Palm Springs and Finding New 4th of July Traditions

I am back home today 

reflecting on a marvelous 4th of July

that was all about finding new holiday traditions 

for Jeff and I!

Sometimes, lately

holidays come in packing such an emotional punch

and

this hit usually happens when I am expecting it the least.

I thought I was doing pretty well about the 4th  with my kids grown and on their own

at least until the Wednesday before the 4th

when dear friends starting posting pictures on Facebook

of this holiday past

and 

it hit me.

All those years ago

I would never, ever thought it would be like this today.

To have my sweet little boy continuing to estrange himself from the family.

Seeing all the pictures of him little

and

 such a love

cut my heart.

Which always opens it up 

to feel the loss of my other two 

growing up with full lives of their own

especially on the 4th.

It's a funny thing about parenting

even in the cases

where things turn out just the way you were hoping with your kids

you can still feel a loss.

But

I have been letting go

and

holding on long enough now

to realize I can let the sorrow in

but just for a bit to acknowledge it  ….

and  then

it's up to me to refocus

and 

fill my heart with gratitude for what is

and

completely invest in some new holiday traditions!

That's just what Jeff and I did!

We headed out on a road trip to the Palm Springs desert!

How I love a road trip

even short ones.

The getting out on the road and finding all different kinds of beauty.

It can be like seeing with new eyes

both on the road and then again back at home.

It was such a lovely drive

we took the time to stop and see  sights all along the way.

Out to the beautiful Palm Springs!

It's just an hour an a half from our house

but it feels a world away!

Lucky for me

the shopping on El Paseo is good

because it wasn't more than an hour into our road trip

that I realized I forgot all of my makeup

except on red lipstick.

I was so happy to hear Saks was open!

Not willing to reinvest in everything

I soon realized a great foundation with lips

are my must haves, especially in the summer

when it's sunglasses for the most part.

I just let go of caring about the rest!

Our Palm Springs destination was the brand new reopening of 

L'Horizon!

The hotel is  intent on bringing back the

 Glamour of Hollywood's Golden Age

and 

I for one couldn't wait to play along!!

I will share more about this fantastic property

another time

but this is the charming view from our room

I couldn't wait to get in and change

and

 hit the pool with cocktails!

Here's a great big cheer for new holiday traditions!!

A stunning hotel with mellow fellow guests

and

cocktailing at the pool was the perfect for us place to be this year!

As the sun began to set

I knew just where I wanted to go

for the evenings fireworks …

The very top of that distant mountain!

Palm Springs is known for it's arial tram to the top of San Jacinto.

I have always been enthralled with the concept

because I love a great view like non other …

but 

I always knew it was out of my bravery level …

that was until this year.

My driving quest to make new fabulous memories with my husband

had me certain

that being at the top of the mountain this July 4th 

was just where  we needed to be.

We had driven by in the afternoon

and checked out the process

so I could break it down in my head

so I could make it up the top.

Our pre researching the endeavor worked for me.

Especially finding out it was only a ten minute ride up the mountain in the tram that can hold about 50 people and in the summer comes about every 15 minutes.

The views were  as spectacular as I had hoped!

Once up the whole valley was laid out before us!

I was so happy and proud of us for taking the plunge into stretching our comfort zones

for such a magnificent adventure!

On the top we had cocktails as the sunset

and

then had dinner as we waited for the sun to set

and

the fireworks to go off.

Marvelous new memories were definitely made

and

I will be happy to make this a new tradition to be sure!

We ended our 4th of July at Melvyn's

One of our favorite Palm Spring iconic spots

with a long history of being a spot frequented by the Rat Pack

in the days gone by.

With live music and a dance floor

you can imagine the glamour of the days!

Going back to our fantastic hotel …

made for a simply perfect ending to the day!

My goal of making new 4th memories was a complete success!

The next morning had us back in the car

driving off the beaten paths

for as much as I get huge enjoyment form a swanky locale

I also have much appreciation for true rustic and natural.

Which makes a trip to Palm Springs all the more!

Less than an hour out in so many different directions

will have you in some mighty unique spots.

Like Pioneer Town

which was built by Roy Roger's to accommodate the film industries.

If you make it out that way

Pappy and Harriet's Palace

is a must stop for a local watering hole with fantastic food to boot!

Our little road trip 

ended up being just what the doctor ordered.

I came back renewed and invigorated.

For me it's fine to step back into a past that no longer exists

as long as it's only once in a while.

For me

it's important to be able to go back 

just long enough to remember

the past has some great moments

but it wasn't perfect.

Raising three children 4 and under

had some huge challenges

as raising littles always does.

I want to remember the good times

and 

remember to respect fact it was hard as well.

Looking forward …

Maybe the best is yet to come …

I think so very much of life

is deciding how to see it.

I want to see life through eyes full of gratitude

 for the beauty that can be found

especially when we go out intentionally looking for it.

As always my friends

I wish you love and joy

as you style your life