Posh Palm Springs

I love the desert.  I love its diversity.  It's not just the sandy Sahara (though I was awestruck by that).  The California desert is beautiful in its own right.  And Palm Springs is a perfect introduction to this part of the state.  The first time I visited was on spring break in college five years ago.  My brother and I somehow thought it was a good idea to do Palm Springs as a day trip from LA.  Twice.  Now, don't get me wrong.  It's not far at all (especially if you avoid rush hour while pushing 80-85 on the CA-60 as I did this last week.  I don't advise that btw).  But it deserves to be savored slowly.  It's the desert after all.  And if you've ever been to a desert climate, you know that life moves a little differently.  For me, that means relaxing at a lovely bed and breakfast.  Sitting by the pool while reading a Swedish mystery.  Venturing out for a hike.  Playing mini golf at night.    

Well, Posh Palm Springs is the perfect place to do all of the above and more.

This was our room.  The owners, Suzy and Mike, completely renovated a gay men's hotel  (Palm Springs has a very large gay and lesbian community) that was falling apart, literally.  I saw the pictures.  It was pretty serious work- everything was in terrible condition.  But they must have seen its potential.

Because they transformed it into this.  Paradise.  

The filthy jacuzzi from the 70's was replaced with this beauty.  Every night, under the cold desert sky, we'd run out here in our robes for a quick soak.  

And every evening at 4pm (5pm in the warmer months), show up at the bar because it's happy hour.  

Suzy and her son will provide you with a new spread every night.  Platters of meat and cheeses.  Homemade artichoke and jalapeno dip.  Fruit.  Iced tea, wine, beer, cocktails.  Take as little or as much as you like.  They'll even get the fire pit started for you.  

Then they show you where the extra wood is since you show no sign of leaving the warmth, bake some fresh chocolate chip cookies and tell you they'll see you in the morning.

And this is what you wake up to.  A delicious buffet of home-cooked goodness.  The first morning, it's an egg omelet, home fries, bacon, yogurt and fruit.  All the coffee, tea, and juice you could ask for.  The second day featured French Toast Casserole.  It was even better than it sounds.  I'll have to share the recipe eventually.

Afternoon moon by the pool

So if you're not sure if the desert is your thing, dip your feet in Posh.  I guarantee you'll be coming back for more.

Posh is located at 530 East Mel Avenue in Palm Springs, just off of N Indian Canyon Drive.

Photo Diary of a Sunday in LA

The day started off in Santa Monica for a lazy brunch...

{View from brunch at The Penthouse in Santa Monica}

{Huevos Rancheros}

...continued with a drive in the convertible down to Balboa Island in Newport Beach for an afternoon of boating

{Heavenly jasmine on Balboa Island} 

{Beautiful home gardens in Balboa Island}

{Balboa Island "fair" fare included corn-dogs and frozen bananas}

{Fun retro soda at Balboa Candy store}

...winding down with a gorgeous sunset drive back to LA, a text-message alert to an impeding presidential announcement, turning on the radio and listening to (accurate) speculation of Osama Bin Laden's death culminating with President Obama's official announcement

{Gorgeous sunset leaving Newport Beach}

{Right before the text-message alert}

...then becoming too tired to eat out after a long fun-filled day and opting to pick up Japanese take-out at Izakaya by Katsu-ya on 3rd street and dessert from Magnolia Bakery.

{Watching the breaking news while eating spicy tuna on crispy rice
and seared albacore and crispy onions}

{Finishing off a wonderful day with cupcakes and banana pudding
from Magnolia}

Reasons I Love Long Beach, WA

I just came back from Long Beach, WA- one of my favorite road-trip getaways from Seattle...Here are some of my favorite things about this sleepy, coastal town

Doing lap after hair-raising lap on the go-carts

Taking a tour of North America's only kite museum before Long Beach's Annual Kite Festival in August

Walking the trails along the beach and taking in the lush scenery

Catching a peak at wildlife right from your front windshield

Driving your car up and down the sand on the shoreline

Buckets and buckets of salt-water taffy

...and other old-school delights

Quirky signs

Licking your fingers at Burger Nite at the Depot Restaurant (Wednesday nights Oct-May)

Becoming awe-stricken at the rugged coastline in nearby Ilwaco

Enjoying a mountain blackberry or lemon pie ice cream cone from Scooper's as the smell of fresh-baked waffle cones permeates the air

Breakfast Table in Long Beach

After a long evening drive through commutes in Seattle, Tacoma, and Olympia, we arrived in Long Beach (WA) last night for a two-day stay.  Since our hotel has a kitchen, we made breakfast and enjoyed it in our dining room with a view of the dunes and Pacific Ocean off in the distance.