Palettes
Color inspiration from a place.
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Palette+Place: Fireworks over Lake Tahoe
There’s nothing like a fireworks show up close and personal! I’ve been lucky to be able to watch many firework shows with an unobstructed view in beautiful Lake Tahoe, California. Lake Tahoe hosts at least 4 different firework displays, so for the past several years, the community has decided to divide up the shows between July 3rd and July 4th. The display closest to my family’s cabin just happens to always fall on July 3rd. Although it’s not actually Independence Day, I find it a great way to kick off a long weekend or holiday the next day. Below are some photos I took from this year’s show. Enjoy, and…
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On Location: Seattle’s Gum Wall – Abstract Art or Janitor’s Worst Nightmare?
After a wonderful walk through lively Pike’s Place Market, my nieces were eager to show my family and I more Seattle sites. Outside the market place we went, and onto adjacent Post Alley. I see the dutiful graffiti and bills posted for this concert and that political message. It doesn’t take long though to get past the typical “alley” graffiti and come face to face with a janitor’s nightmare. Gum. Loads and loads of gum. Gum smeared inches deep in some parts. Plastered on the wall for all to enjoy. My daughter’s expression sums up my initial feeling of Gum Alley as it is affectionately named. Eeeewww. To think how…
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Palette+Place: The Colorful Mission District, San Francisco
Even on a foggy day, the Mission District in San Francisco shines with color. The streets and alleys of this hip and trendy neighborhood are filled with murals and street art reflecting the artistic and diverse population that reside here. Although I lived in the city for over 10 years, and have spent many-a-night out at the bars and restaurants in this neighborhood, I had yet to photograph the amazing street art during the day. What a treat I was in for. There are 2 alleys in “the Mission” that are most popular for the murals and street art, Clarion Alley and Balmy Alley. Most of these photos below are…
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Palette+Place: Springtime in Sonoma County Wine Country
Sonoma County is a must for any wine lover traveling to Northern California. Quaint towns and picturesque scenery is in abundance– as well as world class wine, of course. For over 10 years, I’ve headed up to Healdsburg in Spring with my husband and family for the annual Dry Creek Valley “Passport” weekend. Participating wineries open their doors with loads of wine to taste and food to eat. Although the wine is delicious, I must admit, I go for the scenery. Sonoma County in the Springtime is like a breath of fresh air. The rain and cold of winter are gone and everything is in bloom – the trees, the…
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Palette+Place: Antelope Canyon, Arizona
When we pulled up to the dated strip mall to start our adventure of Antelope Canyon, I must admit I was a little turned off. The small office was packed. Tourists of all shapes and sizes milled around the Navajo souvenirs and trinkets, all waiting for the bus. A tour group is not always my first choice in exploring a natural wonder, but it actually is the only way to see this spectacular slot canyon. Antelope Canyon is one of the most photographed slot canyons in the world. It is on Navajo land, thus solo visits are prohibited. One can only tour the canyon with a group lead by a…
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Palette+Place: The Colors of La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Many times you hear people describe a location or place as being quite “colorful.” The first thought I have when this is said is that this place is full of a interests, excitement and potentially eccentric… Rarely do I interpret this to mean, literally, there is lots of color. Well, La Boca in Buenos Aires changed that for me. La Boca is truly a colorful neighborhood filled with bold bright hues everywhere you look. Located along the Riachuelo river, at the “mouth” (hence the name), this spot can’t be missed. The brightly painted doors, windows, trim, shutters, sidings and more playfully play with the everyday life of hanging laundry, light…
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Palette+Place: Roussillon, France
We came to Roussillon after a long leisurely French lunch filled with delicious food and wine, so, needless to say, we weren’t in the best condition to start a touring adventure… but once there, we were in for such a rich colorful treat our eyes became wide open! A town in the Luberon area of the South of France, Roussillon is at the base of Monts de Vaucluse. It is quite unlike many of the typical Southern French hill towns in that it is painted in rich reds, rusted oranges, golden yellows, and dark greens of the pine trees. With the striking Provençal blue skies, it offers quite a feast…