Vintage Inspired California

Posted on
41

Sweet life. A never ending stretch of palm fringed coastline. Rolling waves. Salty fresh air and long sunny days. Bougainvillea wrapped terraces. Glorious Pacific Ocean sunsets, from Aliso Viejo to Zuma. A gold-lit horizon. Cocktails served against infinite water views. This is Southern California.

Stretches of grassy spaces. Laguna’s steep cliff faces. Mountains overlooking a beautiful Malibu beach. Santa Monica and its famous Pier. The twinkling lights of a widespread LA. Winding hikes through Runyon Canyon. Ah, those uphill climbs! Don’t despair – they’re worth the million dollar views, once you get to the top.

From Hollywood Hills to Beverly Hills. Immaculate gardens and imaginative homes. Clean architectural lines and ranch designs. All things retro-inspired. Traditional colonial Spanish styles: elegant archways and terracotta tiles. Deck chairs, cabanas; lunch served poolside. A climate that inspires outdoor living. Such a sweet life.

The eternal glitter of The Golden Age. Silver screen and Technicolour. Hollywood stars – always remembered, never forgotten. The glamour and the rock’n'roll.  The music; the movies; and, the awards. A place of Oscars-worthy moments. The buzz of the paparazzi. The bustle of the press – the who’s who, and the best dressed. The show goes on.

Inspired, this is Southern California in monochrome style, with a splash of colour. Enjoy!

Keith Richards and Ron Wood, Los Angeles, CA, 1979 ~ Copyright Henry Diltz

Capitol Records in LA, 1959 ~ Unknown

Night: New Host International restaurant at Los Angeles airport, 1962 ~ Photograph by Ralph Crane

Los Angeles Development Boom, 1953 ~ Photograph by J.R. Eyerman

Actress Martha Hyer talking on the phone in the living room of her luxurious home, Beverly Hills, 1959 ~ Photograph Leonard Mccombe

The two photographs below show a “A landmark image in the history of modern architecture: Julius Shulman’s nighttime shot of Ann Lightbody and Cynthia Murfee in Case Study House No. 22, the Stahl residence in the Hollywood Hills, overlooking Sunset Boulevard. Architect: Pierre Koenig. The photo, taken with a Swiss-made Sinar 4×5 view camera, is a double exposure: Seven minutes for the background, then a flash shot for the interior, the house lights having been replaced with flashbulbs.”

Julius Shulman photographing the Stahl residence

Night time shot of the house, 1960 ~ Photograph by Julius Shulman

Rosen House In Los Angeles ~ Photograph Michael Rougier

Segel House on Carbon Beach, Malibu ~ Photograph by Julius Shulman

Marilyn in Malibu, 1962 ~ Photograph by George Barris

Malibu, 1938 ~ Photograph by Alfred Eisestaedt

Malibu, 1961 ~ Photograph Allan Grant

Seaside Home, CA, 1945 ~ Photograph Nina Leen

President Richard M. Nixon's Residence In San Clemente ~Photograph Arthur Schatz

Actress Singer Doris Day driving Universal Production Dept. golf cart as she waves at a saluting security guard at Universal's movie lot , 1963 ~ Photograph John Dominis

Street set used in production of movie westerns on Paramount Studios ranch, Hollywood, 1937 ~ Photograph Margaret Bourke-White

Gregory Peck at Universal City construction site, 1963 ~ LIFE magazine

Actors (L-R) Gregory Peck, Joanne Woodward, Paul Newman, Sophia Loren, Doris Day (back to camera), Cary Grant, Ronald Reagan and Dorothy Malone listening to director Parker during rehearsals for 30th annual Academy Awards

Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, David Niven during a break from rehearsals for 30th annual Academy Awards show at the RKO Pantages theater, 1958 ~ Photograph Leonard Mccombe

Natalie Wood & Warren Beatty at Academy Awards, LA, 1963 ~ Photograph by Allan Grant

Audrey Hepburn wins Oscar for Best Actress in Roman Holiday, 1953 ~ Unknown

Photographers with Grace Kelly and Marlon Brando, Oscars winners for Best Actress & Actor at the 27th annual Academy Awards ceremony, RKO Pantages theater, 1955 ~ Photograph by George Silk

