New York 2011
S'Mac
Macaroni & Cheese restaurant in NYC - just had to try it and I was not disappointed!
Metropolitan Museum of Art
Also known as The Met
Entrance to the Cloisters Museum
Went here before touring the Met, because it closed earlier and the weather was still nice
Unicorn Tapestries in Cloisters
This one is called "The Unicorn is Found"
The Cloisters
Charming little monastic path
The Cloisters - Garden
Subway Station
Autumn Landscape
This is a stained glass by Louis Tiffany, on display at the Met
Arms and Armor Room
...at the Met
Entrance to Temple of Dendur
This is an actual Egyptian temple that was gifted from Egypt to the US, on display at the Met
Long view of Temple of Dendur
View of NYC from Empire State Building at Night
Moon over NYC
The tallest tower over on the right-ish side is the new WTC tower
Circle Line Cruise Boat
New WTC Tower Under Construction
Tallest one, behind the other buildings - seen from our Circle Line Cruise
Lady Liberty
Seen from our Circle Line Cruise
Ellis Island
Seen from our Circle Line Cruise
Cool Ship
Some cool ship we saw from our Circle Line Cruise
Brooklyn Bridge
Seen from our Circle Line Cruise
Me in Times Square
With a hot dog and a Diet Coke
Lobby of Sohotel
This is the hotel we stayed at for our trip.
Me and T-Rex
At American Museum of Natural History
Deinonychus and T-Rex
Deinonychus is probably what Michael Crichton meant when he wrote about velociraptors. This is the only skeleton on display of this dinosaur in the world. Also cool shot of T-Rex behind it.
Empire State Building on 9/11/11
We were in NYC for the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and the Empire State was lit up appropriately.
Me and a Black and White Cookie
"...Look to the cookie." -Seinfeld
Inside Guggenheim Museum
The building itself is cooler than the modern art exhibited there.
Exterior of Guggenheim Museum
Starry Night by Van Gogh
On display at the Museum of Modern Art
Monet's Water Lilies
Museum of Modern Art
Flying over St. Louis
Ok it's not NYC, but it's a cool aerial view of my home city as we were flying in.
Indianapolis
Approaching Downtown
From the pedestrian bridge leading out of White River State Park
Tonka Truck On Its Face
Along the pedestrian bridge, there were several interesting sculptures. This was the first that caught our eye.
A Bridge Across from the Pedestrian Bridge
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Lucas Oil Stadium
Just opened in August 2008.
Bridge Sculpture
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Me and a Giant Chinese Takeout Box
Who's hungry?? :)
Another View of Downtown
Getting closer
Storm? Sculpture
I think this sculpture was depicting a rainstorm. Not sure.
Walkway next to Pedestrian Bridge
With a cool fountain in the middle
Start of the Canal Walk
The brick building is the NCAA Headquarters and Hall of Champions.
Canal Walk - Phase 1
Rounding the first bend of the walk
Me on the Canal Walk
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Canal Walk - Phase 2
Nice view of downtown from here
A Cool Clock
There were more sculptures and art along the Canal Walk that we liked.
Lighthouse Sculpture
I liked this one particularly.
El'phants
RAWR! These elephants were behind the Indiana State Museum.
Me on the Canal Walk
Yay for Indianapolis!
Back of the Eiteljorg Museum
This museum features American Indian art and artifacts.
A Fountain along the Canal Walk
In this same area you could rent boats to paddle along the canal.
Me on a Canal Bridge
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Me on the Canal Bridge - Closer
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A Fountain on the Canal Walk
This was behind the bridge from the last couple pictures.
A Mosiac along the Canal Walk
Phase 3 of our walk... we turned around somewhere around this point.
Gondola in the Canal
With downtown in background
Path through Military Park
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Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial
These green glass walls had names of soldiers that received the Congressional Medal of Honor from the Civil War on.
Walking Through Congressional Medal of Honor Memorial
A recording of various stories played while you were browsing through the names.
Sign for Romanian Orthodox Church
...but there was no church.
Another view of Military Park
Love the trees
Another Tree in Military Park
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Campus of NCAA Hall of Champions
It was closed... oh well
NCAA Hall of Champions
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Walkway along NCAA Hall of Champions
Cool brick building and streetlamp...
Back to the Start of the Canal Walk
Took some more pics of this cool area...
Historical Marker
Marking the spot of the cabin of John McCormick... someone important, I suppose...
Another view of Canal
Facing downtown with a cool outdoor amphitheatre place right there... we wondered if they really have concerts and stuff there.
Another Fountain
This is the fountain from an earlier picture of the walkway parallel to the pedestrian bridge.
Another odd sculpture
Had missed this one from earlier... don't remember what it's of.
Streetlamps along Pedestrian Bridge
And that "storm" sculpture from earlier
Another odd sculpture
At the end of the pedestrian bridge
Deer Fountain in front of Eiteljorg Museum
We really liked the "splashing" effect of this fountain.
Entrance to Victory Field
Home of the Indianapolis Indians, a minor league baseball team
Indianapolis Convention Center
I was here about 10 years before for a liturgical music conference, and wanted to visit. The street was all under construction though.
Cute Sculpture in front of Convention Center
Not sure who these characters were supposed to be, but still cute.
Lion Sculpture in front of Convention Center
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Victory Field through Trees
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Peeking in Victory Field
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RCA Dome and Lucas Oil Stadium
Old and the New... the RCA Dome was the home of the Colts, but now they have moved to the Lucas Oil Stadium. The roof of the dome was deflated just a couple of weeks after we were there.
Indiana Repertory Theatre
Probably like our Fox Theatre in St. Louis.
