During our last trip to Palm Springs, we were surprised at how the local public swimming holes were all out of commission for the season. Being that it was still in the low to mid 90s, we were on a mission to take a dip somewhere.
Lucky for us, our friend Nicole, who was camping with us for the first couple of days on this trip, had a nice little plan for us. Her parents Ray and Verna, recent retirees, decided to get themselves a room at the near by La Quinta Resort & Club for a night.
If you have never been to the La Quinta Resort & Club, you are missing out in life. This sprawling compound has been a favorite for Hollywood royalties since the 1920s when it originally opened its doors. It boasts about 1,000 rooms and nearly 50 pools and spas. They are set up in casita-style where each room shares its own pool with just a handful of other visitors.
Ray and Verna, being frequent visitors of the resort, got early check-in and late check-out so we could spend two full days at the pool which Ava could not get enough of.
Lake Cahuilla being at the edge of town is about 10 miles away. That is actually the closest campground we found to La Quinta Resort. Yeah, we actually picked this site because we knew that we might be paying La Quinta a little visit.
Being in the middle of the week and late in the desert season, we were pretty much the only people in the pool for the entire time. I don’t know exactly what the water temp was but it was amazingly warm. We have been pumping Ava up about going to the pool and she was more than ready to get in the water.
For the last few months, one of Ava’s favorite phrases has been, “I am a big girl! I can do everything!”. Apparently , she wanted to put that to test at the pool. In the past when we’ve gone swimming, we have to pretty much stand along right next to her or only play in water that she can reach the bottom of. Not this time. She wanted nothing to do with us helping her in the water. Because “She is a big girl now…”
How time flies…
Mila on the other hand enjoyed herself poolside. Dressed in her best resort onesie, she lounged with the best of them. Namely her Mama Marlene.
Here are a couple of beauty shots. Don’t be jealous.
OK, maybe they are not all beauty shots. But you get the idea.
We got a great life jacket for Ava with a cool lady bug pattern on it. She likes it much better than the traditional life jackets as it is less bulky and easier for her to move around.
It’s basically arm floaties attached to a small inner tube of foam around her chest. We went to the local swimming pool earlier this summer and they only allow Coast Guard approved life jackets for kids. Which this one is. But because it looks so out of the ordinary, every 15 minutes when are new life guard rotates to our area, we got hassled and had to unbuckle her to show the label on the inside. After awhile, I just ask one of the life guards to please spread the word that the lady bug is A.O.K..
She loved playing in the pool with Nicole.
Mila couldn’t believe how relaxing it is to be poolside. She said to herself that one day, she will be in that pool just like her big sister.
Can you believe Ava got out of the water long enough to pose for a photo with her mama?
I know Mila! I can’t believe it either!
The bed in the casita-style resort rooms are so comfortable, we didn’t think we would be able to pry her away to go back to the Mali Mish to sleep in her inflatable mattress on the floor in her tent bed.
Hi peeps! Look at me! I am finally swimming in Palm Springs!
Here is a group shot minus Marlene at happy hour. Ray and Verna’s resort package came with 2 meals and free drinks during happy hour. We tagged along during the happy hour and couldn’t get enough of the great margaritas. Sorry Ava, you don’t know the joy of Margaritas just yet. You will in a few years. OK, maybe longer than a few.
One of Ava’s favorite snacks these days are fruit roll ups from Trader Joe’s. They sell organic fruit roll ups that are made of 100% fruit and no added sugar. If we let her, she will probably eat 20 of them in a row.
“Ummm! This is some good stuff!”
Thanks for coming along for our tag along resort vacation! More to come soon!
over and out,
dan
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