An April Weekend in the Palm Springs Area

We got into the Palm Springs area in early April under a perfectly clear and intense blue sky. The desert light is always so sharp, making the architecture stand out against the backdrop of the dry, brown mountains. The whole place is full of these great, low-slung modern buildings framed by ridiculously tall palm trees.

Later in the afternoon, the weather turned. A layer of high, thin clouds rolled in, softening the light and muting the colors. We were on a golf course, and the landscape took on a completely different mood. The mountains in the distance were hazy, and the sun was just a bright spot behind the clouds. It was quiet and still.

By the time evening arrived, the sky was a deep twilight blue. The lights came on at the hotel entrance, illuminating the landscaping and creating a warm glow. All the palms were uplit, their shapes stark against the last of the daylight. It was a calm end to a quick, 24-hour trip away.