The Month Starts with Seattle Visitors and a Trip to Railway Museum
By Paul
Originally posted: Monday, May 05, 2008
Modfied: Friday, December 18, 2009
Week Ending May 4th
Jack and Karl arrived from Seattle for a week Tuesday in the afternoon. Both have been here before so there was little need to do the tourist stuff, so we spent most of Tuesday and Wednesday simply lounging around the pool as Jack want to get a bit of a burn -- he succeeded. We went for dinner at the Casino buffet on Tuesday and for lunch Wednesday we went Sherman's Deli -- a place where Jack can enjoy a meal 3 or 4 times a week.
On the way back from dinner at the Casino in Rancho Mirage we saw a large wildfire on the hills above Palm Springs. It turns out it was the "Apache Mountain" fire that had been going for a few days on the other side of mountain, but I was unaware of it. Some very strong winds that day brought the fire to this side. We could smell smoke from our house, but couldn't see the flames as there are a couple of hills and valleys between us and the fire. (No part of Palm Springs or Cathedral City was in any danger of fire.) Jack and Karl stayed home as Gregg and I went to see the fire close up. We drove a couple miles east toward Palm Springs and then south (see map) where we had a good view up the valley and side of the mountain where the fire was -- still many miles from any built up area.
On Thursday Jack and Karl drove to San Diego to visit Vinnie who is in the Navy. Vinnie and Karl worked together as volunteers on the railroad at Mount Rainier in years gone by. While in San Diego Jack and Karl got a tour of the Navy base, walked on the ocean beach, and visited the Coronado Hotel. That evening our friend Craig arrived from Seattle. Gregg had made a silly sign to welcome Craig as we met him at the airport; Craig laughed so hard we got his signature "donkey laugh" out of it.
Friday afternoon Justin drove in from Phoenix. He is a friend from Seattle who moved to Arizona. We spent the afternoon drinking cocktails, swimming, watching the sun burns grow and having silly fun. (Too bad I didn't take any pictures.) Gregg and I stayed home that evening as the guys went out to experience some Palm Springs night life.
Saturday was Gregg's day for some more edjamucation -- he attended an all-day class about cross cultural learning, including the impact of languages other than your native tongue. Through a test he'll be taking in a month or so, Gregg must prove his proficiency in this aspect of teaching to get his California certification. While Gregg was studying the rest of us did more playing in the pool. We all went out to a country western dance place in the evening... (we didn't dance, just listened and watched.)
Sunday morning Justin headed home for Phoenix, Craig stayed home to visit a friend later in the day, Gregg did some home work, so Jack, Karl and I hopped in the mini-van and drove about 2 hours to the Orange Empire Railway Museum. The museum is a place for restoration and preservation more so than exhibits and education. We spent several hours walking around seeing all types of of equipment in various stages of decay or restoration.
More pictures of the railway museum on Flickr or in the Photo Albums.