Hi there! What's new? How are ya? Hope that your week is going along nicely. We are having rain...again...but I guess it gets the pollen out of the air so I'll take it! I started my new job this week and so far it's going really well. It was nice to have those couple of weeks off, but it also feels nice to be back into a routine. My new commute is wonderful too. It's all good. As promised, I'm here today to share some (well, a lot) of pictures from our vacation in Palm Springs last week.
The hubs and I have never gone on a vacation that wasn't at the ocean! It was weird, to be honest, to be in the desert and no where near the sea. I kinda liked it though. It felt so good to be warm and to be outside at night in just a t-shirt and dipping our toes in the pool at midnight. I got myself a weentsy bit of a tan...but alas that's already gone and I'm back to E000 (a little Copic humor).
The desert has it's own kind of beauty, especially Palm Springs. The variety and sheer volume of plants was staggering and so pretty. Lots of cactus and palm trees and tons of flowers. It's very dry, so you don't feel as warm as if it were humid. There are giant mountains right next to the valley floor with snow on them! There are a bazillion golf courses. All in all a really neat place. We are already talking about returning one day. It is almost exactly 500 miles from our house and the drive took 9 hours including stops. Okay, so enough yammering...here are the pix.
First up - FLOWERS, PLANTS and BUGS:
These photos were taken at our hotel, at the Sunnylands Visitor Center, or at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. Enjoy!
Isn't it weird that this soft pretty flower grows out of that hard prickly cactus? It's magical!
I have no idea what these are, but they were the softest shade of green....
One of the reflecting pools at Sunnylands...
OUCH!
Next up - ARCHITECTURE:
Palm Springs has the coolest vibe. There are no tall buildings, no skyscrapers. Everything is low and mod and interesting. Mid Century Modern is the style. Mostly built during the 1950's and early 1960's. Some of the landscapes made me thing of the Flintstones! I wonder if the creater of the cartoon came here and was inspired? We drove all around taking pictures of houses one day!
This is the Sunnylands Visitors Center. It's new, but was built in that Mid-Century style...
Next - BIRDS and ANIMALS:
These little doves were at our hotel just hanging out. The rest of the pictures were taken at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.
This picture came out cool! That little tiny hummingbird stopped to rest and I was able to capture him quickly before he flew away!
One unhappy Mountain Lion. Yikes.
Two Cheetahs chillin' on a hot day. Aren't they gorgeous!?
And Finally - EVERYTHING ELSE!
These first few pics are our hotel! The Miramonte Resort and Spa. OMG. We scored an amazing deal through the website called Snique Away! We never would have been able to afford to stay here in a million years. The place was practically empty! It was absolutely beautiful. Just like a roman villa plopped down in the middle of the desert.
The hotel at night....
This is the entrance to one of the golf courses...
Shopping on El Paseo. My favorite store was Kate Spade!
On the freeway on the way into Palm Springs there are thousands of wind turbines! They are interesting and actually kind of pretty, especially when they are all turning at the same time. It's sort of mesmerizing. Hard to get a good picture of them though...
Taking pictures in the desert in the very bright and very harsh light presented a whole new photography challenge for me. There was never a good time to take pictures...it's always full on sun with no clouds there! Normally I would not even try to take pix in this light. But, it tells the story of the place and I tried to test out different things to get the best images. I hope you've enjoyed my photo show! Thanks for looking! Have a fabulous day. XO
Fabulous!!!!!!!thanks so much for sharing, just like being there. Loved the hotel wow glad you guys had such a great trip!
Posted by: Geneva null | 04/17/2012 at 10:31 PM
Loved your pics, Wanda! You are so talented! I would love a tutorial!! You just capture the moment so well. Love the ladybug pic and the hummingbird and the.... Oh my, who am I kidding, I loved them all!!
Posted by: Natalie H | 04/14/2012 at 11:08 AM
Absolutely love your photos, Wanda! What a unique and interesting place to visit. I've never been there, but my grandparents lived in Arizona when I was a kid. Used to always be so amazed at how different the dessert was compared to home. Sounds like you guys had a wonderful trip. So glad you got to escape before the new job, and glad to hear week one is going well so far. :)
Posted by: Audrey Pettit | 04/13/2012 at 03:42 AM
Hi Wanda,
You are such a gifted artist! Honestly, I am so in awe of your creative talent. I am so glad your new job is going well. Maybe someday you'll be able to 'create' for a living....you certainly have the talent. As always, thanks for sharing :)
Hugs,
Renee :)
Posted by: Renee | 04/12/2012 at 07:49 PM
Wanda these photos all look like postcards! And the wildlife posed so well for you. ;)))) Just Beautiful.
Posted by: Paulette S | 04/12/2012 at 07:26 PM
Gorgeous photos! I am looking forward to exploring more parts of CA.
Posted by: Sara Grafton | 04/12/2012 at 11:59 AM
Wanda,
Thanks for sharing your photos. They are beautiful. I loved your reference to your non-tan color - E000. That is me!!! Even with a tan!! The landscape reminds me of where my Dad lives in Tucson Arizona. It really is amazing how much beauty there is the desert. I hope you and your hubby get back there again someday.
Posted by: Linda Monroe | 04/12/2012 at 07:33 AM
Wanda..LOVED your photo show...AMAZING photo's!!!
I think I must be a E000 too..only have E00 and my skin looks lighter1
The hotel is soooooooooo pretty ..so happy you both had such a great time!Happy all about your new job is so great too!
Posted by: Holly Saveur | 04/12/2012 at 07:20 AM
Wowsers!!! These are some gorgeous photos!! love the perspective! Sounds like a wonderful trip! E000 - LOL, sounds like me :)
Posted by: Debbie Carriere | 04/12/2012 at 06:37 AM
I could look at your pics all day! Beautiful! I loved your Copic joke! I'm right there with you! It's healthy though not to spend too much time in the sun....that's what I tell myself when I'm looking in the mirror? Oh how I wish the hubs and I had a little more freedom for adventures! With a 10 year old son who is autistic, you can't leave him with a high school sitter and we don't have local family. Thankfully we do have Camp Royal, for autistic kids. A few weekends and one week a year.
Posted by: Kathy Martin | 04/12/2012 at 05:01 AM
Gorgeous photos, Wanda! WOW! You totally cracked me up with the Copic humor! LOL. . ..E000. . .LOL I'm still chuckling!
Posted by: Charmaine Ikach | 04/12/2012 at 03:18 AM
You take such wonderful pictures...Just looking at them makes me want to take a trip to Palm Beach. Thanks for sharing
Posted by: jayj c jay | 04/11/2012 at 08:40 PM
Amazing photography. I am not into bugs, but love the color and texture with the ladybug. I have several favorites.
Christine
Posted by: Christine Mitchell | 04/11/2012 at 08:32 PM
I always love your photography....I learn so much everytime we go out....Love ya!
Posted by: Mark | 04/11/2012 at 07:23 PM
You are so good at "picture takin". Love them all. Isn't El Paseo a great place. Shopped there many times with my friend. I shop, she buys....
Love your pics!!!!!!
Posted by: Fonda Jo | 04/11/2012 at 01:39 PM
AAAAAAAAAAAMAZING as usual, queen of photography!! ;) I am not a desert person, but LOVE how you captured every ounce of the Palm Springs area!! You are amazing!! thanks for sharing your talent with us!
hugs,
Patty
Posted by: Patty Bennett | 04/11/2012 at 01:26 PM