Joshua Tree & Palm Springs

Our California Dreamin' adventures included a most wonderful exploration of Joshua Tree, where clambered around on the rocks, hiked some trails, and photographed desert plants.  We learned that the Joshua Tree (really a cactus, not a tree) only blooms after a frost and only branches after a bloom.  We were fortunate to see the one Joshua Tree in the park that was known to be in bloom.

We also discovered the amazing Cholla Cactus "garden" which is so thick with these plants that it's a challenge to wander around them.

And, of course, the rocks were a highlight.  Too bad we didn't bring any climbing gear.

Our friends Foster & Tracy recently acquired a place in "old" Palm Springs,  a beautiful architecturally designed house surrounded by lovely, private gardens and complete with a swimming pool plus a private tennis court. 

Many house designs here were inspired by the European Bauhaus movement and include Desert Modernism, Art Moderne and Spanish Eclectic.  George Alexander built many of these homes designed by Richard Neutra, Donald Wexler, Lloyd-Wright, and others.  Most houses were built for Hollywood movie stars, particularly in the 1950s. The well-known Kaufman House is just around the corner.  (as is the honeymoon home of Elvis Presley, Bob Hope's house etc etc etc)

Kaufman House

We wined and dined in luxury, starting each day with freshly squeezed orange juice from the tree near the kitchen, and a swim in the pool.  We even practiced hitting tennis balls, our first time to hold tennis rackets in over 30 years! 

 We also enjoyed some hiking, biking & exploring around the area. No, we didn't actually go golfing...

 Thanks Foster & Tracy,  for a truly wonderful visit!

Alta California

Thanks to our Dana Point hosts, we enjoyed a thoroughly interesting visit to one of the oldest missions in Alta California ("upper California"), the mission of San Juan Capristrano.

 SJC was founded in the mid-1700s by Spanish Catholics during a period when this area was considered the domain of the Spanish Monarchy.  When the mission was founded about 500 native people lived in the area and the goal at the mission was to convert, education and "civilize" these people.  Over the next 40-80 years over 5000 local souls were converted....  The mission is still active today, not only as a museum to visit, but as an educational center.   

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SJC was just one of 21 missions along "El Caminio Real"  (see map) New boundaries were created after the Mexican-American War in the mid-1800s and Alta California became part of the USA, and most of the missions gradually became ruins.  These missions are historically and architecturally interesting, of course, only recently have been recognized as worthy of attention and funding for restoration. 

If this subject interests you read more here: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spanish_missions_in_California 

all the leaves are green....and the sky is blue....

We took a trip south to visit yachting friends at Dana Point, which is just south of LA.   We have mutual cruising ideas so we spent some time reviewing charts, routes and harbours where we may meet again this coming summer.

 What a change from Whistler in February!  

As the song goes....all the leaves are green, and the sky is blue....

Thanks, Jim and Kathy, for hosting us!  Yes, we see that big power boats are popular here, but we won't be trading in SV Darwin Sound any time soon.

More California Dreamin'

Yes, photos from another week off skiing are about to be posted....

California Dreamin'

Walking in the hills...

Mature Oak bark

Wandering among cactus plants...

More cactus

Erotica?

Fresh orange, anyone?

Oh, just pick a lemon for our jug of water...

Strolling through Eucalyptus, hmm a wonderful scent

Campus or hacienda?

Beautiful architecture

View from new home site

Dr H Manzanita on the property

House to be built here....

Thanks for a wonderful week!

Welcoming 2012

The festive season around our house includes three special days in a row, each just one week apart:

Christmas Day,
New Years's Day,
Irene's Birth Day.

Birthday presentation: photos from over the years

 Since this year was considered "special", a special event was secretly created by Charlotte, Al and friends.   This surprise birthday bash  included a gathering of wonderful friends, funny props, crazy wigs, great food, an historic photo presentation, and all manner of roasting and toasting. 

Party friends!

Thanks to everyone who plotted and planned over several months, and to all who came to celebrate the beginning of my next decade.  Thanks to Barb and Sue for the extra "effects", to Steff for keeping me out skiing while preparations were underway at home, and to Mary for being my friend through all these years and still wanting to come to the party! 

Special thanks to Charlotte for taking charge and keeping Al organized.  And, of course, thanks to my loving partner - my friend who is my husband - for creating an atmosphere of happy celebration and excitement as we all get another year older. 

Thanks, Barb, for the leisure suit! Thanks, Sue for the curly locks!

Victoria, circa 1970

BC coast, 1985

Family afloat, 1991

Climbing, 1979

Nepal, 2003

 

Sailing....

December with the Whistler Whitneys

Old fashioned festive fun around our Whistler home during the month of December tends to consist of board games, puzzles, card games, the cooking & eating of festive feasts, and - of course - getting outside to play in the snow. 

Here are some (not all) members of the Whitney family who passed through Whistler during the Christmas period.

Our annual Christmas photo-on-the-deck is missing Toria, who is currently enjoying summer in NZ.

 Our kitchen was designed for feast preparations.  Here is a basket of Charlotte's fresh brioche:

Thanks to Mary, you can view some of the action by going to the clips she has posted on utube:

Catch a glimpse of us in the kitchen by clicking on this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RY1O9MR5IQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player 


Unique Whitney crazyness includes stair climbing competitions, performed only by the strongest members of the family.  Watch some stair climbing here:

http://youtu.be/dsN6CN0k6_Y

And which members of this gang invented blow bauble?  It is rather like table tennis but with a tree ornament....and a lot of hot air!   Tournaments can be fierce, and blowing while laughing at the same time is a challenge some of us have not yet mastered.

Watch some blow bauble action here:

http://youtu.be/XC_mdun5QTI

http://youtu.be/d686TmfUfCc

Oh, and don't forget puzzle madness...