Indio, California: I took today off. No running. I slept-in. Lazy. It's not as if I had anything to do anyway.
Plus, look at this sky. What is that white stuff? Clouds? Don't let those clouds fool you. It was over 80 degrees again today. With a 40% humidity level. Practically steamy for the desert.On a cold winter day, a girl just wants a bowl of hot soup... so we went to lunch at a new Vietnamese noodle shop - Pho Vu (79-630 Hwy 111 #103, 760.775.2417) for a bowl of pho. The restaurant has been open for 10 days and it was full at one o'clock in the afternoon. The owner said his restaurant has been packed from 11a-9p ever since he opened!
Pho, pronounced fuh, is based on a rich beef broth simmered for hours with star anise, cinnamon and other spices. To serve, rice noodles are added to a soup bowl, the broth is ladled over and sliced meats and vegetables are added. Pho is usually served with a few things "on the side" that the diner can add at his own discretion - bean sprouts, citrus, chilies, basil leaves, mint. Several sweet and spicy sauces are also on the table. This massive bowl of pho chin (fresh rice noodles with brisket) was only $7.95.Things are looking-up in the social department as Mary & Captain Jim have finally returned to the Motorcoach Country Club after a two-month-long vacation from a vacation in Maui. (Seriously, how bad can it be when you have to leave your luxury RV site in the Palm Springs area to vacation in Hawaii for two months???)
Mary & Captain Jim drove their golf cart from their campsite to our campsite for cocktails. This is a one block drive. Jim had to tap into our electricity as their golf cart was basically D-E-A-D after a two month vacation. We caught up. We discussed Hawaii. We discussed grandchildren (they are experienced in this general area) and we discussed our fun RV lifestyle.
We decided to have dinner at one of their favorite restaurants that just happens to be in the same strip mall as the Vietnamese noodle shop we visited at lunch. Tasty House Wine Bar is an interesting Asian-Italian-European fusion place with a good wine list and a huge menu. Something for everyone.
This appetizer is called Lamb Lollliops. Delicate grilled lamb chops with salsa verde. Perfect.
We also tried sliders made with Kobe beef.
The special tonight was a small sirloin steak with mashed potatoes and mushroom gravy - served with asparagus spears. $10. Such a deal.
Tomorrow we will be experiencing a first-of-a-kind-for-us RV experience. I hope you all check back to see how we fare.
Until my next update, I remain, your well fed correspondent.
RV Park: Motorcoach Country Club. Without a doubt (to me - and don't forget, it's my website) the finest RV Resort in The World. Every available amenity. Golf, tennis courts, 3 pools, 3 spas, bathhouses, 2 laundries, fitness center, club houses, restaurant, bar, gated security, 2-mile waterway and wifi.