Facade of Indiana Repertory Theatre
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Indianapolis Artsgarden Walkway
Probably one of the coolest landmarks of downtown Indianapolis.
Entering the Glass Walkway
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View of Street from the Glass Walkway I
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View of Washington Street
Looking out the Glass Walkway
Another View of Washington Street
From the walkway
View of Clock from Walkway
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Inside the Artsgarden Walkway
There were many places to sit and eat or relax for a bit. There was an entrance to a food court on one side.
A Big Clock on a Building
This was on the other side of the Glass Walkway after we left it.
Washington Street
After leaving the Walkway
Street Corner with Cool Clock
Corner of Washington and Meridian
Closeup of Clock
At Washington and Meridian
Monument Circle
Ok, ok... this is probably the coolest landmark of downtown Indianapolis.
Monument Entrance
Monument Circle
Cool Streetlamp
At least I think that's what this is...
Monument Circle Fountain
Detail on back of Monument
Me in front of Monument Circle Fountain
And lots of pretty flowers
Buffalo Head Fountain
On the side of the fountain
Me on platform of Monument
Above the fountain
Capitol Building from Monument Circle
Looking down Market Street
A church on Monument Circle
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Capitol Building from Fountain
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Another cool streetlamp
Behind it you can see the buildings that surround Monument Circle curve slightly to fit.. pretty neat.
Closer look at the church on the circle
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Chocolate Cafe
Sounds like the best cafe ever!
Hard Rock Cafe Indianapolis
Where we had our lunch.
Indiana Republican Pary Headquarters
Next door to the Hard Rock Cafe
A cool streetcorner sculpture
Not sure what it's supposed to represent...
Cars on Monument Circle
They are required to stop for pedestrians, which I could tell they sorta get annoyed by. :)
Indiana State Capitol
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George Washington Statue
Outside Indiana State Capitol
Sign for Indiana State Museum
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Sign for NCAA Hall of Champions
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Rock Circle
I think that's the Visitors Center in the background.
Italy
View from Balcony
St. Peter's Dome from our apartment's balcony
St. Peter's Dome
St. Peter's Square columns
St. Peter's through Columns
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St. Peter's Square
St. Peter's Square/Another View
Fountain in St. Peter's Square
Sign for Dress Code at St Peters
Shoulders and legs to the knee must be covered.
Entering St. Peter's Basilica
Beams of Light in St. Peters
Altar in St. Peter's
Stained-glass Dove above Altar
Love this shot my brother took.
Closer look at Altar
Michelangelo's Dome
The large dome in St. Peter's
Statue of St. Veronica
Shown displaying the veil with the imprint of Jesus' face on it
Dome in St. Peter's
Archways in St. Peter's
The Pieta
Me in St. Peter's
St. Peter's Sunset from Balcony
Side Door in St. Peter's
Entrance to the Scavi Office
Underground St. Peter's
We went through here after the Scavi tour. I think it's a tomb of various Popes.
Inside St. Peter's
Front of St. Peter's
Mom and Dad and a Fountain
Sign to Sistene Chapel
Really it's pointing to the Vatican Museums as a whole, but that's what everyone goes there to see...
Rome Street
Waited on this street in line for Vatican Museums
Line for the Vatican Museums
Exit from Vatican Museums
Passed by it while waiting to enter
Cortile della Pigna
"Courtyard of the Pinecone" at Vatican Museums
The Pinecone in the Courtyard
This bronze pinecone is said to date from the 1st century and was moved here in the 15th century.
View from Museum Window
A Room of Statues
Vatican Museums
One of many Painted Domes
Vatican Museums
Cool Staircase
Vatican Museums
A Gallery Hall
Got used to seeing painted ceilings in the Vatican Museums
Gallery of Maps
Vatican Museums - one of the few rooms I remember the name of, besides the Sistene Chapel
Cool Ceiling Painting
This painting in the Vatican Museums depicts the fall of paganism before Christianity.
Quaint Window Seat
Vatican Museums
Craig and Me in Window Seat
Sistene Chapel
The Vatican Museums' main event... but don't get caught taking a picture
Sistene Chapel Windows
Me in a Cool Room
Vatican Museums
Exit from Vatican Museum
Twisty Stair from Vatican Museum
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Our Corner Grocery Store
The Di-Per-Di
Flowery Entrance
The entrance to our apartment building
Papal Apartments at Sundown
The windows the world was watching during the last hours of JPII's life
Via della Conciliazione at Night
This is the road that leads directly out of St. Peter's Square.
St. Peter's at Twilight
From Via Della Conciliazione
Cool sidestreet
Led off of Via Della Conciliazione
Our Cool Sidestreet
In search of a drink...
Accordion Player
We got serenaded at our little outdoor diner.
Me, Craig and Jen
Enjoying the Roman night with a few cold ones. :)
St. Peter's Columns at Night
Jen and Me and Fountain
Holding the roses Craig bought from a street vendor for Mom.
Column Walkway at Night
Hotel Columbus
Walkway to the front door. This is where we picked up our shuttle bus to go to Florence.
Trevi Fountain
On our way to get more passengers, the driver told us this was right around the corner...we ran to take a quick pic.
Me, Jen, and Mom and the Trevi
Us at the Trevi Fountain
The Rose in the Fountain
Look carefully and you'll see it floating straight up and down in the water...
Santa Maria Maggiore
This is where all the tour buses met and where we found our actual tour bus to Florence.
Beautiful Valley
We passed this on our way out of Rome and I barely had time to snap the picture.