The 1958 Governors Ball; Elizabeth Taylor with her first Academy Award for Butterfield 8 in 1961 ~ LIFE magazine

Actor Paul Newman as a guest on Hollywood Diary Program, 1958 ~ Photograph Leonard Mccombe

Alfred Hitchcock with the MGM lion, 1958

Looking east towards Hollywood and Vine, LA, 1945

Hollywood Blvd, 1953

I love Los Angeles. It reinvents itself every two days. ~ Billy Connolly

New Host International restaurant at Los Angeles airport, 1962 ~ Photograph by Ralph Crane

'Beatles' arrive at airport on 2nd US tour, LA, 1964 ~ Photograph by Bill Ray

John Lautner’s Chemosphere house, 1961 © Julius Shulman J. Paul Getty Trust

Interior of Segel House (shown previously) ~ Photograph by Julius Shulman

Actress Bette Davis skimming through the morning papers, Beverly Hills, 1939 ~ Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt

Hollywood Guides, 1938 ~ Photograph Alfred Eisenstaedt

Joan Crawford at home in LA, 1949 ~ Unknown

Palms, 1932 ~ Photograph Alfred Eisenstaedt

Humphrey Bogart in his Hollywood Home ~ Architectural Digest

Hollywood Hills, 1938 ~ Photograph Alfred Eisenstaedt

Hollywood -Night Beverly Hills, 1938 ~ Photograph by Alfred Eisenstaedt

Schwabs on Sunset Blvd, 1960

Drive-In Movie, LA, 1949 ~ Photograph J.R. Eyerman

Silvertop Hollywood Dawn, 1972 ~ Available at Michel H.Lord Gallery

A Kreativ Sunshine Mash-Up

Posted on
38

Recently I received two awards for my blog, and I was so happy to receive them though humbled as they both took me by surprise. My thoughts on responding to awards have evolved – that is, whilst I find it difficult to nominate a certain number of blogs, I do enjoy connecting people to ‘posts’ that have influenced or inspired me recently.

Paris at my doorstep nominated me for the Sunshine Award. Rebecca is a US expat living in the City of Light, Paris. Her blog is full of wonderful musings, photos of moments she’s taken in Europe, and book reviews – all mixed in with a bit of fun, like this: Tilt Shift Paris

scottseyephotos nominated me for the Kreativ Blogger Award. I discovered Scott’s blog way back in November 2011 – seems so long ago – when I first started blogging. He was kind enough to share one of his images with me, per request, for my very first inspiration series. It really is nice to connect with such kind people through the blogosphere. Spot his shot here: A Bolt of Inspiration

I’m an avid follower of both blogs and would like to share some of that sunshine I’ve found through other posts, as inspired by the Sunshine Award, as well as wildlife & landscape photography, as inspired by the Kreativ Blogger Award (Scott’s blog has great wildlife and landscape shots. Hence, the dedication).

I pass these awards on to the following blogs, and I hope you may enjoy their posts. Thanks again, and happy long weekend (for those in US and Canada)!

KREATIV (wildlife and landscape) BLOGGER AWARD

The black and white beauty of a lion cub: Panthera leo 3 « Juha Lappalainen photography

Zebra gorgeousness, of all heights: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary « Bridget Ehemann

Quite possibly the most gorgeous face of an ostrich you have ever seen: a pic a day (day 357) « nitzus

Big-eyed and sweet-faced seals. So glorious: Baby seals « Life through a lens

I didn’t even know Provence had white water rapids, and after seeing this photo – I would love to see them: A Taste of Travel | A Journey of Travel and Food

The sun shines throughout these beautiful black and whites: The beach in winter « Cornwall – A Photographic Journey

SUNSHINE AWARD

Sublime composition against the colours of Morocco, and a black cat: The Old Couple « alicia scott photographer.

