What great color to see outdoors in January! The Getty Center used a variety of succulents planted in a contrasting ground cover, like these hand-sized echeverias, to appear like the blooms – clever.
Succulents at Getty Center
Check out the size of this agave americana. I enjoyed the variety of cactus and succulents at the South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. There were also nice woodland gardens – and we saw iris blooming…probably a first for me to see in January.
Agave at South Coast Botanic GardensCactus and succulent Garden at South Coast Botanic Gardens
Relatively near by in an LA sort of way, is the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the campus of California State University Long Beach. This is a gorgeous pocket respite (from traffic) to stroll and relax. Very nicely designed. Perfect spot for a picnic lunch in January!
Japanese Garden at CSU, Long Beach
The following day after we walked around Batiquitos Lagoon near Carlsbad and enjoyed a picnic lunch on the coast in Encinitas, we visited San Diego Botanic Garden (formerly Quail Gardens). In addition to this succulent garden, they had another planted in such a way that it looked like an underwater coral reef. There were also succulent topiaries which were quite fun.
On 20 January we had the pleasure of seeing the public art documentary “Robert Irwin: The Beauty of Questions” at UCR Palm Desert Graduate Center. With more knowledge of the artist and designer of the central gardens, we particularly enjoyed a docent led garden tour on 25 January.
View of Getty from Power Location in Garden
This was our fourth visit to The Getty Center and it is really such a treat to savor: one of our favorite built environments. It is an incredible site and there is so much attention to detail. We marveled at Richard Meier‘s attention to design from the overall to the minute. Robert Irwin‘s art-garden has matured very pleasantly over the years, and it was great fun to see in the winter without the leaves of the sycamores blocking some of the sight lines.
The building connecting to the garden
It was quite amazing how much color was in the Central Garden (The link takes you to the Getty Center Plant list). Gorgeous succulents and grasses of all shades. There was subtle playing of shades of green, textures, and heights. The docent reminded us that this was planned as a work of art first, not as a garden: rather the plants are the medium to express the art. I appreciate this approach!
Robert Irwin's iron Bougainvillea trees
The design features a “natural” ravine and tree-lined walkway that led us through an experience of sights, sounds, and scents. Everything in the garden was selected to accentuate the interplay of light, color, and reflection. Irwin’s statement, “Always changing, never twice the same,” is carved into the plaza floor, to remind us of the ever-changing nature of this living work of art.
Water connects all of the Getty gardensWater terminates in Azalea planted reflecting pondBalcony at Getty with Breeze Soleil
After lunch in the excellent “cafeteria” and the garden tour, we enjoyed exploring the buildings and the art collections. What a collection! Everything from tiny illuminated manuscripts to large sculptures. After having the Henry Moore sculptures in Denver, this one particularly caught my attention. This relationship between the mother and child represents so much of the essence of this architecture – the undulating form that reflects an exaggerated landscape, a shallow cave carved in the side of a rock to shelter her child, creating a haven and nestling place. So it is with the Getty as it gazes out at LA – an independent physical form but so much a part of the spirit of the city. Thanks J.Paul for sharing with all of us!
Henry Moore's Draped Reclining Mother & Baby - Getty
25 January, we left Palm Desert and headed to LA. This was the view we had that morning of the exterior of the Disney Concert Hall – nice lighting.
Main Entry Disney Concert HallEast Elevation of Disney Concert Hall
We took the self guided walking tour of the building. With the audio wand, we listened to Frank Gehry explaining his building, concepts and construction decisions. It was a great way to explore the facility although it does not take you into the main concert hall.
Lobby Interior ceiling of Disney Concert Hall in LA
The self guided tour takes you to an upper level garden in an outdoor plaza as well as another floor higher to look out over the city.
Looking up in upper level courtyard
Henry liked the negative/positive spaces he captured in this photo.
19 January we headed to Morongo Canyon Preserve to join up with the morning bird hike. We enjoyed meeting people, and seeing a variety of feathered friends, including a nesting pair of hawks.
We had one more hike we wanted to take to a watering hole in Joshua Tree National Park. It was another beautiful California day! Hard to believe this is January!
