Moorten Botanical Garden

A nice cacti garden to walk around in. The staff was very friendly, and offered guided or self guided tours. Was fun to walk around and see the various cacti, other vegetation, birds, tortoises, lizards, and a hummingbird nest. Was a fun relaxing area to meander through.

I went here last October and absolutely loved my visit. The people working were fantastic and were happy to answer all of my questions and chat. It’s small and I thought it wouldn’t take long to get through, but I think I ended up spending 3 or so hours. It’s a great place for plant-lovers and they have so many interesting plants. They also have great plants for sale. I bought five plants and four months later they are all thriving. The people running the garden are so knowledgeable and passionate. I can’t wait to go back and I highly recommend spending at least a few hours here! Just want to update this regarding the beautiful plants I purchased at Moorten. They are all especially THRIVING now that it’s growing season. I hadn’t appreciated how healthy their plants for sale are when I was there (I’ve since seen the same varieties being sold at other places— much more expensive and MUCH lower quality/health). Also after talking to other people at other nurseries/plant shops, it became even more apparent that the people I spoke to at Moorten are TRUE plant/cactus experts. I still cant wait to go back!!

Tucked just off the main drag in Palm Springs, Moorten Botanical Garden and Cactarium is a slice of desert paradise that feels both timeless and otherworldly. This compact, one acre garden may be small in size, but it’s absolutely overflowing with personality, charm, and thousands of fascinating desert plants from around the world. Originally established in 1938 by Chester “Cactus Slim” Moorten and his wife Patricia, the garden is still family owned and proudly rooted in local history. The Moorten family’s home dubbed the “Cactus Castle” adds a vintage vibe to the property and is just one of the many quirks that make this place so special. The main attraction, of course, is the Cactarium - a shaded greenhouse packed with rare and exotic cactus species that look like they belong on another planet. From tiny, fuzzy succulents to towering spiky giants, there’s something captivating around every corner. The garden is thoughtfully laid out with paths leading you through different arid regions, including South America, the Baja Peninsula, and the Mojave Desert. It’s also incredibly photogenic, with light filtering through spines and blooms, perfect for photographers and Instagram enthusiasts. For just $5 admission, it’s one of the best deals in Palm Springs and a peaceful escape where nature takes center stage. Whether you’re a plant lover, history buff, or just looking for something unique, Moorten Botanical Garden is a must-visit desert treasure. 🌵🌞

This is a hidden gem in the valley! is not only a wonderful place to show your children all the different types of desert plants and flowers but it is super affordable. I also love to buy the mini cactus plants and give them to family and friends as present. Very calm and serene environment. Highly recommend!

This is a small but beautiful garden with a $7 entry fee. Parking was easy to find on a Sunday evening, just along the side of the road. Our group of seven had a great time exploring everything the garden had to offer. It’s a quick walk through, but we were still amazed, and they even sell succulents, cacti, and other fun little trinkets!

A hidden gem of a CACTATORIUM GARDEN with magnificent cactuses that are otherworldly and come in unexpected sizes and shapes. Take your time and soak up the zen. Great for weddings and photography buffs.

Sweet botanical garden and arboretum! huge variety of cacti and species unique to the region. Lot's of great photo opportunities. $7 entry fee and free parking!

The Garden has serious Cyanobacteria blooms caused by over fertilization to keep that small patch of grass green. The nitrogen and phosphorus from the fertilizer flows directly into the small pools below creating toxic blooms. Best to replace that non native lawn with native cacti and create an environmentally safe garden.

Cute little botanical garden to stop by and check out if in the area. It was $7 entry per person and dog friendly. Lots of beautiful plants, cactus, and even a tortoise. They also sell cactus and other small succulent and plants.

Small but mighty! We drove past this garden one day while in Palm Springs on our way to a spectacular hike at the Indian Canyons. Luckily we still had a few more days in the area, so I added Moorten to my list for a possible visit, and we got to is a day or so later. It is very small, but also very affordable. Street parking is the name of the game, so be careful and conscientious. Take your time, take some photos, peep some of the resident turtles/tortoises. We were here for about an hour, which included some sitting and relaxing time, and at the end some perusing the succulents and goods for sale before exiting. For $5, it is a great little drop in spot and something to do in the area that is good for all ages.

fairly small garden with an entry fee of $7! you can park on the side of the road... parking was easy to find on a sunday evening. my group of 7 enjoyed everything the garden had to offer. it doesn't take long to get through the whole garden, but we were still in awe. they do sell succulents, cacti, amongst other little trinkets.