View of Florence
As seen from Piazza Michelangelo
Wide View of Florence
From Piazza Michelangelo
Ponte Vecchio from Piazza
Ponte Vecchio
Crossing a neighboring bridge was the closest we got to it, unfortunately. I wanted to walk across it.
Chiesa de Santa Croce
Michelangelo and Galileo are buried here, among others.
Michelangelo's Street
He apparently lived in that house at the end of the street, if I heard the tour guide correctly.
Florence Buildings
Statue in Florence
Fountain in Florence
Gallery of Statues in Florence
Statue Holding Head
Florence Piazza
Europeans really like carousels.
The Duomo
It's too massive to fit in one picture and the piazza is too small to stand back far enough.
Entrance Detail
Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel likened the facade to a big wedding cake.
Side of Duomo
So you can see a little more of the actual Dome. We didn't go in. Not enough time. Gr.
The David
In the Accademia in Florence
Exterior of Accademia
Not that impressive for a building that houses probably the world's most famous sculpture...
Tuscan Houses
Taken from the bus on the way back to Rome from Florence
Tuscan Countryside
From bus en route to Rome from Florence
Tuscan Hills
En Route from Florence to Rome
Medieval town of Orte
Not far outside of Rome
Crowd awaiting Pope
There were 25,000 people here on this particular day.
Pope Benedict XVI
He came pretty close to us up the center aisle.
St. Peter's Jumbotron
Pope gives Speech at St. Peter's
Roman Subway
This is the station Ottaviano San Pietro, just north of Vatican City.
Detail on Facade of St. Paul's
This is St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls.
St. Paul's Outside-the-Walls
Lawn of St. Paul's
Inside St. Paul's
Facing Altar in St. Paul's
Altar at St. Paul's
Papal Portraits at St. Paul's
There is a legend that when the spaces are used up, the world will end. There aren't too many left. Creepy.
Crypt underneath Altar
St. Paul himself is buried under this basilica, possibly in this crypt...
The Colosseum
We got there too late to pay admission to go inside, so we had to settle for walking around it. No crowds though.
Arch of Constantine
Side of Colosseum
Peeking in Colosseum
You can see the cross for the Christian martyrs across the arena.
Side Detail on Colosseum
Stairs into Colosseum
Roman Turnstiles
These were meant to control crowds entering the Colosseum.
Walkway into Colosseum
Colosseum Window
The Cross in the Colosseum
In honor of the Christians martyred here
Colosseum Arches
Colosseum Arches at Sunset
Ruins near Colosseum
Jen and Me and Colosseum
Piazza Venezia at Sunset
Roman Aqueduct near Forum
Roman Forum I
Roman Forum II
Roman Forum III
Us at the Roman Forum
Jen, me, Dad, and Mom
Roman Forum Street
The Mamertine
This orange building is where Sts. Peter and Paul were once imprisoned.
Tree and Ruins
Ruins and Streetlamp
Roman Street
They just build around the ruins, it looks like...
Near Spanish Steps
This was soon after we got off the subway for the Spanish Steps.
Spanish Steps
Fountain at Spanish Steps
I don't know why the guy is standing in it though...
Via Condotti
The trendiest shopping district in all of Rome...bring lots of money.
Sign for McDonalds
This seems to say the Spanish Steps McDonalds was the first McDs in Italy.
Jen and Me and McDonalds
Us in front of the entrance to Spanish Steps McDonalds
Menu at McDonalds
Fun reading the names of our familiar favorites in Italian.
Jen waiting for Burgers
Jen in line at McDonalds
GELATO
This was in a gelateria inside a McDonald's near the Spanish Steps.
Gelateria
In the Spanish Steps' McDonald's
View from Spanish Steps I
View from Spanish Steps II
Hangin Out on Spanish Steps
Jen and me on the Steps
Expensive!
The name of this store says enough.
Castel San Angelo
Seen from a taxi ride, crossing a bridge into Vatican City back to our apartment.
Catedral y Capilla de San Brizio
This is the main cathedral in Orvieto, a stop we made on the way to Assisi.
Piazza in Orvieto
Crane lifting outside Catedral
Inside Catedral de San Brizio
Windows in S. Brizio
Umbrian Vineyards
From bus en route to Assisi
Our Tour Bus
Approaching Assisi
Craig caught this sign pointing to Assisi from the bus. :)
Entering Assisi
View of Umbria from Assisi
Basilica of St. Francis
As seen while entering Assisi
Assisi Archway I
Assisi Rooftops
Assisi House I
View from Assisi Rooftop
Assisi Houses
Basilica of St. Clare
Rocca Maggiore
One of the fortresses around the perimeter of Assisi
Palazzo del Capitano dei Popolo
In the Piazza del Comune in Assisi
Tempio di Minerva
A pagan temple-turned-Catholic church.
Piazza del Comune
Fountain in Piazza del Comune
Inside Tempio di Minerva
Assisi Steps I
Thankfully we didn't have to climb these... just a sidestreet.
Assisi Archway II
Assisi Steps II
Assisi House II
Assisi House III
Basilica of St. Francis
Lawn of St. Francis Basilica
McDonald's in Assisi
Taken while we were on the bus leaving town
Leaving Assisi
Metro Station in Rome
People around Fountain in Rome
From bus while dropping off other passengers
Traffic in Piazza d. Repubblica
From the bus dropping off other passengers
Hotel Columbus
Our bus stop
Gelateria Trashcan
While walking back to our apartment from Hotel Columbus
Our Apartment - Living Room
Living Room/Foyer
Kitchen/Dining Table with Roses
These were the roses we brought back a couple nights ago, in a wine bottle vase.
Via di Porta Cavalleggeri
This was the street we walked down every day to get to St. Peter's.
