Happy Trails...

sitting around the fire pit for the last time...

...to us...sadly we've arrived at the last day of vacation and we're traveling back to chilly Michigan in a few hours.

But it was a great week here in sunny Palm Springs, and we made the most of our last full day (yesterday).

Since I'm planning a cross country writing trip on Amtrak sometime in the hopefully not too distant future, we checked out the humble station just outside of Palm Springs:

it's just a small structure with no lobby, unattended, but it does have the mid century modern look and feel.

...and it does have a spectacular view of the mountains...

...plus a cool sign...

...and apparently is still in use...this train rumbled by while we were checking it out.

...I have no idea what I was doing at this moment...looks like I was just about to break into a song and dance routine...

On our way back we stopped at the visitor center:

this started life as a gas station back in 1965...very cool structure and lots of useful information about things to do and see in and around Palm Springs...

We also stopped by a vintage car dealership that's preparing for an upcoming auction...

...1957 Bel Air...

...best vehicle on the lot was a 1959 Cadillac...

...beautiful...and only $195,000...maybe for my birthday?

We also trekked over to Palm Desert and visited their version of Rodeo Drive...

...the view of some high priced retail real estate...

...stopping at Tommy Bahamas for lunch.

...beautiful view of the mountains from the restaurant...

The rest of the day was chillin' at the Desert Riviera Hotel...

...really going to miss the palm trees and beautiful landscaping...

...relaxing in the pool...

...and by the fire pit...

...and hanging by the pool at night...

Rick and Martha snapped a couple of pics of us before we left for the airport...

...in front of our room...

...and the pool...

Then it was time to leave...one last shot of sunny Palm Springs...

this is in the airport, right outside the gates where you board, believe it or not...

Looking forward to our next visit...

Later, mcm fans...

Happy...

Benjamin in Afghanistan

...Veteran's Day, 2015...officially, tomorrow, November 11th...but I shan't be blogging then so I'm highlighting it today...

...and thank you to all who have served and are serving now for protecting our nation.  As the Declaration of Independence correctly affirms, we have God given rights of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.  The men and women of the military have been safeguarding those God given rights for centuries, and today, especially, we remember them and give thanks for their service.  It is an old saying but a true one: Freedom isn't free.  It's bought and paid for with the blood of our soldiers.  Say thank you; you owe your life to them.

Our vacation at the Desert Riviera Hotel continues...

towering palm trees...

...clouds over the San Jacinto mountains this morning...

...beautifully landscaped grounds...

...things to do...

...including relaxing in the jacuzzi...

...or maybe find your new ride...I wish...a 1968 Cadillac DeVille...

Now if you'll excuse me, I have some hedonistic pursuits that are calling me...

Later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera...

...we're gonna miss this...77 degrees and sunshine in early March...

Even though we lost a day due to inclement weather and travel snafus, it's been a fabulous vacation.

Our last full day here was spent much like the previous ones...early morning hot tub and pool, coffee and breakfast, some touristy stuff in the morning, then lounging around the pool and fire pit for the rest of the day.

Today's "touristy stuff" involved a trip to a fabulous vintage shop called "Wonderama":

Not sure if the bison is for sale, but it sits outside of the shop as a unique reminder you've arrived at someplace special:

Our big find today was an original 1950's "Galanos" coat for Karen:

James Galanos was Amercia's leading fashion designer, a true "haute couturier" who designed for stars like Rosalind Russell and Marilyn Monroe, as well as leading political figures like Nancy Reagan.  He's now retired, 90 years old, and living in Palm Springs...and we found one of his creations that fits Karen perfectly at a price that didn't break the bank.  Score!

We also wandered downtown in the evening and visited the Palm Springs Art Museum:

A very cool, mid century modern building, but we were in between exhibits, so not much to see...however, we did spot this Shag "mad men" type painting, number 1 of only 200:

Shag is a famous "mod" painter who has exhibited around the world, and has a shop in Palm Springs. His painting captures my mom and dad's world back in the late 50's, early 60's...they had a sense of style and class that's largely missing from much of today's world.

One place where it's not missing in action is Palm Springs...and no place encapsulates that mid century modern vibe better...

Hate to sound like a paid advertisement, but if you're a mid century modern fan looking for someplace warm to escape the winter doldrums, you can't do better than the Desert Riviera Hotel...Judy, Steve, and Traci are the best and will do everything possible to make your stay relaxing and hassle free...and owners Rick and Martha are regularly onsite making sure their guests are comfortable and happy.  As I've said before, there may not be heaven on earth, but Desert Riviera Hotel comes pretty darn close.

We fly back to the frozen northland tomorrow, but right now I hear Arturo Fuente and Jim Beam calling me...

the green ash tray is from Wonderama, too...

Last night in paradise...

Later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera...

...a garden resort...welcome to Day 2 of our vacation.

As mentioned in the previous post, we were finally able to wing our way from the icy climes of Michigan...

the frozen coast of Lake Michigan

...to sunny Palm Springs, California.

The accommodations at the Desert Riviera are so lovely it's tempting to just hang out at the hotel and relax...

the beautiful pool all lit up at night...

fun at the fire pit every night...

turns out the Keebler elves hang out here, too...

It's amazing what some sunshine, warm temperatures, a new hat, and some Jim Beam can do to improve your attitude...

So on day two we decided to take a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a short 20 minute drive from the Desert Riviera Hotel...

Trams head up the mountain about every 30 minutes, so we had a short wait in the stylish lobby...

...before we climbed on the stallion we rode up the mountain...

It's about a 10 minute ride up, and the floor of the car slowly rotates so you get a 360 degree view...

The view from the top is remarkably like home right now...

We received dire warnings from everyone at the hotel about how cold it is...but hey, we're from Michigan and this was like an early spring day.  The tram operator said, "It's currently 30 degrees at the top and wind chill makes it feel like 20, so good luck with that."  Really?  Come to Grand Rapids...shirt sleeve weather, buddy...

Overall a very enjoyable excursion...we enjoyed a drink at the bar...here's the view...

Impressive to think how much work it was to build the tram and the welcome center at the top of the mountain...well worth the time and money.

After that we spent the rest of the day and evening relaxing...

a Palm Springs full moon...

...and hanging out poolside...

There may not be heaven on earth, but the Desert Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs comes pretty close...

Later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera Hotel...

...at last...not our smoothest journey, but the destination makes it worthwhile.

We attempted to exit Grand Rapids, Michigan two days ago, but after 8 hours of standing around the GRR airport our flights were canceled...we rebooked for yesterday, out of Kalamazoo (AZO).

That's a much smaller, friendlier, and cooler airport...less than an hour away...we'll definitely consider flying out of there again.  Here are some pics from inside the airport:

...and these random, "far side" type characters scattered hither and yon:

We were flying on American Airlines...

...and it was no picnic with many winter weather issues...bottom line, we were supposed to arrive at the hotel Sunday night around 10 pm Michigan time...after canceled flights, rebooking, and late planes, actual arrival time?  Tuesday morning at 3 am, Michigan time...

But...we're here...it's worth it...and here's why:

More to come, mcm fans...