THE BEST OF THE WORST - 2011 CONCOURS D'LEMONS

Well, everyone knows that each August the city of Monterey, California plays host to some of the finest vintage automobile events in the world.  Spectators from around the globe gather annually for Monterey Car Week and attend everything from the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca to the world-renowned Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

BUT, in this photographer's not-so-humble opinion, the true crown jewel of Monterey Car Week is the Concours d'LeMons - which, as its tagline states, celebrates the, "...oddball, mundane and truly awful of the automotive world."  This car show is just so bad it's good. The cars so awful, so aesthetically displeasing and so beat-up, you just can't help but love 'em. So screw the rest of the Pebble Beach weekend - I got my fill of fabulous cars right here.

I mean, you have to love an event that proudly starts at "9:14am" and then "goes until they kick us out."  And then awards a 'P.O.S. - Worst of Show' trophy to its top winner - the crappier the car, the better.

Read 'em and weep, Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance entrants! I present to you, a brief recap of some of my favorite highlights from the show. Enjoy...

This year's 'Worst of Show' Winner - Scott King's Cimarron, by Cadillac (aka, the bastard of the Cadillac family)

mmmm... bird cr@p

While not the best at spelling, at least this car's owner came prepared for the show.

A SMALL TASTE OF BIG SUR

Big Sur.  El Sur Grande. The Big South.

Few places I've been in the world can rival the breathtaking beauty of this remote destination in Central California. As you wind along the jagged rocky cliffs of Pacific Coast Highway 1 from San Simeon up to Carmel-by-the-Sea, over 90 miles of seemingly untouched wilderness spread out before you. (Talk about Americana at its finest!)

It is a magical place with a vast array of landscapes & micro-climates.  You can be looking up at giant Redwood trees one minute, and then out over a field of cacti the next. I've driven through Big Sur several times in my life and every time it is different. The light and the color of the sea changes depending on the time of day and season you're there - it always keeps you on your toes. I love it.

We drove up through Big Sur last Thursday, August 18, 2011 from our home in Orange County, California to the Monterey Peninsula for what has become known as 'Car Week'.  Of course when we set out on this automotive-themed vacation, I envisioned taking loads of car-related photos throughout the trip (Which, I did. More to come on those photos soon!). 

But, as we drove along PCH, the signs for 'Vista Point Ahead' seemed to call my name.  We didn't stop much, but when we did I tried to capture just a very small taste of this amazing place with my camera. I hope you enjoy. And, if you've never been, then start planning that road trip now! I can assure that you won't be disappointed.

DESERT LIFE - A TASTE OF PALM SPRINGS

Palm Springs, California - I love this city.  It is classic Americana.

The dry, desert sauna-like heat that radiates off the pavement even after the sun sets. The sounds of Sinatra wafting through the air at the Del Marcos Hotel as you drift peacefully on your foam pool raft, drink-in-hand, soaking up the sun in the saltwater pool. 

And the city is a photographer's dream - with fabulous mid-century modern architecture and incredible artwork found around every bend. 

So, last weekend when my husband and I escaped to Palm Springs for 3 days, I was in photography heaven.  We explored the city, stopping to check everything out that caught our eye - from interesting buildings, to beautiful art, to cool vintage cars - Palm Springs has it all. And I did my best to capture some of my favorites through the lens of my camera.

The fabulous Del Marcos Hotel, Designed in 1947 by the famed desert architect William F. Cody

The distinctive Palm Springs Visitor's Center Building built in 1965 and designed by renowned desert architects Robert Frey and Robson Chambers

Front entrance of the Parker Palm Springs hotel.

The grand, over-sized orange front doors of the Parker Palm Springs hotel

A breathtaking piece entitled 'Horizontal in a Paris Alley' by artist Michael Heath at the Heath Gallery

The Del Marcos Hotel at night

Mid-century modern down to the last detail... the wheels on the pool's sun loungers

 A massive 160-foot-tall windmill in the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm near Palm Springs

Panorama of the San Gorgonio Pass Wind Farm