Palm Springs Art Museum

May 27, 2007

If you are trying to define the flavor of Palm Springs - to determine what makes this place so appealing - a quick trip to the Palm Springs Art Museum will help. This is an intimate museum - just the right size for a three-hour tour. It is conveniently located next to the Annenberg Theater and is only one block from the restaurants and shopping on Palm Canyon Drive.

There are a few trophy pieces (Motherwell, Modigliani, Chihuly, Warhol) weaved in with a smartly assembled collection of Western and MesoAmerican art; Native American crafts, artwork and furnishings; and Contemporary sculpture and paintings. Each exhibit tells a cohesive story and is relevant to the art, history and culture of the area.

Art snobs may leave a bit starved for big names (LACMA and the Getty are just 2 hours away), but I believe most will enjoy a visit. This museum is whimsical, historical, hip, surprising and deserty all at once - just like the town that houses it.

First Floor

• Special Exhibits - Try to catch the Marion Pike exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) to see her massive and hauntingly beautiful portraits of 20th century celebrities. And... if you're not a big fan of cowboy artists, the Treasures from the West exhibit (through Sept. 23, 2007) just might change your mind. The exhibit features stunning Native American and Western works that will resonate with anyone who loves the Western US.

• Permanent Exhibits:
  
• Best of the West
• Contemporary Desert Photography
• Contemporary Glass
• Desert Painters
• Miniature Room
  

Second Floor

• MesoAmerican Art - A wonderful exhibit! You will leave with a good understanding of the regional differences in MesoAmerican art.
  

Third Floor

• 20th Century Art
• 20th Century Sculpture
  

Links:
Palm Springs Art Museum Website
Directions

Stagecoach Music Festival - Indio CA

May 2007

Coffee Dan, sometime photographer and Just Java entrepreneur, visited this year's inaugural Stagecoach Country Music Festival and donated a few choice pics to this site. The two-day festival was held at the Empire Polo Fields and was tagged as the largest country music festival in California. 2007 headliners included George Strait, Kenny Chesney and Alan Jackson.

Links:
Stagecoach Festival Site

Kenny Chesney

George Strait

Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

May 13, 2007
Details:

• Rotating Tram transports visitors from the Palm Springs valley floor (elevation 2,600 feet) to the San Jacinto Mountain State Park (elevation 10,800 ft).
• The ride lasts about 10 minutes and passes through five distinct ecological zones.
  
• Temperature at the top is about 40 degrees cooler than at the desert floor - please dress accordingly.
  
• Jaw-dropping views of the Coachella Valley in addition to waterfalls (in season) and wildlife (if you are lucky).
• Activities at the top include hiking, nature walks, camping, cross country ski and snowshoeing.

A unique experience, the tram offers a little bit of something for everyone. There is the obvious draw for nature lovers and outdoorsy types. And there is the not-so obvious draw for engineering buffs (this is a celebrated civil engineering marvel), history addicts (its story spans a century), romantics (mountaintop twilight dinner packages available), and desert dwellers seeking shelter from the 100+ degree heat. A one-time visit is essential if only for the ride. A dizzying 8,000 ft elevation gain in 10 minutes coupled with views from a rotating carriage and cool, crisp mountain air at the top is well worth the fee... and the drive.

Directions:

• From 111 and Washington
• Take I-10 West
• Exit Date Palm
• Turn Right on Vista Chino
• Turn Right on N. Palm Canyon Drive
  
• Turn Left on Tramway Road
• The road ends at the entrance to the Tram's Valley Station
  

***Instant gratification - The tram eliminates 8,000 feet of heavy hiking, making the hikes through the wilderness or to the Peak accessible to all willing adventurers. Don't rob yourself of a unique opportunity to truly experience all that the tram has to offer. Even if you don't plan to hike, come prepared for a nice walk in the woods - water, snacks, proper clothing, good shoes. At the top, you may just be hit with the urge to explore.

Trail phogs:

• Desert View Trail
• Round Valley Trail
• Wellmans Divide
  
• San Jacinto Peak

Links:
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Website
Weather Report

Palm Springs Yacht Club at The Parker

May 13, 2007

Entrance to the Spa

Details:

• Full service spa at the iconic Parker Palm Springs
• Amenities available to spa clientele who are not hotel guests are:
• Locker Rooms
• Separate men's and women's steam room, sauna and whirlpool spa
• Separate men's and women's body temperature indoor pool
• Complimentary yoga and pilates classes on the weekends
• Access to the fitness center

Ladies Locker Room

Observations:

1. Beautiful people play at the Parker - Guests are noticeably young, hip and financially comfortable.
2. The Parker applies the "fun" philosophy to the typical matchy matchy theme theme hotel approach. The result is an atmosphere and a collection of facilities and services that can be described with words like peppy, perky, preppy and psychedelic.
   
3. Not much imagination was applied to the basic spa menu, and the sunbathing area is the size of a postage stamp, but the nautical decor, a spa Manifesto, and a nice indoor pool make up for it. There is also a week-long Camp PSYC offering that is decidedly anti-Canyon Ranch or pro-self-indulgent 21st century fun.
   

Entrance to Veri Peri Gift Shop

Croquet Lawn

Directions:

• From Washington and 111
• Take 111 East
• 111 turns into E. Palm Canyon Drive
  
• The Parker Palm Springs is on the NE corner of E. Palm Canyon Drive and S. Cherokee Way (one block past S. Gene Autry Trail)
  

Links:
Spa at The Parker Palm Springs Website