Up, Up, and Away in a Tramway

It's hard to believe that while lying poolside in 80 degree weather, or sweating it out in the bleachers of the BNP Paribas Open, a 10 minute tram ride will take you to a winter wonderland.  Well believe it!  It's just one of the secretive wonders that the Palm Springs area has to offer.  The Palms Springs Aerial Tramway boasts that it is the world's largest rotating tramcar and that as you ascend from 2,643 feet to 8,516 feet through Chino Canyon, the views are spectacular. 

I can't attest to the experience, but Rob and Spenser can.  Here is Buddy as he waited to board the tram.

Here is another vantage point that shows how the tramway is engineered.  I'm sure Spenser is thinking, "I'm going to get on that and go up there?"

Brave and adventurous boy that he is, here is what he got to see on his ride up.  It's not the best picture but keep in mind it was taken with a disposable camera as Mony had the digital camera with her at tennis.

The tram actually rotates as it ascends, I guess to provide a 360 degree view.  Spenser seems to be taking it all in.

Here are the guys atop the mountain. Whew!  They made it!

Can you believe this is what they found at the top?  S - N - O - W !

Well the winter wonderland was Spenser's spectacular spring break playground, so he went to work.  Rob said he spent over an hour trying to break the ice that formed over a stream.  Here is the boy at work.

Yes, I know the picture is landscape when it should be portrait, but no matter what I did I couldn't get it to work.  Darn disposable camera and Walgreen's photo software!  Ughh!  But it's important that you see the before and after shot.  The sideways picture is the 'before.'

Here is the 'after.'

Can you find Spenser? 

Time for some hiking!

Here is Buddy, carrying a tree up the mountain!  Just kidding, he's only hiking, using the tree as a rail.

Don't mean to leave Rob out.  He's there enjoying it all too!

As the pictures portray, you are definitely rewarded by taking the ride up the mountain.  The pristine wilderness offers fun year round, whether you're a summer or winter enthusiast.  From camping to hiking, or snowshoeing to fine-dining, this place has it all.  Maybe next time the girls will make the trip too.