Camp is Atomic Central during Modernism Week.

Inside the big tent:

There are a few more vendor displays outside the tent. One of our favourites is Alpod.  This is a small aluminum pod house (410 sq ft). It is aluminum inside and out . . . remind you of anything?  It’s impressive.  The company is Chinese, and it has worked with the California and US governments to meet their standards; however, it does not have CSA approval from what we can tell.  There are actually 2 Alpods on display. We saw the first one behind The Rowan on our first day in Palm Springs.

Alpod beside MW CAMP

Alpod behind The Rowan (see the reflection?)

Inside:

Also near Camp is the Walker Guest House and the creepy babies by David Černý:

The cost to tour the house is $10. The terrifying babies are free for the viewing!

More Modernism Week fun-seeking to come! Stay tuned.

February 11-17, 2019 (Week 1)

I tried and tried to get an RV site within Palm Springs, but this is prime time, and no one was cancelling. Since we have friends who own a site in a park in Desert Hot Springs, we were able to stay there. Sheila came along with us for a few days to see some of the sights. On Tuesday and Wednesday, we walked the strip (Palm Canyon Drive). We couldn’t help ourselves and had lunch both days at Sherman’s Deli. Oh man! Giant matzo ball soup! This restaurant is a landmark, and there is always a line-up, but it’s worth it.

My new Palm Springs house! OK, it’s a tissue box.

On Wednesday night, it started to rain.

On Thursday, we were awakened by the phone screaming and the words “Flash Flood Warning for your area.” OK. Stay out of the washes. No problem. We decided to tour some of the other cities in the Coachella Valley. It rained all day, but it didn’t seem too outrageous. While we were in one shop, two clerks were talking about how Palm Springs was shutting down. The roads were impassable, and it was too dangerous. People were being sent home. What? Come on. It wasn’t that bad. Well, as we made our way back to Desert Hot Springs, there were some flooded sections of road where the roads crossed washes. We drove through slowly. Then, we came across some closed roads, so we took detours. That was a good thing because cars had been swept away for not heeding the warnings!

On Friday, the rain had stopped. Sheila returned to Yuma while we returned to Palm Springs for the Modernism Week festivities. Oh my! Exciting, but not festive. We met road closure after road closure. It was madness! The washes were full and overflowing their banks, taking sections of roads with them.

Cathedral Canyon Dr.

Cathedral Canyon Dr.

Unbelievable! This storm was in the top 3 storms in recorded history (approximately 100 years). We also learned that the RV park that I kept pestering to get into had to be evacuated during the storm. We were very thankful that we had brought Poppy with us that day because it took us 2 hours to get back to Desert Hot Springs. Since then, we’ve taken her everyday, much to her dismay. The weather has been too unpredictable to leave her alone. Nevertheless, she gets lots of attention from strangers and shop clerks. Palm Springs is very pet friendly.

Here is the road leading to the tramway. There is helicopter there because it had just surveyed the road damage leading up there.

Of course, Palm Springs was only a “wash” in the desert sense.  It rocks!

We found a perfect midcentury modern (MCM) cone lamp for the Airstream. Updates on that will come when we return to Canada. It will require some drilling and other fun, so Paul wants to have access to his tools.  This is the interior of the shop where we found the lamp.  I’m obsessed by the capsule shaped mirror on the far right (Hang 1 Capsule mirror by Blu Dot, but alas, it is too rich for my budget).  It would be perfect in the Airstream bathroom.  It resembles the shape of the window in there.  In front of the green dog is a water bowl.  Every shop has a water bowl for dogs, of course.

Now, let’s look at some far out architecture.

Tramway Gas Station (Albert Frey & Robson Chambers, 1965). It is now the visitors’ centre. Once you filled up there, you must have felt like you were ready to enter orbit. What a dramatic roofline!

Sante Fe Federal Savings & Loan (E. Stewart Williams, 1961).  It is now the Art Museum. I adore the metal screens.

Coachella Valley Savings & Loan (E. Stewart Williams, 1961). It is now a Chase bank. Can columns be more graceful?

The Rowan (November 2017).  OK, I’m obsessed with this building. It’s new, but it could be 60 years old! Look at the metal work and the yellow accents. I admire it every time I walk by.

BevMo! I don’t believe this building has any historical significance other than the fact that you’ve seen a building like this as some point. It is simple and lovely, but buildings like this were torn down long ago across North America. However, in Palm Springs, it has value. I love the way the roof mirrors the concrete blocks.

February 9, 2019

Fun at The Ski Inn at Bombay Beach

As we saw last year, when we visited the Salton Sea, it’s a deplorable situation. Really California? Where are the environmentalists? Nevertheless, we had a terrific time visiting the Ski Inn at Bombay Beach. At one time, people could waterski up to the Inn for lunch, but that was during a different era. Today, the Ski Inn is still a popular spot for lunch and a beer. As soon as we strolled in, Paul called out “Hey, Les!” What a small world! Les and Susan live in our RV park in B.C. I guess they can find the classy joints like we can! They were having lunch with a friend, so Paul, Sheila and I joined them, and then afterward went to visit them at Fountain of Youth RV park.

Lowest Bar in the Western Hemisphere

The Ski Inn

The Ski Inn has tasty sandwiches, but the best part is the staff. What a friendly bunch! We felt so welcome. Also, the décor is really fun! How much money is on the walls and ceiling?!

After lunch, we strolled along the beach and took picture of some of the derelict local RVs. Les and Susan explained that in the last few years, the town has really cleaned up the beach. There used to be abandoned and weathered trailers on the beach, but those are long gone. We didn’t see any last year either. My sister got some pictures a few years ago. Apparently, real estate has been slowly climbing as artists are moving in. However, by no means is this an expensive place to live. Lot prices were around $5000, but they are getting closer to $10,000 now. It’s still very cheap, but you take the risk of living on the shores of an environmental disaster. Don’t let its beauty fool you!

Bomb Bay

Derelict trailer

This shows how much rain we’ve had

Beautiful Bombay Beach

February 11, 2019

Fabulous Frey at North Shore

On our way to Palm Springs for Modernism Week, we had to stop to see our first building designed by the fabulous Albert Frey. It is the North Shore Beach & Yacht Club, built in 1958. North Shore is another mostly abandoned community, but this mid-century wonder has been preserved. What a magnificent structure!

Back of building:

The front is where the fabulousness is:

Also on this site is one of the art exhibits from Desert X. Desert X is an annual art exhibition that is held on sites throughout the Coachella Valley. You can drive or take a bus to all the installations. It’s kind of like geocaching for art! We just chanced upon this one. You can download a map or app and travel the valley, seeking out contemporary art.

Then, back on the road to mid-century heaven — Palm Springs!