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LEAVING LA QUINTA, CALIFORNIA

PERSPECTIVE FROM THE 19TH HOLE: This is the title I chose for my personal blog, which is meant to give me an outlet for one of my favorite crafts – writing – plus use an image from my favorite sport, golf. Out of college, my first job was as a reporter for the Daily Astorian in Astoria, Oregon, and I went on from there to practice writing in all of my professional positions, including as a Congressional press secretary in Washington, D.C., an Oregon state government manager in Salem and Portland, press secretary for Oregon’s last Republican governor (Vic Atiyeh), and a private sector lobbyist. This blog also allows me to link another favorite pastime – politics and the art of developing public policy – to what I write.

A couple days ago, we left La Quinta, California where we had been for about seven weeks.

We headed back to our home in Salem, Oregon where the temperature is in the 40s by contrast to the 70s in La Quinta.

Oh well! Back to what we know and love – home. We arrived yesterday and, sure enough, it was raining a bit and cold.

Here are a few of the qualities that draw us to La Quinta:

  • First, of course, the weather. Not just the warmer temperatures, but also the sun in the day and the stars at night.
  • Second, the flowers. There is more color and variety here than almost anywhere else!
  • Third, the specific places we love. Chief among these is The Plaza at the old La Quinta Hotel where it is possible to have a drink (or two) and listen to music provided by a group called the Inca Kings, whom we have heard for more than 30 years while visiting the desert.
  • Fourth, golf! I have the benefit of being able to play at The Palms, a course that was developed in 1999 and now markets itself as a place for “golf purists.” There is almost nothing but golf. Just a clubhouse for the 19th
  • And, fifth, the privilege of having our kids and grandchildren visit us in La Quinta where, to use my wife’s great phrase, “we are making more memories.” We did this year again and it was great to see how our family enjoys La Quinta as much as we do.

Making more memories! We make them in Salem, too, and I’ll be doing so in about an hour when I tee off on my home course – in 40 degree weather and cloudy skies.

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