Took mom on a trip back to our old stomping grounds in Palm Desert last week. First time we’ve been away for a night since we moved here to Henderson in April 2019. Brindy (our dog) was dismayed when I brought the suitcases out; I think she thought we were done with that kind of foolishness!
It’s about a 4-1/2 hour and 275 mile drive from here to there along very monotonous back roads. The kind of roads that remind me there is no way I will ever consider an electric car as my main vehicle. From Needles to Indio is about 130 miles with exactly two gas stations along the way: Needles to Vidal Junctions is about 50 miles; there is one station there. Then it is 90 miles or so to Chiriaco Summit to another station. The route is empty enough that they still have call boxes because cell phone service is very hit and miss. Certainly no charging stations.
Technically, it’s a few miles and a few minutes less if I were to take I15 out of Vegas and go through the Cajon Pass. But the traffic is the pits and there are often massive traffic jams. I just don’t enjoy that kind of driving.
We both got to see good friends. For mom, it was a chance to say a real good-bye. When she left to come over to Henderson to sign the escrow papers, it was with the idea she would be going back before we actually moved. Then her hip broke here and she didn’t get a chance.
Besides seeing friends, another highlight of the trip was getting a private tour of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Mom is a life-time member and long-time supporter of this organization and they are doing some incredible work there. If you’re ever in the area, you should check them out: Wonderfully Wild | The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens
We also visited several of our favorite restaurants: Impossible burger at Paradise Cove; chocolate chip waffle (for mom) and Efrain’s Chicken Sandwich (for me) at The Palms; and most importantly, since we still haven’t found any pizza near as good, Thai Chicken and ground beef pizzas from Billy Q’s.
All in all, a very successful trip.
Tuples and Attributes 