The Dollar Tree store in Beaumont was an economical one-stop-shop for both hard goods and a few food items we wanted for our next stop, the Emerald Desert RV Resort in Palm Desert.

Where Country Hills was rustic, Emerald Desert was downright luxurious, a five-star resort with every expected amenity and easy freeway access, just a mile south of I-10 at the Cook Street exit. A concierge guided us to our spot, helping me back into our parking space before reviewing all the Georgetown's systems with me--including the hook-up for the waste hose from the coach's grey (sinks and showers) and black (toilet) water storage tanks. (We only hooked up to electricity on our first night.)

With two pools and hot tubs, a fully equipped exercise room, a large clubhouse, lighted tennis courts, and a driving range, you can't complain of "nothing to do" at Emerald Desert. Like many high-end RV resorts, the place is designed for outdoor activities and relaxed socialization against a beautiful natural backdrop. And if you do find yourself at loose ends, activities director Michelle Graham will no doubt offer a few suggestions. Tennis clinic? Billiards competition? Pickle ball?! (Think ping pong combined with tennis.) And while the place is geared towards snowbirds 55 and older with Class-A rigs 40 feet or longer, a few smaller C-Class RVs and younger families could be seen.

Susan and I thought we were pretty high on the RV food chain with our rig, however, we didn't realize just how spacious RVs can be until our next-door neighbors invited us in. Jim and Susan Kirk made the trip south from Kamloops, British Columbia in a 42-foot Kountry Star. The Georgetown was perfectly comfortable for our needs (and those of any typical RVing family), but stepping inside the Kirk's rig made me feel like NASCAR royalty.

Our new friends invited us to dinner. Not wanting to arrive empty handed, I cooked up some chicken and pork pot stickers as appetizers. Jim grilled a healthy serving of Jack Daniels beef ribs with potatoes and onions. With the sun setting on the nearby San Jacinto Mountains, our first full day of RVing ended on a high note.

The Palm Desert area has a number of attractions for travelers, especially those with an interest in automobiles and architecture. Numerous collections of mid-century cars are to be found out here, and, living less than an hour away in Riverside County, I've been fortunate to photograph many of them for Cars and Parts and other magazines over the years.