A Joshua Tree on Willow Hole Trail
The Willow Hole Trail is the southern portion of the Boy Scout Trail (near picnic area 8 miles in from West Entrance). A relatively flat hike up a wash to a waterhole which was interesting – a good destination.
Artistic tree on Willow Hole Trail
A few days later, 24 January, we headed back to the Coachella Valley Preserve to take this photograph at the pond. We then had a picnic lunch under the California Palm trees, saying “until we come this way again”.
McCallum Grove Oasis reflectingInteresting Flora of a young Palm
At the pool lounging, Ruth mentioned she thought she had seen Michael Douglas shopping the El Paseo. He was honored at the film festival so he was in the neighborhood. So hey Mike – congratulations 😉
We know Sonny Bono accomplished much for the valley but was Einstein really here? We found him sitting at The Gardens – isn’t that an awesome name for a shopping mall…although they did have a nice outdoor garden.
Now about that Theory of Relativity...
Colorful Bighorn at The Gardens
What does it take to make a bighorn pose like this!
Hey Bob, mind if I play through?
After hiking near La Quinta looking for the ancient shore line and fish traps, we stopped to wander through Art Under the Umbrellas in La Quinta. Bob didn’t mind posing as it was the opening weekend for the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament.
Dusk at the Empire Polo Grounds
A gorgeous view after we watched our third Sunday afternoon polo match.
Borrego Palm Canyon Nature Trail was our destination. After about a 90 minute drive from Palm Desert, we stopped into the Anza Borrego State Park visitor center to enjoy the movie, the exhibits, get some info about the park, and to wander the adjacent nature trails. It was a beautiful day and more green in the desert than at San Jacinto area, probably due to being futher south and a bit lower in elevation. We started our hike from the visitor center with the connecting trail to the campground,
Anza Borrego Ocatillo blooming 01-12-11
There was a flowing stream that we paused to enjoy. Just really a beautiful day!
Anza Borrego Palm Canyon with Henry 01-12-11
After visiting the palm oasis, we chose this area to hang out for a bit and enjoy our picnic lunch. Very serene.
Lunch spot in Anza Borrego Palm Canyon 01-12-11
Did you see any sheep? another hiker asked us. No we replied. Well you are about to…this was the icing on the cake! We actually saw the Pensinsula big horn sheep at the end of our hike. Not only that we saw about 20 female and 8 male – how spectacular is that!
We saw 28 Peninsula Big Horn Sheep 01-12-11
It was tempting to watch until it was too dark to walk! But we left them to their life…grazing on the hillside. We remembered hearing from the movie that 2/3 of the Penisula Big Horn live in this park – not sure how many that is but it was a treat to see this grouping.
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon! The Eldorado Polo field is in nearby Indio so a short drive to enjoy this ancient sport of Kings.
Cotterel Polo Farm from Sedalia playing Jan 9, 2011
We nestled in among other spectators with our chairs by the announcer so we could pick up some lingo and learn a few of the strategies. It was thrilling to feel the earth vibrate from the hoofs of the racing horses. It is said they can get to speeds of 30 miles per hour yet it seems they can turn and spin quite promptly. Notice also that their tails are plaited to keep from getting tangled.
Second match Jan 9, 2011
After the third 7-1/2 minute Chukker, the spectators took the field in a divot stomp with a glass of champagne – now: how fun is that! The hoof prints could definetely be seen even when they didn’t create a divot. This second game went into sudden death overtime and ended uneventfully with a penalty shot.
With 7 PM tickets to see the documentary “How Much Does Your Building Weigh, Mr Foster”, we headed into Palm Springs for lunch at Spencer’s, a sponsor of the the event. We enjoyed the piano music while savoring our meal – Yum! We walked off a few calories to the convention center to cheer on the celebrities as they came to the awards gala.
Waiting by the Red Carpet Jan 8, 2011
The sun was warm as was the crowd of fans – full of excitement and anticipation. We claimed a spot and waited for the limos to arrive.
The red carpet area Jan 8, 2011
The new crews and coordinators getting everything set up. We stuck around and saw Wendie Malick, Mary Hart, and JesseEisenburg. Here is a link from the local Channel 2 with all the coverage and the official Film Fest web site And yes we both enjoyed the documentary about Norman Foster.
