Travels with haRVy

The Empire Polo Club, located just over a mile from where we are staying at our friend MaryEllen’s place in Indio, CA, hosted 20 hot air balloons during festival last weekend. We got up at the crack of dawn to watch them inflate and take off. The access was incredible and the price right…free! It was great fun.

Owlbert Einstein taking a look around.

Hang on!

First to take off.

The setting was beautiful.

Oh no!

View a short video I shot here. 

Since we couldn’t plug in at MaryEllen’s apartment complex, haRVy’s batteries needed a good charge after a week there. We headed over to nearby Lake Cahuilla to spend a night hooked up to electricity. There wasn’t a lot to do since you can’t swim or boat in the lake, but it is nice and quiet.

The campground at Lake Cahuilla.

Back at the apartment complex we took full advantage of the amenities with hot tub soaks, free stretching and water aerobic classes, a potluck dinner, and nice laundry facilities.

Al thought the warnings around the pool were a bit excessive.

MaryEllen and I partook in a second early morning outing at the The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens of which she is a member. Membership privileges include early entry so we enjoyed hunting for wild animals on our own before the public was admitted. At first it didn’t seem like many were stirring, but then we spotted this regal lady.

Lovely Leopard.

Charming Cheetah.

Yipes stripes.

This wild looking East African Crowned Crane was very curious.

Bobcat… here kitty kitty.

Bad Badger.

See ya next time!