trunks!!!!
and up
Interesting colors on this bush
We stopped for a breather
looking back down the pathway we had just walked up
Yep, we had just walked up here. Took this picture from near the seat where the couple had been sitting when we walked down. It was empty so we sat and had a rest as well. She had said she would put a reserved sign on it for us and it was funny that no one was sitting there, meant to be I guess.
Bryan sat on this tree stump, reminded me of Humpty Dumpty but he didn't fall thankfully!!
Nearly there but we knew the steepest part was just around the corner.
Looking back at the tram station on top of the mountain
We had a lovely day. I would do it again if the grandkids wanted to go up. Bryan wasn't sure he would spend the money to go up again although he did enjoy his day.
March 26th, 2016
Ryan and Christina took Trystan on his first train ride. He also met the Easter Bunny.
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| looking out the window with Daddy |
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| Meeting the Easter Bunny with Mommy |
While Trystan was mesmerized by the Easter Bunny, it looks as though Mommy was interested in the candy!!!!
Ryan also posted this VIDEO on Facebook of Trystan. He is on the move!!!
March 27th, 2016
We woke up and decided we needed to go food shopping as we won't have another chance for about a week. So, off we went to Walmart for Easter!!!
In the meantime, the rest of the family were celebrating Easter Sunday.
The Greene girls all looking very pretty as usual.
The Kiddy boys having a fun weekend away
Meanwhile the latest addition was enjoying his first Easter.
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| Examining his Easter basket |
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| Hmm, what do we have here, a pacifier. |
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| A new book to read |
Think it's safe to say all of our grandchildren had a wonderful weekend. LeeAnn especially, as it involved her birthday party as well.
March 28th & 29th, 2016
Meanwhile, back at the ranch. Oops sorry I meant the RV, nanny and grandad had a wind advisory, and very strong winds of up to 60mph meant our house was rocking and rolling. It felt as though we were on a ship!!!
The winds continued through the night and once again we had to bring our slides in. We were supposed to move to Parker, Arizona today and although the winds seemed to be dying down we decided we were not going to drive and risk being blown over or blinded by the dust storms that were happening. So, we are here at Desert Hot Springs for another night, and will hopefully head out in the morning.
Here's our Trystan picture for today.
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| Yep, Trystan in jail. He is moving so fast now, it's for his own safety. |
That's it for now, will be back soon.
Take Care everyone.
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