> We have finally returned to snowy Tennessee after a visit to sunny Palm Springs and other parts of Southern California. We visited some well-known bodies of water and some places without a drop.
> Details as soon as I overcome the zomboid effects of jet lag.
> Howard

After a series of naps and some strong coffee, I am going to try to do this briefly. Would I lie to you?

About a week ago we flew Knoxville, Chicago, LAX, Oxnard. If my favorite airline is bankrupt, you can't tell it by the planes they fly. We did the Chicago-LA leg in a Boeing 777. Flying space available, we found the available space in first class, which you won't believe unless you have seen it. Hint: the seat makes a bed.

After spending the night in Camarillo, a suburb of Oxnard, we drove north along 101 to Morro Bay. Mexican food, German food, sea otters, minerals on the beach, weather perfect, relatives and friends. I got pics of the rock, but that's because the rock is always in pictures made in Morro Bay.

Back to Camarillo, then next day struck out across the state toward Laughlin, southern Nevada on the Colorado River. Lots of beautiful desert. We could see Arizona from there. Stayed two nights, but didn't gamble. Nice antique car museum. They even displayed a Cushman scooter. Saw a bad accident but that's another post. Weather perfect.

Crossed to Bullhead City and headed south to Quartzite. Saw Lake Havasu and the London Bridge. Think of the biggest flea market you ever saw. There is a bigger one in Quartzite, Arizona. I think it was the whole town. Bad traffic. Perfect weather.

After Quartzite, we turned west on I-10 toward Palm Springs. Desert, mountains, dry lake beds, road runners, hawks. For some reason we kept meeting Volkswagen transporters. (AKA microbus, van, Wagenwagon, Hippie van, stationwagon) Sometimes they were in groups of three or four. They must have been having a meet somewhere.

Palm Springs, great food, nephew Jim, beautiful city, Bob Hope's house, windmill farm, date grove, Salton Sea, perfect weather, more road runners.

We made the whole trip in a 12-year-old Mazda with 138,000 miles, sister's car, ran like a top the whole way. We left Palm Springs by propeller plane to LAX, then to Chicago and home. Weather not exactly perfect, but a good to be home.

On a scale of 1 to 10 the trip was about a 9.99. The .01 reduction was for the pay potty I found in Palm Springs. I hadn't seen one in years.
Howard