Tram to the top of Palm Springs

Apparently Palm Springs was originally called Indian Wells and was settled by Native Americans. They used to live down in the valley during the winter and it was always a nice warm temperature and then during the summer when it was always above 100, they'd move up into the tops of the mountains and live there. That must have been quite a trek. The mountains seem to grow straight up from the valley floor. It's beautiful at the top with trees and rivers and fields so it must have been nice to be up there for the summer, but the climb would have been crazy. Luckily now, someone has built these tram cars and hooked up the cables so the journey up the mountain takes like 10 minutes. Those rocky cliffs in the background are no joke. It's really like that.
And since we were there in the winter, there was snow at the top. It was a lovely 65 at the bottom and a balmy 28 degrees at the top. People were even bringing sleds up to the top. Here's the whole family before the scary ride up. Taylor's mom was really brave. She's afraid of heights and every time the cable car went over a tower (which was several times) the car would swing violently back and forth.
L to R: me, Barb, Clint, mom with Miles, Dad with Isaac, Ethan, Taylor, Esther, and Arty.

This was the best shot I was able to get from the top. It was beautiful but freaking cold with the wind and the low temperatures.

So the love birds spent time looking at the lights but I stayed inside the lodge at the top with Miles.

The big news of the trip was Arty and Esther's engagement. Yeah! We're so excited! She's great. Anyone who notices that I need help bathing, dressing, feeding, and entertaining 3 boys while all the guys are golfing one morning and knocks on my door to ask what she can do to help and then plays for hours with crazy boys and cuddles my baby is a keeper in my book. And she's perfect for Arty. She's a truly international person. Her dad was born in French New Caledonia and then lived in Paris where he met her mom who was originally born in Madagascar. Esther was born in Austrailia herself and then raised in France, Spain, and Dubai where her family currently lives. And she's currently in London studying architecture. She's perfect for Arty who also speaks French, Spanish and English fluently and loves everything international. She has 2 older brothers she's been living with in London and 3 younger brothers at home.

That's not the actual ring, just a funny fake we found at the top of the mountain lodge. The temple wedding is set for London on April 2nd followed by another wedding ceremony on the 5th in Dubai. Sounds like another Woodbury adventure- although I think Ethan and Isaac are getting left behind on this one.