Happy Easter...

...on The City Of New Orleans...Praise God, He is risen.  Our sins have been paid for; all that remains is for us to put our faith in God's Son who died for us, and rose again.

I love overnights on the train, but I'll be honest...I don't sleep all that much...more like doze off and on...but it's great waking up and feeling the rhythm of the rails, hearing the sound of the train horn, the wind rushing by as we cross this great country...then doze again for a while.

Up at 5 am central time to shower, but there's too much motion to attempt shaving...I'm not that brave to risk the effects of a sudden lurch with a straight razor on my throat...by 5:30 we were ahead of schedule and approaching Memphis, Tennessee...

...arrived a few minutes later as the new day dawned...

a chilly morning in Memphis

Did my usual "check on work" routine from the observation car, then sat down to a good scrambled eggs breakfast with three friendly strangers...they seat you 4 to a booth for meals whenever possible.

The rest of the day was rolling through Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana...

tired travelers, somewhere in Mississippi...

...we did pass a sobering sight...there were large work crews with heavy equipment working in muddy conditions, cleaning up the after effects of a train derailment...by the time we realized what it was and I could pull out my camera, we were almost completely by the scene...

to the far left is the last of several damaged train cars from the derailment...

We rolled into the New Orleans station a little ahead of schedule...I really like NOL (the station letters in the Amtrak system)...new, wide open spaces, marble floors, and cool pics and murals on the walls:

From there we took a cab to the Omni Royal Orleans hotel...

palm trees...cool...

...and settled in to our rooms...Marcellus and I in one, Karen and Sarah in the other.

Marcellus and I got a workout done in the 7th floor fitness center, then all of us enjoyed the view from the top of the hotel, overlooking the French Quarter...

this is a panographic view of the harbor and bridge in the distance

the view at night...

We were all tired from our travels, so we just hoofed across the street and enjoyed a good but overpriced meal at...

...crowded and noisy, exactly as you'd expect in the French Quarter, I suppose...

More to come, mcm fans...

City Of New Orleans...

...here we come...first stop, Union Station in Chicago, courtesy of Coleman's Shuttle Service.  They do an excellent job, have very reasonable rates, are courteous and professional.  Our driver, Ruth, is personable and competent.  I highly recommend them.  Check them out at Coleman's Shuttle Service.  You'll be glad you did.

Unlike last year when we were rank novices, this year we knew where to go and what to do once we hit the station...so down to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge we went and checked in sans excitement.

The lounge is reserved for business class and sleeper car passengers.

Once checked in we verified the schedule for the City Of New Orleans train....

Right on time, so we grabbed some complimentary refreshments and relaxed while waiting to board...

Marcellus and Sarah at the table, Karen in the background.

We boarded at 7:30 Chicago time...

Our car attendant, Carmel.

...and settled into our rooms for an 8:05 pm departure...well, a bedroom for Karen and Sarah, a tiny roomette for Marcellus and me.

After listening to a short rendition of the classic Willie Nelson tune, "City Of New Orleans" - not the Arlo Guthrie version, but good nonetheless - they announced the conductors would be by to check our tickets:

That must be for coach class passengers only...they checked ours before they let us on the sleeper car.

In short order it was time for dinner in the dining car:

Dinner was very enjoyable...

...and even the table setting and lights were elegant...

in honor of Easter, I guess...

here's what it looks like sans bunny napkin...

Time for lights out...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...

Love...

...letter from my granddaughter.  Miriam wrote this to me and melted my heart.  What a cutie.



Today we journeyed to Douglas and participated in the black arts of ten pinnery again...

Ok so that's not the Douglas bowling alley...I just like the art deco sign...

Enjoyed our attempts but we were less than excellent, unfortunately...no excuses...we're just not that good...but there were too many mechanical issues with the lane / pinsetters to get any kind of rhythm going, and then the Brady Bunch took the lane next to us and the fun was definitely over after that.  We finished our drinks and called it a day.

Another reason why we need to install a lane in our home...

Later, mcm fans...