Weekend at the Oasis

After rain off and on throughout the week, Saturday dawned bright and clear and Carolyn and I slept in and then packed the few essentials for our quick trip out to ClubIntrawest in Palm Desert.

Taking the toll road over to the 91 freeway and then the 60 to the 10, it only took us an hour and 45 minutes for the trip. We stopped for lunch just before getting to the club and then went to check in. We had a one bedroom condo on the second floor with a view of the pool and the golf course. The rooms are painted in bright colors, has tiled floors and even has an extra outside shower which we didn't use this time as it was a little too cool in the morning. The afternoon temps were around 70 and we made it down to the pool and spa for a while to read and relax.

Saturday evening we went down to the The River, a Spectrum-like (though smaller) enclave with shops, theaters and restaurants. After checking out Borders and finding that Sideways didn't start until after 10, we dined at a restaurant that fronted the "river" - a water feature separating the restaurants from the main street. After a nice meal and a glass of wine, we decided we didn't want to wait so long to see the movie so back to the condo we went.

Sunday morning we slept in again and checked out around 11, but before we left the premises, we checked with the members experience person, Karen, about changing our time planned in Zihautanejo from 12 days to 7 to avoid the overlap with a wedding and the end of Community Bible Study. Then, we began talking about other vacation alternatives and we ended up buying some additional club points which will allow us to have a two-bedroom on occasion. So over lunch at the golf clubhouse down the road, we began talking about how we might see Ashley and Bryce later in the year. Should it be in Scotland, or perhaps in western Europe, like in Holland, France, Spain or Italy? We're thinking of late summer or early fall.

On the way home, we encountered at least two accidents which slowed traffic significantly, and we even stopped at Casino Morongo to check out their new facilities. They allow smoking in the casino and it was crowded and over-priced - not likely to draw us back again! Arriving at home, Gracie was most happy to see us again after our short time away.