Rainy Memories

Julie posed a question as we drove toward California. "When was the last time we took a trip that wasn't family related?" My first thought was the trip last February to Guadalupe Canyon in Baja. Then I remembered scuba diving in San Carlos, Mexico, in June. And, there was an overnight motorcycle trip to Show Low in October. Regardless, we felt a need to take a break from work and enjoy some leisure time.

A few weeks ago we made reservations at an inn in Palm Springs. Our intentions were to read, hike and swim under sunny skies. Last weekend the weather wasn't promising. We phoned the inn and considered changing our reservations to next week but decided a little rain would be enjoyable. Palm Springs gets only three inches of rain per year so a few minutes of rain would be fine.

Upon arrival as we drove through Palm Springs we had to turn back and find another route. The road was flooded and closed. We found the inn, checked in, had a glass of wine and talked with the owner. It was raining lightly but there were two couples in the large hot tub. We joined them and enjoyed the conversation and the cool rain on our faces.

The next morning we returned to the tub in the rain, had breakfast in a covered area out of the rain, jumped in the swimming pool and swam in the rain. Later we drove though rain to find a used book store where Julie bought two books. After lunch we drove though more rain to find a nature preserve where we walked in rain from one palm grove to another grove surrounding a pond. It rained the entire time, a slow constant rain.

One morning I was floating on my back in the pool with just my face out of the water. The muffled sounds of raindrops filled my ears and cold drops stung my face and eyes. It was wonderful.

We never saw the sun and it never stopped raining. When we left we drove through flooded intersections.

It was a wet, fun, memorable trip.

Julie leads the way across a wet boardwalk.

Nearing McCallum Grove.

McCallum Pond.

Julie in front of a large palm tree.