The Day Rick Came To Visit

This past weekend was action packed as Rick Guzman, my good buddy from NYC, came to visit. As my first guest out here, he was subjected to a very thorough run around aided by the fact that there was a lot on. We dined in on Thursday evening after Rick's arrival. Friday morning featured a brisk long walk up into the mountain and then all around the houses in the Joshua Highlands. After lunch, we drove into the Park proper and went for a leisurely hour walk around Barker Dam. Then a trip to the cactus garden before dinner at the 29 Palms Inn. The evening was rounded out by an opening of Tina Bluefield's work at the 29 Palms Creative Center. Gretchen always throws a great event and this one was no different - complete with Belly dancers.







Saturday featured the farmers market, late breakfast at Crossroads Cafe, the Yucca Valley swap meet and then a hike at Black Rock Canyon. Not content with the long vertical ascent and a view of San Giorgiono, we went off trail, scrambled a few hundred feet higher and were rewarded with the twin peak of San Jacinto. A breather was followed by a huge dinner and music at Pappy and Harriets.





Sunday. Leisurely morning into lunch at the cabin. Then a trip to the 29 Palms Gallery for an opening of the tribute exhibition for Noah Purifoy. Lots of familiar folks there, many introductions and then an excursion to the Purifoy Foundation to see the work that inspired it all. We were accompanied there by my local buddy John Luckett, who had a great piece in the show.




A late afternoon drive to Palm Springs and Rick was off home again. I think he was surprised by the variety and depth he saw here and I was happy for his energy and good spirit after all of that activity. Au revoir Rick .