The sun was strong when we woke. Had a good breakast here at the Villa Royale (included) and set out to see Palm Springs. Our first stop was the Twin Palms Estates neighborhood just a few blocks from the Villa Royale. These houses were built in 1957-59 and many share the same floor plan, though the builder varied the rooflines to make them all look different.
We then drove south to Rancho Mirage looking for second hand stores, but found nothing special. Came back and at at the Kings Highway restaurant by the Ace Hotel, again one block from the Villa Royale. As we were about to leave the hostess, a slender lady of uncertain age in black leggings, a silk blouse, ample makeup and huge glasses, announced to the room that because we were all special people, we had a special treat in store. She proceeded to belt out a quite credible rendition of Sinatra's Trolley Song: "Clang Clang went the Trolley." Much applause.
Next stop was the Moorten Botanical Garden, a small, privately-owned display of cacti and other desert plants, many from Mexico. Fascinating stuff that we sure don't see in the Northwest. I guess after you've toughed it out to gain some size and presence in the desert environment, you join the survival game fully armed. Rest? Forget about it. Sit down or lean on anything at Moorten and you're skewered.
We then toured another neighborhood, this somewhat more upscale and right at the foot of the mountains that dominate the western landscape here (sun goes behind the hills about 3:30).
Here are some pix. Top: Elvis "honeymoon hideaway" house. Middle: Pamela escapes Moorten's giant agave plant. Bottom: cool cars go with cool houses.
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