Architecture, shadows and light – I really enjoyed these: Winter Shadows & Light « Karen Johnson – A Photographic Life

The colours of fall and leaves, reinterpreted: Fall, Remembered « The Way I See It

Thank you for sharing your love of the talented Aussie artist, Gotye. A must-listen: The Soundtrack of my life. « lost in sweden

Must get to Amsterdam because of this series of photos. Here is one: Inday Chronicles – Amsterdam « litrato-ngayon

Must also get to Japan… and I thought that NYC packed its streets well! Take a look at this: Takeshita Dori « A Certain Slant of Light Photography

This is a winter salad to make before the season turns. It looks especially delicious: Warm Salad of Roasted Butternut Squash, Prosciutto and Pecorino | Savoury Image

The passion for exploring Stockholm’s cafes is so evident throughout this blog. There are so many in the one city, and this is the latest find: Lilla Caféet på Söder: Another cool café in SoFo | Red Pants And a Mustache: Exploring Coffee Shops in Stockholm

I loved this title, as well as the photos of the ‘everyday’ behind it: FEB 18 Can You Move Please? I’m Trying To Take A Photo! « shpics

I adore mosaics. This is another example as to why: Twinkle, Twinkle Wat Xieng Thong | Tricia A. Mitchell

Gallivanting Around Gramercy in NYC

Posted on
44

Gramercy has a distinctive appeal: the neighbourhood feels so European and, for me, especially reminiscent of Barcelona with its wrought-iron balconies, abundance of greenery, Gothic architecture and relaxed vibe. Located only a blocks away from the hustle of Park Avenue and the bustle of Union Square, it makes for a peaceful enclave in an otherwise busy part of Manhattan.

Wrought Iron Verandahs wrap around houses built in the 1840s; the house to the left was the home of former NYC mayor James Harper

Mini Miner - or Cooper, for those in the US - against Tudor architecture

Formerly the "Gramercy Park Clubhouse", this Neo-Gothic building was completed in 1910

Overlooking a gated park

There’s alot of history here, mixed in with a bit of intrigue and a dash of bohemia. Bordered by 14th and 23rd streets, and 1st and Park Avenues, it’s awe-inspiring to think that Gramercy’s streets were walked by the likes of Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt and Washington Irving, who wrote The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Irving Place runs in between 3rd and Park Avenues and is lined with great dining spots – from the coffee underworld of 71 Irving Place, to Mario Batali’s Spanish-inspired Casa Mono. This street leads to the heart of the Gramercy neighbourhood: its park (southern end). (NB: Oscar Wilde lived on the corner of 17th Street and Irving Place for a while.)

Casa Mono - by the inspiring chef, Mario Batali

Descend into 71 Irving Place for a creamy soy latte and buttery croissant...

... and voila!

New York's oldest surviving saloon and where O'Henry wrote "The Gift of the Magi"; Pete's Tavern survived Prohibition disguised as a flower shop

Gramercy Park is located between 20th and 21st streets, and brings Lexington Avenue to an end at its north (with Irving Place abutting it on the southern end). It was designed as a private garden, to be enjoyed by the residents that purchased lots along its perimeter. When Samuel B. Ruggles constructed the area in 1831, he gave those buyers a key to its gate. The public may access the garden only on Christmas Eve.

Statue of Shakespearean actor, Edwin Booth; Chrysler in distance

Overlooking this garden are homes that were once lived in by prominent figures: former NYC mayor, James Harper; actor, James Cagney; painter and teacher, Robert Henri; actor, John Barrymore. More recently, Winona Rydner, Kate Hudson, Jimmy Fallon and NBC News anchor, Ann Curry, have lived/live in the area. Whilst this is no secret garden, it is certainly one that will have you wishing for the privilege of its entry.

The National Arts Club, 1884. Former residence of Samuel Tilden; now a National landmark. It overlooks Gramercy Park.

Classic red bricks flank a peeling white

Entrance to the former "Gramercy Park Clubhouse" - residence of many society figures, writers, artists, editors. John Barrymore lived here.

Varied architecture

Also opposite the park, and alongside its architecturally elaborate neighbours, stands the modern and boxy exterior of the Gramercy Park Hotel; its plainness not in the slightest a distraction from the obvious nostalgic beauty of its surrounds. In fact, as soon as you discover the richly decorated interiors behind its limestone facade, you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped into a different time.

