Christmas 2024 in Palm Springs with Ryan and Melissa!!

Although we were sad making the decision not to go to San Carlos this year, the only way our Christmas could have been better was if Jenn and Graeme were with us, along with Ryan & Melissa in Palm Springs.  We knew it was on everyone’s bucket list.  However, Jenn and Graeme couldn’t make it this year.  That’s what happens when you’re sharing your children with so many others who love them and want to spend Christmas with them as well.  Having said that, we were so excited when Ryan and Melissa booked their flight for 7 and then changed it to 10 days!!  

I had prepared a list of things we wanted to do while during their visit, and we did it all.

I have to say I was a little overwhelmed when they drove into the RV park.  I’ve been excited and they’re finally here!!  We had decorated their cabin just a bit and made sure the beer was on ice, alongside some homemade peanut butter balls! 

Since we put our Christmas tree in the cabin, I had to be creative with a tree for our place. Seemed to work out just fine!! Best Christmas tree ever!!

First night around the fire was perfect!

We spent the first full day at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.  We had no idea it was so huge with over 600 animals and 1,200 plant species.  The Zoo is a non-profit zoo and desert botanical garden and is actively engaged in over 80 projects around the world including international field conservation efforts, local habitat restoration and other on-site initiatives.  So much fun! Melissa got some great pictures of the giraffes.  This wasn’t even on my list…what a find!

The next day after spending a few hours at the Cabazon Outlet stores we headed to the popular Palm Canyon Drive in Old Town Palm Springs!  We walked the Walk of Stars, checked out Marilyn Monroe and enjoyed some great Mexican food and margaritas.  Back in the day Hollywood stars were under contract to stay within a certain driving distance from LA studios in the event of reshoots, so many chose Palm Springs as a short-term getaway.  Many loved it so much they bought homes here. So much Hollywood history in Palm Springs.  We love the diversity of the people, which makes for great people watching. What an amazing day!

On day 3 we went up the Aerial Tramway.  I had been wanting to do this for years! The tram cabin itself is 18 feet in diameter and can hold up to 80 passengers with a weight capacity of 19,000 pounds.  We were smart to arrive early in the morning, so it wasn’t very crowded at all.  During the ascent, the cabin floor does 2 full rotations before the doors open for arrival at the Mount San Jacinto State Park, at an elevation of 8,517 feet!  Melissa is not a fan of heights and was a bit uncomfortable at the beginning, but I think the breathtaking views of the Coachella Valley during our 10-minute ascent up the cliffs of China Canyon was a great distraction. Mount San Jacinto State Park has about 54 miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, campground (backcountry of course!) and a natural history museum.  There was also the Mountain Station restaurant.  We didn’t eat at the restaurant, but we did hike the Desert View Trail at the top.  This was a short 3 km loop trail that leads to several scenic viewpoints.  The views were spectacular!   And yes, there's a picture of Ryan is smelling a tree...smelled like butterscotch!

We ended the day with Ryan and Melissa treating us to a dinner at a Brazilian restaurant. I'm not a big meateater, but the food and service was absolutely fantastic!

The next morning Ryan and Melissa headed to Laguna Beach for the day.  Probably Christmas Eve was not the best day to go, but it just worked out that way.  Ryan and I had been there probably 13 years ago and he really wanted to show Melissa.  It changed a lot since then, and it was pretty chilly and foggy.  Not the experience they hoped for, but they still had a great day!

Christmas Day was “almost” perfect!!!  We got up early and had FaceTime with Jenn and Graeme.  We wish they had been able to join us in person! That’s the “almost perfect” part.

Of all the hikes Barry and I have hiked together over the years, Painted Canyon in Palms Springs is pretty far up on our list of favorite hikes, probably favorite desert hike, so we were excited to share this experience with Ryan and Melissa.  We love hikes that have variety, and Painted Canyon is a 7 km loop that has slot canyons, ladders, ropes, ridges, and incredible colours on the canyon floor.  So much fun! 

The plan was to get the hike finished early, shower, put our Christmas outfits on and start Christmas dinner: flattened chicken breast stuffed with dressing, wrapped in bacon, and barbequed!  I wasn’t sure if it would turn out, but it was amazing!  Barry, the barbeque master!  Such a great Christmas!!

Boxing Day was recovery day from the hike, the great food and of course the beer and wine.  Having said that, aren’t appies during World Juniors mandatory??

Ryan and Barry had talked about golf for some time, and today was the day!!!  It certainly wasn’t their best games, or the nicest course, but it was another great day.  Melissa and I were the most excellent caddies!! Pretty cold near the end!!

 Clearly not much thought went into scheduling a day trip to Joshua Tree National Park!  It was on our list, but Saturday afternoon over the Christmas holidays was probably THE WORST time to go!  Shocker!!  Joshua Tree NP, named after the giant branching yuccas known as the Joshua tree, is not our favorite National Park to hike; however, if you’re in Palm Springs you kind of have to go.  It is quite interesting in that it is known as the place where two deserts meet, being the Mojave and the Colorado deserts! It was kind of a stressful day with the traffic and crowds but I’m glad Ryan and Melissa got to see this stunning desert landscape full of Joshua trees, the cholla garden and the massive rock formations scattered throughout the park.  Even got to see several rock climbers.  I could watch that all day!! 

Coincidentally, the most popular hike and the highest point in the park is Ryan Mountain.  Barry and I will be back in Palm Springs for another 2 weeks mid January and will definitely be hiking to the top of that mountain!!  It’s recommended to hike up to watch the sunset, which means hiking down in the dark.  Not sure I can talk Barry into it…we’ll see!! Update, he said whatever I need!!!

Time has flown so fast!  It’s our last full day with them.  We’ve been so busy, we thought a pool day was in order.  Honestly none of us can lie in the sun for too long, so it was far from a full day. LOL.  However, Ryan and I did have a few friendly competitions in the pool.  He says he won; I say he may have cheated a bit.  Perhaps the miniest, mini triathlon is in our horizon in August???  Anyway, I digress!  The last full day was so fun and relaxing.  Sitting around the fire listening to music and reminiscing never gets old.  So many great memories!

I was sad driving them to the airport, but it was an amazing ten days!  Now that they’re back in Calgary, we’ll see them in April.  Can’t wait to see their new home!  My heart is full of love and gratitude.

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Season!!