COVID-19 Pandemic: 2020 California Snowbird Living

2020 marked the beginning of our second winter in Palm Desert. We were eager to go back, but since we sold our house in Massachusetts in January, our departure was delayed. Dave got there on January 19th to get the place ready, and I followed on February 2nd after we finalized the sale of the house and moved our belongings into the new condo in New Hampshire. Fortunately, before Dave left, we had completed about 75% of the move, leaving the remaining 25% to me and the moving company.

Feb 2020:

Modernism Week is Palm Springs signature festival that took place each February and October. The festival highlights midcentury modern architecture, art, interior and landscape design, and vintage culture in the Palm Springs area of Southern California. Now in its 16th year, the annual 11-day festival will feature more than 350 events.

We attended a night of lectures/presentations titled 'Living the Dream' which discussed what life was like growing up in Palm Springs during the 50's and 60's. and midcentury advertising campaigns.

On the weekend there was a vintage trailer show set-up in a large parking lot. What an amazing collection of trailer, RVs, bus, and motor homes.

Following the trailer show, we drove to Palm Springs and enjoyed drinks at the Tongo Hut. It was likely the nearest experience we could find to mid-century decor and cocktails.

Feb 2020:

Dave and I assist in organizing the Friends of the Desert Mountains (FODM) 5K Trail Run and Walk. Click the linked text to go directly to the blog, which is listed alongside other FODM-related blogs.

One of the advantages of living here is having fresh fruit picked directly from the trees just off our back patio. The pink grapefruit is available daily from January through early May.

Breakfast on the patio every morning in the winter. What a perfect way to start the day.

It's so relaxing watching the hummingbirds at the feeder in the morning.

Another wind storm is brewing on the mountain tops.

The pool in February is the place to be after a hike or run.

The winter months were dominated by 'Coronavirus/COVID-19'. Like everyone else, we were keeping up with the news and growing more worried with each day.

Mar 2020:

As soon as Dave arrived in January, he bought plants to spruce up the front entrance to the condo. Here are some before (2019) and after pictures (Mar 2020).

In April 2019, Tex and Ken provided us with cuttings from their firestick, which we planted in two groups a few weeks prior to our departure in the spring. Now, less than 10 months later, they have doubled in size and appear very healthy.

We have established a tradition of stopping for a date shake at Shields Date Garden whenever we return from a hike in the Mecca Hills. These shakes are so delicious that we bring nearly everyone here to try one when they visit.

Mar 7, 2020:

Each year, Friends of the Desert Mountains hosts a Wildflower Festival. This event serves as one of their key fundraisers and aids in advancing the organization's mission to preserve land, support education, conservation, and research in the Coachella Valley, as well as to serve as the support organization for the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument. Click on the linked text to visit the blog 2020 Wildflower Festival.

Mar 11, 2020:

After John and Nancy moved, our options for pickleball were limited. However, in early March, we found out that the Palm Desert gym offers open pickleball court times three days a week. We gave it a try on March 11th and really enjoyed ourselves. During our visit, we ran into Judy, who also lives in our development. Despite being over 80, she still plays a great game.

There was a wide range of skill level but we played some really competitive matches. Best of all it wasn't crowded. Not bragging, but we didn't lose any of the 5 matches we played.

Unfortunately, due to COVID-19 issues we decided not to play again. Too was much potential exposure to the virus with this many people in a small space. Hopefully when we return to CA we'll be able to try out the gym again.

Mar 14, 2020

We began self-isolating by avoiding group activities such as pickleball, happy hours, and close-contact socializing with friends. Given our limited health insurance coverage in CA, we took these measures for both health and financial reasons.

Mar 18-22, 2020

By March 18th, Canadians were urged to return home to avoid potential issues with national health insurance. By the weekend, every Canadian had vacated the condo. Witnessing such a swift departure was unusual. It felt strange to wish all our friends 'safe travels' while maintaining social distancing.

Mar 19, 2020

Following the state announcement, the condo association shut down all community spaces and pools. However, the pickleball and tennis courts stayed open, with users assuming personal risk.

There were nationwide shortages of toilet paper and flour. Traffic was incredibly light . This photo was captured on Sunday, April 12th at 6pm on Hovley Ln East, a major road in this area of Palm Desert.

By April 5th, Riverside County mandated that individuals wear face coverings in public. This became the 'new normal' for our running gear.

Virtual gatherings with family and friends on Zoom became popular.

Giving each other haircuts was inevitable.

People began to appreciate healthcare and other workers who were manning the front lines. Nurse appreciation became a personal issue for me.

In late April and early May, as temperatures started rising above 100°F, our desire to play pickleball in the early afternoon declined. However, we found enjoyment in playing pickleball under the lights at Park Palms. It was a simple and swift transition.

Apr 2020:

It's not surprising that we no longer had access to national and state parks. Fortunately, in California, we were still permitted to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, provided we adhered to social distancing guidelines and avoid using closed facilities.

Apr 3, 2020 Earthquake

On April 3rd, we dedicated the day to hiking the Cathedral Canyon trail. Despite the warm weather, it was an enjoyable day. We intended to have a quick and simple dinner followed by watching TV. However, at 6:53 pm, our plans were disrupted when an earthquake occurred about 10 miles east of Anza, less than 25 miles away. Its epicenter was near the Santa Rosa Mountain and the Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians Reservation. 

This wasn't the kind of quake you might imagine you felt. The noise during the event was extremely loud, resembling a train or airplane stationed right outside. There wasn't much shaking; instead, it felt like a strong and intense vibration beneath your feet. Saying we were shocked would be putting it mildly.

Lucy Jones, a California-based seismologist, said on Twitter the Anza tremor was near and perhaps on the San Jacinto fault, which spans more than 120 miles and is near communities such as San Bernardino, Hemet, Anza and Borrego Springs.

What made the situation that much more uncomfortable was the number of aftershocks over the next week or so. But according to local seismologists, Anza aftershocks are very normal - but tend to be on the high side of average.

Here is a map of the initial quake and aftershocks we experienced 3-4 days afterwards. They were mapped using the 'Shake LA' app. We slept lightly that first night but each night it got better as we accepted the fact earthquake are part of living in Southern CA. The event did cause us to take a closer look at our earthquake supplies. See the blog Southern CA Living: Understanding the Beauty and Risks.

Apr 2020:

The period from mid-April to May can be summed up in one word: HOT. Our time in Palm Desert concluded with unusually high temperatures. Because of COVID-19, the pools remained closed until May 1st, leaving no opportunity to cool down after hikes or runs.

Sunset from Willis Palm Trail by the Coachella Valley Preserve in late April.

May 2020

On May 1st, the condo association reopened the pools, but imposed a restriction allowing only one person in the pool area at a time.

We flew back home from Palm Springs on May 12th, uncertain about when we might return. This will depend on how the situation with COVID-19 unfolds over the next 6-12 months. Here is a picture from when we arrived at Logan Airport in Boston.