Hiked trails above Palm Springs. The weather is returning to seasonal normal, so we wore shorts and no jackets. The recent rains have temporarily greened up the desert.
Tag: Palm Springs 2023
Sunnylands
Explored the palatial mid-century former Annenberg family home at Sunnylands, near Palm Springs. Today it’s a retreat for global leaders, focused on the Asia-Pacific region. Most US presidents from the past 50 years have attended international meetings here. (Indoor photography was forbidden.)
Morning Walk
My morning walk took me past former homes of Cary Grant, Bob Hope (photo shows service entrance), and Steve McQueen. I also walked into a Walgreens pharmacy hidden inside a clinic and a donut shop with almost no donuts.
An Inside Day
Walked in rain to a lecture about architect Walter Gropius. Back at our apartment, read by the (gas) fire and looked up at fresh snow on the mountains.
Gassing Up
Gassed up the rental car before returning it to Avis. In one week, the Prius sipped 1.8 gallons and proved we can do without a car for a while.
Being in the Moment
As we walked, we had to remind ourselves to stop and take in our surroundings. It was like walking through a vast botanical garden. Clouds were coming in, which will bring a drop in temperatures and maybe some rain for a few days.
Outside In
Wandered inside and outside a Desert Modernist house, built 1946, designed, lived in, and extended by architect Robson Chambers. He was a business partner of architect Albert Frey who, in 1946, designed the building where we’re staying.
Indian Canyons Loop
Hiked a loop in Indian Canyons on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation: Fern Canyon Trail, Vandeventer Trail, and Palm Canyon Trail. It was shirt-sleeve weather (70’s) with snow visible at 10,000 feet.
Desert Dreams
Walked through four units designed in 1947 as a prototype for a planned community that never transpired. The architect, John Lautner, who was an apprentice of Frank Lloyd Wright, went on to bigger things.
In Praise of Optimism
Modernism Week (actually 11 days) has started in Palm Springs. Attended a lecture where an architect dissected Mid Century Modernism. He advocated for incorporating MCM principles and against stubborn reproduction. My favorite principle is optimism.