"Livin' It Up At The Hotel California"

We went away for the weekend.  Mr. G has been wanting me to go away with him to this location for several years.  This was the year.  I finally decided to go.  It was a little remote.  Rustic, you might even say.  He said to make sure we packed all we would need for two nights, because there was not going to be any place to shop if we forgot it.  We actually wound up bringing along our 3 1/2 yr. old grandson Noah.  His Mommy, our daughter Erika, was very sick, so we asked if we could bring him to let her rest.
So, here we go...taking off Friday night.  Noah was co pilot, and SO excited!!

We arrived late at night, so I waited for morning to get a picture of our little home away from home for the weekend.  Rustic, Remote, Secluded, Isolated, these are just some of the words that describe our location.  Well, see for yourself.  What words come to your mind?

This is it.  The place.  The little rustic cabin out in the boonies.  The Hotel California.

Now for the real story.  We didn't stay here.  Although many have!  This is apparently a famous location.  It is in the middle of the desert, way off Hwy 10, tucked at the end of a canyon and windy road that twists and turns through the California desert.  It was built in the 60's by a group of "hippies"  that erected this hideaway completely out of rock.  There is a fireplace, and roof, and windows, with ledges for sitting out on, and a steel door that locks from inside and out.  Inside, it is amazingly neat and tidy, with a log book and pen for those who come to visit, whether for an hour or overnight, to announce their having been there.  Someone collects and keeps these log books that have been filling up for decades now.  I did not realize just how well known this place in the middle of nowhere was.  It was truly something to see.   The real reason for our visit, was to celebrate Tom German's 60th birthday.  Tom German is a dear friend of ours. His wife Jae is one of my closest friends, ever!  We have been running around together, laughing, playing, quilting, having fun, for about 20 years.  Tommy G, her husband, hosts something called the Tom German Poker Run, every year out in the desert.  I have never gone.  It isn't my thing.  But Greg has gone for the past several years, and I promised to go this year for Tommy's birthday.  After the Poker Run, Tom and Jae had set up this spot...The Hotel California, for the hot dog bbq after the Poker Run had been completed.  Unfortunately, Noah fell asleep in the car ride (if you want to call it that) there, despite the bumping and twisting and turning, and was so soundly sleeping when we got there, that I stayed in the car with him and rolled down the windows and enjoyed the cool breeze.  After everyone left, and Noah woke up, the three of us waddled up the hill to see it. 

Noah did not want to leave.  What a great fort for kids this would be!!

If you stay there, you can have a nice fire.

When you leave, take your mess, and leave your name in the log book.

I snapped this on the way back down the hill.  (SWOON)

This is where we really stayed.   Not quite as remote, but still very rustic!!!

This whole group of RV's were there for the Poker Run, most of them from our town, Corona, and all of them, friends of this wonderful man, Tom German.

We had a great time.  I mostly enjoyed watching this little guy........

He was in HEAVEN!!  Digging, pouring, dumping, raking, sand....so much sand....and dirt...everywhere! There was dirt EVERYWHERE!!!!!  But so worth it!

I could have sat there in that desert for hours just watching him play!  He had SO much fun!
Tomorrow I'll show more of the poker run.  But now, I have more laundry to do!!!
 Happy Monday!!!