On our last full day in Palm Springs, we stopped at this humble botanical garden. It is family-owned and houses a TON of cacti and desert plants. We were immediately greeted at the entrance and I believe we must have met Clark Moorten (the owner). He's so personable, funny and spent a few minutes conversing with us while we paid our admission at the counter. It is $5 per adult, $2 for kids 15 or under, and free for children under five years old. It's amazing to think that over 3000 varieties of plants reside here. The garden is loosely divided into regions (i.e. Baja California region, South American region, etc.) which are called out along the pathways. We heeded their advice to take our time and truly appreciate the diversity the garden has to offer. I was in awe of the height of the Oregon Pipe Cactus, the giant leaves of the Agave plants and the spiny trunk of the Madagascar Palm. This garden hosts apparently the world's first Cactarium that is home to hundreds of cacti species. It would have been nice if there were labels with the names of at least some of them, but the lack of didn't detract much from the experience. In addition to the gardens, they have a display of historic gold mine relics, a shop area full of plants for purchase (the Monkey Tail plant is so cute!), a cage of birds and a couple tortoise habitats. However, we missed the tortoises since they were not outside during the winter. It's clear that the Moortens have dedicated so much time and care into maintaining this garden which was established in the 1930s. Many thanks to the Moorten family for sharing their tranquil space with the public!

This is a must go when in Palm Springs! $5 admission is super reasonable. There were SO many cacti and succulent varieties. We spent about an hour walking through and taking photos. We even came across a humming bird and her nest + eggs. There is plenty of street parking, a bathroom onsite, and they sell a variety of cacti/succulents & pots. If you're flying/traveling, they box up the plants for you. Oh and they have dessert turtles!!

Cute place to stop by and visit while in Palm Springs. There is a lot to look at packed in this beautiful boutique space! Many photo opportunities and gorgeous scenery. Parking is easy and there are such fun things available for purchase

Moorten botanical garden is the cutest spot to stop by for a quick stroll. It's only a 5$ entry fee and takes about 20ish minutes to walk around the whole garden. Theres an awesome greenhouse and some outdoor attractions along the way. Also a little area to buy gifts and trinkets. They had some wildlife too. Birds and turtles. Great place!

Great little garden in Palm Springs! It's a very popular spot, a handful of people were already inside when it opened at 10am Monday morning. There's a $5 self tour fee, it's a small garden but lots of things to see if you take your time! There's a greenhouse that's great for pictures. They even have pet tortoises! At the end, they sell a large variety of succulents that you can purchase to take home. Definitely a great spot to visit in Palm Springs!

What a cheap and fun activity. It is a small botanical garden but the admission is only $5 so very fair. I would go again.

A very cute botanical garden to learn about the various cacti and agave in different regions! $5 per person and an easy bike ride if you're staying on Palm Canyon Drive. Closes at 5PM! Parking can be scarce and biking around Palm Springs was so pleasant. It's small, but packed with huge plants plus a little greenhouse with the quirky cacti and succulent formations. Crazy to see how wild these plants can grow. It took us about an hour to leisurely explore the gardens and see all there is to offer. Well maintained with lots of signage and fun facts about some of the plant species. At the end, there are plants that are also for sale! Too bad I don't have a green thumb. Lastly, don't miss the pet tortoise! A definite cute stop of the Palm Springs attractions! And they are actually open during the week!

Not really sure where to begin with this review. I've been coming to this garden since I was 13 years old- It's been a tradition of mine to return every time I come to Palm Springs (which happens at least once a year). As a result, I have a ton of photos of myself sitting on that same bench in front- almost like a life "bench"mark (ha-ha). The first photo is of my grandmother and I, probably in 2004... and the most recent is of me in my wedding dress, with my now-husband. Our little wedding here was perfect. Clark and Carolyn, thank you for everything. We'll be back soon.

Small and very quick to buy tickets and get started on a self guided tour. They give you a little paper map, but it's not necessary to find your way around. In addition to the cacti and succulents, I saw plenty of little birds (a hummingbird too!), a few little lizards scurrying thru and ofc the tortoise on the green grass munching away! Wish I had room in my suitcase to take all the plants and cool pottery from the gift shop home! If you like desert plants this is a perfect stop!

