April Chucks

Dale visited us for about 2 weeks in April. The main objective while he was here was to get into the desert and hunt rock chucks (a.k.a. yellow mantled marmots.) The desert is so pretty in the springtime. Rick took time off from work, but I am nearly out of vacation time. I did go with them one weekend. Here is our campsite in Cannibal Canyon. I was trying to prevent an allergy attack, but Rick thought it was a hold up.

Our friend Brent joined us Saturday morning.

We hiked out of camp and onto the desert flat. Here's a shot of our camp below.

We hiked up onto one of the canyon rims for a spectacular view of the country below. If you look closely you can see our bikes to the top right of Dale's binoculars.


Of course when we were home...we did puzzles.

Easter

I went to Kansas for Easter. Everyone on my mom's side was there at Grandma's house. Scott drove down from MN. Paul and Jaime drive up from TX. It was great having everyone together. Here we are, the cousins, with Gma.

Mike and Alice got a puppy too - at the same time my parents got Susie! Plato is an adorable long-haired miniature Dachshund. We were thoroughly entertained watching the two puppies play.

Leslie Gulch

Here's why I won't take any more videos with my camera rotated. I can't figure out how to rotate the video. Still, it's an interesting perspective.

I have always heard Leslie Gulch is a great place to go in the spring. We were too early for the wild flowers, but it was still fantastic.

Pocket Beagle

Mom and Dad got a new puppy. A pocket beagle.

Appliances...

We got a new washer and dryer last week. Awesome.

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.

.

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.

Dinner With Good Friends

My wonderful friends Jen and Brandon came to our house for dinner last night. They have been living in China for a year now. It was so awesome to see them again and hear their stories. Next week they return to China and will be there for another 7 months. I miss them!