A lush, but fragile meadow at an altitude of 8,516 feet
The mere mention of the words Palm Springs put images into my mind of palm trees, cool waters, and a relaxing atmosphere. Not! The high for this week calls for 108 every day! Palm Springs is about 30 minutes down the road from where I’m staying in Yucca Valley, CA.
As I was out this way, Bill McDonald, another California blogger and visitor to my blog, and I decided to hook up. At first, we were going to go to the living desert, but decided that the heat might be a bit much. So, Bill suggested that we meet and ride the Palm Springs Tram. This turned out to be a very good idea. We met at 9:00 AM, rode the tram to the top, walked around a bit, took photos, and enjoyed the weather. When we arrived, it was all of 62 degrees. Bill treated me to the tram ride. Thanks, Bill! I appreciate it! One very cool thing about the tram is that the floor of the car rotates as the car ascends/descends. In this way, everyone gets a fantastic view!
The tram takes you from an elevation of about 2,500 ft above sea level, to the top of the mounted, at about 8,500 ft about sea level. Total travel time is about 7 or 8 minutes. Along the way, the operator explains how the tram was built. Workers had to be brought in by helicopter to do their work! Imagine that! The difference in temperature between the top of the mountain and Palm Springs is about 30 – 35 degrees! When we left, it was 68 degrees up top, 100 at the bottom. What a shock!
During our walk around the area, we talked of all manner of things. As Bill used to live in the desert for a while, I quizzed him in all manner of desert life, and no, he has never seen a rattlesnake in the wild! I am happy to say that during my 5 trips to the desert to photograph, the most menacing thing that I was a honeybee! After spending 4 hours together, it was time to go. Bill had to drive back home, to Orange County, about 2 hours away, and I headed back to my hotel room in the cooler climes of Yucca Valley, where it was only 92, compared to Palm Springs’ high of 108!
In this photo, you can see how far up we were. I had to do a bit of work on the photo to allow you to see down the mountain and into the valley because it was extremely hazy. Lots of dust and pollution settles in that valley.
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It was my pleasure sir and I look forward one day to show you the Mojave National Preserve and/or Big Morongo Canyon Preserve, time and schedules permitting.
Bill Mcdonald recently posted..The Nikon Coolpix P510 on the mountain, final verdict. Plus meeting up with a fellow blogger/photographer, Paul Lester.
Paul, traveling by tram isn’t a bad way to go when time is limited. Nice view!
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Well, to get up to that point, I think was the only way possible, regardless of the amount of time, at least for me. Looking at the side of the mountain, I would need lots of training, gear, and most of all, fitness to get to the top.
I have none of the 3, so would be working at a great disadvantage. LOL
Sometimes I wonder what the heck I’m doing living in a city. A boring one at that.
Just visited Bill’s site. Interesting that neither of you took a photo of each other, or at least that you didn’t post any such photos. Camera shy or just respecting each other’s privacy?
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Cedric: I think that the reason, for me, is two fold. One, I didn’t take many photos of Bill, only 2 and while writing the post, I didn’t think of posting them. Usually, when I meet someone, it’s kind of a gab-fest and I don’t really think about taking their photo until it’s too late. That is, I’m back in my car and suddenly have this thought: Damn it! I didn’t take a photo! LOL.
The second reason is that if I’ve never seen you put a picture of yourself on your blog, then I won’t post one of you, if indeed I took one at all. For example, with Anita, I’ve never seen her post a picture of her or her husband and I asked her, specifically, and she likes her anonymity, and I most certainly respect that. So, she and “The Husband” shall remain shrouded in mystery.
Also, for that matter, I’ve never seen you post a picture of yourself, either, so I, in turn, probably wouldn’t. I do know what you look like, however, as I’ve seen your profile picture elsewhere.
I’m meeting with Ibarionex this morning and I’ve seen his photo several places, so more than likely, I will take his photo and display it with my post.
Oh, BTW, I just posted a couple of photos of Bill that I did take.
Sounds like a good place to be “high.”
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I love trams but my wife would take one look and disappear into the sunset. She hates heights. Looks like you came away with some great shots.
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