The Gramercy Park Hotel

Hotel entrance

The hotel may not look it from the onset, but it originally opened in 1925. It continues to play host to the stars, and back in the day, was a frequent gathering spot for artists and writers. Humphrey Bogart married his first wife here; Bob Marley favoured its ‘reputation for discretion’; Madonna, Debbie Harry and David Bowie were guests.

Fast forward a few decades, and in 2003 the Gramercy Park Hotel received a much needed renovation. Ian Schrager and Julian Schanbel were the modern-day masterminds behind its reinvention, which resulted in a grand and opulent revival that serves as a grand gesture to its former days of glory.  As soon as you enter its lobby area, you’re welcomed by a crystal Venetian chandelier of dramatic proportions, and enveloped in a world of rich red velvets, centuries-old furnishings, and a vast assortment of art by Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Damien Hirst, and Schnabel himself.

The Rose Bar and its sawtooth chandelier

Lounging against art

From the art book table in the Rose Bar, looking into the street facing Jade Bar

The interior design puts you in a state of pure wonderment – exactly what you should feel when staying in a home away from home. It’s so plush and inviting; eclectic yet harmonious; more chic than shabby -  it’s what I’d describe “luxurious bohemia”.

The black&white chessboard floor tiles were imported from Morocco

And don’t get me started on its gorgeous rooftop – Gramercy Terrace – that feels like a lavish ivy adorned sunroom, seventeen stories above street level…

I’m no stranger to the Gramercy neighbourhood nor the Gramercy Park Hotel, yet today’s jaunt left a lasting impression on me. I felt a world away from the usual and I found alot of comfort in that. Perhaps the perfect winter morning – blue skies, mild temps – also had something to do with it. To be completely honest, I really didn’t want to leave.

Please don't let me wake up from this dream... an unfortunate elevator descent.

Not Another Valentine’s Day Post ~ Black and White Inspiration III

Posted on
42

Every day should be Valentine’s Day. Sounds like a cliché? Maybe, though you might just find some truth in this sentiment. Enjoy ~ with love.

Love is life. And if you miss love, you miss life. ~ Leo Buscaglia

Milano, anni Cinquanta, 1950 ~ Photograph by Mario De Biasi

The aim of life is to live, and to live means to be aware, joyously, drunkenly, serenely, divinely aware. ~ Henry Miller

Scott Pommier

I want to know you moved and breathed in the same world with me. ~ F. Scott Fitzgerald

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo in San Angel, 1940

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. ~ Pablo Picasso

Picasso and the loaves, 1952 ~ Photograph by Robert Doisneau

To love someone deeply gives you strength. Being loved by someone deeply gives you courage. ~ Lao Tzu

Joanne Woodward showed off her Oscar statue with husband Paul Newman by her side at the Governor’s Ball in 1958

I have found that if you love life, life will love you back. ~ Arthur Rubinstein

Motion, 1930 ~ Photograph by Andreas Feninger

Love is the flower you’ve got to let grow. ~ John Lennon

Andy Warhol ~ Photograph by Dennis Hopper

I’m selfish, impatient and a little insecure. I make mistakes, I am out of control and at times hard to handle. But if you can’t handle me at my worst, then you sure as hell don’t deserve me at my best. ~ Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe in New York City, 1957 ~ Photograh by Sam Shaw

The most important things in life aren’t things. ~ Anthony J. D’Angelo

Seagulls ~ Photograph by chillbrook via space1eleven.wordpress.com

The price of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it. ~ Henry David Thoreau

New York City, February 1954 ~ Photograph by Andreas Feininger

Don’t ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive. ~ Howard Thurman

James Dean in NYC ~ Photograph by Dennis Stock

There is only one happiness in life — to love and to be loved. ~ George Sand

Wedding Day ~ Photograph by Antony Schuster

The most important thing in life is to learn how to give out love, and let it come in ~ Morrie Schwartz

Round Tower, Copenhagen ~ Photograph by Robert Floerke

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking together in the same direction. ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Gone for 24 Hours: In Search of Snow and Ice ~ Lake Placid, NY

Posted on
55

I had planned to road-trip it to Lake Placid for two reasons: I wanted to see snow again (yes, I know, the Aussie was in search of this year’s hard-to-come-by snow…), and since The Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival wasn’t in my immediate sights, I was looking forward to seeing those of the nearby Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

