Friday, January 18, 2013, Las Vegas, NV

Last morning in Palm Springs.  We all got up early so we didn't have to rush to meet the 11 AM checkout time.  Even though Neva suffered form a nasty cold most of the week we had a relaxing time spent with family. Her cold is clearing up but not completely gone.
During the week we enjoyed weather a little warmer than in Las Vegas. I visited the Air Museum and found a few geocaches. Neva caught up on a lot of reading, Gerri spent some time on the computer doing her group's administrative duties.  There was enough sun on Thursday that Neva and Gerri sat by the pool for a couple of hours.

Neva at Kelso

Gerri at Kelso

We got such a late start last Friday on the way to Palm Spring so we traveled the long way, most of it on Interstate Highways.  For the return trip we took the shorter distance, but longer time, through 29 Palms, Amboy, Kelso and Cima.  We picked up I-15 just south of State-line   We did stop in Kelso and took pictures of the old Railway station.  This was an important stop on the Union Pacific line for water and brake checks.  There aren't many buildings left, the station, the Post Office and school are the most notable.  I spoke to a Park Service employee who said that the last of the old railroad houses were torn down a couple of years ago, all replaced by more modern houses.  Our friend Bob Rodreick lived here in one of the old houses when his father worked for the UP.  Bob, no more going home.  I tried to remember when we were there last, it has to be over 20 years ago,
It would be hard to describe how much sand is out there surrounded by forbiddingly rugged mountains,  The old Post Office brought back memories of walking to the Post Office in Riverview, WV with my Grandfather.  We didn't have home delivery.  That Post Office was what had been a carriage house next to the Post Mistresses home.  It was about 3/4 of a mile each way and a grand adventure for a young boy with his small hand holding his Grandfather's strong protective hand.  But, I digress.

Kelso Post Office

There used to be a building around these jail cells

I thought it was a pleasant drive.  Gerri said she would never go that way again.  Too many signal lights in the towns and too many dips and curves on the highway. It didn't seem bad from the back seat, but then I wasn't the one negotiating the stops, dips and turns.
We got home at about 3:30 PM and unloaded or transferred things to Neva's car.
Neva rested while I transferred pictures back and forth between our cameras.  She then drove home.  This trip was not exciting but was good for the three of us.
Our next planned trip is to San Clemente State Beach in San Clemente, CA