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Road Trip Day 9: College of the Desert Street Fair... and more!

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.


Saturday, March 4:  Day 9


One of my favorite things to do when I come to the Palm Springs area is going to the Street Fair held on the campus of the College of the Desert every weekend. This street fair includes hundreds of vendors selling their wares.   You can buy anything from sox to food and fine art.  There is also live entertainment going on most of the time.  Hours of operation are:  October -  May 7 a.m - 2:00 p.m.   June - September 7 - 12.   Honestly, I wouldn't even want to go in the summer months.  It's just too darn hot after 5:00 a.m. The proceeds from booth rentals provide over $500,000 in scholarships, programs, and projects for the college.  So, shopping at the street fair supports small business owners and educational services.
 

You can find everything from sox to food to fine art here.  Today, I was on a mission.  I have a wallet I've been using for several years.  I love this wallet because it is small enough to fit in my pocket when I don't want to carry my whole purse (like when we go out for walks or bike rides), yet I can get everything in it... I.D., money and all those various cards that fill up a typical wallet.  Sadly, this wallet has looked pretty ragged for quite a while and I've been diligently shopping for a new one.   I have not been able to find one anywhere.  I was browsing in one of the purse and wallet booths and the owner of the booth asked if he could help.  I told him what I was looking for.  He said he did not have such a thing but I would be able to find it somewhere at the street fair.  I had serious doubts.  But, he was right!  I found exactly what I wanted.  It is even better than the one I've been using.  You really can get pretty much anything you want at this event. My new wallet is called a Big Skinny.   SCORE!

I also added to my colorful and comfortable polyester/cotton dress wardrobe. These dresses are my preferred attire for casual wear around the house and/or lounging at the swimming pool.  

During a break from shopping, we stopped to get a cold drink in the food court aisle.  We sat by a very friendly couple from Michigan and had a nice chat.  They encouraged us to go to Old Town LaQuinta during our stay.  When they mentioned a variety of Happy Hour options, we were in.    It is so interesting meeting new people while traveling, and getting their suggestions for things to do.  

After the Street Fair, I got a bug to go check out the inventory of houses and/or condos in the Palm Desert Del Webb community across the freeway. Gail is always very tolerant of my whims so off we went.  You can take the girl out of real estate but you can't take real estate out of the girl.   We drove over to Del Webb Palm Desert and picked up some info and a list of Open Houses being held that day.  We did go to one Open House but I'm not really interested in buying a house. I would consider a condo, though. My motto in life right now is to keep it simple.  A house is not simple.  A condo is.    There was nothing available that I'd be interested in, although I do love the Del Webb community concept and amenities and am open to future options.

Before leaving Del Webb, we stopped at the cafe, off the golf course, and ordered lunch.  The service was horrible but the food was quite good. Fortunately, we weren't in any hurry, so enjoyed conversation and people watching.  

We did go to Old Town LaQuinta that evening, as suggested by our new street fair friends.  We walked around the town, and then into The Stuft Pizza Bar and Grill for a Happy Hour drink and shared an hors d'oeuvre sized portion of fish & chips as our dinner.   

After our foray to LaQuinta, we  came back to the room and watched the Gonzaga / Pacific game in the West Coast Conference playoffs being held in Las Vegas.   The Zags won by a large margin, after a tight first half.

It was another happy day in Paradise.  



Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."

- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com
 

Happy March !




Comments (7)

Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, Carol. We haven't been to the Swap meet in a number of years but it's almost always on the list to enjoy when we hit the desert. It's an amazing place in a beautiful setting!

Jeff

Mar 11, 2017 12:58 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good afternoon Carol Williams ,

So glad you are having such a great time on your getaway! Sounds like it was another day in Paradise!!

Mar 11, 2017 01:32 PM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

Is anybody going to stop the ZAGs this year Carol Williams 

Mar 11, 2017 01:50 PM
Carol Williams

I hope not, Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, Broker, Tacoma Washington .  Too bad BYU ruined their perfect season!  

Mar 12, 2017 04:25 PM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Wow it sounds like you packed a ton of stuff into your day and had fun doing it as well. Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Mar 11, 2017 01:51 PM
James Dray
Fathom Realty - Bentonville, AR

Good morning Carol.  Love to take road trips but a month?  Yes I would be in, hopefully one of these days when I decide to retire.

Mar 12, 2017 04:30 AM
Will Hamm
Hamm Homes - Aurora, CO
"Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"

Hello Carol,  Glad you Score on a wallet at the street fair.  I never go to these fair but because of you I just could now.

 

Mar 12, 2017 07:52 AM
Sheri Sperry - MCNE®
Coldwell Banker Realty - Sedona, AZ
(928) 274-7355 ~ YOUR Solutions REALTOR®

Hi Carol, I always enjoyed going to the Palm Springs area when I lived in SoCal.

Mar 18, 2017 06:59 AM