A winter getaway to Lake Placid deserves more than the 24 hours I was able to dedicate to it, yet the break is well worth the drive. Blanketed in snow and with a thermostat reading of way below 32F/0C, the town delivers an abundance of sweeping vistas from the get-go. Located deep in the Adirondacks, along the edges of Mirror Lake and those of its namesake, and set against Whiteface Mountain – Lake Placid makes for a particularly picturesque village scene. Blue skies and birches, evergreens alongside bare deciduous trees, a warm sun splaying over a cute Main Street ~ the temps may not be as cold as those of previous years, though being able to participate safely and somewhat comfortably in outdoor activities is a bonus.

Though I had traveled with two things in mind, I came back to NYC feeling refreshed for completely different reasons: for breathing in the Olympic pride so honoured by the town; for appreciating the nature-inspired interiors so influenced by their surroundings; for taking pleasure in such simple activities as reclining in a hot spa, and warming up by a fireplace; for inhaling fresh mountain air; and, for meeting lovely people all along the way.

Here’s a blueprint to enjoying Lake Placid and its surrounds in a 24-hour period.

Day One

10am – 4pm: The Drive

It’s a pretty straightforward drive from NYC to Lake Placid. Travel a few hours along an evergreen lined Interstate 87 and the icy-rock-faced High Peaks Scenic Route 73, and you’re pretty much there. Enjoy as a brilliant sun sets slowly behind tall Adirondack Mountain peaks.

4.30pm: Lights, Cameras, Antlers

Be prepared to take a multitude of photos whilst checking-in at The Whiteface Lodge, located at the corner of Saranac Ave/NY-86W and Whiteface Inn Lane. Handcrafted antler chandeliers and cast iron pine cone light fixtures outfitted with rawhide lampshades illuminate the lobby, where a hefty George Jacques-built tabletop with a gnarled tree trunk base makes for a bold statement. Rustic-inspired floral arrangements add a touch of lightness.

The Whiteface Lodge was developed by Joe Barile, a former Olympic luger, and built in 2005. After three years of planning, the evidence is in the lodge’s details: from the wood paneled walls of its corridors, to the stairways’ log balustrades. The property employs a local artist, who is responsible for all the custom wooden accents throughout the Lodge. Dark leather couches and decorative Persian rugs exude an old-fashioned richness within the Adirondack-style lodge based on the Grand Camps of the wealthy in the 1800’s.

5pm: The Suite Life

There’s no choice at The Whiteface Lodge but to stay in a suite ~ which means a jet spa bath as well as a room with a view. Here, huge chocolate chip cookies at the bedside are the new chocolate on the pillow.

7pm: Icy Aliens

Before the temps get to a barely tolerable freeze, drive a few minutes along NY State Route 86 in the direction of the village of Saranac Lake to view its winter festival; the Alien Invasion themed ice castle and sculptures were built by community volunteers and placed along the Lake Flower’s shoreline (Lower Saranac Lake is actually located a ½ mile west of the village).

The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, Feb. 3-12, 2012 is the longest-running event of its kind in the eastern U.S. …the Carnival began as a one-day event to break the monotony of the long Adirondack winter and has grown into a 10-day festival that includes sports, dances, performances, two parades and two sets of spectacular fireworks above the world-famous Ice Palace.*

The festival has run for 115 years, and whilst previous years may have exhibited larger constructions (the warmer temps have not been kind this year), you’ll appreciate the effort behind such an installation. Lake harvested ice-bricked palatial walls and aliens carved out of frozen blocks are illuminated by neon lights in greens, blues, purples and reds. Allocate about thirty minutes here: any longer and your fingers may become beyond-numb, and your feet – somewhat of the frozen variety.

Fun fact: Beginning in 1936, Albert Einstein had a summer home in Saranac Lake that he rented from a local architect.**

8pm: S’mores Break

Gooey marshmallow and melted chocolate sandwiched between two Graham crackers ~ need I say more? The Whiteface Lodge offers this Made-in-America treat every evening until 9:30 PM inside their Clubhouse Terrace. Though if you’d prefer to warm up with a pre-dinner aperitif of the alcoholic variety, head to the plush leather and wooded interiors of the Kanu Lounge.

