Palm Springs Aerial Tramway

During the last week in January, while the Eastern U.S. was in a deep freeze, we flew to Palm Springs where Charley was on business.  After he wrapped up his work, we drove to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and took the rotating tramcar that travels up Mount San Jacinto suspended from thick cables. 

The tramcar inched up the mountain, passing a wilderness of Sonoran desert scrub plants and white rocks, slowly revolving so passengers could see all directions.  It stopped at the Alpine state park at the top of Mount San Jacinto, a 14,000 acre wilderness with a forest of evergreen trees and large white rocks.

The park contains 54 miles of hiking trails, but we selected an easy self-guided nature walk.  The rock piles near the visitors center were stunning.

The trees were weather-worn and full of character.

Mount San Jacinto State Park is a tree lovers paradise, even in winter.

 

From the balconies of the visitors center at the top of Mount San Jacinto you could see the Coachella Valley and the San Andreas fault below.

I recommend the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway and the Mount San Jacinto State Park to anyone who loves nature.

  

Desert glass

In Phoenix in late January, we went to the Desert Botanical Garden where they exhibited 30 colorful sculptures of glass artist Dale Chihuly.

The three large chartreuse cacti near the entrance are part of the garden's permanent collection.

A blue sun explodes over the prickly pear.

Red Reeds is one of my favorites pieces. The glass reeds mimic the long narrow shape of the cactus beyond.

Similar reeds in other colors -- purple, yellow, black, orange -- are on display in other areas of the garden.  Here, purple reeds are on display near a wild pink and white tower piece, which itself reflects the green yuccas in the foreground.

The orange reeds near large stones reflect the afternoon light.

Weathered wood is a striking contrast to plain white glass.

Clusters of round glass orbs float over the cacti like balloons.

There is not much water in the Desert Botanical Garden, but a small natural pool casts a color reflection of the sculpture Sonoran Boat

The brightest sculpture in the garden is a flaming sun.

The brown, green and blues desert plants are the perfect background for Dale Chihuly's glass work.