Palm Springs is a water desert resort city within the Coachella Valley, at approximately 172km east of Los Angeles. Thither can be found The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, the largest rotating aerial tramway in the world. It was opened in September 1963 as a way of getting from the floor of the Coachella Valley to relatively near the top of San Jacinto Peak and was constructed in rugged Chino Canyon.
The twelve-and-a-half minute ride begins at the Valley Station at 806m and passes up through five life zones (biomes) on its way to the Mountain Station at 2,596m above sea level. Travelers start in the Sonoran Desert and arrive at an alpine forest. The floor of the aerial tram-cars rotates constantly, making two complete revolutions throughout the duration of the journey.
With a capacity of 80 passengers, it is the largest of the three rotating aerial trams in the world (the others being in Cape Town, South Africa and Titlis, Switzerland). Both tramway stations were designed by notable mid-century architects. The Valley Station, finished in 1963, was designed by Albert Frey and Robson C. Chambers. The Mountain Station, built in 1961, was designed by architect E. Stewart Williams.
About the stamps
About the first stamp, featuring a portrait of George Washington, I wrote here. The last two stamps are part of the commemorative series Go Green, about which I wrote here.
References
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway - Wikipedia
Sender: Denise
Sent from Greenvale (New York / United States), on 10.02.2014
Photo: Paul R. Johnson
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