We met the Daisen delegation at Balboa Island..............

We all walked to the end of the Newport Pier....

and had lunch at Ruby's....

They are a GREAT group!!!

We walked the beach and the pier.....

and the promenade- they were getting ready for Christmas.

Marriott's Vacation Club Newport Coast

Judy and Paul behind the main fountain at the villas....
Over looking the ocean from the main building....

Paul walking at Crystal Cove...

the view from our balcony.....

on to Newport Coast

Carol worked with Kozo and Yuko on the proclamation from Daisen to Temecula for the 15th anniversary of our sister city relationship.
Kozo and Yuko stayed with us the first night. We talked about old times and our upcoming Japan trip during the fall of 2010.

Turkey Trot

This morning we were up early for the 1st annual (?) Marriott Desert Villas Turkey Trot. It was a brisk, refreshing walk around the property.
Judy was officially in last place, but, alas, with no prize!!!

During the raffle, I was the first winner and received a certificate for $25 in I-tunes. Followed by Paul winning the grand prize of a free week anywhere through Interval International.........maybe we'll extend our stay in Hawaii following our Japan trip next fall.

For our Thanksgiving Day Dinner we went to Ruth's Chris Steak House. While Ruth's Chris is known their specialty of steaks, the turkey was GREAT!!

the sex life of my date.............& El Paseo

During the morning, we traveled to Shield's Date Farm. We enjoyed a wonderful date milk shake. Later we bought some dates and learned a lot from their film "The Romance and Sex Life of the date"!!
During the afternoon we shopped "El Paseo" in Palm Desert. Great galleries!! But, those desert flies are really bad..............

Tahquitz Canyon

Denise and Steve stopped in for a visit and some hiking.
We had previously planned on hiking Tahquitz Canyon, a beautiful and culturally sensitive area of the Agua Caliente Reservation.

Judy and Paul with Palm Springs in the background.

Taking a break along the trail........

Our wonderful Ranger Guide, Mike

Carol tried a walking stick for the high steps..

Mike explaining some of the flora along the trail.

Back down the canyon, but in the shade.

Looking back across the palm trees.

a reproduction of a partial Indian dwelling.....

moon over.........

a shadowy friend- a tarantula on the hunt...........for a female

Palm Desert Marriott

Our 1st PD view going "over the mountain"

our villa patio view

and plenty of pinochle........

Idyllwild w/ Judy and Paul