Palm Springs

My parents rented 12 La Ronda at the Sunrise Country Club in Rancho Mirage, CA. It's the same magnificent oasis they rented last year. We were so fortunate to be able to stay a week with them this time. If I had spent the entire week doing nothing but sit on their patio with this view, I would have been perfectly content.

But we did so much more. The highlight for me was golfing with my dad and Rick. We played the front nine at Sunrise three times. This photo is on the 8th hole. It's the one that goes by 12 La Ronda. If you look closely, you can see a small figure in dark pants and a white shirt standing at the top left of my dad's head. That's my mom preparing to video our game as we pass by the patio.

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We ate well - at home and out. So well that Rick and I are already spending extra time on the StairMaster and skipping meals now and then. Here we are after dinner at Arnold Palmer's restaurant.

We rode the aerial tram to the highest nearby peak. We arrived just before sunset, and we stayed for dinner. Here's a view of the city lights.

We also visited Joshua Tree National Park. What a striking change of landscape. It was really neat seeing the trees.

My mom and I shopped nearly every day. And we did puzzles - lots of puzzles. My parents had completed at least three by the time we arrived. We must have completed at least three more by the time we left. Mostly that was Rick's doing. He is the self-proclaimed "puzzle master."

But now we're back in Boise. And somehow we must find the strength to weather the rest of winter here. Palm Springs - the perfect winter getaway.