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!

Sacramento

My parents and I took a little trip to downtown Sacramento one day for lunch. We ate at a great little brewery called "Brew it Up". Off of H st and I believe 14th? (you'll know you're close when you start smelling the hops, it was quite potent). Delicious food. I ended up with a GIANT taco salad in a flour tortilla bowl. My dad tried out their beer sampler, 4 mini glasses of whatever flavors you like. You can also brew your own beer there, and they'll keep it stored for when you visit with friends!

after we took a little stroll down to the capital.




the trees were blossoming


then we visited the vietnam war memorial



someone placed flowers in the hands of statues, it was pretty neat:

POW monument:





it began to POUR down rain all of the sudden, so we took refuge under some orange trees

we then moved onto some bamboo, which were cool but did not actually provide much coverage



some blue sky in the distance


my failed attempts at capturing the downpour:

part 1 - the drive

to sum up the whole week in one word=relaxing.
MUCH needed.
but i didn't get to do everything or see everyone I wanted.
(apologies shanny and lorrin :C )

so the boy made us get up BEFORE the crack of dawn:



surprise #1: taking the scenic route, the 101.
he made us get up early so we could see the sunrise along the coast
...except it was foggy and overcast


but we didn't let that bother us.
it was still beautiful.


nothing beats that stretch of ocean on the way to santa barbara
(also quite enjoyable by train if you get the chance!)

and long periods of sports radio were broken up by musicians like jackie wilson.
we have a habit of singing "your love (is lifting me higher)" at the top of our lungs.

he loves to travel in style (yes he wore a 3 piece suit WITH dress shoes...hehe)

all the while, my trusty tomtom led the way...

to surprise #3! lunch in monterey :D

this was the only part of our trip that the sun actually came out, it drizzled the rest of the way home.



it took about 2 or 3 extra hours as opposed to taking the 5 but it was worth it!
stay tuned for more of my trip

(though I must admit my photo taking steadily declined after this, in exchange for sleep and food and sitting on couches with the ones I love)

vacation!

oh spring break, i have been waiting so long for you.

tomorrow the man and i are taking the drive up to the top half of california. apparently there's some surprises in store for me? he likes to do that, and as much as i love being surprised, i hate knowing that one is coming...if that makes sense. next week will be much relaxation with side trips to downtown sacramento and hopefully san francisco!

get ready for actual travel posts in a travel blog! (what a concept!)

i wish our 7-ish hour drive will be as glamorous as this vogue editorial:

but i won't get my hopes up :) it will probably more likely involve comfy clothes, chex mix and gatorades, which is quite wonderful as well.

fantasies

now that this dreadful quarter is over and spring break has commenced, i once again have full command over my brain.

i have a minor girl crush on zooey deschanel. ok, that's a lie. i adore her. she's just so fun and whimsical, and i've been told that i look like her a little?

well she and matt costa star in this little promo video for oliver peoples and it is my inspiration for today's post:


wouldn't it be so fun to take little weekend side trips to quaint hotels and completely play a character? just pretend to be someone else, dream up elaborate stories to tell your waitress and bring fanciful "costumes". that would be such a relaxing and fun escape. whether with a dear friend or significant other, so many laughs would be had, inside jokes created and stories to tell all your friends when you get back.

p.s. for more zooey love you MUST listen to her musical album she made with m. ward, their band is called "she and him" and the first album is titled "volume one". so wonderful!