Travel Log

Reno

Got a relatively early start this morning. Stopped at Wild Oats to pick up a light breakfast then hit the road with my camera and neverlost. I don't recall how many communities I visited, but I took photos of 140 homes before heading back to the airport and getting on an earlier than planned flight back home.

Bay Area

Flew up for a meeting with our N.C. office. It was informative and hopeful. We shall see what happens. Afterward, I crossed the Dumbarton and lunched at the Crepe Cafe in Menlo Park. I picked up the book "Eleven Minutes" by Paolo Coehlo then met up with Lisa to pick up her keys and get the tour of her apartment.

I drove to the Oakland airport and nearly missed my flight because I had the time mixed up in my head. Luckily they re-opened the door for me and I made it to Reno by 5:30 pm. After checking into my hotel, I drove to the downtown area to check out the whitewater river in the middle of the city. It was super breezy and the river was devoid of everything but rushing water. I could imagine how fun it would be to kayak down it though. From there, I picked up some grilled salmon from Macaroni Grill then settled into my room to watch HBO and look up directions for the communities I'd be visiting the next day.

Palm Springs

Angela and I drove to Palm Springs to meet up with the other gals for Elizabeth's Bachelorette weekend. Twelve of us shared a 3-bedroom party pad that was decked out in retro white, yellow and black decor. There was a pool with lots of fun floaty toys like a smiley and large two-headed snake. We drank lots, danced lots, laughed lots, and celebrated the forthcoming nuptials of our friend Elizabeth and her fiance Carter.

Some of the gals had arrived Friday night and enjoyed a day at the spa during the afternoon. When the rest of us arrived, we headed out for dinner. The place we had made reservations was not what we had expected so we pressed our luck and ventured out to find another restaurant that could accommodate a party of 12 without a reservation. We struck out at the next place we tried, but the host was super friendly and helpful and called around til he found a place. Turned out to be just across the street -- a restaurant called Agua Bar and Grill. The lovely hostess, a very-much-retired jewish woman with huge retro sunglasses welcomed us with open arms. A pianist tinkled the keys of a grand piano near the windows. The food was good. I had the sea bass. But the absolute highlight of the evening was when the host came to our table and said that she always sings a song during dinner and that she wanted to dedicate one to Elizabeth. She originally asked for a request but when Elizabeth was stumped, she came back on her own and started busting out an incredibly moving "Someone to Watch Over Me." Apparently she used to understudy for Barbara Streisand. I almost started crying and everyone else was smiling from ear to ear at how amazing and unexpected the serenade was. It was a classic kickoff to our night in the desert.

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