The Skyline of Palm Springs

I took this photo with my iPhone 6

I've long had a love affair with the city of Palm Springs. The majestic San Jacinto mountain-- which looms large over the Village of downtown Palm Springs, is the backdrop of this entire city. It provides a sort of natural canvas upon which a virtual painting is created each day for residents and visitors to admire. No two days are alike when you view this virtual canvas; the position of the sun, temperature, atmosphere, the exact position from which you view the mountain, even the time of day can all affect how it looks. 

Last night I was struck by the intense beauty along North Palm Canyon Drive, just at twilight. It was an interesting combination of deep rich colors, appearing both dramatic and peaceful. The jagged edge of the mountain peaks, the deep cobalt blue sky, with stars twinkling, the hint of light still emerging from the west, and the yellow-orange glow of lights from Palm Canyon. It was captivating. The native indians here say these mountains have great energy and are grounding for ones soul. There are times when I can stare at these mountains and immediately feel more relaxed and reassured. It isn't something that can be explained easily, but you know it when you feel it. If you have ever visited or lived in Palm Springs, you will know just what I mean.

The Saturday Seven: Summertime Things in Palm Springs

In my capacity as The Palm Springs Savant, I am known for dispensing sage wisdom advice and recommendations for things to do here in Palm Springs. Certainly at work, back in San Diego people ask me all the time about what is happening in our fair desert community. I receive e-mails from people around the world asking for my opinion, so I created a separate blog with all sorts of info as a reference site. I realized that I'm about due for a seasonal pitch about Palm Springs, which was the inspiration for this week's scintillating edition of The Saturday Seven: Summertime Things in Palm Springs

#1 Check out The Living Desert A fabulous collection of plants, animals, birds and reptiles all found in the desert life.

#2 Visit the Indian Canyon trails or hike somewhere. (Check out that link)

#3 Take A Ride on The Palm Springs Tramway- Its a breathtaking view of the valley and mountains, and at least 30 degrees cooler than the desert floor.

#4 Shop for Vintage, Retro and Mid Century-Modern Collectibles

#5 Golf, Golf and More Golf- Just go early, before it gets too hot!

#6 Visit the Palm Springs Art Museum

#7 Tour The Palm Springs Walk of Stars - Its a fun stroll along the Palm Canyon Drive area

Bonus Entry: Hit the Spa Resort Casino- make the Indians richer! Of course there are lots of resources to help you find more information: Check out this one.

Take it from me, a visit to the Palm Springs area can be unique and very relaxing. Just do your homework ahead of time so you find the hidden gems and really cool stuff. And if you keep your eyes peeled, you just might see Brad Pitt or some other celebrity enjoying a martini with friends. ;-)

-Rick Rockhill

Exploring Palm Springs: Windmill Farms

Often times when I talk to people about Palm Springs, a frequent question is "Is that anywhere near all those windmills? There is an enormous windmill farm with thousands of them lined up along the corridor of the 10 Freeway, nestled between the two major mountain ranges. The path of the two mountains link the hot desert climate to the westerly Pacific Ocean, creating a vacuum of sorts, where the rising hot air pulls cooler air from the coast. Like magic, there is perfect supply of wind flowing back East, into the desert. The windmills dot the mountainside and passageway. We decided to take a closer look at the windmills and drove up into the hills for a better vantage. We stumbled on one of the Indian grounds, where I snapped this photo at the entrance. If you look carefully, to the right of the face, there is a little sign that reads "KEEP OUT...Yeah You", which I found amusing. We dutifully obeyed the sign and decided we would see the windmills more closely from a different location. Following are a series of photos I took, I hope you enjoy them!

above: I like the clouds in the sky here.

above: I was up high on the hill looking down onto the floor of the valley when I took this one.

above: looking west, toward LA

above: You can see the railroad tracks on the right. I like the contrasts here

above: A hazy sunset behind the many windmills. It was a beautiful way to end the day.
-Rick Rockhill

Exploring Palm Springs: Indian Canyons

This weekend we had John's cousin Kate as a houseguest, so we spent some time showing her around Palm Springs. I thought I'd share a few pictures of one stop we made at the Indian Canyons. Here I am posing behind a group of cactus, trying to prevent spontaneous combustion; it was somewhere around 107, but I've seen hotter days for sure. Shortly after this photo was taken, a tiny lizard scampered over my sneaker, on his way to something more iteresting than me. I wasn't bothered at all, he was actually a cute little thing.

above: the entrance to the Indian Canyons, which is on the Agua Caliente tribe of Cahuilla Indian property.

above: despite being a desert, there is plenty of life and vegetation in the area.

above: This photo doesn't do the view justice. I was trying to capture the perspective of the mountains to show the depth and colors.

above: Kate and me. She is John's cousin visiting from Ohio.

above: I love the way the sun hit this cactus and illuminated the branch closest to my camera.

above: I call this "Pleasure and Pain". Pretty to look at but painful to touch!

Thanks for stopping by today, I hope you enjoyed this litte peak into the Indian Canyons of Palm Springs.

-Rick Rockhill

The Mod Palm Springs Life

I should warn you, there is absolutely no point to this post, just the ramblings of The Palm Springs Savant.