Cute little place. Visiting once is enough. Cool cacti and some labeled, some not. When I checked in at the front to pay $5/person I asked how long is it to walk through, she said about half an hour. Honestly, it's like 10 mins. It's a tiny place but worth the stop. They have hibernating tortoises we didn't get to see cause it's winter and they had some pigeons and doves in a cage.

This garden is about 4.5 stars. I like it is the entrance free is affordable and right price for the smaller garden. This garden is a cactus garden. They collect all different kind of cactus. The visit just take one to two hours. The garden is some what handicap accessible dirt pathways. During our visit, the cactus has a lot of flower. It is spring time for the cactus. Some of the collections are in weir shape. We spot several hummingbird in the garden that they are busy on the nectar. It is great to seem them close and flipping the wing and stay on the air. We also someone take their couple pictures by professional photographer. The garden sold small cactus for take home. Most of the cactus is in small pot and suitable for indoor plants.

Great little exhibit of mostly cacti and some other gems. Very well maintained. The plants are all looking quite happy and healthy. Staff was friendly. Cost was $5 for adults. Well worth the price to stretch our legs, take on some fresh air and flora. 3 cute pens of turtles in sizes small medium and large.

My partner has been raving about this place. We finally had the chance to go. EXPERIENCE: Parking: Dirt plaza parking for about 15 cars. Some people also parked on the side as well. Feels: It's in the outer ends of Palm Springs but when you're in the garden it's a quick yet fun place to be. There's a path with plants that are well marked from succulents to cactus. There are good and generally shaded seating spots to hang out. There are turtles and birds to admire too! CUSTOMER SERVICE: Fantastic! Friendly people and pretty knowledgeable. OVERALL: 4.5 Stars. Awesome! Plenty of selections with a pleasant experience. I wouldn't exactly say it's something to go out of the way of but if you're in the Palm Springs area, it's a simple place to appreciate to see plants and a few animals. Tips: * Call ahead of time to confirm their hours! * "Home of the world's first cactarium"

Cute little botanical garden with retail spaces and small wedding capacity. My favorite spot is the greenhouse which has a swamp cooler, so the temperature is pleasant inside. The garden is a self guided trail that has plenty of markers for the plants. There are two tortoises in open habitats and doves to view as well. The retail section includes a wide range of drought tolerant plants and a small selection of interesting pots. Admission is $5, which is a bit steep for the price since you are not likely to stay an hour unless you are doing a photo shoot or serious retail shopping. It is about the size of a large residential lot.

Cute, fun, quick excursion (even if you're walking slow, maybe an hour) if you're near downtown. I would only go if you're in the area. Great spot for pictures. Turtles were hibernating in Jan. $5 per person for entry. Free parking.

It's a small garden, but worth the trip if you're in the area. There are many special and rare plants. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Palm Springs, Ca. This is a nice get away from the general insanity of downtown PalmSprings. Is it worth five bucks? I would say probably but that is a pretty subjective assessment. Some of the specimens are absolutely gorgeous. The more mature plants have apparently been there for a long time. The variety is limited however, this is a private garden, not a publicly funded horticultural spectacle. The name tags (Keys) are sparse, some being on large rock plaques which is kind of cool. Most plants are not tagged at all, especially the smaller ones. None of the various aloes and mammillaria are tagged. Many of the plants that are tagged are with the common or folksy name not the biological one. This is probably only important to collectors such as myself. There were a few biological tags, why not include both? I'm sure the owner just does it his/her way and that is fine. You can pretty much see the garden in thirty minutes. There are some more common specimens for sale, which are available elsewhere for much less. The owners are present and are happy to answer any questions.

Visited the day after Thanksgiving and was very impressed with the care and layout of the garden. Although not very large, it definitely has heart. They had a lot of interesting cacti and succulents for sale and the prices were very reasonable. It's worth a visit if you are in town.

A great activity while in/around Palm Springs for plant lovers (especially succulent and cactus lovers!) The admission price is well worth it to see some incredibly beautiful and rare flora and fauna. The greenhouse is hard to beat! Takes about an hour or so to wander around the garden.