Inside St. Sebastien Catacombe
A rather "illegal" picture taken by Craig, but I'm glad he did. :)
Tomb of St. Sebastien
That's my candle, closest to the camera.
St. Sebastien Catacombs
Triclinium of Pope Leo
Across from St. John Lateran
St. John Lateran
Or San Giovanni in Laterno... the primary parish of the Pope
Statues atop St. John Lateran
Outside main door to St. John
This is actually looking to your right as you face the main entrance.
The Nave of St. John Lateran
The Pope's Chair
St. John Lateran
Altar of St. John Lateran
The balducchio above the altar is said to house a reliquary that contains parts of the heads of St. Peters and Paul.
Entrance to the Confessio
The statue is of John the Baptist.
Side Altar at St. John Lateran
This altar is just to the left of the main altar when facing it. I tried to find what it is called... no luck.
Fettucine Primavera
My lunch after visiting St. John Lateran. Best fettucine primavera EVER!
Santa Maria Maggiore
Or St. Mary Major
Man Feeding Pigeons
Outside St. Mary Major
Nave of Santa Maria Maggiore
Our visit here completed our tour of the four patriarchal churches of Rome: including St. John, St. Paul, St. Peters.
Stained Glass at St. Mary Major
Above the entrance in the back of the church
Closer Look at Stained Glass
Altar at St. Mary Major
Scala Sancta
Holy Stairs: the stairs Christ himself walked up in front of Pilate's temple, moved to this location in 1589.
View of St. Peter's from Bridge
Piazza Navona
Fountain in Piazza Navona
Another fountain in P. Navona
Entering the Pantheon
Dome of Pantheon
The hole at the top is called the "oculus" and emits the only light into the Pantheon.
Inside the Pantheon
Looking Out of Pantheon
Floor of Pantheon
Facade of Pantheon
Us in front of Pantheon
Back Home in the Apartment
Sunset outside Kitchen Window
Sock Fishing
We lost this sock off our balcony and Dad constructed a fishing mechanism to retrieve it.
Fishing for the Sock
My Bedroom
Bathroom
Stairwell outside Apartment
S. Pietro Rail Station
We passed this every day leaving our apartment; grabbed this picture while driving away the last time.
View of Rome from Giancolo Hill
Statue of Garibaldi on Giancolo
Another View from Giancolo
Cloud Bridge from Plane
Washington DC
Our Hotel Room
At the District Hotel
Tanya in Hotel Room
We grabbed ice cream treats from CVS Pharmacy on our way home from dinner. Yum!
Subway Shot
Don't remember which station this was... probably McPherson Square.
Entrance to National Archives
National Archives
It wasn't yet open to the public, but researchers (like Tanya) could go in.
Sculpture Park
National Mall
Washington Monument
Across the National Mall
U.S. Capitol
As seen from the National Mall
Side View of Smithsonian Castle
National Mall
A Cool Building next to Castle
National Mall
Smithsonian Museum
Across from the Castle - I think it's the Natural History museum
Entrance to Smithsonian Castle
It was the first Smithsonian Museum, but now acts as the information center.
Approaching Washington Monument
From the National Mall
Washington Monument
The small building in front is the ticket kiosk.
Smithsonian Castle
From across the National Mall
U.S. Capitol - Closer
Approaching from National Mall
The National Mall
As seen from in front of the U.S. Capitol
U.S. Capitol Front Steps
It seemed I was too early for the tour; the entrance was still gated off.
Planets' Relative Sizes
Inside the National Museum of Air and Space
Voyager Replica??
Can't remember what this was...inside Air and Space museum
Spirit of St. Louis
The original flown by Charles Lindbergh... hanging around with some other planes
Kermit the Frog
Air and Space Museum: Treasures of American History exhibit. The original!
Abe Lincoln's Hat
Treasures of American History. The hat he was wearing when he was shot.
Scarecrow and Dorothy's Slippers
Treasures of American History exhibit. Costume worn by Ray Bolger.
The Ruby Slippers
Treasures of American History Exhibit
C3PO and R2D2
Treasures of American History Exhibit: the same ones used in the movies
George Washington's Uniform
Treasures of American History exhibit
Rotunda
National Archives
Milling Around in the Rotunda
Tourists in front of the Constitution
Mural of the Constitution
George Washington is in the center, in the cream-colored clothes and cape.
Mural of the Declaration
Thomas Jefferson in center right, holding a sheet of paper
Declaration of Independence
National Archives
Close-up of Declaration
National Archives
The Constitution
National Archives
First Page of Constitution
National Archives
Last Page of Constitution
National Archives
The Bill of Rights
National Archives
Bill of Rights - Closeup
National Archives
Pink Building
Near the National Archives
Dinos in Natural History Museum
National Museum of Natural History - Smithsonian Museums
Skull of Triceratops
Natural History Museum
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Natural History Museum
Me and Triceratops
Matches a pic from NY. :) But the guy cut most of the dino out of the picture.
Brontosaurus
Those are a lot of ribs... Natural History Museum
Dino Excavation
Natural History Museum
Sign on Fossil Lab
...and don't feed the mammals either! Natural History Museum
Fossil Lab
Natural History Museum
Scary Fish Skeleton
The Natural History Museum in New York had a similar-looking fish.
Sea Turtles
Aye.... SEA TURTLES!! Natural History Museum
Three-Horn
Close-up of Triceratops without me in front of it... Natural History Museum
Stegosaurus
Natural History Museum
Stego Replica
Natural History Museum
Sabre-Toothed Tiger Skull
Natural History Museum
Giant Sloth
Yes, that's a sloth. Can't believe they were ever that big. Natural History Mus.
