Sunday - 6/19/2016

We went to the 11:00 am mass at St Louis cathedral because it is an English mass and the rest were all in spanish. Even though we went to the English mass, they used the spanish hymal for all the songs. Today was Fathers day so the atmosphere reflected that. The Priest, Fr. Luis A. Guido, was a bit different, but interesting. We talked with him afterwards and learned he had served some time in San Antonio so is familiar with Corpus Christi area. We took a few photos of the cathedral afterward.

Then, we headed to the Agua Caliente Casino and Resort. We had a plan that the reunion group would eat the evening buffett there because it is 2 for 1 for us old folks on Mondays. They had decided to start the reunion on Monday since Sunday was Father's day. In order to get that deal you need become a member so we went there to register and hence needed to try out the tables. I was up $100 at one time, but ended up even.

Monday - 6/20/2016

Marylou arrived and brought some utensils and ingredients for cooking. We went to the store to get what I needed to make fig newtons from the dried figs I brought. So I made that. They had decided that for the get together it would be better to order in than try to cook in the room. So they called several Chinese food restaurants in the area. The City Wok Restaurant is a couple blocks from our place and they deliver so plans were made to use them.

Mar Forcadela and Nene came from Beaumont to meet us at the Agua Caliente casino for the two for one buffet. With my gambling losses the $19 for the two of us was not such a bargain, but the food was very good.

Tuesday - 6/21/2016

We had a group of geese that passed by the apartment early. I followed them down the road and got some interesting PHOTOS. I continued to walk through the Marriott grounds to see the lay of the land, such as where all the pools were located. I ran into a group of baby ducks being shown around and protected by an adult one. Later I passed into the JW Marriott entrance that is lined with palm trees and the home to a flock of Chilean Flamingos.

For dinner we decided to test the quality of the food at the China Wok. It was ok, but we weren't impressed so aftewards we headed to check out their second choice, the China Wok a couple of miles from our place. They were closing as we got there but we saw a lot of chinese customers leaving with smiles on their faces and Marilou was able to talk to the chef. Bottom line is decided to use them for the MIT get together.

Wednesday - 6/22/2016

A lay back day, They talked me into borrowing a MahJong set from the entertainment center. While I was there I noticed a flier about the DESERT SPRING WILLAS PLANT WALK that I brought back with me.
I was going to try out the pool, but instead I walked around the complex and eventually ended up at the JW Marriott where the entrance is lined with palm trees and they have a flock of Chilean Flamingos. When I returned to the apartment, they forced me to play MahJong with them. I was the big loser and Marilou the big winner.

Later we went to the Morongo Casino to be treated to a meal by Mar. Afterwards we visited his house where the MahJong addicts went at it again. I wisely only observed this time. Remy and Nene were not into the thrill of the game. I noticed an interesting memento on their mantel.

Thursday - 6/23/2016

I took an early morning walk around the Marriott complex to track down the foliage indicated in the DESERT SPRINGS VILLAS PLANT WALK. I was able to track down all the pamphlet foliage. I included image map of the pamphlets as an additional navigation choice to see them. I also included some additional photos after the 23rd flier item.

So finally the Mapua Institute of Technology alumni started M.I.T. reunion. They reminisced for a while and I went to the China Wok to pick up the food the girls had ordered. They spent the afternoon talking and remembering. The decision to use the China Wok was a winner. Everything there was pretty good.

Friday - 6/24/2016

Today is the day I did what I planned for this part of the trip, a hike to San Jacinto Peak. This is the second highest peak in California.
My journey started by taking the tram from Desert Springs up to the viewing area. The tram has rotating floor so everyone gets a turn at the various views. I included several pictures from the trip up. The ride cost $25 and parking was another $5. There was a significant elevation increase to the parking lots from the entrance. I included several photos looking back at Palm Springs area from the tram.

I took some shots from the viewing area before heading out for the hike. I had to decend quite a ways to get to ranger station. I registered for the hike at the ranger station. She was quite helpful. She traced my hiking route for me on a nice map, had me fill out a trip plan and then she made sure I had enough water for the journey.
The top of the tram, beginning of the hike was nice. It was about 30 degrees cooler than below. The trail had plenty of shade provided by the pine trees. The trail was kind of difficult at times due to the various sized granite rocks and pine tree roots on the path. I made one wrong turn that that cost me about a half hour by turning left instead of right a juncture.

On the trip back down I show a deer and got a few pictures, but only one showed the front. Near the bottom I kept crossing groups of people heading up to camp out I guess for the weekend.

The next day we headed out very early for the airport not knowing if we'd run into the construction delays. We also stopped at Mar's house and left Marilous cane and roller bin on his doorstep. I got the window seat again and a couple of nice landscapes before we got into the clouds.

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