Back to our wonderful Vancouver home….in 2 1/2 hours…the only way to go...

I even got a swim this morning and a leisurely leaving of our wonderful desert home.  Marvin took us to the airport….thanks so much!  Everything went smoothly for the flight and things were all in order when we arrived.  The car fired up perfectly.  We almost forget what a fabulous setting we have here.  Over a dozen of my wonderful freighters and arrived home to sunny skies and shirtsleeve weather.  And there was a wonderful sea tang in the air….something we absolutely love.  We went to The Sylvia for dinner tonight…Heather,  our favourite server,  said we brought the warmth.  Perhaps we did!

Palm Springs Airport is such a wonderful place to arrive to and depart from.

The usual drill….Bloody Mary's in the outdoor departure lounge.

And now the West Coast…from our balcony.

Walking to The Sylvia…everyone out enjoying the evening.

We got one of our favourite tables…great view of the entertainers and the ocean.

Red Truck Ale of course.

Like most Canadians, I don't like to brag but I'm proud of this...

And I really hope the Supreme Court of the US makes it illegal to have laws against gay marriage.

Officially, Canada was the fourth country in the world to legalize gay marriage in 2005, but, thanks to a provincial law already on the books in Ontario, Canada actually performed the first governmentally-legitimized same-sex marriage in the world back in 2001. There may still be some who are opposed to same-sex matrimony, but every time a challenge to the law has come up, it has been struck back down. Oh, and it’s not just married couples who are all awarded the exact same rights regardless of sexual orientation; if any couple, LGBTQ or cis, chooses a common-law arrangement, they get — you guessed it — full acknowledgement, rights, and equality.

Last morning swim

We'll go for another swim later today but I think we'll not swim tomorrow.  I'm going to miss swimming in the sunshine and looking at my San Jacinto Mountains.

Saying good-bye to our wonderful desert home….

It's hard to believe we are leaving tomorrow but we will enjoy being home in Vancouver as well.   Expect lots of sunset photos soon!  It will be so nice to fly and be home in a couple of hours rather than days of driving.

I'm glad I made up a little blog last year to show friends and family our decorating efforts.  It will be fun for me to look at while we're away.

http://ourpalmspringscondo.blogspot.com

I will miss my all things south of France cushions.

Last meal at Pommes Frites

We had an excellent meal as usual and even more French since there was a dog at the next table!

I had my usual "fish and chips" and Jim tried the burger…wonderful meat on a brioche bun with brie.  I would prefer this to a steak.  We're going to miss these real frites just like France    Just the right temp now…in the low 80's.

Happy Easter, everyone!

I always enjoy Douglas Todd's take on things spiritual.  Here are his thoughts about Easter in the Vancouver Sun.

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2015/04/03/facing-loss-psychology-philosophy-and-story-of-easter/

And it wouldn't be Easter without kids.  I think Eliot has just been introduced to the Easter Bunny…

Our "local" ,The Parker, is certainly into gouging...

"Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival goers may not be in their hotel rooms for more than a few hours a day, but there is every likelihood they are paying top price for those moments — whether they are spent in some of the valley's more basic properties like a Holiday Inn Express, to the super-exclusive Parker Palm Springs where earlier in the week rooms were listed at $3,000 a night.
Read more:"
http://www.desertsun.com/story/money/business/tourism/2015/04/03/escape-coachella-festival-palm-springs/25261065/

While it's fun to take visitors through the hotel,  we rarely go there because of the high price for drinks and food.  We look forward to soon being back to our local in Vancouver,  The Sylvia,  and a reasonable pint of Red Truck Ale and free live music to boot!

One of our favourite tables….by the fireplace, with a good view of the entertainers and the ocean.

Amazing…a positive story….not doom and gloom for once

"The Earth is Actually Getting Greener

http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/Conversations+that+matter+Earth+actually+growing+greener/10944052/story.html

New exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Mueeum

Jim and I went to see the new exhibition yesterday which featured modern works from the  permanent collection of the Museum.  They do have some amazing things in addition to the three large Henry Moore's that are always on display.  They have  a couple of smaller Henry Moores,  a small Rodin, a wonderful Barbara Hepworth sculpture,  a super Marc Chagall,  two Picasso's and things from American artists that I'm sure are very valuable but I'm not so familiar with them.

Jim was particularly interested in a  Gino Severini (Italian artist) painting, very huge and very impressive.  They have it wonderfully displayed on a large wall.  Huxley had a connection with him.

http://www.psmuseum.org/palm-springs/exhibition/modern-works-the-collection/

I've posted a lot of photos  especially for Susan K. as she loves this art museum and didn't get to Palm Springs this year.

 This is their art education room…cool, eh?


A Picasso.

 One of my favourites in this exhibition.

Barbara Hepworth…front and back views.

This is a watercolour of the Arno in Florence.

 I just might have to go to Paris one more time to see the Rodin Museum again…Air France just instituted non-stop flights from Vancouver.


Forgot the artist's name but obviously inspired by Matisse.

And this one is a bit Leger like.

This one is called "The Future"

 This "dog" is always on display…love it!

This is the magnificent Gino Severini called "Man in Space"

 This photo gives you a good idea of the size of it.

 This Henry Moore is always on display….didn't get a photo of it last time.

 Pottery by Picasso.

 The Marc Chagall…quite wonderful.

An amazing setting for the museum….right against the wonderful San Jacinto Mountains.

La Tropicale

We went to Happy Hour with Erna and Marvin here last night…always great food and super patio.  The calamari was even better than last time if that is possible!   Forgot to take photos….having too much fun!

We had two calamari,   Kobe Beef Sliders, Thai Chicken Skewers,  and Spicy Polish Sausage.

Cactus in bloom….unreal!

This cactus is just beside our pool here.  I don't think I've seen a cactus with so many blooms.

For Louise Penny fans

Coming soon….some of the "real" places in the series.

http://gamacheseries.com