February 8, 2010

lovely gold

—here, beneath the immense bleached sky, is where we run out of continent. (JD, "Notes from a Native Daughter")

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Decided to explore the serene grounds of the Self-Realization Fellowship in Pacific Palisades.

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Reminded me a bit of the Baha'i Temple in Wilmette, albeit with more of a catchall vibe, in terms of iconography and architecture (hence "worldwide spiritual organization.")

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Inn of the Seventh Ray in Topanga. Pasta and pan-flute music.

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Soooo over-the-top in terms of ambiance—and thus, so totally my kind o' place!

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Red Rock.

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So many caves!

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People who live out here probably get used to this stuff—but not this Chicagoan.

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Kinds of blues I forgot existed (or even deserved—!)

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February 5, 2010

how the west was fun

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Tulsa. (My first time in Oklahoma. It was deep in snow. Pretty to look at but treacherous to drive through!)

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Albuquerque. (My first time in New Mexico. This B&B, Casa de Suenos, was amaaazing.)

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I-40 into Arizona.

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I loved Flagstaff! Had no idea it would feel so much like Colorado.

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California at last! (A treehouse in Topanga.)

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