FUN AND GAMES

This fair is held in Indio and opened on Friday, Feb. 18. The first five hours there was no admission charge, so Larry and I went about 1:30. It was sunny but the weather was to turn windy, cold and rainy later in the afternoon.

It had lots of rides, vendors and entertainment. It was like a state fair (even better ) with lots of exhibits and animals.

We watched an exotic animal show. All the animals performed tricks, sort of like a circus.

A nine year old Bengal tiger.

A two year old puma.

A white Bengal tiger.

There was to be a musical pageant each evening of the fair based on the story 1001 Arabian Nights. I would have like to have seen it but the wind and rain came and we left before show time.

There were camel rides and at this tent they even had camel milking.

This woman had a very entertaining bird show.

When we were in Hollywood we saw Pink"s and there was a line of about 20 people waiting to order their hot dogs. So we decided to order a chili dog to see what was so great about them.

Here is our chili dog ($5.75). The skin was real tough on it, and was probable the worst dog I've ever had. The chili was tasty. That is the last I'll eat at Pink's.

We were to leave and travel to Wilderness Lake TT on Saturday but they were calling for high winds on route 10. We bought a night here at Palm Springs so we could stay and attend Casino Night. It is their big fund raiser for the Riverside Fire Co Sparks of Love program that helps needy children. They raised $1100, an all time high!

They had a kitchen opened and we could purchase popcorn, hot dogs, chips, cookies and soda.
Of course we were too busy playing blackjack or Texas hold'em to go get food so they had lovely waitresses taking orders and delivering the food right to the table.

Larry was a relief dealer at this blackjack table.

I played blackjack all evening (7 to 8:30). You purchases a bag of chips when you entered for $5 and you also received 6 tickets for the lottery. There was $500 dollars worth of chips in the bag. At the end of the night I had $2100 ( Larry and my bag). So I won more than I lost. For that $2100 we received 21 more lottery tickets.

I am having lots of fun playing.

I was smiling because I had blackjack.

Counting out the winnings so the lottery could begin. There were lots of great prizes from different stores and restaurants in the area. Many golf clubs and even whole bags of clubs, bottles of wine, a year membership to Skymed, a 32 inch flat screen TV, pies, dates, Thousand trail hats and lots and lots of other prizes. We had donated a bottle of Dry wash and a bottle of Home product and would you believe it we won a RV wash by Manny. So in March before we head home we will have our RV washed. It was a fun evening and it helped support a good cause.

ON THE TRAILS AGAIN

Tuesday night Larry went to Loma Linda VA for a sleep study test. The weather has turned very windy and is to bring cooler temperatures and rain for the next week. Wednesday morning Lynn took another couple and me to Indian Canyons an Agua Caliente Indian Reservation for another adventure. Notice the rainbow as we went down route 10, rain and sun ahead.

We hiked Andreas canyon and then Murray canyon for a total of 5 miles.

This rock formation is right by the parking lot.

Lynn and Larry (Linda and Larry were the couple that went on the hike) looking at the holes in the rock made by the Indian grinding grain.

The Andreas Canyon trail.

Do you see the buildings on the hill?

There is a house at the top. What a view and this nice stream below.

These were the buildings on the hill. We don't think they are used today.

See the lizard, look to the left. It might be the granite spiney lizard.

Pretty flowers along the trail.

These are date palm trees, there were long clusters of "berries" hanging down. I have learned that dates have to be hand pollinated, so I guess these wild trees don't produce fruit.

Off on our second hike, Murray Canyon.

We went up and down and over this stream. It was nice hearing the water flowing, a frog croaking, and the palms blowing in the wind.

We crossed the stream 34 times (17 each way). We were expert rock jumpers when we were finished and not one foot got wet!

At the end of the trail we ate our lunch. The wind was really picking up and blew us back down the trail. We were glad to be heading home and it was getting windier and windier. Blowing sand is not fun to walk in.
On our way back a large bunch of palm leaves blew off a tree and came crashing down. It was across the stream from were we were walking but it really made a crash.

I really am on these hikes even if you don't see me in any of the pictures. Here I am a little wind blown.

The trail back to the parking lot. Homes and windmills in the distance.

We had seen evidence of horses on the hike and here is definite proof. They were just starting down the trail. The wind was getting stronger by the minute, but the temperature was great for hiking . We were glad we were headed home and not just starting out.

HAPPY VALENTINE''S DAY

We stayed home for Valentines and I made fillets for dinner. I got them at Costco and they were delicious. Larry gave me another bouquet of beautiful roses and I gave Larry another gold necklace. I had given him one at Christmas but it was too short. I found a very pretty one at Costco and gave it to him as a Christmas, anniversary and valentine gift. He has wanted a gold necklace for several years.

I had fun making this dessert. I saw the recipe for it in USA Weekend magazine in the Sunday paper. I took the yellow shortbread berry cakes you get at the store and cut them into heart shape. I filled the bottom one with raspberry jam and toasted almond slivers. Put another cake on top and then glazed it with bittersweet chocolate melted with cream.

This is a gift that keeps giving. Faye and other dancers have given me Cd's with the music on them for the dances we learn. I often had the steps to dances but not the music. When Faye was here last week she taught me how to rip a CD onto my computer and then burn a CD. I was able to make several of her Cd's. I now have made Cd's for Corrine ( a good dancer I had met at Wilderness Lake and has been here at Palm Springs) and given them to her along with the step sheets so she can continue to teach dancing at Palm Springs when I leave. We need to keep our dancing going.

Our new printer made copies of the dances so quick and easy. No more running to Staples.

My new hat made out of plastic trash bags. It is perfect for the pool, for it doesn't hurt it to get wet.

This is a very good Chinese restaurant. It is not one of those fast take out places. It doesn't even have a lunch menu. It is known for healthy Chinese cooking. It is only a mile away from our campground so we have eaten here several times since we found out about it. We were here for the Chinese New Year and they gave us this red envelope when we paid our bill.

It was sealed and we could not open it till we went back between Feb. 15 and March 15 and opened it in front of the waiter. We went today for a late lunch and received a free appetizer, so we ordered spring rolls. What a cute special way to get people to come back and eat.

CHUTES AND LADDERS

On Wednesday 9 of us went back to Mecca Hill and took another hike. We went to the Painted Canyon and took a 6 miles hike called chutes and ladders.

We started our hike into the canyon.It was a beautiful cool morining, in the 60's.

The stone arrow pointed where we entered the trail through the cliffs. I think I would have missed this trail if it wasn't for the marker.

We had to go down some ladders.

And we had to climb up some others.

Another great view, in the distance you can see the Salton Sea.

The trail along the ridge. Not sure why there was an arrow marker here, only one trail to take.

Hundred of little stone piles made by different hikers. I saw this same thing along the beach in Ogunquit, Maine.

The rocks and cliffs are beautiful. Hiking in these canyons really lets you see their beauty. The picture just doesn't do it justice. You can't get the magnitude of them.

These were the last two ladders we had to come down to exit the canyon. The two girls were just starting the hike, they were going the opposite direction. I'm not sure which way would be easier.

On the way home, in Mecca, we passed a field of artichokes. I had no idea this is how they grew.
Of course I never cooked or ate one until recently.