Palm Springs Architecture tour

Wednesday morning I booked a Palm Springs Architecture tour for the four of us.    The tour was already fully booked (Michael's car only holds 6 people) so we caravaned along behind him in our jeep.     He had a bit of a lead foot but Jesse did an yeoman's job following him through the residential streets.    There was phone communication between our two vehicles so we heard everything he said and he could hear our questions and comments.

The tour lasted about 2 1/2 hours during which we saw the outside of many notable homes and examples of different styles of Mid-Century homes.   Michael talked about the architects, hallmarks of the designs and we came to understand the thought process involved in the elements of each particular design.    Some were homes of famous people, some were not.

We were lucky enough to be able to tour the inside of three beautiful homes and talk with their owners.

Landscaping figures importantly in the overall design.

It was hard for me to photograph the homes we passed....we had to stay with Michael!

The blue skies and palm trees make it difficult to remember that we're here during a holiday week.      We enjoy seeing reminders though....

Michael led us to the top of a small rise where a visitor center marked a popular trail head, and we could clearly see how Palm Springs got its name.    Palm trees as far as we could see lined the bottom of what was once a huge lake.   The resulting underground aquifer provides the area with plenty of water.

This overpass allows private movement for the guests of a Nudist hotel that occupies both sides of the street.....That's Michael's red Ford Flex ahead of us.

crossed palm trees mark the gate entrance

Sometimes what appears to be a home's front door actually opens into a lovely courtyard instead of a living room.    Or, opening the door reveals another outside view before taking you into the house itself.

The lines between inside and outside blur in these homes.  Even the lines between walls and rooms merge.   The view is everything and everything is carefully designed for your viewing pleasure.   Right down to the size, color and positioning of stone and rock.

frosted glass behind the planter reveals a light in the next room

  Fantastic, but occasionally disconcerting as I almost walked into glass when I expected to be stepping outside,    I'm sure I could get used to it if someone was to give me one of these beauties.....

Most were not really large homes, but the floor to ceiling windows turned inward to private courtyards and distant mountains, light colored and reflective surfaces, simple lines and minimal clutter made them seem very spacious.

Even our last home's garage was special, bringing the outside in and melding one space with another.

That's Michael, in the yellow

We're still here.....

We kept busy while we counted the days til Jesse and Erin arrived.   Decorating the house with a few Christmas things, baking cookies and preparing Christmas dinner for the two of us.

every cupboard open while making cookies

Its always an experience to cook and bake in a new kitchen.  One day we made two kinds of Christmas cookies, prepared a traditional Christmas meal (traditional for us, that is....) and put our New Year's Eve Sauerbraten "down" in its marinade.

Mr. David's Root Vegetable Preparation Specialist
works diligently on our Christmas rutabaga
(no, he did not drink the Jamesons....)

Lewis kept an eye on us at all times.

guys, guys, are you coming out soon?  guys!

The weather was coolish but sunny so we enjoyed second cup and happy hour by the pool every day.     Sometimes we swam and sat in the hot tub.

Yes, Dave does have a flower petal on his head,
no comments please!

 

 Some of us took advantage of the comfy couch to rest up for the big visit.

Here they come!

Jesse and Erin arrived on the 26th, right on time.   We've been enjoying our time together, having great dinners at some different restaurants, swimming and jiggling in the hot tub, reading and just catching up.  Here are some random pictures of what life has looked like here on Navajo Drive.

serious conversation

Erin admires Lewis' curly hair 

watching tv together

walks around the neighborhood

One day we drove a few blocks to "downtown" Palm Springs and did a bit of window shopping on  Palm Canyon Drive.

We tried on some furniture, we ate a very unhealthy but very yummy lunch at Franken Bun and just generally enjoyed ourselves.

We made sure we were back in time to entertain Lewis a bit and then happy hour at the pool and dinner out each night.

Jesse enjoys happy hour in his own way

There's more to show you, but I'm off to bed.   Stay tuned.

Merry Christmas from Palm Springs

It's Christmas Eve and we're settled into our rental house in Palm Springs.   Lights are up, wreaths hung, pool and spa are heated and steaming in the cool air, cookie dough waiting in the refrigerator and we're back from dinner.    Tomorrow we'll stay in and do some cooking and baking in preparation for Jesse and Erin's arrival on the 26th.  

The drive over from San Diego was a wet one.   It rained all the next day, and most of the next.   I know its because Dave washed Beluga and the Jeep the day before we left, but he doesn't believe me...... We're not enjoying all the wetness, but the desert needs water and everyone here is rejoicing, so we'll join in and be happy for what we get.

The low hanging clouds obscured the beautiful mountains all around us.
Many of the main roads flooded, this much water isn't usual here and the ground can't handle it.

Beluga is parked at a Desert Hot Springs RV park for the holiday while we make merry with our family here in Palm Springs.    We had to enlist the superior skills of Mr. David's A-1 Professional Moving and Packing Specialists to get all our stuff into the Jeep for the 20 minute ride from there over to the house.   I was sure we'd need to make two trips, but Mr. David assured me he would get it all sorted   Even Lewis fit, although he had to ride next to the Christmas tree.

Speaking of Lewis, he isn't sure what to do with all the space we have here.  And,  a fenced in backyard with a pool.....no more "getting busy" on a leash.   He can go anywhere he wants to, not just where we tell him to.    He can go out of sight and watch us, check out the bushes and trees and bubbling spa without one of us being right next to him.   FUN!

   And, lots of beds to sleep on, not just one!

Lewis feels those lamps are embarrassingly gauche 

And, lots of low windows to look out, everywhere.    And, a new ball!

our neighborhood

snow up there, palm trees down here
My kind of Christmas view!

Merry Christmas