Palm Desert: Prologue

 

The laundromat is cancelled. No, I'm not avoiding it. I used our current weather to my advantage. I awoke to a near cloudless sky, so I washed my laundry during breakfast and hung it outside at eight o'clock sharp. By one everything was warmed by the sun and dry, as I intended. 

I visited the bank to withdraw $40 for tipping. I leave money for housekeeping and the tip jar for the free breakfast on the day I depart. I know they work long, hard hours and it's the least I can do in this economic environment.

I also stopped by Total Wine to pick up a few wine related items for Spo. I'm a firm believer that if someone enjoys wine they should have the proper tools packed in their luggage. 

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Based on my outfit needs I cannot fit both the carry on and the duffel bag in Miku's trunk. I'll be using the larger TUMI Short Trip Packing Case for the first time, and I'm thrilled everything including my Surface Pro 11 fits with ease.

The only question is, will the packing case fit inside Miku's boot? I'll have to finesse it with MINI's Easy Load system, and I did it once without anything packed inside it. If I drive Artoria to Palm Desert tomorrow, then you know how it went.

I have a more focused dining itinerary and I can't wait to get on the road. I'll meet Spo for dinner in Palm Springs tomorrow night and I made sure the place I picked out isn't rubbish. I like that it's typically not overcrowded yet gets high marks from one and all. I think he'll approve.

Tomorrow I must visit a French cafe near my hotel for lunch and I won't be denied. I don't care if I part with $40 for a sandwich, salad and a glass of wine. I perused the menu and everything sounds scrumptious. If I don't meet anyone for dinner then I'll visit Islands, a chain restaurant that has both sinful and non-sinful dining options.

Thursday is for Tommy Bahama's! I can eat a fancy meal and then spend at least a C-note in the store afterward. If they carry plus sized clothing in store, then I'm prepared to pick up at least one "resort casual" shirt so I'll be properly attired next time I visit. I have no plans for dinner that night, so it could be a return engagement at Islands.

***

I have some great news for Sean and others. I should be able to observe the retail blackout on February 28th. I have fresh prepackaged salads and canned soup awaiting my return, and I also picked up a bag of aged white cheddar popcorn to snack on. That should cover my lunch and dinner.

I'll be on the road no later than ten o'clock, and barring traffic jams I should be home by one. Now here's where things get murky. If for some reason it's one thirty and I'm still an hour away from home, I'll have no choice but to eat lunch somewhere. Hopefully everyone understands if that happens.