9pm: Surf n Turf by the Fireplace

Grand opulence. The hotel’s Kanu restaurant takes size to another dimension. Its expanse is defined by a high wood-beamed ceiling, accentuated with an enormous cast iron chandelier. The dining room is watched over by a number of mounted moose heads.

The Modern American menu follows the farm-to-table trend. Indulge. Order the crab cakes – two robust patties made of jumbo lump crab meat accompanied by mash; and the braised pork cheeks – so tender, served atop a bed of root vegetables. Don’t let the healthy course sizes deter you from dessert. Recommended finale: Crème Brulee accompanied by a glass of prosecco.

10.30pm: Nightcap

If you can fit it in – well, that’s up to you. The lounge is open until 11pm and the cocktails are good.

Day Two

9am: Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed

That’s how you’ll feel when waking up to a snow covered view. You’ll be itching to get outside; to feel the crunch of snow underneath your boots. Fill up on a big breakfast – coffee, omelet & toast, granola – whilst gazing at the view of Whiteface Mountain.

11am: Snow capped vistas

One of the best views of Whiteface Mountain is at the end of Whiteface Inn Lane, along the fringes of Lake Placid. At the end of the road (it’s a few minutes drive) you’ll come to the Lake Placid Inn. Descend the stairs to enjoy a panoramic view of the frozen lake and that snow capped mountain. Serene beauty – this is winter’s decadent offering. From this vantage point, images of Japan’s Mount Fuji come to mind.

12pm: Jumper-time

The town of Lake Placid is probably best known for its connections to the Winter Olympics; the town hosted the Games twice, in 1932 and 1980, and their legacy lives on. Many activities centre on those Olympic facilities, and make sure to take advantage of them. (Time may be a factor in having the ability to visit them all).

One of the coolest spots to experience pure adrenalin is atop the 26-storey, 120 foot high ski jump at The Olympic Jumping Complex. Located about 15 minutes from the centre of the town, prepare to be exasperated by the sheer velocity of it all. A chair lift ride and elevator ascent later, you’ll be standing on an open air viewing platform looking down the steepest incline ever…  A fear of heights gives way to shock & awe as you put yourself in the skis of those brave athletes; this is the site of their launch before veering off into the air, spanning the length of a football field! You’ll be able to take some overhead shots of the town and Adirondack Mountains from here.

These days, the site hosts year-round international ski jumping and aerial freestyle skiing competitions.

2pm: Snack time

Head back to the center’s Main Street, lined with boutiques, a cinema, library and mom ‘n’ pop shops. No fear, there’s a GAP outlet too. After you’ve dropped into the resident Starbucks or local café for a large hot chocolate and sweet snack, stroll to the water’s edge and watch life as it happens along a frozen Mirror Lake, noticing dog walkers and sledders. There are some great vantage points from which to take photographs, as noted to me by the passers-by, who were only happy to show their top spots.

NB: it’s all paid street parking here though spots are not hard to come by.

Apparently a good spot from which to take a photo

3.30pm: Miracle on Ice

A few minutes walk away from the retail strip is the Olympic Center. This is where the triumphant hockey game of 1980 happened between the less seasoned US team and their mighty Soviet rivals; Team USA went on to win gold, against Finland. The USA-USSR game went down as one of the finest in American sports history; it was a stunning win for the country and an inspiration for sport-enthusiasts all over. The movie Miracle, starring Kurt Russell, was released in 2004 to further cement this moment. These days, the indoor rink is grazed and razored by the US/CAN hockey teams, and pirouetted over during figure skating championships. Sit and enjoy the ambience… don’t mind its sweaty locker room smell. It’s part of the charm.

4pm: Amassed memorabilia

The Olympic Museum is a large room filled floor to ceiling with any association to the Winter Olympics of 1932 and 1980. Vintage posters; old New Yorker covers; team jerseys; newspaper cutouts; a wall outfitted with Olympic torches from every Winter hosting city; medals of various sizes, proportions and metal colours. History was made in this town and continues on within these walls, where the front desk staff is only too happy to chat even further.

