29 Palms, Joshua Tree and LA!!!

We had a great time in CA over the Memorial Day Weekend. Marie picked us up at the airport on Friday morning then we headed to the desert. We had lunch in Palm Springs then we were off to 29 Palms. We stayed at the 29 Palms Inn, which is a cool funky hotel with individual cottages. When we got to our room, Marie told us to be on the look out for rattlesnakes and scorpions. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out. Of course, we did not see any snakes or scorpions but we did see a few lizards. After our pool side dinner at the Inn, we took a walk around the hotel grounds and disturbed an owl on the prowl, he screeched at us to let us know that he was not happy that we scared away his dinner, a little bunny. During the night, we heard the coyotes a few times (it was really cool since we were inside and not outside in a tent).

On Saturday morning we went on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park, the hike is really close to Marie's property in 29 Palms. The hike we went on is called 49 Palms Oasis. The hike is a mile and a half up to a beautiful Oasis in the desert. We did the hike in the morning, before it got too hot. On the way down we saw some people that were definitely not prepared for the hike (ask Tim about the girl in the tank top and flip flops, he told us he would stay behind and make sure she made it down). After the hike we went back to the Inn for more pool time and lunch. After lunch we were off to LA.

On Sunday, we walked to my favorite breakfast place in LA then took a long walk home. We relaxed at Marie's for a few hours, I read a trashy novel Tonia sent me. Then we were off to La Placita (sp), which is the oldest street in LA. After La Placita we were off to the Observatory. The view from the Observatory is awesome. From the Observatory, we got a good look at the fire damage from the recent wildfire in Griffith Park. The fire almost destroyed the Observatory, which was just redone. The renovation cost 45 million and took 4 years to complete.

Of course the best part of the weekend was hanging out with Marie. Tim and I always have such a wonderful time in LA with Great Aunt Marie!

Marie in front of her property in 29 Palms.

Tim and Marie after lunch in Palm Springs
Tim and I walking back to our room after an afternoon at the pool in 29 Palms
A Joshua Tree
Tim on top of a rock in Joshua Tree National Park


Our back yard at the Inn at 29 Palms
Our living room at the Inn
Our room at the Inn

Tim at the Inn
Marie and I on the hike. She made me wear the hat, which was a very good idea.
Marie leading the way up to the Oasis.
Tim on yet another rock, 29 Palms is the view behind him.
Baby lizard, we saw a full grown one later on the hike.

The Oasis
Tim and Marie relaxing in the oasis.
As you can see from my photos, Tim likes climbing on rocks.

The view of LA from Marie's apartment
Griffith Observatory