A little R & R

Carl and I spent the last few days in the desert. We left the day after Thanksgiving and came back last night.  It was a low key get-away.... a chance to take a few deep breaths before Christmas.  Palm Springs is only an hour away but there's enough difference in scenery and weather that you actually feel that you've escaped!  A few of our favorite spots:

Cinemas Palme d'Or for movies that never seem to make it Redlands
Borders at The River in Rancho Mirage for browsing books and music
The Colony Palms Hotel for a poolside lunch
Modern Way in old Palm Springs for perusing mid-century furnishings
Las Casuelas for Mexican food and margaritas

This trip we took a self-guided driving tour of the area's architectural treasures. The area is full of fabulous mid-century homes and commercial buildings.  You can pick up a map at the Visitor Center for $5.00.  I had fun jumping out of the car and taking a few pictures. The sky was soooo blue.