Living the "Mod" life in Palm Springs is as fun as it looks. The city has an abundance of mid-century architecture built in the 50's glam modern style. Even some of the new construction reflects this style, preserving the charm that has made this desert oasis popular around the world. Whether I am relaxing at home, having cocktails at a friend's place, or out and about on the town, I have embraced the "modern" heritage that echos from the recent past. A few months ago I was sipping cocktails at Frank Sinatra's former house, and found myself wondering what sort of trouble Old Blue Eyes had gotten himself into while living there. I wondered how Ava Gabor liked swimming in the piano-shaped pool, or if Lana Turner really did throw a martini glass at Frank. These are among the many tales of the time the Rat Pack spent in Palm Springs. It's changed a lot for sure, but these days it's more hip than ever!

Here's a groovy photo or two...

above: Believe it or not, this is at Palm Springs City Hall

above: Isn't this a fab house?

Are you ready for a Martini yet?

-Rick Rockhill

Exploring Palm Springs: An Early Morning Downtown

Early mornings in the desert are my favorite time of day. Sheldon woke us up earlier than usual and we decided to head downtown to Ruby's Diner for breakfast. Ruby's is at Mercado Plaza, which has a pleasant center square with a fountain and a statue of former mayor and Congressman Sonny Bono. (It you look to the right of the photo you can see Sonny's back.) There was only one other couple sitting outside on the patio having breakfast, it was so nice and quiet, being so early.

And now, for your viewing pleasure, an action-packed video of the plaza!

below: This is a view of the Mercado Plaza, looking back toward Ruby's restaurant. You can see the statue of Sonny Bono on the left now.

Sheldon seeks shade...

above: we brought Sheldon to Ruby's to join us for breakfast. He was a good boy and sat quietly under the chair and took in all the sights while we ate breakfast.

above: Sheldon sitting on friend Dick Van Patten's star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars. I think it might be fun to take a series of photos of Sheldon in this same position as he grows into an adult full sized standard poodle. Thanks for coming with me to explore downtown Palm Springs in the wee hours...I hope you got a sense for how relaxing it is by the video.

-Rick Rockhill

Exploring Palm Springs: Visiting an Albert Frey House, Part 2

Today is the second part of this series of Exploring Palm Springs. Tuesday's photos were just the journey up the hill, along the winding road. Today's photos are from when I reached the top of the hill, and will introduce you to the historic Russell House, designed by renowned architect Albert Frey. Albert Frey was a significant modernist architect who lived in Palm Springs for nearly all of his life. His architectural work is celebrated and revered as valuable and a defining style of Palm Springs style. His direct work, and influences can be observed all over the city. In this post I am pleased to take you on a more detailed tour of one of Mr Frey’s most notable residences. Built in 1959, this home is now on the Historic Preservation List for the city of Palm Springs.

above: once at the top of the hill, this is the view out and across, looking south. The house rises two hundred feet above Palm Springs and boasts truly spectacular panoramic views of the desert floor and the mountains that wrap around the entire valley.

above: One of the large glass doors leading to outside.

above: You can see how the infinity pool goes right to the edge of the property.

above: I was at the house attending a private party, these umbrellas were where the bar was set up.

above: Looking back toward the house, you get a sense for how fabulous the pool is. This home the essence of the coveted Palm Springs lifestyle.

above: This perspective of the pool really shows how amazing the infinity pool is.

above: The walls on one side of house are all glass, so inside really feels like being outside.

above: The living room is very contemporary, with lots of natural light.

above: The edge of the property has white quartz rock along the walkway.

above: you can see how the white quartz rock lights up at dusk, which has a wonderful glow in the evening.

above: Albert Frey made a habit of working natural elements into every environment he designed. Here, he masterfully incorporated the natural terrain of a mountain side.

above: The property also has a thirty foot waterfall that flows into a koi pond below.

above: Here I am in front of the waterfall and koi pond with my friend, the great Jimmy Van Patten.

above: The house at night. You can see how stunning this property is looking out onto Palm Springs in the evening.

above: It doesn't get any better than this, the quintessential Palm Springs life. It's the reason why I've chosen to live here.

-Rick Rockhill

Exploring Palm Springs: Journey to an Albert Frey Home, Part One

Today is another installment in my ongoing "Exploring Palm Springs" series. This is the first in a two part series about my journey to visit a local home here in Palm Springs designed by famed mid century architect Albert Frey. Mid century homes are such a different style from our home; they are noted for lots of glass, steel and ultra modern angles. But more on that in Thursday's post! When I set out on my journey I had no idea what I would discover. I left home and headed west toward the base of the San Jacinto mountain. Today is only just the scenic drive up the hill toward a fabulous home...
Approaching the drive...

above: this row of palm trees along the road were so majestic.

above: I set out up the enormous hill. The road is cut into the mountainside...

above: As I ascended up the hill I looked out over the side of the hill, looking down on the houses below.

above: I surprised myself at how high I was climbing. The curved road below looked sexy in a strange way.

above: as I reached the top of the road, the base of the home cane into view...

above: the rocks along the mountain side were jetting out ruggedly and seemed to tell a story.

above: Even at this height, palm trees were reaching high for sunshine.

above: Finally at the top, I found a variety of plants along a well manicured desert landscape. As the roof of the home came into view, I knew I was in for quite an architectural feast for the eyes. I hope you can join me on Thursday as I take you on a tour of "Russell House" itself, a fabulous example of Albert Frey's work. Today was just the scenic trip up the hill....
-Rick Rockhill