Palm Desert, CA

Traffic in Los Angeles is something I don't think I could ever get used to.  Calgary's congestion and urban sprawl is bad, but L.A. is crazy.  I wonder if there's a statistic on road rage in L.A. vs. the rest of the country...

After I dropped Melissa off at the airport, I went to visit some good friends from Red Deer who were vacationing in Palm Desert, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. It took me 4 hours to drive 100 miles on the "freeway".

Eventually, I met Mark and Melissa (new Melissa) in Palm Desert, and we had a really nice sushi meal.  They gave me a key to the resort they were staying in, and I spent two nights at their resort.  Nothing like a hobo looking guy crashing your romantic getaway!  Love these guys.

Also, Mark brought down the international driver's permit that I forgot to acquire when I was in Alberta.  Sooo lucky to have a good friend like Mark.  I emailed him photos and forms and he took care of it in Red Deer.  A hassle he didn't need before he left, but he came through like a champ.

I did manage to get Vandrew an oil change and a wheel alignment in Palm Desert...it's been over 5000kms since Calgary!

After two days of catching up and freeloading, it was hard to move on, but I need to get to Mexico City by October 21...I have a flight to catch back to Las Vegas!

Melissa, Mark and I by the pool.  Where is the sun? (out)  Where are the guns? (out!)