Still Smilin'
I'm still smiling from the surprise welcome we received when we arrived here at Golden Village Palms RV Resort in Hemet.
We had decided to drive straight through from Fountain Hills, AZ to Hemet, CA, 340 miles, rather than taking two short days. So we set out at 8:30 AZ time and had a very good although boring drive until we hit Palm Springs. I guess there's a reason for the thousands of ugly wind turbines covering the landscape in Palm Springs. We had gusts that pushed the coach around plus the continual trucks passing....not a pleasant drive.
But it was just about 40 miles of nastiness and then we headed over a low mountain pass and the winds calmed. Coming into Southern CA on Interstate 10 is probably the easiest way in. No 5000' passes to climb and descend just winds blowing trying to keep you out :)
We arrived in Hemet about 3 PM and when I checked in the girl gave me a big smile. I thought...well guess they're glad we're here. I got all the paperwork, we unhooked the car and headed for our site. As we approached our site I saw a car parked in the space we use to turn around in and I thought, "Now who's the jerk sitting in that spot...wouldn't you know!" And then the guy hops out of the car with a sign...WELCOME BACK JIM AND JOAN!
Our wonderful son, Jim, was here to greet us! He had looked back on my blogs to see what time we usually arrive, stopped at the desk to find our site and tell them he'd be waiting there (but don't tell my mom) and then sat and waited for us for an hour. He loves to set up surprises and he really pulled this one off.
We got parked quickly and as Dad got out of the coach son Jim played "Hail to the Chief" on his car stereo! Cracks me up! I wish I'd thought to take some pictures but I was too focused on hugging Jim.
We got set up and visited for awhile then Jim treated us to dinner at Appleby's. It was a memorable welcome "home" to CA. Now we are looking forward to fun times over the holidays with all the CA families :)