On the fifteenth anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center towers in New York City, at approximately the same time of that disaster Ken and I boarded an American Airline flight departing from Logan Airport in Boston. Upon boarding we witnessed, from our seats, a portion of a commemorative ceremony memorializing that event being held at the gate from which the ill fated plane had departed.
We arose at 4AM to take the C & J bus from Portsmouth to Logan. There, upon successful pre-boarding procedures, we had breakfast and purchased sandwiches to take with us for lunch during the flight. Departing Boston at 9:15AM, we were pleasantly surprised that breakfast sandwiches were available during the comfortable trip. Arriving at Los Angeles, 2PM PST, we shuttled to the rental car agency, picked up our vehicle and checked in at the nearby LaQuinta LAX hotel. There we ate our Logan-purchased sandwiches before driving to West Hollywood. As the weather was Maine-like and Ken had brought neither sweatshirt nor sweater (after all, our final destination was Palm Springs where temperatures were high) we stopped along the way and made an appropriate purchase for him. I discovered that the area had changed, or my memory had, during the 30 years since last I cruised Santa Monica Blvd. We found Micky's bar, where I spent a considerable amount of time during those earlier days, completely revamped but still crammed with beautiful boys. Parking was non-existent and we did not stop to cruise but continued on to find other familiar landmarks that did not materialize. However, we did pass by Hollywood Bowl where there must have been a significant event in progress due to the surrounding crowded parking lots and buses. Back to the hotel for much welcomed sleep.
Monday, September 12
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, we checked out and drove back to West Hollywood and found street parking on Santa Monica Blvd. Walked to Micky's to photograph it, then on to The Abby where we had lunch. Drove into Hollywood where we found a street from which to view the Hollywood sign, then on to my former neighborhood and to view the apartment building where I had lived.
During the trip, I hit a wrong key that locked us out. Stopping at a rest area, Ken tried to reinstate the phone to no avail. Knowing the rest of the way we traveled on to Palm Springs and eventually found La Dolce Vita Resort and Spa where friend Larry was waiting our arrival. The temperature was comfortable mid-70s. He gave us tour of resort...2 pools, 2 hot tubs 22 units. We occupied a poolside 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen.Spent the remainder of the evening poolside catching up and planning the next few days.
Each morning we were up at 7 taking an hour's walk, before eating breakfast at the resort. Temps, at that time of day, still mid70s under cloudless blue sky.
Tuesday, September 13
Larry directed us on a driving tour of downtown PSP. Addressing the fact that Ken's phone had died during trip from LA, we found a Verizon store where he was advised that repair would be costly and time consuming so he bought a new version. Larry & I walked the downtown streets in mid-90 degree temp while waiting for Ken to work out the details of his purchase. Following that we went grocery shopping. Dinner at Sammy G's, an Italian restaurant, followed by a walk through the gay bar/club district winding up the day at the pools and hot-tubs.
Larry directed us on a driving tour of downtown PSP. Addressing the fact that Ken's phone had died during trip from LA, we found a Verizon store where he was advised that repair would be costly and time consuming so he bought a new version. Larry & I walked the downtown streets in mid-90 degree temp while waiting for Ken to work out the details of his purchase. Following that we went grocery shopping. Dinner at Sammy G's, an Italian restaurant, followed by a walk through the gay bar/club district winding up the day at the pools and hot-tubs.
Wednesday, September 14
Following our morning walk and breakfast, the temperature climbed into the high 90s. We found Liberace's former home after a bit of walking and retracing steps, then drove to the Kaufmann House (designed by famous architect Richard Neutra, from FLLW's era). Stopped at the Art Museum but it was closed, nice grounds. Temps still mid 90s. That evening Larry cooked us a delicious baked salmon. We then went to the Purple Room lounge to hear a jazz trio and soloist that had performed in Ogunquit. Larry had met them there and we spent a short time refreshing memories with them. Returning to the resort we enjoyed the pool where Ken gave Larry swimming technique counseling based on Ken's early life experience as counselor at a children's summer camp in New Hampshire.
Thursday, September 15
Following our morning walk and breakfast, the temperature climbed into the high 90s. We found Liberace's former home after a bit of walking and retracing steps, then drove to the Kaufmann House (designed by famous architect Richard Neutra, from FLLW's era). Stopped at the Art Museum but it was closed, nice grounds. Temps still mid 90s. That evening Larry cooked us a delicious baked salmon. We then went to the Purple Room lounge to hear a jazz trio and soloist that had performed in Ogunquit. Larry had met them there and we spent a short time refreshing memories with them. Returning to the resort we enjoyed the pool where Ken gave Larry swimming technique counseling based on Ken's early life experience as counselor at a children's summer camp in New Hampshire.
Thursday, September 15
After our morning walk and breakfast Larry had a previously made engagement so Ken & I did some solo sightseeing with temps in the low 100s. We found
the Architectural Design Center closed because they were changing
exhibits for their high season. We visited the Native American History
Museum, local tribe: Agua Caliente. We took in the Art Museum where we toured all three floors.
During the evening, with Larry joining us, we went to the Village Street Festival, held each week, where arts and crafts along with fair-food booths generously displayed their wares. Took a quick walk through of the local casino then returned to the the pools and hot-tubs at the resort
.
During the evening, with Larry joining us, we went to the Village Street Festival, held each week, where arts and crafts along with fair-food booths generously displayed their wares. Took a quick walk through of the local casino then returned to the the pools and hot-tubs at the resort
.
Friday, September 16 (Kern's birthday)
Following our morning walk and breakfast the temperature climbed quickly to 107 degrees We spent most of the day in the pools and tubs. The resort hosted an open bar social hour where we met some of the other guests that we hadn't already met. Ken prepared a very nice chicken dinner before we swam some more. A full moon enhanced our time outside.
Saturday, September 17
Another day with hot temperatures. Ken & I did most of our packing for the return trip then went to the PSP airport to see if he could get special employee boarding passes for our flight to no avail. We drove to Cathedral City to see if we could find the area where I weekend camped with boyfriend-at-the-time, Tony. Found that there had been too many changes during the 30 years since my last visit there to find the place, if it even still existed. We cooled off with one last swim at the resort before Larry treated us to a very nice belated birthday dinner for Ken at The New York Steakhouse. We returned to the resort to say our goodbyes at the social hour then headed for LA arriving at the hotel around 10 pm.
Sunday, September 18Following our morning walk and breakfast the temperature climbed quickly to 107 degrees We spent most of the day in the pools and tubs. The resort hosted an open bar social hour where we met some of the other guests that we hadn't already met. Ken prepared a very nice chicken dinner before we swam some more. A full moon enhanced our time outside.
Saturday, September 17
Another day with hot temperatures. Ken & I did most of our packing for the return trip then went to the PSP airport to see if he could get special employee boarding passes for our flight to no avail. We drove to Cathedral City to see if we could find the area where I weekend camped with boyfriend-at-the-time, Tony. Found that there had been too many changes during the 30 years since my last visit there to find the place, if it even still existed. We cooled off with one last swim at the resort before Larry treated us to a very nice belated birthday dinner for Ken at The New York Steakhouse. We returned to the resort to say our goodbyes at the social hour then headed for LA arriving at the hotel around 10 pm.
Up early at 3 am, Turned in the car and shuttled to LAX where we had breakfast at a Starbuck's
followed by a 1-1/2 hr delay in our departure. Arrived in BOS early evening and took the C & J bus back to Portsmouth. Drove home where we were welcomed by our kits.
