The Perks of a Place: Picking Priorities in Palm Springs
USA
Often, we say ‘it’s not where you travel to, it’s who you’re with’. Most def. Though there is something to be said when you walk into a bathroom and the tp is contorted into a rose, nuh? I ducked down to Palm Springs for a quick getaway and while I’d imagined what this city offered, in truth, the home was such a highlight that I had to give myself the permission to offroad off the agenda, and instead, sip some sparkling water poolside.
What does it take to toss out the timetable and instead, take up what’s in front of us as the main event? These can be tough choices sometimes, and at others the decisions are a done deal perhaps because our bodies, minds, loved ones or the layout of the mansion said so.
I thought about license. What society let’s us do and where we may overtly or covertly confront the liberties that lay out before us. Perhaps this specific situation was more a first world conundrum, after all, the option was do I scrap the plan that included hustling to see this/do that or instead live up the lavish life? Certainly in retrospect, this seems awfully rhetorical. Regardless, the notion of what we (feel we) need permission to do can be sticky for some, at some point in life. And while the towns and views were reasonable, surrendering to the swanky was indeed the smart play.
We putted, literally and figurately. The fully-loaded house backed out onto a golf course. Dining in to make the most of the views and offerings of the home was the preference. Indeed, in the middle of the desert, an oasis like this can entice tourists to perch in these types of palaces as places of perpetual vacations.
The heat made everything sizzle. Though it didn’t stop us from leaving the luxury and exploring a little. I must say, I was impressed by the proactive public health injunction that required each visitor to carry a minimum of 2 liters of water if they wished to hike the Tahquitz Canon Trail. The air was humid, the sun was full on, and I was loving it. The large boulders and intermittent cacti reminded me of my location. While it wasn’t the beauty queen of places I’ve seen, beautiful can come into view with the right outlook and lens.
Like many escapades, the journey’s importance is valid and often valuable. In this case, the waterfall at the end of the winding way was undoubtedly a treat, not to mention, the motivator for many to make hike on a day that hit 33C/104F.
I love how Nature is on the ready to offer reprieves. The fine mist could be sensed some distance out, enticing and encouraging us on the last leg of the loop’s midway mark. I turned my attention to the gentle coating; my skin was now glistening with sweat from the sun’s strength and spray from the tumbling torrent of water cascading from great heights. The tease of lower temperatures increased into a gratification at the mouth of the cascade, like a cocoon of cool that made the trek totally worthwhile.
Folks took turns tumbling in.
Adults too can let their little inner kid come to life - after all, haven’t we decided to let our leashes have a little slack sometimes? The things that hold us back, I debated if they were tethering us in a way that was legit, or loose enough for us to let loose a little …
Looking in the mirror, I thought of the priorities that pounded away at me. Within the demands of medicine, that go-go-go just seemed to be the expected pace for everything, including time off. Yet in the present, this palace seemed like the proper prescription. If consumed as directed, healing was a hopeful outcome. And so, I picked the perks of this place … wouldn’t you?
After the small splurge, I headed home, looping through LA’s Playa Del Rey’s beach enroute. Arriving in the wee hours of the morning, I grabbed a coffee and began to jot down these sentiments as I waited for the morning to fully blossom into what seemed like another glorious day ahead.
From living the Lummi life, seeing San Diego and being invited by my bestie to ball out in Palm Springs, this last little bit has been an invitation to change the pace … Perhaps these little kiddos had much wisdom to impart, showcasing their joyful play and the serenity with which they seemed to surrender to what lay around them.
People watching and splurging on a spot that serves up good grub and cute ambiance therefore, was my only ‘plan’.
I looked out at the horizon and noticed some locals having a little picnic nearby. The ensuing and unexpected fruit swap with them was the bow, the cherry on the top (more accurately, the gooseberries!). Sometimes, it pays to perch oneself in one spot and just give into the glam - be it gorgeous environments, generous people or even, gentle demands.
May we let ourselves be spoilt by the gifts in front of us,