03/22/2020

Driving down Hwy 111 after our hike this morning was surreal. Very few cars on the road, a bit like Christmas but some retail store and grocery stores were open. I can’t help but think of the financial impact this virus will have on people in our small valley and all over the world. So many small store fronts shuttered, closed up tight, shades drawn. I suspect there are so many of these small business that will never reopen.

What seems to be thriving are fast food restaurants. By 11:30 there were lines starting at many we passed by. I have mixed feeling about restaurants being open and the people it puts at risk. Is the need for a paycheck going to outweigh the risk of becoming sick or passing the virus to unsuspecting patrons.

One fast food chain making a difference today is Chick-fil-A…I know, not a chain loved by everyone for their long history of donating to charities with anti-LGBTQ stances. I’ve read that Corporate has changed the focus of their philanthropy donations and hope that is true. I was delighted to read that a franchise owner in Vancouver Washington has a big heart. He and his team delivered 1,000 meals to Washington hospital employees who have been working tirelessly amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Maybe humans aren’t a failed race after all!!!

So here is how day three of our sheltering in place went…

• Hiked the Araby Trail with friends Katie and Dean today. This heavily trafficked out and back trail took these hikers up a 900 ft elevation gain less than half way through the 3 mile hike. Yep, I was sweating and huffing a bit but the payoff was great views of the valley and a chance to check out the house built for Bob Hope in 1979. This 23,000-square-foot house is legendary for its unusual design and it is certainly is a architecture marvel. The vast copper roof slopes upward from three points to meet at a crater-like circular skylight opening over the home’s spacious interior terrace. Wedged between each of the three slopes is a massive rounded concrete shell-like arch hanging over the home’s three entrances and patios, each with enormous glass windows that provide spectacular views of the Coachella Valley, city of Palm Springs, and San Jacinto Mountains.

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• Spent some time on the patio fertilizing all the new plants we had put in January, my flowers and herb pots. Got my gardening fix!!!

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• Fixed a caprese and white bean salad to take to the first meeting of the Quarantini Club.

• Had virtual happy hour with a friend in Palm Springs who is in the high risk group.

• Joined in the fun at the first meeting of the Quarantini Club…Four couples from our “compound” met at the pool pergola for drinks and snackies. Each couple sat at a different table at least 6 feet apart. It was a fun first meeting and we all gotta thank Cindy for providing the buffs to help keep everyone safe!

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• Wrote this blog post and edited pictures.

• Frig is still full and there is some carne asada marinating for dinner tomorrow…so far, so good for day three. Hope all of you are healthy and sane…I love hearing from everyone so please don’t forget leave a comment occasionally!!!