Parking- we found free available parking nearby on the street Fee- $5 It was a cool experience since we like plants of all types. This place is pretty small so don't carve out too much time to experience this...most likely less than an hour and more likely to be about a 30 minute visit. I did like that it wasn't too busy on a Saturday morning so we felt like we could move about freely. There is an area with plants that you can purchase and also an area with some caged in tortoises.

Palm Springs has so much culture and this is no exception. All the beautiful plants native to the desert. It's pretty amazing to see all the beauty cactus and succulents. The gardens are well maintained and it's a lovely little slice of calm. Donations are $5 per adult to stroll the grounds.

My friends and I really enjoyed this place! We came for the cactarium but also enjoyed wandering around the gardens and checking out all the cute arrangement. Admission is $5 but I think its worth it. The place is not very big, but if you like cactus babies, then you can spend at least good 2 hours here learning and taking pictures :)

Small garden but worth the $5 entrance fee. You could walk through it in 5 minutes or 30 if you take your time. There were tons of cool looking succulents and cacti. Nice date activity. There were a few trapped animals... they were cute but it was kinda sad. Sales selection was great and reasonably priced. Service was friendly. #freethetortoise

$5 per adult to walk around the garden. It's tiny compared to an arboretum or park, but I saw "tiny" in some of the other reviews and pictured it so much smaller than it really is! It's a nice size to walk through for 20-30 mins, and there's an outdoor shop selling succulents and other gardening decor, with little baby succulents as cheap as $1.50! Altogether we spent 40 mins there. The kids (4 and 1.5) were entertained enough!

Decided to do this at the last minute and so glad I did. It is so worth the $5 admission. Basically you pay at the gate and walk around the nicely manicured path surrounded by so many different and cool looking cacti. We saw so many hummingbirds and neat birds which was a bonus. There are a few tortoises which was unexpected and very interesting. Totally worth it. The owners and employees do a wonderful job.

We have been to Palm Springs before and was looking for new things to do. Moorten Botanical Garden came up and the price is right at just $5 per person for admission. There's a short pathway you can walk through while you enjoy many different varieties of succulent plants and cacti. At the moment October 2021 there are 11 tortoises living in the garden including 5 babies! We met 90 year old Blaze who is smaller and a stubborn but determined Tank who's 22 years old. So cute! The green house contains unique and exotic cacti in different shapes and sizes. The pictures comes out really nice in the green house. Again this garden is very small, it feels like someone's backyard. We actually walked through it twice because it is so small. Behind the admission, there's a garden area for you to shop for some succulents and cactus of your own. We got two small ones at $3 each. There's also cage with some white birds relaxing inside. Overall a great way to spend about an hour and learn something new! Bring a hat and some water because it can get hot out there. There's also a bathroom at the end of the pathway.

Definitely a great garden to get inspiration for our property. It's a small garden, but they have a huge variety of plants, mostly cacti and succulents. Their greenhouse has the perfect lighting and backdrop for photos. You can also purchase plants on your way out.

FRICKIN ADORABLE!!!! Go!! There's nothing else like it in Palm Springs. And you're supporting a small mom and pop owned business. It's a refreshing walk (with a little shade and a little breeze) and get to look at the plants and life that can still be sustained even in extreme conditions. It's just really cool :) they take a lot of pride in this cactarium.

Adorable botanical garden, steps from downtown Palm Springs. Established in 1938, it is home to over 3000 plant species. Guided tours are available, but you are also welcome to walk through at your own pace. Entry is $5 for adults, $2 for children under 15, or free for children under 5. My husband and I spent about 30 minutes here, admiring the surroundings. It was the perfect midday activity after brunch. We have our own succulent garden at home in LA, and were still impressed by the variety at Moorten. Their Cactarium houses fascinating rare species. The elderly folks working were so sweet. There were beautiful ceramic pots for sale, made by a local artisan. We had to get one, and are glad we did. A nice memory of a beautiful place.

The Mrs. and I stopped at Moorten Botanical Garden yesterday while making our way to Idyllwild for the weekend. We've been to Moorten before. Probably about 10 years ago. My wife collects cactus. She puts them on the wall of our patio. I guess it makes a good deterrent and for would be thieves and Republicans. Aside from Moorten's being a botanical garden, it is also a nursery. Visiting the garden will cost $5.00 for adult, $2.00 for kids 15 and under, and kids under 5 are free. If you want to just buy plants, there is no charge. The gardens themselves are pretty cool. Filled wit various desert plant species. It won't take you very long to walk through. Especially on a very hot Palm Springs day. Moorten's sits at the far end of Palm Canyon drive away from downtown. Parking is pretty easy to find.

