~Desert Hot Springs and Palm Springs~

Next we went to the Desert Hot Springs Area.    We stayed at Catalina Spa and RV Resort.   It was a really nice park.   The pools are heated naturally by the hot springs and come in at 130 degrees!!!! They have to cool them down all the time.   It was absolutely divine!!!   We stayed in the pools for HOURS and I have never seen such wrinkly fingers and toes as we did while staying at this park!!!

Then off to Palm Desert/Palm Springs/ Indio area.

A very happy family reunion as Dad and Mum joined us for some FUN, relaxing and hot weather!   Our first meal with them while eating outside on this lovely, warm evening.

Now this is why we homeschool!   Who wouldn't want to do school while sitting under palm trees in over 30 degree weather!!

All through the park are grapefruit trees.    You are allowed to pick them and enjoy them.   They are absolutely delicious!  What a treat!!

We never tire of looking at the palm trees.

The sunsets are spectacular every evening.

Finally........after waiting for quite some time we were able to enjoy our "Thanksgiving" dinner.

After our buffet we took Dad and Mum to the Indio Flea Market.   We walked for hours looking at all the different vendors stands and things for sale - FUN times!

~Hollywood~

While staying at Soledad Canyon Thousand Trails Park we took a trip into Hollywood.  In all our times we have been to California we had yet to visit this area.

We loved looking at all the stars names all over the sidewalk on Hollywood Blvd.

There were several people ( some very creepy!!) dressed up in costumes trying to get you to take photos with them.  Be careful though.....they are all wanting your money!!

N O T !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was SUCH a hot day and the main street was blocked off for "Jimmy Kimmel" which was to be filmed live that evening.   The star of the evening was Taylor Swift so the crowds were getting bigger and bigger and the lines longer and longer as fans tried to get a spot to see them them both.

Our busy day in Hollywood ended with this beautiful sunset.

~Beach~

When we left the Santa Barbara area while on route to Soledad Canyon we stopped at this lovely beach.   One of our fellow campers told us about it.   We always get good tips from the locals.

Unfortunately the tide was in while we were there, but we enjoyed wading in the water a bit and exploring on the rocks.

We will for sure come back another time to beautiful Seacliff Beach.

~Santa Barbara~

 One of the days while staying at Rancho Oso we took the 30 minute drive down to lovely Santa Barbara.

We spent some time on the beach - lovely and warm.

People rent all sorts of boats, kayaks, paddle boats, yachts etc....

We enjoyed walking on the pier.   Sterns Wharf is great and people go there for dinner, shopping, fishing and people watching!

We love the pelicans!  They were all diving for fish - it was wonderful to watch.

Lovely day!

~Rancho Oso~

We have spent the last few days at beautiful Rancho Oso Thousand Trails Park.   It is right in the middle of the Santa Ynez Mountains.  This park has so much to offer - mini golf, tennis, 2 pools, hot tub, playground, hiking, horseback riding, animals etc........

On Saturday the park had a special show - they did some cattle herding, showed us how they train the young ponies, and showed us how they train the bulls for bull riding as well.   All SO interesting to watch.

They had this wonderful dog who herded the cattle very well.

A view of one of the cottages and rv's  with the mountains in the background.

As always we enjoyed the candy bar bingo and the family won enough treats to share around.

The pool was wonderful and the weather was incredible so we loved swimming every day.

Rancho Oso is a working ranch so there are many animals there.  When we stayed here 4 years ago we enjoyed seeing "Bob" the pig. We were surprised to see he was still there and even bigger than before.

The mountains are everywhere and the views spectacular.   We love it here!