The last month has had much traveling and not as much horse time as I would like, but I did get to go to two pretty opposite places: Portland, Oregon and Palm Springs, California. It was like bizarro world!
North and South, cold and hot, wet and dry, work and family, both fun and interesting in their own way. Portland was for work, without as much time to relax or explore, except when I could escape the hotel in the raining evenings. I found it glorious to be walking around in the rain, since we've had almost none in Northern California this year, I felt I was soaking it all in. Palm Springs was a visit with family, and involved a lot of relaxing, random shopping at thrift stores, sitting by the pool, and much reading.
I did love the juxtaposition of it all, and when looking through my photos, figured I could show that too.
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| Portland water: Willamette river |
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| Palm Springs water: oasis along the San Andreas fault |
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| Portland blue: cool lighted tree |
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| Palm Springs blue: skies above the oasis |
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| Portland blooms: cherry trees |
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| Palm Springs blooms: cactus flower |
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| Portland opposite surfaces: old and new |
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| Palm Springs opposite surfaces: metal and rock |
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| Portland architecture: amazing Brutalist fountain |
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| Palm Springs architecture: secret garden gate |
I didn't wander Palm Springs as much as usual looking at architecture, as it was 95 degrees and I'm not quite used to that yet! I usually love all the mid-century modern stuff. But the desert calls....
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| Portland panoramic |
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| Palm Springs panoramic |
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| Portland exploring: Powell's bookstore |
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| Palm Springs exploring: that is the trail? |
Palm Springs has a really nice art museum, small enough to enjoy, not enough to overwhelm. I'd been before, so just went through the new exhibits, and visited some favorites.
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| Portland design: old water tower and sign |
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| Palm Springs design: potholder man sculpture! |
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| Portland horse: bronze sculpture |
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| Palm Springs horse: also bronze, but cast from driftwood |
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| Portland wildlife: like water off a goose's back |
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| Palm Springs wildlife: brave lizard watches |
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| Portland standing tall: iconic sign |
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| Palm Springs standing tall: me in signature orange |
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| Portland coming home: Mt. Shasta still snow covered |
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| Palm Springs coming home: agriculture quilt |
Though the traveling is fun, it is always nice to be home with the view between Major's ears. Though I did see two other curious ears on the trail…
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| Home view: adventuring horse ears |
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| home view: curious deer ears |