Does not look like anything from the outside but the inside is beautiful full of different cactus from all over. Loved this place bought a few plants loved this place very friendly staff too!

This was a great place to visit. It was so crazy hot when we arrived that we couldn't stay long. Wallace and I were burning up inside out and outside in so we quickly walked through. I did buy two small succulents and the service was nice. If you're a cacti/succulent aficionado, this is a must see place to go to in Palm Springs. The only thing I believe was missing was seating to enjoy the views and ambiance in the shade. It's a really small place though so maybe they want people in and out so as not to disturb the environment too much. But because I would have appreciated a shaded sitting area for me and Wallace, I have to give it four stars. Also, it's really small and there aren't any names of the cacti/succulents, so I didn't know all the varieties. Still a good place to visit if you're nearby.

Mooren's Botanical Garden is really only dedicated to cactus and succulent varieties. But it is really good in this specialty. They call it a "Cactarium", which is perfect, given the amazing amount and variety of plants. I recall admission as being $5, well worth it ! Word of caution, watch where you step and be careful with your arm swing while walking around. In addition to the spectacular plants growing along the trails, there is a gift shop with a very nice assortment of cactus and succulents. As in the big box stores, prices increase with the maturity of the plant and the size of the container. However, some very nice specimens are available at reasonable prices. This is a great place for collectors and anyone interested in drought-tolerant landscaping.

We enjoyed Moorten's. My wife and I, with our dog, were in Palm Springs for a combination business trip-long weekend vacation. We do not golf. So I planned an itinerary with activities such as a visit here. My wife is on the board of a public botanical garden. That means I visit these establishments more than I ever would have on my own. She also is from St. Louis. The Missouri is, I am told, the leading one of its type. I was not expecting that much of this botanical garden. I am pleased to report, however, it was an hour well spent and the most extensive collection of succulents and cacti I have ever looked at. They are packed in densely. I'd estimate we were there an hour, all told. We probably moved at an average pace, neither faster nor slower. I also have become interested in these plants. I am growing a bunch at my apartment in New York City. I picked them because I figured they would be hardy and even if neglected more likely to do well. That increases my curiosity. I enjoyed looking at the many varieties, almost all labeled. The other notes are as follows. They allow dogs, with permission. We regretted not bringing ours. Then I saw a beagle puppy, and I changed my mind. This depends on the canine and their human companion, but I believe there is considerable risk here one or the other will get into trouble and be pricked. There are just too many sharp needles at every height level, and along some of the paths surrounding you. They have a couple of tortoises and a few birds. They seem to have happy lives in captivity, or at least be fed well and able to hang out, unmolested by predators (and protected by signs warning humans not to touch). I should mention it was crowded. We were there mid morning on a Friday before a holiday. They had reached capacity. You likely could time your visit to avoid that many people. A bonus is what they have for sale. The offerings are extensive and moderately priced (I am guessing some of the ersatz Buddhas might offend folks of that faith). We left, and my wife said, hey, we should have brought a gift from there for our friend we were meeting that night for dinner. So we went back. I would suggest to someone coming to Palm Springs that they tour Moorten's. (It seems to be family run and they either live on site or somebody else does.)

What a neat little gem. This place was not orginally on our docket but due to covid closures and having some free time we decided to go check it out. I was so glad we did. The lady working the front desk was really friendly and surprised to know how far we had traveled to have wound up there. They have some giant cacti. The little greenhouse was filled with a few types I had never seen before. Isn't weird how you want to touch the spikes or is that just me??? The layout is simple and small. We also walked by a bush that was loaded with so many birds chirping at a freakishly loud that is seemed fake. As we rounded the corner a bunch flew out. NATURE being NATURE. They have a few live tortoises and little plants for sale. Overall, if you are in the area and have about 45 minutes to spare check this place out for sure.

