Vacation Day 1 and 2

Wow!  It's been a whirlwind today.  Let me back up to yesterday.

The kids were all home from school early and we took off around 2:30.  

The drive is about 7 hours.  It's a lot in a day.  The kids start getting squirrely around the 4.5 hour mark.  So, we like to get that far to this town called Indio.  It's where Coachella is every year.  It's about 20 miles from Palm Springs.  So, we got a hotel there.  This was the sun going down.  The setting sun in the desert is so pretty.

We got to the hotel and they had a huge pool.  So, we got to go for a swim. There isn't a point in getting to the beach house at 10 at night.  The place cost $400 a night, so it's better to stay here and pay $100 and then we get to the beach in 2 hours and it's like we have a whole extra day of vacation.

Anyway, the kids think staying in a hotel is blast.  This pool certainly was awesome.

There was free breakfast in the morning and David and I went down while the kids slept and ate breakfast out on the patio with the palm trees.

I made a yogurt parfait. 

Then, the kids woke up and ate some breakfast.

I love the mountains in Indio. We were on the road by 9:30.

I love the cool windmills in Palm Springs.

We were at the beach by 11:30!  It was perfect.  Warm and the water is so nice.

Ok, here's where the whole day went a little crazy.  Some back story...when I originally found this place, it's booked through a realty company.  There was one unit downstairs and the upstairs unit was big with what looked like 2 units in one.  Dakri called the realty company who told her the top unit was 2 rentals, hence 2 kitchens, 2 living rooms, etc.  But, the city told them they couldn't have it as 2 short term rentals anymore, so they just opened it up for one big rental on top.  They said it slept 8, but also had a pull out sofa and futon.  Great!  It'll be perfect for us.  We will be together, but still have our space.  

I had emailed about getting an early check in.  They didn't get back to me. I could tell the last renters were out on Thursday, so I knew the place was probably already clean.  So, we are on the beach and I call Art, the guy we've been dealing with.  He says he just unlocked the code for me.  Awesome.  So, I go in...  Now, he had told us the one unit hadn't been remodeled and the other unit had, so we figured we'd hang more in the newer part and use that kitchen and just go to the older part to sleep.  

 I walk in and see this.  Ok, we knew one little bed was just off the living room.  Fine.  It definitely looks in need of a remodel. 

Sometimes, you get to a rental and the pics don't do it justice.  In this case, the pics made it look way bigger.  It was small!

This is the bedroom.  Smaller than we thought.

This is the bathroom. It is tiny. The shower is like 2 feet by 2 feet.

I start looking around.  Where's the other unit?  I'm checking behind every door and curtain.  There must be something.  What, what, what!!!  NO other unit.  Then, I see a locked door of the kitchen.  I try to unlock it. Nope, it won't unlock.  I look out the window and it's a ramp to another unit. That's our other unit!  So, I figure I just need to call and they will open it.  So, I call.  

So, the city told them it couldn't be a short term rental, so they converted it to a long term rental and thought they called all of their customers that were currently booked.  They missed us.  I was like there is no way 9 of us are fitting in a 1 bedroom apartment for 6 nights.  We'd have to have a giant slumber party in the living room.  I mean, I love the Suttons, but that's a whole new level of love.  

I didn't get made or crazy. I just figured they'd figure something out.  Within 30 minutes, they had a solution.  We had a choice, A. They would put the Suttons rent free in a home 3 miles down from us.  Um, we didn't like that idea.  We share meals and the idea of vacationing with them is that we are with them.  Option B was much better.  They'd give us a rental 1.5 miles down the beach that is more than double the price, but we wouldn't have to pay more.

Sold!  

So, we relocated farther down the beach and waited for them to get this unit ready.  Here we are hanging on the beach.

We finally got in and here is the view from our 2nd floor rental.  

The Suttons arrived and we got us all unpacked.  Here's Ryan on our balcony.

Then, we all headed to the beach.

I was shocked. Noah was in the water and totally swimming in it. He's never gotten that wet in the ocean before.

The girls went out boogie boarding.

The water was so perfect.  Not too cold at all.

Everyone took turns on the boogie boards.

And you can barely see, but there was a pod of dolphins swimming back and fourth.  So cool!

My husband being silly.,

Dakri went on the boogie board, so Noah put on her glasses. He looks so funny.

Dak catching a wave.

Dak and Josh headed out to catch some waves.

I told Noah to dig to China and get me a terriyaki bowl.

So, while we are getting dinner ready, the kids are just out playing in the sand.

See Mom, they are right there.  You don't have to worry about them.  

And this was the sunset from our balcony. Amazing!

Noah was out playing with a yoyo.  

We had steaks, potatoes and salad for dinner. YUM!

Then, we went for a walk on the beach and the kids and grown men play tag.

Then, we noticed the giant moon coming up.  It was so gorgeous.  My phone takes bad moon photos.

And that was our time so far.  We are looking forward to a quiet beach day tomorrow.  With no driving or unpacking to do.  

Hiking

The weather has been perfect here for weeks. It's September/October and March/April that is so gorgeous that you don't need AC or the heat on.  Windows are open 24/7 and it's cool and crisp in the mornings and just warm enough to feel delicious in the afternoon. 

We couldn't let another weekend go by without spending some time outdoors.  We went to our favorite hiking spots.  The kids love all the rocks.  I think this is where we are doing family pictures in a few weeks.  We did them here last year, but we were by the creek, so it'll be a different backdrop this year. So, I was scouting out possible spots for our photos.  This would be a cool spot.  That's the kids crossing the creek. I'm praying they don't fall in.  Fall in on the way out, not the way in!

 

In a few more weeks, all of these leaves will be changing and it'll be magnificent.  It's spectacular green too! 

 

This little archway is cute and in the background is people taking family photos.  :) 

   

 

I love the rock formations there.  They are so different. 

 

You can't tell from these trees, but they will be a wall of beautiful fall colors in 2 weeks.

 

My boys favorite spot is the cave. 

 

I freak out the whole time we are in there.  But, it's part of the trail, so we have to climb through it. 

 

Why does he do this stuff and then say, "Look, Mom!"  

 

Does she not know that this is where snakes hide? 

 

Ben getting eaten by a rock. 

 

Another, Look Mom moment. There is a giant crevice between us and he's on the other side alone.   

 

Then, she does handstands.  

 

This is the cutest little tree.

 

Ben pondering life. And this is when he tells us, he no longer wants to move to a big city when he gets older. He now wants to live in Papa and Grandma Suzy's cabin in Idaho and write books.  Look the guy on Misery.  But, minus his number one fan who breaks his ankles. 

 

These stairs would make for a good pic, but it's too far of a hike in fancy boots. 

 

One last little break in the shade before heading down the hill. 

 

It was a lovely day!

Today, Emily and I are volunteering in the church coffee shop for the first time. Should be fun!