Palm Springs vs. Palm Beach

I have a mental block about these two very different places. I have to actually visualize in my mind which one I am about to speak about before I open my mouth. I've been to both, and each one holds a special memory for me.

They are alike in only one way--they are both hot in the summer. How you define hot makes the difference. Is hot to you around 90-95 and very humid; the kind of weather that makes your eyelids sweat? Or is a dry heat of around 115 what you consider hot?

I've always made my vacation plans in light of the season I intend to travel. So, therefore, my trip to Palm Springs was taken in January, and the warm climate was a welcome break from the snow at home. (But if I really wanted to see snow--I didn't--I could have driven up into the mountains.) I totally enjoyed my time there, even though the "desert" didn't measure up to what I had envisioned.

Palm Springs is nice, and a bit "Hollywood." There's the statue on the main thoroughfare of Sonny Bono (former mayor), you can ride past Bob Hope's home (with secret directions from a former Long Islander), and there's a huge sign that reads: GERALD "OUR" FORD placed right next to the highway, like a giant billboard.

Then, there's the windmills. A fascinating (I can stare at them for hours) modern take on an old-fashioned physics experiment in which rotating blades produce electricity.

Now, Palm Beach, on the other hand, is in the land of sunshine and orange groves, and it has water (hence the "Beach"). In its heyday in the 40's, 50's, and 60's, it was quite the popular playground for the stars. I've seen numerous old photos of some scantily clad (for that era) young women lounging around pools with martinis and cigarettes in hand.

Today's Palm Beach is more open to us "regular" folks, although I'm sure the rich and famous often visit. The shops are still toney, and the streets are still clean. If you happen to stray into West Palm Beach, you'll probably run into someone you knew from high school--if you're from New York, that is. I think Palm Beach County wins the prize for the most transplanted Long Islanders. Some stay, some come home--sooner or later.

I've never been to Florida between May and November, so I'm clueless about summer there, except what I've been told, and it's not pretty. I have a hard time dealing with summer in New York, nevermind sweating it out in 150% humidity. About the only part of Florida I would live is in the Keys. Ahh, beautiful beaches (check out Bahia Honda State Park), cute little Key Deer, and of course the crown jewel--Key West. I can imagine myself walking down Duvall Street, cocktail in hand, heading towards Mallory Square to see the sun set...........  But, I digress!

To sum it all up, I prefer Long Island in the summer, and either Palm Springs OR Palm Beach in the winter. Both offer everything I am looking for, including good times with good friends.   ;-D

in the beginning...

It started with cave paintings and hieroglyphics; the Rosetta Stone and the Gutenberg Bible. Man's need to express himself has existed through the ages.

They say psychotherapy is the most selfish thing a person can do; I view writing, using words, as therapy. So, since this is MY therapy, I'll be writing about me, the people in my life, the places I go, and the experiences I encounter.

Welcome to my world.