After the stressful end to our trip in Australia, Surfing Sydney coupled with some ongoing family issues back at home, we decided we needed a little R & R. We decided to head to the desert for a 3 night impromptu get away. We booked a room at the newly remodeled Ritz Carlton, and headed out on our 2 hour drive from Santa Monica to Palm Springs, California. In our convertible, we hit temperatures in the 90’s but we were prepared with the essentials: tunes, hats, sun screen and iced tea. Ed Sheeran sang as we zoomed past the electricity producing wind-mills.
We spent our first night at our favorite family Mexican “dive” called El Gallito, which opened in 1978, the year after I started college. We’ve been going there since 1983. One of the cooks has been the same since they’ve opened. The flour “taco especial” is my standard order and it was just as delicious as ever.
Our first breakfast was where we discovered the pecan sweet rolls! This was heaven on a plate. Dessert in the desert became the new breakfast plan.
The pool at the Ritz Carlton features old time gaming on the lawn. Scott enjoyed their ladder ball, which consisted of throwing 2 small balls attached by a string, and trying to hook the balls onto a ladder across the grass. Being a left-handed NCAA Division 1 baseball pitcher in college came in handy. Go Terps.
On our second night, we had a chance to visit the church we got married in 31 years ago (next month), since it was in Palm Desert. What a treat. We met friends for dinner at their golf club and had a great time catching up and reliving old memories. On our last night we tried a little french bistro called Cafe Des Beaux Arts, and we ran into my college room mate/sorority sister and her husband. Score!
One of the things I love about the desert is the unique foliage, many plants are native to California and Mexico. Here are some of my favorites.
As we drove home, we were well rested and ready to tackle our issues again. We got back to Santa Monica in time to stop for lunch at Back On The Beach Cafe in Santa Monica. Lucky us.
Desert Trip; Concert Of A Lifetime