Palm Springs tram and more...

The last time I rode the tram out in Palm Springs was when Brian was a newborn (that's 23 years ago)! Then, it was winter and cold and I had a newborn that needed to be fed the whole time, so there's little I remember about it except the ride took quite a while to get to the top and, that I spent all of my time in a bathroom nursing my baby and trying to keep warm! This on the other hand was a totally different encounter. The cabins are the first in North America to rotate 360-degrees during their ascent to the Mountain Station, plus they are the largest of their type in the world. The new tram is state of the art...rising 8500 feet above the desert floor in 10 minutes!

So why was I there in the first place? Well, Ken had to do a presentation for TLC eye care, and wives were invited to attend and stay the night in a Palm Springs hotel (which for us was the Marriott). Nice evening spent with our partners the Bladh's, and lunch the next day on check out. A relaxing time away...

The Girl in the Middle...of things!

I realized as I was going through the pictures that it was hard to find Karen without someone else being in it! Is that the curse of a middle child? or just the fact that Karen's personality is to draw people to her and with her into activities and fun! She definitely is in the middle when there's a joyous occasion! She has a happy carefree nature. She enjoys people on the one on one level as well. She's compassionate, goofy, goal oriented, successful, determined, stubborn, enthusiastic and confident. And she never fails to light up a room with her mega-smile! Karen you are our sunshine...happy birthday!

Patrick's day

the table set for the feast...
our sweet little "lucky charm" Nora
Amy and mom wearin' the green

Tradition in our home declares corn beef and cabbage to be eaten in huge quantities, along with green mashed potatoes, green 7-UP, and green pistachio pudding, along with rolls of gold covered chocolate coins strewn over the table. This year we added strings of green beads (much like carnival style-although no one had to take their shirts off to get them) which Heidi loved, and felt accessorized very well with her princess costume!

Ai Chiahuahua! Cabo I

Seeing the sites in and around Cabo! Thanks to my friends at tripadvisor.com we took some wonderful tours and had incredible dining! Pic 1) Me and the owner of Necri (Darin). This was in San Jose del Cabo. A great store for terrific ceramics. 2) the glass blowing factory, where Ken and Ryan got a chance to try making a piece (well...). Then we were treated to a rare "behind the scenes" look at the kiln and the whole process of how the glass is cured. 3-4-5) "the" HOTEL CALIFORNIA; made famous? or the inspiration for (?) the Eagles Hotel California. Yep it was along a dark desert highway, and we could imagine the sweet smell of calitas rising up in the air... see the dining blog for more...

Beaches and water Cabo II

What really needs to be said? The weather was warm the beaches soft and beautiful. How much more can I say?

Eating and eating Cabo III

Pitahayas at the Sheraton, Cabo del Sol

Tropicana Inn, Cabo del San Jose Tropicana Inn, Cabo del San Jose
Tropicana Inn, Cabo del San Jose

Lunch at the Hotel California, Todos Santos
La Golondrina, Cabo San Lucas
La Golondrina, Cabo San Lucas
Edith's, Cabo San Lucas

These were some of the more memorable dining experiences we had in Cabo. All delicious!

Whales Cabo IV

two whales coming up to check out the tourist's
this is about where Ken and Dave swam out to see the whales up close
This area of Cabo saw hundreds of whales with their babies passing by on their way back up to Alaska. It was amzing how close to shore they came! I've never had an experience like this with being able to see and enjoy them up close. Powerful and peacefully they swam. Leisurely they would blow out and then take a dive, leaving a fluke to follow and a swirling whirlpool of where they had been at the surface. Amazing.