desert oasis

(here)

the final locale i would like to present is palm springs. just 2 hours away from los angeles, this is a vacation hotspot. It is popular for its 1950s mid-century modern architecture/design, has seen its fair share of US presidents as well as celebrities. Frank Sinatra built a home there and Charleton Heston and Clark Gable were regular visitors. Many films have been shot there in as well. It is a place to relax by the pool, soak up the ever present sunshine and enjoy leisurely sports like tennis, golf and polo.

though I have never been, I'm excited to say that there is finally some traveling on my horizon. In mid-june at the end of school I'll be joining the fam for a week of much-needed relaxation! If I'm laying by the pool with a good book, (of course wearing a big straw hat and slathered in sunscreen for my poor pale skin!) I will hardly have time to wish for colder weather.

3 fabulous hotels that I'm not staying at...but hope to visit in the near future:

Ace Hotel
More of a bohemian vibe, their restaurant utilizes local and organic foods. Their rooms are decked out like the tent of a desert archaeology crew. It is brand new, and the coachella festival had an opening night party there if i'm not mistaken. I was going to mention its affordability, but I think its popularity is getting the best of it...when I first discovered it about a month ago, a single room with king size bed ran about $79. It has now been bumped up to $129 ($116 through hotels.com) still not terrible...guess I'd better hurry!




(by her)

Viceroy Palm Springs
It originally started as a bungalow in 1933 visited by the likes of Clark Gable. Styled by Kelly Wearstler in 2001, this hotel is modern and sophisticated, using a color palette of only black, white and yellow.




The Parker Palm Springs
it is swanky, the rooms filled with designer pieces. they have a gene autry suite with it's own saline pool. i can dream right?

their outdoor bar is called "the lemonade stand", how cute is that?

ghosttown

these are not of your typical western variety.

Two places that I have not been, but are curious to explore. Both are remnants of a once-thriving (though short-lived) time.

The first is the Salton Sea. Located near Palm Springs, this area has had quite a history. Spending a portion of its life as a salt mine, the current body of water wasn't formed until 1905 when a huge storm caused a diverted portion of the Colorado River to overflow. It continued to be fed by river overflow and later agricultural runoff. By the 1960s it had become a resort town for recreation and boat regattas. Huge suburban home developments were put in. It was home to the largest variety of bird species on earth. And then it was over. Due to the sea being formed over salt deposits plus various pollutants in agricultural runoff, the salinity of the sea began reaching disastrous levels. The fish began dying by the 100s which in turn caused a decrease in birds. The recreational area was deserted.




(all via wikipedia)
Probably the most famous landmark is the North Shore Motel



(photographed by him)
We talked quite a bit about this in my environmental policy class. Something needs to be done to reverse the salinity of the sea. Because there is so much salt, more water is evaporating than is being replaced by runoff. Besides losing animal species, if the sea completely dries up, it will cause major dust storms that will threaten the much more established area of Palm Springs.

I had trouble finding good photos. There's a documentary that looks very interesting as well. Here's the trailer, it's got a nice little sarcastic edge to it:


Our next location reminds me of a modern day "elephant graveyard" from the lion king. (yes I just made a disney movie analogy). It is fittingly called The Boneyard, part of the Neon Museum. It is where old neon signs are laid to rest. We're talking about iconic neon signs from Vegas as far back as the 1940s.


(via the above linked website)

Apparently the tours are in high demand and sell out quickly. But you get to get up close and personal to old retired signs, the most recent addition being the stardust motel sign.

Both of these locations are very popular for photography shoots. I just find it so interesting to see places and items that were once hugely popular...and now they are being known in an entirely different capacity. I suppose it is to see beauty in destruction and a sort of death.

***DISCLAIMER: my scientific knowledge may not be 100% accurate, but the general idea is there.

arizona

I've visited twice. it's actually quite a diverse state, it has high altitudes with ski resorts and such. I stayed near flagstaff for 3 weeks and it rained every couple days in july! But i'm going to discuss the hot portion of the state, south even of phoenix, right in the heart of the desert.

Tucson.
It was the summer before my senior year of high school. Part family vacation, part college visitation and I seem to be completely lacking in photos :( Good thing my brain still functions.

We flew into Phoenix and had to take this tiny 25 person commuter flight. (our layover was less than an hour and the connection was about 4 terminals away...we RAN)

I was pleasantly surprised to find the desert to be much more to my liking than I had expected, both in climate and appearance. I discovered the wonders of dry heat, the lack of humidity allowed us to not quite notice the above 100 degree weather. The landscape has a unique beauty. Fairly flat but lots of small brush. Plants I'd never seen before. Gorgeous cacti, the saguaro are magnificent. Millons of rabbits (although that's how Irvine is as well...). Most homes had front yard comprising of gravel/rock with cacti and brush. The native landscapes were so much more beautiful and fitting than the occasional green lawn.