Armadillo
Natural History Museum
Sabre-Toothed Tiger in Battle
with a... another Giant Sloth? Not sure. Natural History Museum
Mammoth Skeleton
Natural History Museum
Little Deer
Cute little guy. Or WAS, at least. :) Natural History Museum
Mummified Remains
Looks like it was some cow-like animal... Natural History Museum
Side of Mammoth Skeleton
I was taken with how big the jaw and teeth were. Natural History Museum
Elk Antlers
They. Were. Huge. Natural History Museum
Entrance to "Mine" Exhibit
Natural History Museum
Amethyst and Rose Quartz
I have specimens of each at home. :) Natural History Museum
Sapphires
Blue and Pink specimens... Natural History Museum
Emeralds
Pretty. :) Natural History Museum
Aquamarines
Natural History Museum
Cat-Eye Stones
I love these things. Natural History Museum
Star Stones
Natural History Museum
Hope Diamond
It's about 45 carats. No idea how much it's worth. Natural History Museum
Sapphire Jewelry
Natural History Museum
Logan Sapphire
423 carats. It is from Sri Lanka. Gorgeous. Natural History Museum
Elephant Display
Natural History Museum
Statue from Easter Island
Natural History Museum
Washington Monument
Passing by on way to Lincoln Memorial
World War II Memorial
Between Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool, opened 2004.
Atlantic Column
WWII Memorial
Quote on WWII Memorial
With Missouri pillar behind
Reflecting Pool w/Lincoln Mem.
Path to Lincoln Memorial
Parallel to Reflecting Pool
Wash. Monument w/Reflecting Pool
From Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Mr. Lincoln
Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln and Quote
Lincoln Memorial
Abe's View
Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool seen from Lincoln Memorial
Wash. Monument and Pool
From steps of Lincoln Memorial
Statues and Vietnam War Memorial
Visitors to Vietnam War Memorial
Flowers at Vietnam War Memorial
Jefferson Memorial
That was as close as I was gonna get to it. :) Wasn't walking anymore.
Pillar w/Statue
He's looking right at me. Yikes!
White House
Looking across Ellipse at the House
White House II
Through iron gate
Friendly Lock
What a nice little message to leave on the iron gate barring your entrance. :)
White House and Front Lawn
White House and Tall Tree
District Hotel
Our home in DC
Arlington Cemetery Entrance Sign
Headstones w/Robert E. Lee House
Arlington Cemetery
Rows of White Headstones
Arlington Cemetery
Robert E. Lee House
I never found out why the flag was at half-staff. Arlington Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery Amphitheatre
Not sure what it's used for.
Side of Amphitheatre
Faces the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Arlington Cemetery
Guard at Tomb of Unknown Soldier
Arlington Cemetery
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington Cemetery
Changing of the Guard I
The Sergeant makes an appearance in front of the crowd...
Changing of the Guard II
They perform the changing ceremony according to military tradition...
Changing of the Guard III
The sergeant and old guard leave, leaving the new guard in place.
Challenger Memorial
Arlington Cemetery
Columbia Memorial
Arlington Cemetery
U.S.S. Maine Memorial
This is the mast from that ship which was sunk in Havana in 1898.
Korean War Memorial
I was moved by the fact that there are still 389 people unaccounted for.
Headstones and Trees
Arlington Cemetery
New Grave
This soldier was buried in 2007. Arlington Cemetery
Tomb of 2,111 Civil War Soldiers
Arlington Cemetery
Headstones Overlooking Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery
Cross Overlooking Cemetery
Arlington Cemetery
Side of Robert E. Lee House
Arlington Cemetery
Grave of Pierre L'Enfant
Mr. L'Enfant designed the city of Washington DC. Arlington Cemetery
View of DC from House
Mr. L'Enfant gets a pretty good view from here of the city he designed.
View of Arlington from House
Arlington Cemetery
Another view from House
Arlington Cemetery
Inside Robert E. Lee House
Arlington Cemetery
Back Door of Robert E. Lee House
Arlington Cemetery
Slave Quarters
Behind Robert E. Lee House. Arlington Cemetery
Doorway to Slave Quarters
Arlington Cemetery
Front of Robert E. Lee House
Hard to get a good picture of the front, cause it's right on the edge of a hill.
View of JFK Grave
From Robert E. Lee House. Arlington Cemetery
JFK Grave and Eternal Flame
Gravestones of John F. Kennedy and Jackie. Arlington Cemetery
JFK Child Grave
One of two young Kennedy children buried beside John and Jackie.
Closer view of JFK Grave
Arlington Cemetery
JFK Daughter Grave
The headstone just says "Daughter" and gives a date.
Another View of JFK Grave
Arlington Cemetery
Quote from JFK on Wall
Across from grave. Arlington Cemetery
More Headstones and Trees
Arlington Cemetery
Entrance Gate to Visitor Center
Arlington Cemetery
Women in Military Memorial
Full title is Women in Military Service for America Memorial. Arlington Cemetery
St. Matthew's Cathedral Exterior
This beautiful cathedral was just down the street from our hotel.
St. Matthew's Baptistry
Just to the left after you enter the cathedral.
Inside St. Matthew's Cathedral
Loved all the mosaics.
Magna Carta at National Archives
Went back to see this, as it had just gone on display that day.
Closeup of Magna Carta
National Archives
Tanya at Hard Rock Cafe
Had to splurge for at least one meal!
Twisted Mac and Cheese
My dinner at the Hard Rock. Best Mac and Cheese anywhere.
Sign on Ford's Theatre
Where Abe Lincoln was shot. The theatre was closed for renovations. Phoo.