5pm: Night driving

Surprisingly, you may find that the road home is slightly quicker than the drive in. There’s less gawking when it is pitch black outside, though you’ll be too exhausted and rested from the fresh air to even care.

(Read: I wasn’t the driver on this trip.)

OPTION: feel free to substitute all of the above afternoon activities with a long relaxing soak in the hotel’s hot tub.

For more photos, see my previous post: Into the Wild: Lake Placid, Upstate New York

****

In my preliminary research on Lake Placid, I came across this piece of information:

In 2010, U.S. News & World Report rated Lake Placid as one of the “6 Forgotten Vacation Spots” in North America.**

What are you waiting for – get out to Lake Placid and create some memories! Meanwhile, I’m planning to report on it again in spring/summer!

****

Getting There

If driving isn’t an option, Amtrak stops at Westport Depot – located approx. 40 minutes from the centre of Lake Placid. You may arrange for shuttle transportation if the hotel doesn’t provide it.

*http://www.saranaclakewintercarnival.com/

**Wikipedia

World Happy Day, and Thank You for the Inspiration

Posted on
28

In the name of World Happy Day today, I wanted to thank Ines from I’monnet Photo for including me in her nominations, as recipient of the One Lovely Blog Award. I am really grateful for that and wanted to say thank you for the inspiration through your blog! You’re always sharing tips on photography and interesting information on the intangibles, like style.

I’m continuously inspired by others and their works, and whilst I struggle with selecting a few blogs for such award nominations, I think it is important to share the love. Finding inspiration through others is a very uplifting feeling and I would like to show this via blog posts that have really resonated with me.

I hope you’ll enjoy them.

barbaraelka – This post on “European Helmets at the Met” is so beautifully photographed that I might have to trek uptown and view a part of the museum that I rarely venture into. Barbara’s blog always has great photographs; excellent style.

robertoalborghetti  and Lillian Sizemore’s Mind’s Eye showcase art as a form of healing. Both posts are a must-read for fans of poetry, art and Gaudi.

mondomulia has photographed a series of wonderful photographs in this Coming Soon Coffee post. Read this is you are a lover of cafes, sweets, coffee, and crisp photography.

draw and shoot – Karen’s latest post, “Deconstructing Architecture: The Canadian War Museum” is just beautiful. Lines, mystery and urban beauty; it has really elevated my appreciation for architecture photography.

cindymccauley – for some of the coolest macro shots I have ever seen! This post especially, “Shoo Fly, Don’t Bother Me” shows how beautiful a fly actually is!

Life through a lens – a wonderful post on tips for protecting that all-expensive camera; Val has documented gorgeously photographed ‘moments’; an inspiring photographer and person.

the human picture – ShimonZ writes with such grace and honesty. His posts are always so meaningful – this one “On Being Awake” especially so.

Cornwall – A Photographic Journey – Adrian has a gift for bringing ease into complexity. “That Water Effect” shows his gift for photography, whilst being able to share his learnings effortlessly.

Aware of the Void – the wittiness of this post “Spring to be Sprung” is too good. Brendan has an extensive portfolio of photographs that I always gain inspiration from.

Babb Photo Blog – an honest look at channeling a negative emotion into a positive one. This post brought to mind the quote by Theodore Roosevelt: “Comparison is the thief of Joy”.

 cameravagrant – JP’s latest post, “Nowhereville” intrigued me so much. In fact, his entire portfolio is amazing; for the moodiness, the light, the words.

Homemade Wellbeing – ever since Kristina posted on parsley tea, I have been drinking it! One day, Kristina will open her own store filled with natural products and potions!

 A Certain Slant of Light Photography – I am such a fan of this post, “A Florentine Sunset”; well, the whole blog really. A lovely portfolio to look through.

My thoughts, pics and personal opinions – when I shared this post with my yoga school, the manager replied, “It’s good to be a Gumby”. Pedro – I am looking forward to more yoga-inspired quotes!

I’monnet Photo – a perfect way to end is to share Ines’ series on “How to Define Your Style”. This post, in particular, shares the notion of being inspired by others. I’d like to share the quote on this particular page with you though hope you’ll check the post out for yourself:

“Nothing in this world ever makes sense without a context, it is easy to take the qualities of your work for granted, before having witnessed someone else’s approach. I strongly encourage you to participate in something where you can see your work alongside other people’s.”

