Experienced contrasts as we hiked desert trails with wide vistas in the hills, then descended into oases wedged in canyons. The sudden drop in temperature and the sound of running water were always surprising. Indian Canyons, Palm Springs.
Category: Americas
Missed Opportunity
Friends couldn’t join us, but we walked out, anyway, to a wine bar we’ve never visited. Pupus were excellent: dates (terroir for Palm Springs) wrapped in bacon, and meatballs.
Yellow Pollen
Temporarily stained our clothes with yellow pollen as we brushed against flowering brittlebush (encelia farinosa) as we hiked above Palm Springs. Everything went in the wash, including ourselves, when we returned to base.
High Hedges
Walked along residential roads lined by high hedges. The former home of movie mogul Darryl F. Zanuck, the first president of United Artists, hides behind this gate.
Formal Desert
Walked through formal desert gardens at the Annenberg Foundation’s Sunnylands, the “Camp David of the West.”
Staying Cool
With temperatures rising into the 90’s, stayed close to home. At about 4:00 p.m. the sun will go behind the mountains, and the temperature will seem to drop almost 20°, making it comfortable to sit on the balcony. Our 1947 rental apartment was designed by architect Albert Frey.
Indian Canyons Vista
Hiked the trails of Indian Canyons, just south of Palm Springs: ridge trails, temperatures in the 80’s, flowering cacti, palm tree oases in canyons, expansive views of the snow-capped San Jacinto Mountains.
Consistent Vibe
The last day of Modernism Week in Palm Springs: visited five recently remodeled homes. This home retains some original 1957 features, including the fireplace. The homeowners have gone for a consistent mid-century vibe with furniture choices. Nice, but I prefer to mix it up a bit.
Palm Springs Getaway
Evening: community theater, “Palm Springs Getaway,” a “musical romp.” Afternoon: a lecture on desert modernism. Morning: walked to a visitor center, formerly a gas station. Architect Albert Frey was a character in the show, discussed in the lecture, and designed the gas station.
1955 Cree House
Walked through architect Albert Frey’s 1955 Cree House. The appliances are original and still working; the refrigerator is behind the three upper doors to the right of the range. The house is perfectly aligned to minimize the effects of the sun’s rays. It’s still privately owned.