Honeymooning in Cali!

Gorgeous weather and lots and lots of sunshine!  Couldn't have asked for anything better.  We both LOVED it and would love to go back for another visit someday and may take time to travel around and see more of the state.

We left the night of our wedding and flew into LAX around midnight California time (which was 3AM Grand Rapids time).  So, as you can imagine, we were exhausted.  We booked a hotel room in LA for the night, just down the street from the airport, and then traveled the next day to our destination in Palm Springs, a 2 1/2 hour drive.  Along the way, the scenery was beautiful, as we drove through the mountains to our resort.  We also drove through Windy Valley where they have hundreds of wind turbines lined up in rows and on the mountain sides.  It was interesting to see.

 Downtown LA

 Driving to Palm Springs

Windy Valley

 
Sunday was a relaxing day, while we wanted to make sure we still observed it as the Lord's Day, we listened to a couple sermons off from Sermon Audio.  What did they do back when Sermon Audio wasn't around?  I don't know, but it was nice to have it.  Monday and Tuesday were relaxing days spent at the poolside, enjoying the sunshine.  In the evenings we walked around the resort checking things out.

 That's me in the chair, reading a book. :)

Wednesday we went on an adventuresome trail hike up a mountain.  We packed a backpack with goodies - water bottles and granola bars, purchased a couple sun protecting hats, and made sure we were ready for this strenuous trek.  It was only a 5 mile hike, can't be that bad, right?  We have both climbed mountains before so we can do this!  2.5 hours later of beating down sun, we were running low on water, legs and feet were hurting, hitting every shaded spot possible, and we were STILL not to the top!  We both had enough!  It was time to turn around and head back down.  We had no idea how much longer it would take for us to reach the top, or even how close we were to the top!  The path snaked up the mountain side so bad that we couldn't see one end from the other and get a feel for distance!  So, back down we went and 45 min later we were at our car.  Amazing how much faster you go when you are heading down hill and knowing you are heading back to the car!  It was quite the experience, but we both still enjoyed the opportunity we had to do it.

The winding road we drove to the lookout before stopping to hike

 Sawmill Trail!

 Taking a breather in the shade!

 The road we drove in on, in the distance

 Another breather...

Thursday and Friday ended up being additional relaxing days by the pool, as we didn't have the energy to do anything else, after what we did not Wednesday.  Friday night, we headed back into LA and to the airport, as we were flying out later that night back to Grand Rapids.

 

 

 Beautiful Sunset!