Heaven

Image shot with a Lensbaby.

On the first day of spring, we braved the cold Portland rain, threw our suitcases in the back of the car and headed for the airport. I couldn't help but feel giddy. Giddy to be leaving it all behind for a couple of days. And when our little plane finally landed in Palm Springs four hours later and we stepped out onto the tarmac, out into blinding bright sunshine and wide open blue skies, I wanted to cry. Giddy is maybe not even the word. This trip to Palm Springs had been in the works for months. The fine folks at the Ace Hotel & Swim Club had invited me down all the way back in August but due to circumstances beyond my control, I wasn't actually able to take them up on the offer for a good six months. I know now that the timing was perfect, that the whole thing had come to fruition at exactly the right moment and as our cab pulled into the driveway of the Ace, I felt my shoulders relax. I looked at my sweet friend Nataly (who I'd invited along for the ride) and I think maybe I squealed, I don't know. 

When it comes to traveling, I am notorious for over-planning. I get excited about new cities, new places and want to learn everything I possibly can so that I can plan extraordinary experiences. I try to leave room for things to just happen but more often than not, we are rushing from one thing to the next. With Palm Springs, I let all that go. My only plan for our 48 hours was to just let things unfold. To raise my camera when it felt right. To wholly surrender to the experience. And for 48 hours, that's exactly what we did. We wandered the grounds and lounged in hammocks. We laid in bed and listened to records. We drank mexican coke in white flannel robes by the patio fireplace and ordered room service. We hopped in and out of the photobooth (and then in and out again) and borrowed bikes from the Ace to ride into town. We floated on our backs in the swimming pool and looked up at the stars. We sat in the quiet of the diner and talked. Sometimes I picked my camera up, sometimes I didn't. 

It was exquisite. 

I didn't want to leave. Ever. I wanted to send for my husband and children and maybe a few of our things. I wanted to start a new life in room 237. But when the time finally came to leave, I felt rested and ready to go, ready to take on the real world and a hundred other little things. And as our cab pulled away, my mind jumped ahead to October. I couldn't help but feel excited about Shutter Sisters Oasis. And I couldn't imagine a more perfect place for it. 

Today, share with us a time when you just let it all go, relaxed into life, and allowed it to unfold.

***Just a reminder: Registration for Oasis opens today, at 9am Pacific Standard Time. We do hope you can join us!***

Comments

[Caryn]

Beautiful photo. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in the desert! There is nothing like it. One of my own Palm Springs images: http://instamaticgratification.wordpress.com/2012/03/11/71366/

[Marcie]

Surrendering into the moment - yes:
http://marciescudderstudios.squarespace.com/home/2012/3/28/favorite-whites.html

[xanthe]

Goosebumps. x.

[Gabriela]

We are getting ready for Spring Break vacation and for once we have no plans but to arrive to our destination, the beach. This photo brings me back to a very peaceful walk at the beach with my camera:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gamaraca/6817973333/in/photostream

Perhaps I will join you ladies in a future time in the camp!

[kaytee @ Little Red]

Lovely post. I always find that I'm too busy with jobs, school, volunteer work, you name it. It's so wonderful to find the time to catch up with friends and make them an important part of my schedule -- since they're such an important part of my life!

http://missredphotos.blogspot.com/2012/03/sweet-treats.html

[LeAnne]

I just registered! So excited :)

[Valerie]

With a young child, there comes a time when you suddenly let them explore and play out of view, making their own discoveries apart from you. It happened recently because of an exhausted mama (me), an awake-from-nap-and-full-of-oats toddler (my son), and a lemon. Yeah, a lemon.
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/03/lemon.html

Then the blurry oh-I-must-have-natural-light action shots gave way to little still lifes and a yummy recipe...
http://journeyleaf.typepad.com/journeyleaf/2012/03/lemon.html

[Anne]

Enjoying big red strawberries and just leaving the breakfast crumbs on the table all day!

http://www.circusedgar.blogspot.com/2012/03/weekendgeluk.html

Anne

[Jody Peterson]

I just got back from Palm Springs St. Patty's day weekend. It was my first time and I am in LOVE! What a beautiful place. When does registration close? Is there a limit to how many you accept?

[Gabriele]

I love to let go and get outside, into nature. We have many lovely preserves around us which have well maintained trails and going on a walk with my grandkids is so fun. Here are some pictures of a day when our walk turned into a long, long walk.
http://backontheflooragain.blogspot.com/2011/12/longest-walk-on-shortest-day.html

[Heather]

Great post! I try to relax with a pajama day as often as I can. http://joyfulwise.com/2012/03/29/big-weekend-plans/

[Kim Klassen]

Andrea...such a fab posting...and I can NOT wait for Oasis... love this...
'I didn't want to leave. Ever. I wanted to send for my husband and children and maybe a few of our things. I wanted to start a new life in room 237.'

xo

[Rhonda]

This is one of my favorite moments from a trip with my boyfriend to Death Valley. We tried to get out to the sand dunes before anyone else. We were there before the sun came up, but someone had still beat us there. The footprints irritated me at first, but now I kind of like them.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rmockmt/4698079128/in/photostream

[Kristin]

What a dream getaway! Wish i could afford it.......