Just Sitting Here

As I sit here to type this, I'm feeling so many emotions. Missing friends and family. Thinking about Thanksgiving and wishing we could be with family or friends to enjoy the day together. I'm wondering why we're set up here in a place know for resort/retirement communities. We're at a "Family Spa Resort" where most of the people I see are elderly and retired. There are 6 great pools here, some 1970s metal slides that are not much fun in the hot sun, a nice duck pond with lovely little creatures, a great view of San Jacinto Mts., but it's just not the right place. We're here until Dec. 2nd, I think, and I'm trying to make the most of it. I just don't love it here. I know it's not about where you're at, it's more about who you're with. But I feel like this time it is about where you're at.

You want to know what else gets me? They don't recycle around here. We save our recycling, bag it up, and take it with us on the weekends in search of recycling containers. So far we've taken everything to Joshua Tree National Park, at least they get it right. So now that we're not heading into Joshua Tree this weekend, it just feels so wrong to throw away recyclables. As wrong as putting your left shoe on your right foot. What's up with this? Should we get a pull behind trailer just so we can cart our recycling around with us until we find somewhere that provides this service?

Desert Hot Springs, feels more like Desert Funk Springs to me. The "Hot Mineral Water" draw just doesn't do it for me. They say this area has some of the best rated drinking water because of the natural mineral aquifer, well I'm sorry but my skin feels awful and dry, I can't imagine putting this water down my throat...my throat might dry out from this water.

Can you tell I'm cranky today? I don't mean to be a grump, I just needed to get a few things off my shoulders today. Ok, now I'm moving on. I am thankful that my family and I are healthy. I am thankful that the sun is shining and has been for many, many days. I am thankful that both my children are napping at the same time, in the same room. I am thankful for the peace and quite.

Here are some pictures from our duck pond on site.

Just another sunny day!

Since we left Rockford in mid-September...I think we've seen 2-3 cloudy days on our adventure. I am thrilled to be where the sun shines every day. It makes a difference, it really does. There are many things we appreciate about the midwest, but grey skies are not on that list.

We've been in Desert Hot Springs, CA now for a little over 1 week. We left the town of Joshua Tree because the place we were at was so dang dusty. Now I know we're in the desert, so I'm not complaining about the desert like conditions...but since I live in this RIG and I still like to keep my home somewhat clean...and since we can pretty much go anywhere....we had to move. Now we have a sweet secluded spot at a family spa (called that because of the natural hot spring pools).

Our daily routine here looks like this:

1) Wake up, eat breakfast together.

2) Josh goes to work, Tricia & Kids go for a walk to see the ducks/geese/fish/swans/birds in the pond here on the grounds.

3) Tricia & Kids back for snack, craft, story time, etc.

4) Naptime.

5) Josh back, snack time, then we're off to the pools.

6) Swim, soak, swim, soak - regular outdoor pool, small wading pool for kids, 4 hot spring pools.

7) Back home, showered up, dinner then kids bedtime.

On the weekend we've made it to Joshua Tree for some climbing and to hit their weekend farmer's market. Last weekend I came back with fresh dates (best I've ever tasted), fresh grapefruit and oranges, and lots of other goodies.

My Mom comes for a visit this weekend and to hang with me while Josh goes away on business for 2 days. It will be nice to see someone we know again!

And the adventure continues...

The adventure continues. Thursday we left the cold in Utah and drove to find warmth in Southern California. We arrived in the city of Joshua Tree, just outside of the national park, on Friday. We explored Joshua Tree and some climbing spots at Indian Cove, checked out the town and set up for the weekend. The weather was amazing! 70s and 80s. Blue skies. Just perfect.

On Monday, as we got ready to run our daily routine, we just couldn't get into it. I personally was not loving the dust/dirt factor right outside our door. Koen and Eiley loved playing in the dirt, but I did not like the idea of 3 baths a day. So we packed up and headed to where it was even warmer, Desert Hot Springs.

The last 2 days have been in the low 90s. Man, the desert is hot! Thankfully we're at an RV resort with pools! Home for now is here in Desert Hot Springs, Palm Springs and Joshua Tree are just a short drive away. We just weren't ready to leave this area without spending more time in Joshua Tree National Park. So that's where we'll be on the weekends.

Here are some final pictures from Moab, and pictures from the last weekend. We celebrated my birthday on Sunday with a trip to Joshua Tree, home made BBQ chicken pizza, and a store bought slice of cake with a sliver of wood for a candle. Nice!