It’s Sunday and I am back from vacation. Palm Desert was hot hot hot. Over 110 degrees most days but very dry so if we stayed in the shade, it wasn’t too bad. We went to the movies. We went to the air museum. My son and Hub went to Soak City (water park) and we took the aerial tram to the top of the mountain and hiked a bit. It was much cooler at the top of the mountain.
The tram went up quite a ways. I am not afraid of heights, but I am not a fan of them either. I’m glad the ride to the top was not too long (less than 10 minutes) and that it wasn’t windy. The nice thing is that when we got to the top, it was like 30 degrees cooler. Which put it right at 85 or so.
I was the only one that was actually prepared to hike. Everyone else had on the wrong kind of shoes but we still managed to have a good time. Oh, and somehow I forgot to pack water but not too important, right?? Famous last words. We had to cut it short because of the lack of water.
We saw a lot of birds and butterflies and since my daughter loves butterflies she asked me to take this picture. It took me four attempts to do so since it kept flitting off but I got it, finally.
As for the rest of the week, I was very lazy and did not take many pictures so I am unable to share the rest of the week but I did do a lot of reading. I finished The Shadow of the Wind and loved it. My review will be coming within the next couple of days. I also finished The Blue Notebook. What a powerful read. I also read Netherland and I am right in the middle of The Art of Racing in the Rain.
As for today, I just got back from doing a bit of shopping at the Citadel Outlets with a girlfriend of mine. I had to curb my spending as I do believe that the university that I work for enacted forced furloughs this past week. I have yet to hear the news from work since I have been away but I am dreading going back to the office. Luckily, I am taking tomorrow off as well so wish me luck for Tuesday. I’m glad to have a job but I really didn’t think the California budget crisis would affect me since I have seniority but I guess no one goes untouched with the economy in the toilet like it is.
Hope you are all enjoying your day. Later we will BBQ some dinner and then prepare for next week.
Book Chatter 
I don't think I could have made it up in that air tram. I hope all is well when you go back to work on Tuesday.
Welcome back! The bad news for me is that your temporary temperature is our regular summer temperature! (But it sure helps with drinking that water!)
Nice photos, Ti!
I wonder how you are going to review Racing In The Rain.
Happy Sunday.
Sheri
What beautiful pictures, Ti! I am looking forward to what you have to say about Shadow of the Wind. I just finished The Angel's Game this evening. It was long in parts, but I enjoyed it all the same. He's got a lot of talent (and so does his translator).
I loved Shadow of the Wind. A former student gave it to me when she graduated. In her inscription, she said " I wanted to share my favorite book with my favorite teacher". Now, who cannot read that book??? It has become one of my favorites as well. Glad you liked it.
It looks like you guys had an incredible vacation! And those are some awesome pictures 🙂 Welcome back!!
Welcome back, Ti! Love your photos! I remember going up that tram, it was quite the surprise, being overly hot down in the town and to find that there was ice up on the mountain (and we were wearing shorts, it got a little chilly). That was a long time ago, though. WOuld love to visit again..
Beautiful pictures, and you got quite a bit of reading time in. I hope that it's not as bad as expected when you return to work. My husband was hit with forced furlough days this year as well and we're in Ohio. Savor the calm of your vacation until you have to deal with reality!LOL!
I've only been to Palm Desert once, but really enjoyed it! So glad that you got some good reading in – I'm just about to start The Art of Racing in the Rain myself!!
That's scary about the possible furloughs! I'll think good thoughts for good Tuesday news!
Great pics Ti. I've gone up in a couple of trams, the last one quit when we were skiing and we were stuck up there about an hour. I haven't been on one since and probably won't either. lol.
Awesome on all the reading you got done!
I hope things go ok when you get back to work. Times are tough, it's scary.
What a gorgeous view! Glad you had a great time.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
No air tram for me! I did one in Albuquerque a few years ago and was a wreck. We just got back from a cruise where it was also VERY hot, but we had a great time. Love your pictures. We too had no phone, emial etc., and I found it very refreshing for a change. Usually I go into withdrawal.
Read some books while gone, which is always fun. I liked the newest John Sandford and Amanda Quick. Also enjoyed a novel with a more historical feel, "Shooting an Albatross" by Steven Lundin, about the Army taking over a golf course in 1943, in Hollywood, no less. What with your film moguls and soldiers, there's plenty of suspense and romance to go with the golf. It's a fun, and literary, for lack of a better word, read. (It should be a movie1)
It sounds like you had a great time, Ti. I have never taken the tram into the mountains. You'd think I would have, living so close. Someday. 🙂 The photos are wonderful–thank you for sharing.
My own job is being affected by the economic crisis in the state as well, Ti. I may be facing mandatory furloughs as well. I'm most concerned about the cut in benefits that is on the table though. Like you said though, at least we still have jobs.