We had a very relaxing and fun time while we were in Palm Desert. I swear, I don't remember the last time I was on a vacation. Last year was certainly not the year for getting away anywhere fun.
My husband was able to be with Grandpa and I for four days, and then Grandpa and I were on our own. Mostly we relaxed, read books, watched the golfers and chilled out. I made lots of progress on my Birdie Stitches blocks. On the way home Thursday, we took "The 10" freeway and guess what was going on, literally right off the freeway, in Ontario? No, I won't make you guess! It was The Road to California Quilt Show!
No way was I going to drive right past it without stopping. I simply could not help myself. Now, when you have a 90 year old gentleman in tow, this poses more challenges than you might think. Believe me, things would have been a lot simpler if Grandpa had remembered to bring his handicap parking placard, but we managed regardless. We got there about a hour before the show began, and I dropped Grandpa off at the back entrance, telling him to stay put until I parked the car, got my ticket, and got back to him.
Crowded? Oh man, was it crowded. I had called in advance, making sure there were chairs in the lobby where an older disabled person might be able to sit for an hour or so while I breezed through the quilt show. Oh yes, plenty of tables and chairs, and places to get a cup of tea. Well, it turns out that the lounge area was on a second level, which was a bit of a walk. Before we got up there, Grandpa needed to stop and rest a minute. A woman was sitting at a table, with an empty chair next to her. "Is anyone using this chair? Could Grandpa sit in it for a minute?" Oh sure, that would be fine the woman said. Then out of the blue, another woman swooped in, grabbed the chair saying "We have NO chairs at our table, and we need it more". And she took it. Seriously. Here I am with a bent over ancient person who is using a cane and taking about ten steps a minute and she takes his chair as he is about to sit down on it? He was even wearing his Navy Veterans cap.
Ok, deep breath. By this time I was feeling like a very very poor caregiver, to get myself and Grandpa into such a big mess. After he leaned on his cane and collected his strength for a bit, we managed to get to the lounge area, and a very nice lady invited us to sit at her table and gave her newspaper to Grandpa to read while I zipped through the show. He sipped his hot tea and had a cherry danish and seemed happy enough to sit awhile.
I have to tell you, I don't think anyone has gone through a major quilt show as quickly as I did! Honestly, this must be a world record, I am telling you. There were awesome vendors (that I had to breeze by) and hundreds of spectacular quilts to see. I did take a couple of photos, and even managed to stop long enough at a very special booth and make a purchase.
Isn't this the most breathtaking thing you ever saw? The blocks are small, complex, fabulously made, beautifully quilted, and well, they are red and white (which makes this a perfect quilt).
This may be one of my favorite quilts ever. I have no clue why there isn't a first prize ribbon hanging on it. The picture above may be a bit blurry because I was running by as I snapped the shot. lol
In one hour, we were back in the car, headed home. Grandpa was such a good sport, and no worse for the experience, but I definitely would not take an older or disabled person to an event like that again.
On the way out, I saw that the line to get in to buy tickets was blocks long. As fool hardy as it may have been for me to subject Grandpa to the experience, at least we got there early and could get right in without an ordeal. If you can, buy your tickets in advance before you go to a major quilt show, and avoid standing in line for an hour at the door!
