1/7 & 1/8/08 - RV DRIVING COURSE - We have talked about taking an RV driving course. Well, we did it. Lance honed his hill driving skills. Coralee started from the very beginning -- well I did know how to start the motorhome!
I think I drove a 100,000 miles. I was driving in my dreams too! Our instructor, Jerry, took me on freeways, residential roads, in busy cities with lots of traffic, and on curving country roads. He had some "favorite" intersections to test our right and left turning abilities. I managed it all without a scratch.
We even had a real adventure during some road construction. I had to detour and the detour kept moving us to a new street and another street and on the last street there were signs that said "Road Closed" which had a huge trench after the signs. Yep, I had to back up the coach for a block and a half dodging parked cars and traffic cones as well as turn to the right street. I REALLY learned how to use my mirrors and which way to turn the wheel.
Then we went down another road that had a trench dug by the curve and even though the trench had been filled in, it would have not been good to let the tires fall into it. I learned how close I could get to the cones on the driver's side without knocking them over.
Pioneertown CA - We actually did some sightseeing along the way (who was looking at the sights -- not me!). We went up to Pioneertown in the hills above Yucca Valley. It was found in 1946 as a permanent 1880s Western Town for filming westerns. Over 200 movies were filmed here including such stars as Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Cisco Kid, and Annie Oakley. The Post Office is still an operating post office. It is said to be the most photographed post office in the United States.
The area of the Pioneertown was hit by the Southern California fires last year. Around every house the foliage was burned. We were told that every house had a pumper to save it from the fire. It must have been terrifying.
Traveling around Palm Springs area you see all kinds of sights:
Hot air balloons -- the Hot Air Balloon Show this year got "blown" out with high winds. I think this one stayed around for Applebee's.
In Catheral City the signs and sign posts are all purple. Never seen such a sight.
George Lopez is hosting the Bob Hope Classic at this Casino/Golf Course. Lance is hoping his free ticket gets here in time. We have not seen any "famous people" -- we still have some time!!!!
1/11/08 - I have upped my exercise. I walk all the way to the office area which takes about 15 minutes. (See the site map below). I use my walking stick. It seems to keep my back from getting so tired. Then I do my swim exercise for an hour. I am feeling much stronger.
1/14/08 - Living Desert - Palm Desert CA - We had a great time at Living Desert. A little fun too....
1/17/08 - Palm Springs Tram - I finally went up the tram. Lance -- he does not like heights -- decided not to go. After the trip up and down I am glad he did not go. He might of had a little problem when the tram went past a tower. It sways. I had a little problem myself.
On the other side of the mountain is 54 miles of hiking in the San Juacinto State Park. It is absolutely beautiful. In the summertime Palm Springs and the rest of Coachella Valley have temperatures in the 100s. At the top of the tram you will find temperatures up to 30 degrees cooler.
I did not see any animals or birds that looked like this mountain goat. That would have been cool.
The view of the valley and the rocks and trees were stunning.