Tucson is a college town, the University of Arizona is right in the heart of downtown. I kind of wish I had that, instead of my Irvine suburbia bubble. Lovely brick buildings, it felt like what you imagine a university to look like.

Sites to see:
Sabino Canyon. A wonderful area in the Coronado National Forest, in the eastern part of the city. There are some great hiking trails, (not difficult at all) some follow Sabino Creek, to waterfalls and a dam. We definitely saw a gila monster.





(photos by me, the only ones I seem to still have)

Biosphere 2. About an hour's drive Northeast of Tucson is a slightly nerdy but really interesting site. Built in late 80s, the just over 3 acre dome houses 5 separate ecosystems, human quarter and agricultural site. It has been used for research and study the possibilities of space colonization. The closed system has a rainforest, wetlands, tropical "ocean" with coral reef, savannah grassland, and fog desert, plus farmland for its inhabitants to raise their own crops and living quarters. Two missions have been conducted. One lasting 2 years, the second lasting six months. You get to take a tour inside and it is quite impressive (though EXTREMELY hot and humid).

Tombstone. For those western movie lovers out there, the city of Tombstone is an hour and half drive southeast of Tucson. It's the site of the famed shootout at the OK corral with Wyatt Earp. (Watch Tombstone and Wyatt Earp for some background, essentially the same movie with different actors from different studios put out around the same time. Both are good). It's a dusty little town, surviving on the fame of its history. They have a reenactment you can go see that's fun. There's great little southwestern shops with souvenirs like turquoise jewelry and potted cacti.

We stayed at the Hilton El Conquistador. I'm not 100% sure why, because it's a tennis and golf resort and we play neither...but it was quite lovely. Great getaway oasis outside the downtown with spectacular views. Though not cheap, I was under the graces of my parents so I can't personally recommend any inexpensive local hotels.

Drink lots of water, wear lots of sunscreen and beware of snakes and scorpions (we didn't see any luckily).

hothothot

i haven't necessarily been uninspired travel-wise, perhaps discouraged by the lack thereof combined with preoccupations has kept me away.

we've been having a bit of a heat wave. it undoubtedly reached at least 100 degrees today, especially considering it's still 90 degrees at 8:30 pm. we all know i'm not a fan of this (frankly i'm not a fan of anything above 65...). But as I was painting my toenails bright red I started pondering something. while i'm not partial to trekking around campus sweating to death, there are vacation possibilities (that don't include tropical beaches) in extreme heat that i can imagine to be bearable.

honestly, if someone offered me a free trip to the caribbean or even hawaii I wouldn't say no, because that's just crazy talk. but i want to push past the cliche, the norm, to try something atypical. to have travel experiences different from the average person.

so in an attempt to make up for my post deficits, this week will feature some (local!) hot weather locales that even I can't complain about :D

Coffee Shop

I might make a feature out of this.
Because great indie coffee shops are sometimes difficult to find.

Discovered by a friend of mine,
I wish I lived in roseville, i would be here every day
This coffee house is called Bloom
it is charming and run by two young brothers
(who are quite witty!)
It is very professional, and one of a kind
they use organic ingredients and make their own syrups/sauces in house
they use only the finest coffees and teas and have a small selection of baked goods

their teas are excellent.
I had one called "velvet"
it is a red "dessert" tea infused with a bit of mint and fruity tones.
it seriously felt like velvet down my throat
no sweetener required, highly recommended

their vanilla latte is also quite delicious,
I got a little taste of one
(and they do fancy latte foam art!)

check it out!
(and support a local business!)

Bloom
1485 Eureka Road
Stone Point Center
open 6am-11pm everyday

reasons why i love northern california

visits home always seem to be characterized by one thing: a change of pace.
southern california:speed of sound::northern california:molasses
(remember those nasty SAT analogies?)
but i'm talking molasses in a good way.
you never realize how much you need to slow down until it happens.
it's weird the first day or so, the need to be doing and going 24/7 is present.
but quickly that fades away. priorities change.
it's about time with people.
just hanging out. no need to go out, spend money, "impress" people.
lot's of sitting around contentedly, watching, waiting. peacefully.

maybe it's just me?
i know that southern california can be just as peaceful for other people.
but this is how it is for me.

Now i'll let the pictures do the talking:
lovely (and easily accessible) views




little moments while waiting to have tea with a dear friend







and a herd(?) of deer hanging out on the way to another friend's house!