I fell in love with the smorgasboard of sights, sounds, textures, and light that make up Palm Springs, California.
We spent the weekend at the Hyatt Regency Suites in downtown Palm Springs, which I loved for its elegance and spacious rooms until...
Midnight.
Groans from next door grew until the bed's frame crashed against the wall, and a man said,
"Are you okay?"
To which the woman replied,
"Yes."
X-rated sounds vibrated through walls that could rival paper-mache.
1 a.m.
We wondered who these Hyatt neighbors were, and why were the walls that thin? And what would happen in an earthquake? Would we crumble into a paper-ball?
Or poof!
A paper airplane?
But more importantly, would these lovers pull an all-nighter?
Through their moans and cries for God al..migh.. I wondered:
What did they look like?
How long had they been together?
Did they just meet in a ball of fiery passion or had they'd known each other for a long time and kept the passion fully alive?
2 a.m.
The moans elongated. Accelerated. And slowed, sequing into a closing door.
The distinct clicks of high heels pattered down the long hallway, and became fainter and fainter.
I listened through silence for half an hour, thinking she might come back.
But she never did.
As I fell into dreamland I had a revelation: This mystery woman was no lover but a hooker, who'd put on a good show. And, somehow, that fact or fiction made me feel better.
Needless to say, I can't recommend the Hyatt Regency Suites' acoustics, though I loved the downtown location, and walking anywhere we wanted without need for a car.
Before I leave the Hyatt Regency Suites here, let me recommend a visit there Friday or Saturday night between 6-10 p.m. because an amazing singer with a wide range of music and voice lights up the entire lobby with her sultry sound and high energy. Gennine Francis. Check her out. She had everyone dancing. And Sunday mornings, the Hyatt has a great buffet.
Yes, Palm Springs is a high energy small town, clean, quaint, a health-conscious oasis in the desert. I enjoyed just walking but the highlight of the weekend
was hiking in Indian Canyon.
A must see.
And hear.
Experience quiet.
Birds.
Babbling creeks. 
The sound of your footstep on soft ground.
As we climbed higher, we found ourselves in cactus country.
Magnificent views of mountains, palm trees above and below. 
I'd love to return to Palm Springs, and find a quieter place to stay. We passed an interesting looking hotel in the middle of town called Hotel Oso, may check out. And on Sunday morning the festive restaurant Las Casuelas was hopping with a live band and people dancing. I can also recommend Ruby's across the street where we had a great sandwich and salad. Great 50s decor.
The air went down pretty easy, though they get a lot of wind, which kicks up the desert dirt. All in all, a great vacation spot. To live? Not sure.
