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...