Greetings from Palm Springs! The rig is all decorated for the holidays, and I’m settling into my routine here in the Coachella Valley.
The last time I visited Palm Springs, a very flamboyantly gay gentleman approached my friend Jamie and me in a bar, exclaiming, “You two aren’t from around here, are you?” We replied, “No. Did our pale skin give us away?” He replied, “No darlings, you’re not gay men and you’re under the age of 70!” There is no doubt that the Coachella Valley is a haven for the septuagenarian-plus set.
The demographic was readily apparent on the first day I returned to Palm Springs. The RV park gave me a directory of local services. A jewelry store advertisement boasted, “The largest selection of clip-on earrings in the valley.” At the espresso stand by the pool, I commented that the box of coffee punchcards was rather full. The barista, no spring chicken himself, replied, “Yeah, I never look at those. Most of those people are dead.”
On a Friday night I met my adopted mother and her husband for dinner – at 5:00 p.m. The patio was packed with diners in jackets and little dogs, also in jackets, in 70° temperatures.
At restaurants I eavesdrop on conversations about Medicare and doctors’ appointments. Golf carts are equipped both with a golf bag and walker, leaving me to wonder how a stroke is accomplished. I searched on Craig’s List for a moped, but the search term “scooter” revealed nothing but the three-wheeled variety utilized for mobility.
For sale at the Eisenhower Medical Center thrift store:
Recently, while waiting at a red light to make a left turn off Palm Canyon Drive, I heard a car approaching behind me before I saw it. It was leading a caravan of angry drivers – its own little personal horn section. As it stopped behind me at the red light, five cars continued to honk in frustration, the blares changing in tone and tenor as they passed. I thought, “Wow, I wonder who pissed off all those people!” I looked in my rearview mirror to see a red sports car piloted by a little turtle of a man who could barely see above the steering wheel.
The man and I were stationary for at least another 30 seconds, and the light had not yet turned green. Suddenly, I felt a small bump from the rear. He hit me! I looked at him through the rear window, and it was apparent he had not a clue what he had done. The tap was so slight it could not have done any discernible damage, so when the light turned green I left him in the dust, putting as much space between us as I could.
I am busy making medical appointments for routine matters, as I will not return to Seattle for my regular medical care until March. I did not anticipate the difficulty I would encounter with birth control. I called several primary care physicians and OB/GYNs, asking if they stocked my particular brand in their offices. They did not. I suppose when the majority of your patients are well beyond their child-bearing years, it is not a priority.
At the RV park I’m reluctant to engage in social activities. I’m about two decades too early to be relevant here. Of course, it’s all relative. I don’t think Mick Jagger still believes what a drag it is getting old. My mom Maria plays tennis with club members in their 70s and 80s. One tennis player is 90 years old. It is mind-boggling for me to imagine living to the age of 90, an additional 43 years.
When I first began thinking of ceasing the practice of law, my plan was to sell everything and buy a condo in Palm Springs. It dawned on me then that I needed to see more of the United States before deciding where to settle down. I’m so glad I went that route. I don’t think Palm Springs is the permanent place for me – not yet, anyway. In an earlier post I worried if I would be able to pick up stakes again on February 1. I now believe I will be ready to explore again when that time comes.
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I love this. Did you just get all these decorations or have you been collecting for a while? And, most important, do you have a place to store everything after the holidays?
Oh, Debbie, have I been collecting for a while? ha ha ha ha ha
In other posts I explain that in my prior life, I was a rampant consumer. At the height of my holiday decorating, I had the Elvis Graceland snow village, the National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation snow village, an Egyptian-themed tree for the Egypt Room, a flamingo-themed tree for the flamingo guestroom, an Asian-themed tree for the Asian room, a cocktail-themed tree for the home bar, a tree devoted to vintage trailers (not to be confused with the poodle tree in my 1955 vintage trailer that was poodle-themed), and a legal-themed tree with gavels and lawbooks and Santa as an attorney, which I kept at work. There were three silver tinsel trees in the living room with vintage inspired and travel ornaments. I had a service for 12 of the Pottery Barn Reindeer collection and vintage Tom and Jerry and eggnog bowls and cups. There’s more, including decorations outside, but I think you get the picture.
Both Halloween and Christmas were big holidays for me. When I packed up Nellie I allowed myself one Rubbermaid tote of Halloween items, and one Rubbermaid tote of Christmas items, together with one of the skinny tinsel trees I had in my living room. So, most of what you see I already had. After Christmas is over I will donate the wreath and the welcome sign outside and a few other things so I won’t haul them around for a full year. My goal is to have all Halloween and Christmas items fit in one tote.
Love the decorations! I arrived at my “Christmas Location” yesterday and I can’t wait to decorate.
I kept all my tree ornaments from my sticks and bricks home, but after seeing your adorable travel theme I am not sure if I want to use them to this year. After all, I intend for this full time RV experience to be a fresh start and a new adventure.
Hi Hi Hi there Tammy. Still loving your adventures. When in P.S/Desert Hot Springs, please look up artist Snake Jagger. He is a dear friend from Avalon (where my hubby and I live). I think you would have a lot of fun meeting him. We might just sneak out there for a few days at Christmas too. Merry Christmas! Enjoy the Springs.
Kelly, please let me know if you make it to Palm Springs!
Hey Tammy, this is Ed from Mississippi with RVW in OK.
Love your blog! I look forward to reading your adventures on the road. Sometimes I am laughing so hard…thinking…yep that has happened to me.
The first 100 days blog was right on!
We are in Tampa area in our RV for a couple of months.
Enjoy Palm Springs and have fun!
Ed! Great to hear from you! Happy holidays! I’ll be coming your way next spring, hopefully.
Great site and blog. Hum! Maybe travel writing is in your future? We met you when my niece and I were visiting the McCallum Adobe-Cornelia White House Museum. You were the docent.
I loved your #62 comment. Your RV looks like the interiors of a New York loft. Very stylish.
If you were to live anywhere in the Coachella valley, Palm Springs would be the place. It is not the geriatric place it once was, thanks to our new branding to attract the “Millennials” and the Palm Springs Modern experience. When we moved here 6 years ago, it was the last stop place. And at our age, it was a concern. No more. The other down valley cities are and still do attract the seniors, but, the abundance or amenities like Whole foods, El Paseo and the malls, make up for it. Happy trails. Paul
Paul, great to meet you at the Cornelia White House, and thank you for checking out my blog!