Believe and Follow!
Dear friends,
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When Al and I parked our car at a lot near the DTW airport at 4:30 a.m. recently, it was raining and cold. We quickly took off our raincoats and left them in the car before boarding the nearby shuttle to the airport. After all, our final destination was Desert Hot Springs in southern California, where the weather was expected to be hot and dry.
With the exception of jackets for
the day we were going to take the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of the
Mount San Jacinto, I had packed summer clothes. What a surprise when it began
to rain after arriving in LA!
We stopped in Banning to pick up
our friend Bertie before continuing on our way to the rental house where we
would be reuniting with several others who were coming in from all over the
country. When we commented to Bertie that it wasn’t supposed to be raining in
the desert, she told us that the weather in that area was often rainy, and yes,
sometimes there was even snow on the mountains!
During our special five-day reunion with a
group of ladies who became friends at UCLA during the 1970s, we had planned to
take the tramway up Mount San Jacinto, drive through Joshua Tree National Park,
explore the neighboring city of Palm Springs and enjoy the pool and jacuzzi at
the rental house, weather permitting.
Thankfully, by the time we arrived the rain
had stopped. Cool weather was predicted, but with sunshine. We were all so
excited to see each other again in person that it really didn’t matter if it
was too cold for swimming. Our group of eight UCLA coeds and four husbands
still kept busy each day.
In the afternoon of our first full
day there, we drove to the starting point of the Palm Springs Aerial tramway on
the outskirts of Palm Springs. Although it was standing room only in the large
rotating tram car, we twelve senior citizens did just fine—with the help of
some of the other passengers when help was needed!
The tram car traveled on a steep
incline for two and a half miles, from its starting point around 400 feet in
elevation, ending at 8,000+ feet! The snow-capped mountain, 10,834 feet in
elevation was an imposing sight rising from the desert floor.
The sun was out, making for
wonderful views from the Mountain Station at the top of the tramway. Once
there, we posed for pictures on an observation deck. Then, some people explored
the natural history museum, gift shop and two theaters where documentaries
about the tramway were viewed, while others enjoyed hiking along a nature trail
that made a loop through tall Jeffrey Pine trees. I was glad to have brought my
jacket!
The next morning, we caravanned to Joshua Tree
National Park, where Senior National Park passes permitted us to enter the park
for free. At the visitor’s center we spent time looking at informative displays
describing the wildlife, plants including the Joshua Tree, and unique rock
formations found in the park.
A friendly, informative ranger pointed
out good vista points and hiking trails on a map of the park. At one popular
tourist area, several of the group hiked on a challenging trail over and around
granite boulders. It was only a mile long, but took an hour or more to complete!
At lunch time, a hopeful raven looked down on our picnic tables from a nearby
Joshua Tree.
I was beginning to feel under the
weather and decided to spend our last full day of the trip resting rather than
exploring Palm Springs with the others. I did have enough energy to go out for
lunch with Al, Bertie and another UCLA “sister” though!
The next morning, Al, Bertie and I
made an early departure, heading back to Banning and then northwest to see my
family. While it was sad to say “good-bye” to such dear friends, our time
together encouraged and inspired me. From the time we each first heard the
Lord’s call to follow Him, He has been with us; and He will continue to be with
us to the end of our lives. For that, as well as for our friendships, I am
grateful!
“My sheep listen to my voice; I
know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never
perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28 NIV
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