Ford's Theatre
It was right next door to the Hard Rock Cafe.
The House Where Lincoln Died
It's the red brick building. This is across the street from the Ford Theatre.
Sign on House Where Lincoln Died
Interesting Chapel
We walked by this church every day and wondered what this chapel was for.
Lobby of District Hotel
Lobby area of our home-sweet-home in DC
Gate to Mount Vernon
Home of George Washington.
Mount Vernon and Lawn
The "back" of the house, but through which everyone enters.
"Necessary" at Mount Vernon
What they called an outhouse back in the day...
Side of House w/Kitchen
The kitchen is attached to the house by a walkway... maybe to keep smells out?
Closer View of Back of House
Waiting to get in for the tour of the house
Side of House/Stairs to Porch
And door to cellar
Mt. Vernon and Potomac River
Imagine drinking in that view from the porch every morning with your coffee. :)
Pathway past Cow Pasture
On the way to the Tomb
Another View of Potomac
From in front of House
Outside of Tomb of Washington
Mount Vernon
Tombs of Martha and George
Martha on left, George on right. The vault behind them contains more relatives.
Site of "Old Tomb"
This is where Washington was originally buried until the New Tomb was built.
Washington's "Old Tomb"
The New Tomb was constructed per Washington's instructions in his will.
Mount Vernon Stables
Coach House at Mount Vernon
Predecessor of today's garage, apparently. Where George kept his buggies.
Laundry Yard at Mount Vernon
I liked the tower in the corner.
Mt. Vernon Building
This might be the storehouse/clerk's quarters...can't remember for sure.
Paint Cellar
I guess where Washington kept his paint? Mount Vernon
Servant's Hall
Opposite from kitchen, also attached by a walkway, called a collonade.
View of Mt. Vernon Lawn
Taken while we were waiting to take the "National Treasure" tour of Mt. Vernon.
Front of Mount Vernon
With the porch that extends along the whole length of the house.
Collonade to Kitchen
I thought the little walkways were neat.
Front Lawn of Mount Vernon
This is where the "birthday party" scene was filmed in National Treasure II.
Another view across Potomac
It is a mile wide at this point.
Walking across Front Lawn
Going away from the house
Leaving the Basement
That's our tour guide closing the door to the basement after we got to see it.
Door to Basement
No photography was allowed anywhere inside the house, so this is the best I got.
Mount Vernon Marina
Yacht was called Spirit of Mount Vernon. What else?
Shack at Mount Vernon Marina
I guess this is where they keep the Funoodles and water wings... :)
Pathway Alongside Potomac River
Only we on the National Treasure tour were allowed to walk this pathway.
Entrance to Icehouse
Back then they kept ice underground to keep it frozen. Didn't always work.
Mount Vernon from Potomac
This view has not been seen by even some of the staff. We were special. :)
End of Potomac Pathway
We walked the road as far as it goes.
Marina from end of Pathway
We had to turn around and walk all the way back!
Bulls in Mt. Vernon Pasture
Careful not to get gored by one of these!
France
Our Group in Air France Lounge
Karen, me, Theresa, Hilary, and Lauren, our Air France rep.
First Course on the Plane
This is smoked duck. It tasted just like ham. Pretty fancy for airplane food! We were in business class though.
Driving the Streets of Paris
En Route to La Defense from the airport
Sculpture in La Defense
This was across the street from our hotel.
Sofitel La Defense Centre
The lobby of the hotel
My Room
At the Sofitel La Defense Centre. Love those beds.
View out my Window
From Sofitel La Defense Centre at another crazy sculpture. Karen called it the "Pixie Stix Tower."
My Bathroom - Sofitel La Defense
Another view in room
Sofitel La Defense Centre. The table had a little welcome letter and some gifts.
Welcome Letter
At Sofitel La Defense Centre
Hotel Restaurant
At Sofitel La Defense Centre
Our Lunch
Sofitel La Defense Centre
Grande Arche from hotel
From in front of Sofitel La Defense Centre
Outside of Sofitel La Defense Cr
My first glimpse of Eiffel Tower
View from La Defense
Paris Metro
Paris Opera House
Paris Street (and Lauren)
Paris Flower Market
Restaurant- Sofitel Le Faubourg
This was one of the hotels we did a site inspection at.
Napoleon on top of Building
Cool Sidestreet
Paris Traffic (and a Smart Car)
Parisians Entering Subway
Champs Elysees
Monoprix
On Champs Elysees
Arc de Triomphe at Night
Arc de Triomphe II
Sofitel Champs Elysees
Dinner at Sofitel Champs Elysees
Sign for Champs Elysees
(ARR!)
Walk to the Grande Arche I
Carlson Wagonlit Travel
A familiar sight in La Defense
Cool Trees in La Defense
Walk to the Grande Arche II
Cool Architecture in La Defense
Walk to the Grande Arche III
Grande Arche and Fountain
Colorful La Defense Fountain
Looks more like a pool than a fountain when it's turned off.
Front of La Defense Fountain
And some more cool buildings
Carousel in La Defense
Walk to the Grande Arche IV
Air France Building
La Defense
Sign for Chronicles of Narnia
in La Defense... I guess it was premiering on some cable channel.
Walk to the Grande Arche V
Rail Station in La Defense
Lobby at Dorint Novotel Airport
View of Cemetery from Window
At Dorint Novotel Airport Charles de Gaulle
Hotel Spa
Dorint Novotel Airport Charles de Gaulle
French Keyboard
At Dorint Novotel Airport Charles de Gaulle
Glimpse of Sacre Coeur
From train
My Room for Second Night
Sofitel La Defense Grande Arche
Bathroom
Sofitel La Defense Grande Arche
My Room Sofitel Grande Arche
Sofitel La Defense Grande Arche
A Thumb in La Defense
La Defense Buildings
Metro Sign
Eiffel Tower and Streetlamp
One of my coolest shots from the trip
Tribute to Princess Diana
The site of her car crash is below this monument.