We came here on a windy day and local peeps advised against hiking. This place also is on my bookmarked list to check out in PS. I'm glad we finally can check it off my list. It is less than 10 minute drive from the strip. There are plenty of street parking. The entrance fee is $5 per adult and $2 for children ages 5-15, free for younger than 5. It is a small botanical garden, mostly cactus, easy stroll for about 1 hour. The cactarium is the most known IG as wells pinterest photo of PS and the Moorten botanical garden. During pandemic, mask is required here. We were there on sunday afternoon, there are quite a few folks here but there are plenty of room to spread out. Everyone is adhering to mask requirements. I would highly recommend this place during your visit PS.

I have this thing where when I visit a special place I'll go to the local garden center and purchase a plant to remember the trip by! My son and I wanted some type of indoor "Palm" to remember our Palm Springs vacation. The only Palm they had was a pony palm. We loved it! My son picked out for me a cactus variation that blooms pretty purple flowers. This place is really special. They have a self-guided botanical garden tour as well for a small fee. Knowledgeable staff! We purchased two locally handmade pottery bowls for our new plants. Very happy! Can't wait to get them home and potted. Will remember Palm Springs for many years to come. Beautiful place!

This place is a MUST see and do when in Palm Springs. Its hard to say if it is the best because of the beautiful plants on display or it the owners charming personalities. We had so much fun chatting with them and hearing all the wonderful knowledge they had to share. I would absolutely call this place a destination MUST do while in PalmSprings.

So adorable!! Such a great little cactus and succulent garden. If you like plants and have some time, come by and check it out. Don't worry if it's scorching hot, you can probably get through the whole garden in 30 minutes if you need to. It's not super big. But you can spend more time there if you really want to. They have a fun little walking path to get through everything. Don't forget to step into the green house, this is where some of the most interesting plants are! At the end when we visited there were a few plants for sale (at very reasonable prices! And some pots as well. Super friendly and knowledgeable staff!

It's beautiful here! I came down to Palm Springs for my friend's birthday and this is one of the places we decided to go. It's just pretty with various plants, and there were two tortoises here too! No worries to my animal lovers - they were safe and away from any of the visitors to touch them. Are you into pictures for your IG? Doing it for the gram? Bored in Palm Springs but looking for something to do? Do you love nature? COME HERE. I think it's only $5 to get in.

Lovely botanical garden close to downtown palm springs. Admission was $5 and they allow dogs as well! Garden is well designed with lots of different kinds of cactus and they are super cute. The greenhouse area is definitely instagram worthy. I wouldn't come out of the way for this, but if you happen to be in palm springs, it's worth for a quick visit.

Cute garden with a variety of succulents and cacti. The garden is pretty small but there's several picturesque spots especially on a clear day. You can buy plants and they also have pots for sale. They have a pigeons and tortoises there too! There's a $5 admission fee ($2 for kids 5-15 years old, free for kids under 5). They're closed on Wednesdays. They have a bathroom towards the back. Leashed dogs are allowed.

I love visiting botanical gardens. This one is great because it's short and sweet, entrance is just $5, there is an adorable desert tortoise, and the plants are unique and native to the area! It's basically really interesting to see all the different desert plants like varieties of cacti. Worth like a 30 minute little visit if you're in the area!

Good collection of cacti and succulents. We went in late January. The cactarium (greenhouse) is popular, so go there shortly before closing time. On a shrub, we liked the hummingbird on a nest with 2 eggs! It would be great to see more labels on specimen plants; ask UC Riverside students to help by going through the garden and providing labels. Good to see more labels on the plants for sale. Not looking for detailed botanic information. But something like "Mammillaria, great house cactus with red flowers and maybe some fruit"

Special. Special Place. For 60-plus years now. The Los Angeles Times said it best: "This quirky, endearing garden is also one of the last remnants of old Palm Springs, when there was time to watch little birds flit fearlessly among the thorns, marvel at a palm that grows sideways about 8 feet before it grows up and listen spellbound to the seemingly endless stories of the founders' 80-year-old son, Clark Moorten, as he greets you near the gate." Go. Experience. Feel. Enjoy. All for only $5!

My wife and I hosted our night before wedding "Meet and Greet" at this marvelous and beautiful, botanical garden. Carolyn, the owner was so incredibly lovely and accommodating to us and our guests. The set up, atmosphere, and grounds were a perfect start to our wedding weekend. Highly recommend hosting your next small event at this hidden little treasure in the heart of Palm Springs. Thank you Carolyn and crew... you helped make a perfect weekend for us! :)