Enjoying the Views in Los Angeles

There are lots of places in the Los Angeles area to get views of that sprawling city.

These photos were taken from the Getty Museum looking down at the heavy traffic on Interstate 405.  All those tall buildings run along Wilshire Boulevard.  The hotel I stayed in is somewhere down there among those tall buildings.

Looking in the opposite direction, I can point my camera over Beverly Hills to see the hills dotted with huge mansions.

I could even zoom in on one of them.  I wonder if a famous movie star lives here.

I loved driving along Wilshire Boulevard where I was trapped at the bottom of a canyon of fancy high-rise buildings.

I snapped this shot one evening from the hotel.  I wasn't sure what that large building with the tower above it was and then I recognized the angel on top.  It's the local Mormon Temple dominating the night skyline.

I took this last shot while at a traffic light.  I wanted a shot of that crazy looking building.  It took me quite a while to figure out what it was.  It's the Petersen Automotive Museum.  If you want to see exhibitions all about cars, this is the place to go.  I understand they even have some of those unique Hollywood sci-fi cars on hand.

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My mother always used to tell me when I would travel that I should always stop to smell the roses.  I've always followed her advice and, I think her metaphor would also include stopping to photograph the truly unusual.  That's exactly what I did on one of my California visits when I spotted this car covered with.....

....computer keyboard keys!

It doesn't get much more unusual than this.  By the way, that's my friend Dave also stopping to observe and photograph.

Is that a Ninja?

You never know what you might find in Southern California!

Shopping - Sedona Style

Back in December, I posted photos from the beautiful red-rock country of Sedona Arizona.  I love the beauty of this part of our state but when I visit Sedona, I also like to stop at this wonderful shopping village among the Sycamore trees called Tlaquepaque.

This center dedicated to art was built to mirror a Mexican village and was named for one particular village, San Pedro Tlaquepaque located on the outskirts of Guadalajara in the Mexican state of Jalisco.

The name "Tlaquepaque" means "best of everything" in the Nahuatl Native language, the ancient language of the Aztecs.

I love just walking around this area even more than the unique shopping experience that it affords.  However, I do admit that browsing the gorgeous art works is also a pleasure I enjoy and sometimes I come away with a new treasure.

The shops at this place are all artisan inspired.  They sell every form of artistry you can think of from jewelry, to paintings, to sculptures, to fine rugs and so much more.

There are many places in the village where I can just sit down and watch the people come and go and listen to the birds singing in the tall trees that surround the place.

Sculptures and other art works are scattered around the place for all to enjoy.  

There is even a village chapel where holiday ceremonies take place and of course, the occasional wedding.

It's a beautiful place to visit even if you don't make a purchase, you will walk away with the feeling that you've visited a very special place.

The Beauty of Santa Fe

I want to feature the unique beauty of the city of Santa Fe New Mexico.  It's a city with a distinctive look that is unmatched anywhere else.  I start with a photo of the Inn at Loretto, a hotel built in perfect pueblo style.

You can look down any street and see that prominent adobe-style stucco everywhere you look.  You might even catch some perfect puffy clouds in the sky.  The city is very walkable so it's easy to take it all in.

This church has picked up the Santa Fe style and adopted beautifully.

In the spring you will find lilacs blooming and they look great against a lovely stucco background.



The Loretto Chapel has been in the city a very, very long time and has wonderfully rich history.

The buildings on Museum Hill carry on the true Santa Fe beauty.  This is a place you could spend all day.

The lobby of the Hotel St. Francis is befitting of its name. It gives one a reverent feeling.

Pasqual's Cafe serves the best Mexican food in the city.  Its popularity means reservations are recommended.  

The look of Santa Fe fits me perfectly.  I could move into any one of these buildings.