Riverboat on Seine
Riverboat and Eiffel Tower
The Seine River
Seine River Cruise - Bridge I
Bridge II
Seine River Cruise
Alexander III Bridge
Seine River Cruise
Detail on Alexander III Bridge
Other Side of Alexander III Brdg
Seine River Cruise
Paris Orleans Clock
Seine River Cruise
The Louvre I
Seine River Cruise
The Louvre II
Seine River Cruise
Cool Domed Building
Seine River Cruise
Detail on Pont Neuf
This is Paris' oldest bridge, despite its name "New Bridge"
Pont Neuf
Seine River Cruise
Pont Neuf - Full View
Seine River Cruise
Saint-Michel Bridge
Seine River Cruise - This bridge was built in 1857. The "N" is some imperial mark...don't know what it's for.
First Glimpse of Notre Dame
Seine River Cruise
Statue of Charlemagne
In front of Notre Dame - Seine River Cruise
Notre Dame I
Seine River Cruise
Notre Dame II
Seine River Cruise
Notre Dame III
Seine River Cruise
Notre Dame IV
Seine River Cruise
Notre Dame V
Seine River Cruise
Cool Tower on a Bridge
Seine River Cruise
Looking Towards Bastille
Seine River Cruise... it's in that direction somewhere
Making a U-Turn
Seine River Cruise
Buildings/Trees Along Seine
Seine River Cruise
Underneath Pont Marie
Seine River Cruise - Make a Wish
Pont Marie
Traditionally the most romantic bridge in Paris. You're supposed to either kiss or make a wish when passing underneath.
Castle on Seine River
I think this might be part of the Louve....? Not sure.
Castle on Seine River II
Couple Getting Married on Seine
Seine River Cruise - Actually they look like they're having pictures taken.
Smallest House on Seine River
Seine River Cruise
Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower Base
Me at Base of Eiffel Tower
Eiffel Tower Base Lit Up
Eiffel Tower Lit Up at Night
The Louvre Pyramid at Night
Louvre Pyramid at Night
Louvre Pyramid at Night/no flash
Hotel near Louvre
Sorry for the blurriness...when I don't use flash they're harder to focus...
Cool Subway Entrance near Louvre
Nighttime Corridor
Near our restaurant near the Louvre
Our Group at Dinner
Near the Louvre
Walking Home from Restaurant
Another nighttime corridor...
Our Hotel Lit Up at Night
The Sofitel La Defense Grande Arche is the one with blue lights in the middle.
Side of Grande Arche at Night
Underneath Grande Arche at Night
French Countryside from Train I
En route to Lyon from Paris
French Countryside from Train II
En route to Lyon from Paris
Lyon
Notre Dame de Fouvriere
Lyon Ferris Wheel
Lyon Tower
As seen from a room at the Hotel Royal
Lyon Rooftops
From a room at the Hotel Royal
River in Lyon
From a room at Hotel Royal
Fouvriere and Tower
It's a communications tower, not an Eiffel Tower replica, as we learned. :)
Lyon Street
As seen from a room at Hotel Royal
Ferris Wheel from Hotel Room
From a room in the Hotel Royal
A Room at the Hotel Royal
...and Hilary
Balcony at Hotel Royal
My Room at Hotel Royal
I spent the rest of that day in this bed after feeling too sick to continue on. Missed the tour of Old Lyon. :(
Another View of My Room
Hotel Royal
My Bathroom at Hotel Royal
American Sandwich
So the next day I took all the pictures I could while driving through Lyon since I missed out on the tour.
Taking Down the Ferris Wheel
A Lyon Plaza
Houses along Saone River in Lyon
The Saone is one of two major rivers in Lyon, the other being the Rhone.
Bridge over Saone River
Houses and Church along Saone
Lyon Crosswalk
Arch over Street in Lyon
Crossing River in Lyon
Wish I knew if it was the Rhone or the Saone...
Lyon Bank Sign
View of River through Trees
Lyon Clocktower Roundabout
McDonald's in Lyon
Ford Dealership in Lyon
Where Lyonians buy their imports.
Colorful Cafe in Lyon
Gas Station in Lyon
That's per LITER. In EUROS.
Typical Lyonnaise 'Burbian House
Window View-Lyon Charbonnieres
Poster in Lyon Charbonnieres
Lunch at Lyon Charbonnieres
My Salmon
At the Mercure Lyon Charbonnieres...unfortunately I was still too sick to eat it all... but it sure was pretty.
Wineglass - Lyon Charbonnieres
Caramel Creme Custard
At the Mercure Lyon Charbonnieres. Best. Dessert. I think I've ever. Had.
Space-Age Toilet
At Mercure Lyon Charbonnieres. The rim disinfected itself. That blue thing in the back would clean the whole rim. Neato.
BioMerieux in Lyon
This is one of CWT's clients.
Sophia and Lavonda and BioM Sign
They do a lot of work with bioMerieux.
Costume Shop in Lyon
Another Lyon Bridge
Lyon Memorial
Can't remember what it was for
Lyon Streetsign
Pointing towards Bellecour, our neighborhood
DSCN1906.JPG
DSCN1906.JPG 2007-02-25
Bed in Hotel Carlton Lyon
Elevator at Hotel Carlton Lyon
Lyon Carousel
Wine and Wineglasses
At Grand Hotel Mercure Chateau Perrache. Yes please. :)
Lobby
The name of the hotel is too long to type in the photo title. :) Grand Hotel Mercure Chateau Perrache - Lyon Center.
