Hiking, Hot rod Rides and Rock

The weather has been sublime here, so we are taking advantage of the outdoors. Yesterday Dan and I did another hike but this time we did the full trip to the top of the ridge above Palm Desert as we got an earlier start in cooler weather.

We had plans to go to brunch, but Terri was still working the coffee shop so before we picked her up Dan took me for a ride in his custom hot rod, which was a lot of fun. It was hand built by his father, and is so loud and fast we had to wear ear protection. It sure gets a lot of attention on the road.

After picking up Terri we headed to the Daily Grill in Palm Desert and had the best brunch I've had in a long time, then stopped at my Dad's favorite place in the area, Tommy Bahamas restaurant for a drink.

In the evening we went and saw Bryan Adams in concert at a local casino, and his show was great. I kind of forgot how prolific he was in writing hit songs and his music took me down memory lane.  Chalk up another great day!

Hiking and downtown Palm Springs

Yesterday was an active day again. Dan and I started with a long hike above Palm Desert. We got a later start than what we wanted so it was very hot outside. We could handle it, but we took Dan and Terri's two dogs with us and we were concerned about them overheating so we didn't make it quite to the top of the ridge, but we were close.

Afterwards, we picked up Terri and headed to downtown Palm Springs to attend the Palm Springs Oktoberfest, which was fun until the alcohol bureau of California showed up and shut down the beer gardens for some sort of violations that was never explained. We got a partial refund of our entry fee and headed to the Matchbox restaurant downtown.  Great place with a view of the main drag, and after some shopping we headed home and had a nice night by talking and reliving the day.

Tonight we're headed to the Bryan Adams concert at the Agua Caliente casino, and tomorrow Dan and I are going on a road trip to Las Vegas to pick up a drum kit from the drummer for ex - Journey singer Steve Perry.  I have just a few more days here, and am already getting a bit homesick to get back to Portland as I miss someone a bit Pulchy there.

Bikes, Beers, and Bands.. Day 2

What a great Friday we had in Palm Desert! Dan, Terri and I rode bicycles from their house in Bermuda Dunes into Palm Desert to one of their favorite Mexican restaurants, Armando's off El Paseo Drive.

One way is ten miles, so when we arrived we had worked up quite a thirst. Armando's is known for their great Margarita's and they didn't disappoint.  We hit a few other watering holes on the ride home, but the highlight was the full moon rising over the mountains so we stopped for some photos before arriving home.

Dan's friend Kevin, who owns a bike shop in LaQuinta, also has a great rock band that practices at the shop, so we decided to go watch them.  They were really really good, and whipped out great covers of songs from Alice in Chains, Pearl Jam, and Soundgarden to name a few.  We had a blast!

This morning Dan and I are going for an 8 mile hike on a steep, hot trail above Palm Desert, so we'll be sweating out yesterday's Margaritas and beer. Looking forward to another great day.

First day in the desert

My flight arrived 15 minutes early last night, and Dan was already at the Palm Springs airport waiting. The weather is perfect and at 6pm it was 81 degrees.

Terri had dinner already going when we arrived at Casa Spriggel and we popped open some wine and did a lot of laughing catching up as we have not seen each other since Europe in June.

I'm writing this blog update from their coffee shop in Bermuda Dunes, having a wonderful breakfast as Dan is scouring Craigslist to try and find drum kits for his Ebay business. Later we are going to ride bikes down El Paseo Blvd. in Palm Desert with the goal of reaching Armando's for Margaritas.  A few years back Dan and Terri bought me an old Beach cruiser bike from the 1950's that I keep down here. I'm excited to ride her, as although she rides like shit she looks very cool. 😏

October 2013 trip to see Dan and Terri

I decided to take a quick trip this month with frequent flier miles to see my dear friends Dan and Terri in the Palm Springs area. I haven't seen them since we all got back from Europe in June, so I am excited. We plan on doing a lot of bike riding and hiking and I'll try and post something every day. I am on my way to the airport now (Wednesday, October 17th) and I return on Tuesday, October 22nd.

The weather looks to be terrific, hitting around 90 degrees the entire time I am there.

Last days in Russia, homeward bound!

I'm sitting here at the Saint Petersburg airport reflecting on my last few days in Russia and my entire trip. It's been an incredible journey. I made some new friends overseas, strengthened existing friendships, and had a wonderful time. I am ready to go home, and ready to get back to my routine. I am also desperately ready for air conditioning, as Saint Petersburg has been unseasonably hot and robust, cool A/C is not common here as it is rarely needed.

Two days ago Yuri, Masha, her young daughter and I planned to drive to the Peterhof palace, a series of palaces and gardens just outside Saint Petersburg. It wasn't long before we got caught up in a horrific traffic jam for several hours due to road construction on the freeway. We ended up abandoning our plans after we emerged from traffic because we were tired of being in the car. So, we ended up going to Yuri's Moms flat early, where had plans for dinner later that evening. We walked around a park before dinner, then sat down and ate authentic Russian home cooked food that was very, very good. I was happy to inbibe in some healthy food such as beet and carrot salad, and a Russian dish almost like soup cooked in small pots in the oven. Everything was delicious, and I also got to try caviar with some good Russian vodka. It was good to have a down day.

Yesterday, we all went to the world famous Hermitage museum, founded by Catherine the Great in 1764. The place is huge and there is really no way to see it in one day, but luckily Yuri's Mom is an expert on the place and showed us the highlights including the original Madonna and Child by Leonardo da Vinci. Afterwards we had a late lunch then we headed over to the first even building built in Saint Petersburg, built in 1703 by Peter the Great and known as the Fortress. Yuri and I then had a late dinner with his friend Vladimir, and I was home in bed my midnight, but the 4am wake up call was brutal. I am staring over 18 hours of travel but excited to get home. I hope you enjoyed my travel blog. Cheers!

Boat Cruise and Ballet in St. Pete

Yesterday Masha, Yuri and I went on an hour long boat cruise through the channels through St. Petersburg. The city is sometimes referred as the Venice of the north because of all of the channels throughout the city and over 300 bridges. The guide spoke in Russian so Yuri and Masha translated some of the more interesting points of interest and buildings. It was another beautiful day, and afterwards we had lunch in the city.

After going back to the flat to shower, we went back to the Nevsky in St. Petersburg and met Yuri's mom for dinner and wine. Then, we all left for the ballet to see Swan Lake at St. Petersburg's oldest theater, the Alexandrinsky Theater. I have never been to the ballet, and to be honest I never had any desire, but I am glad I went as I felt quite honored to see my first ballet in Russia and witness some of the most talented dancers in the world. I felt so cultured! Afterwards we all went to an outdoor restaurant in the city and stayed until after midnight talking, laughing and having drinks. A great day!