lorimarsha

Well I’m talking about extended trips. Here are my nine favorite travel essentials.

1. Rick Steves guidebooks
Detailed maps, walking tours, restaurant reviews. We’ve never
been disappointed with his suggestions.
2. A great handbag
I like my Urban Oxide by Hobo International that I bought
at JD Myers several years ago. It’s designed from a virtually
indestructible rubber and has several zippered interior and
exterior pockets.
3. Compact Journal
I use a small Moleskin to capture random thoughts and vital
information. I found mine at Barnes and Noble. I also pack a
small gluestick to adhere ephemera.
4. Travel wallet
I bought my Raika travel wallet in 1997 to organize itineraries,
tickets and my passport. An interior slot for your driver’s
license is convenient when passing through airport security.
5. Trip Advisor
This is the best on-line travel forum we’ve found for hotel and
restaurant reviews. Local users worldwide provide critical
directions and up-to-date information.
6. Comfortable shoes
I love my Keens. Funky, colorful and washable. I wore them
every day in Italy. Every single day. I found mine at Zappos.
7. Colorful umbrella
This floral print changes your outlook on a gray, rainy day.
Mine is made by Totes and I got it at Target for about $10.
8. Chico bag
18″x14″ bag in a 3″x4″ bag that you can clip to your bag or
backpack. Another JD Myers purchase, also available online.
9. Zippered cosmetic bag
I’ve had two of my LeSportsac bags for over 15 years. Their
online store offers an incredible array of styles and fabric
designs.

I have no affiliations with any of these companies. I just believe in sharing information about things I love. If you’d like to share your own, feel free to leave a comment.

Maui Getaway, originally uploaded by lorimarsha.

Carl and I returned to Maui in late May and once again, it was everything we hope for in a vacation. Immediate relaxation. Tradewinds. Visual stimulation. Tropical vegetation. Physical vegetation. Lunch at Mama’s Fish House. And finally….a completed trip to Hana and the Seven Sacred Pools.

I had heard a little about Noah Purifoy, so was intrigued when my friend Julie suggested a trip out to his open air art space in Joshua Tree. We had directions from her home in Desert Hot Springs but when we turned off onto a dirt road that continued for what seemed like miles, we began to wonder if we were headed in the right direction. We were driving on the wrong side of the road to avoid the deeper potholes when we spied a truck headed our way. I waved at the driver through the window and he happily waved back. “No! Stop!” I mouthed through the car window. He did and I jumped out asked if we were headed in the right direction to see Noah Purifoy’s place. “You’re almost there,” he said. He confirmed our directions were correct and told us we were going to love it. (So because of that friendly guy in the truck I have a very good sense of the people who live in the desert.) We made a few more turns and arrived at what looked like a huge outdoor art installation. Because, of course, it was.

Noah Purifoy died in March 2004 but I still felt his presence as we wandered through the ramshackle shelters, sculpture gardens and big open spaces. We saw the double wide trailer he lived in up until his death. I felt the influence of Simon Rodia’s Watts Towers where Purifoy helped to establish an art center. Found objects of all sizes and materials. Tires, bowling balls, shredded clothing, newspapers, typewriters, engraved metal signs, rusty skates, wooden slats with peeling paint. Walled in structures open to the bright blue sky. Scary interior spaces that spoke of pain and neglect. Moments of pure joy upon discovering wonderful treasures.

If you’re interested in learning more about Noah Purifoy click here

Decomposed mannequin

Three Crosses

Upside Down Head

Calculator

Textiles

Metal of all sorts

Engraved plates

Bowling balls

We all see things differently and that became apparent when Carl and I shared the camera on our recent trip to Paris. As it was our first time there, everything seemed photographable. How many pictures does one need of the Eiffel Tower? Quite a few, we decided. From below, from above, from every other monument, etc. Editing through 357 photos and putting aside the Eiffel Tower (well, not completely) , the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre, Versailles, Musee d’Orsay, and the Pompidou, here are 17 of my favorite images of Paris.

Eiffel Tower

Sweets

Headlines

Boat rentals

Fresh produce

Metro poster

Another Metro poster

Antoine’s umbrella shop

Open wide and say “ahhh!”

Baguette death grip

Montmarte charm

At the easel

A play in three words

Assemblage

Street art

Sushi delivery

Hermes orange