~Thank you~

Into the Wild: Lake Placid, Upstate New York

Posted on
35

Freshly chilled air, snow white mountain peaks, fluffed up evergreens, icy rock faces, frozen rivers – this is the kind of nature that wraps itself around you and gives you a giant bear hug as you make your way into the Adirondacks. Road-trippin’. Five hours away from a mildly wintered NYC, the drive – along Interstate 87 and then through the scenic High Peaks 73 – feels all the more worthwhile as you catch sight of snow and ice enroute to Lake Placid.

View through a windscreen

Evergreen against everblue

Interstate driving

Skaters on a frozen river at sunset; nearly there

Located in Northern New York State, the Adirondacks are named for the high peaked mountains within the park’s wild wilderness, and the region forms part of the Northern Deciduous Forest – the largest temperate forest in the world.

The very figure, 6 million, is enough to boggle the mind, yet this is the acreage of the Adirondacks. To put this vastness into perspective, the area is larger than Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Great Smokies and Yosemite national parks combined.

The Adirondacks: rock climber's paradise

An Adirondack mountain

Lake Placid is just one of the many villages in the Adirondacks; it is home to only 2,500 though may be better known for much grander associations – as the first North American city to host two Winter Olympics. The town may forever find it hard shake off this moniker given all of the Games references carried over from 1932 and 1980 – though why should it try to?

Olympic symbolism

It’s quite endearing to see a place so proud of its past – it’s where the US ice hockey team defeated their more seasoned Soviets rivals in a major triumph that inspired the Kurt Russell film, Miracle; it’s the site of some serious ski jump towers ~ at 90- and 120- meters high, you can ascend the tallest via elevator and see exactly what the athletes would have faced right before taking off into the air; it’s home to a major ski-area, Whiteface Mountain, whose high vertical drop showcased dare-devil downhill and alpine skiing during the 1980 Games.

Olympic Centre: scene of that 1980's hockey game win

The ski jumps at MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jump Complex and Kodak Sports Park, with chair lifts

(Gated) panoramic views with Whiteface Mountain in far background

The Whiteface Mountain, up close

Chair lifts, with Whiteface Mountain in far background

Another tradition making history in the area is The Saranac Lake Winter Carnival – the longest running event of its kind in the eastern US. Celebrating a 115 year anniversary this year, its Space Alien Invasion themed, extra terrestrial inspired ice sculptures are decidedly smaller than structures of previous years; not due to lack of workmanship, but more so as a consequence of a warmer winter. The higher temperatures have melted the sculptures a number of times, and rebuilding has been quite laborious; in turn, the span, shape and scope of architecture has been affected. That said, expect to freeze in your boots if visiting the installation in the evening; temps hover around 19F.

Made in America

Lit Up Ice Castle

Alien

Summertime attracts the crowds including over 8,000 second home owners ~ such a pilgrimage started in the 1800’s when the wealthy would vacate their regular city surrounds, so heated-up in the summer, and head for their Great Camps in the airy Adirondacks. Today, a prized ‘Camp’ (holiday home) on Lake Placid can set one back a few million dollars.

Lakeside living ~on Mirror Lake (seen from Main Street)

Yet there’s something about waking up to a snow covered view in the cooler months – enjoying a fresh pot of coffee first thing in the morning; feeling the warmth from the fireplace on your back; the smell of wood and pine in the air. Later, perhaps venturing out into the cool air and seeking out the best vantage points from which to see Whiteface Mountain (which conjures up images of Japan’s Mount Fuji); or, taking a stroll along the town’s Main Street, hot chocolate-in-hand, watching brave souls perform daily rituals such as walking the dogs along an iced-over and snowed-on Mirror Lake…. Or, maybe just choosing to sit in the hot tub all afternoon.

Whiteface Mountain, seen from the southern end of Lake Placid

Movies on Main

Mirror Lake

Wintertime in the mountains is beautiful, magical and pristine – I’ll save the details of a snow-fix-getaway for my next post.

A pair of Adirondack Chairs