Travel time Cali-style

A recent trip to celebrate Florida's USTA Ladies Tennis 3.0 bid for National Championship led me to Palm Springs, California. It was one of those trips like a movie that you've never seen the trailer for, but you think you know what it's all about.

But then, you get to the theater and your mind is opened by how different it really is. Let me share... Palm Springs is the desert. Daytime temperature is 108 degrees in October and nighttime temperature is what I'll describe as bundle-up cold to a Floridian. The area is as undeniably beautiful as it is stark and dry. Everything is the color sandstone-- the sand, the architecture, the mountains. Tennis spectating was sweltering, but could never contend with what it must have been like to play several hour, or longer, matches each day.

A tourist highlight for any brave souls who dare travel to the desert is unquestionably the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Some fellow tram riders were return visitors. Others were new like me and reflected my mix of fear and awe at the experience.

Look out the window and follow
the cable up.

The scenic window view offers a sense of the what dramatic 10-minute ride up the mountain has in store.


On the aerial tram the floor spins slowly for a 360 degree view. Feels accurately like a loooong way down.

At the top around 9k feet above sea level.
On clear days, you can see Mexico.

Windmills at the base!

Travel to this part of the United States of America offers many unexpected delights.

Throw some pottery!

On the wheel, that is. Visit Flagler Beach's newest place for potter and jewelry, Down to Earth Pottery.

For beginners, Heather features hand molding, wheel throwing classes or a 1 hour play-with-clay session. Purchasing clay includes firing and glazing. Pro's and experienced potters can stop in for studio time for a minimal fee.

Meeting others in the community is an unexpected perk, too.

Get your hands muddy in some clay art that you throw yourself and won't throw away!

Wanna be a Waterman or Waterwoman?

The ocean is unpredictable. In the realm of surfing, it's important to take the opportunity to handle all different types of conditions. Some days the waves are comin' in hot and chunky like this:

It's hard to get out-- make it past the break to the outside because you're caught up in the soup.

On those days, I stay in and take capture pics of the one guy brave enough to try anyway!

Experience the speed rush at the race track

Oh yeah, you knonw that means the Richard Petty Driving Experience! Admittedly, I was a spectator on this one. My dear Dad went on the Ride Along and loved every minute of the 165mph experience. It was hot out, but otherwise a beautiful day with ideal conditions for spending some family time and snapping alot of fun pictures.

Have you joined an organic co-op lately?

So happy to find out about Flagler Organics! Check out
how it works

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St. Augustine Wild Reserve

The Wild Reserve is a fantastic place to tour on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Amira the Bambi, I mean deer, follows the tour group around and you can pet her like a loyal hound dog! Lions, Tigers, Wolves, and many more animals are carefully fed during the tour. The cost is $20 and the Reserve is not a zoo. Visitors are able to stand 5 feet away from 600 pound kings of the jungle including Mufassa the male Lion and these two mates who just had tiger cubs! This is not a breeding habitat, but a rescue for exotic animals who were once thought of as show animals or pets that grew too big!

Visiting the Wild Reserve is memorable. Bring fruits, vegis or raw meat and the animals diet will be supplemented with your valuable contribution. The tour is worth it!

Quick nod to Waikiki, Honolulu HI

Fun surf, small and super-consistent!

Great place to stay, Park Shore.
And try Barak's favorite Shave Ice!