Wagon-lits Crest
At Grand Hotel Mercure Chateau Perrache
Sign Towards Fouvriere/Old Lyon
A Cool Building in Lyon
AXA Financial Bank in Lyon
AXA's another one of our clients.
Printemps in Lyon
A glitzy department store that a lot of girls from our tour wanted to shop in.
Heading towards Lyon Ruins
Lyon Ruins I
These are the ruins of the ancient city Lugdunum...what Lyon was known as in Roman times, 2000 years ago.
Lugdunum Amphitheatre I
This is the oldest amphitheatre still in use in France.
Lyon Ruins II
Lyon Column
Lugdunum Amphitheater II
Floor of Lugdunum Amphitheatre
Lyon Ruins III
View from Lyon Ruins
Fouvriere from Lyon Ruins
Lyon Ruins Gate
Table in Lyon Ruins
Another table in Lyon Ruins
Room in Lyon Ruins
Corridor in Lyon Ruins
Columns at Lyon Ruins
Lyon Ruins IV
Water Ditch? At Lyon Ruins
Lyon Ruins V
Ditch in Lyon Ruins
Lyon Ruins VI
Lyon Ruins VII
Fountain? In Lyon Ruins
View of Lyon from Top of Ruins
Lyon Ruins VIII
Tower in Lyon
This might've been a library...
Crossing another bridge in Lyon
Going away from Old Lyon
Another view of Lyon
Parting Shot of Fouvriere
I missed out on seeing this gorgeous church when I got sick. Next time I return to Lyon...
Lyon Plaza
The poles mark where the traffic passes through. Gotta pay attention to those poles.
Lyon Fountain Roundabout I
Lyon Fountain Roundabout II
Lyon Fountain Roundabout III
Eric, Our Bus Driver in Lyon
Just the sweetest, nicest guy around.
My Room at the Sofitel Lyon
My Plasma TV at Sofitel Lyon
My Bathroom at Sofitel Lyon
My Shower in Sofitel Lyon
Coca Cola Light
Don't call it Diet Coke in Europe...
View from Window at Sofitel Lyon
Our Desserts at Dinner
Five other girls from the trip and I went out for dinner on our own at the first restaurant we could find.
Seafood in Restaurant
This restaurant apparently specialized in seafood... I think I had crab.
A Waiter posing with Lobster
This guy wanted us to take him back to the States with us. At least we could take back his picture. :)
The Sofitel Lyon
Oregon
Mt. St. Helens from the Road
Look carefully off in the distance...
Astoria County Jail
Much smaller than it looks in "Goonies."
Me at the Flavel House Museum
Didn't go beyond the front porch, just wanted my picture taken outside of it.
The Goonie House
Porch Swing outside Goonie House
Nice view of Astoria they have there...
Astoria Column
Astoria from Astoria Column
View I from Astoria Column
View II from Astoria Column
Me and Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock
Haystack Rock Up Close
Fog Rolling Ashore
From a lookout point off an Oregon highway
Fog Rolling In
Yaquina Head Lighthouse
Newport, OR
Base of Yaquina Head Lighthouse
At 93 feet, it's Oregon's tallest lighthouse.
View from inside Yaquina Head
Newport Aquarium Loons
Umqua River Lighthouse
From another lookout point on the highway
Oregon Coast at Sunset
Wave Cloud off the Oregon Coast
This cloud looked like a huge tsunami coming in...
View from Brookings Cottage
Whaleshead Beach
Me Flying Pirate Ship Kite
Whaleshead Beach
Path to Tidepools
Harris Beach
Green Tidepools
Harris Beach
Rock Arch
Harris Beach
Silent Woods
The Boy Scout Trail in Jedediah Smith State Park. Not a peep or buzz could be heard. It was eerie but cool.
Light on the Road
Leaving Jedediah Smith State Park. Stopped the car to get out and take this shot.
Mystery House
Oregon Vortex
Inside Mystery House
Oregon Vortex
Perspective Demonstration I
This man and girl were told to stand at opposite ends of a level board. Here is this perspective...
Perspective Demonstration II
...but then they switch sides and the angle of the board between them becomes greater. Crazy, huh?
Del Rio Winery
Went here after visiting the Oregon Vortex... just glad we didn't go before or I could've never stood up in that house!
Natural Bridge Trail
Hiked this trail before heading off to Crater Lake.
Crater Lake and Wizard Island
Crater Lake
Pristine Crater Lake
It's the deepest lake in the U.S. at 1,943 feet.
Crater Lake Shore
This is looking down on the shore from a cliff above.
Wizard Island
The peak of the island is actually a volcano. They say it's dormant.
Watchman's Peak
"We're going to hike up THAT?!?
Watchman's Peak Trail
"Oh well, better get started!"
View from Watchman's Peak Trail
Forest Fires from Watchmans Peak
Top of Wizard Island
From the top of Watchman's Peak
View Across Lake
From Watchman's Peak
Pumice Desert
Mt. Thielsen
Leaving Crater Lake
Boats on River
Taken from our yacht cruise on the Willamette River in Portland, OR.
River Castle
From Willamette River Cruise
House at Edgefield in Portland
Edgfield was this awesome place with a winery and brewery and plenty of cool places to drink.
Black Rabbit Pub at Edgefield
Abandoned Saloon - Edgefield
View from Hotel Porch
We sat on the porch of a hotel drinking our beers watching the sun go down, in front of this little house.
Parting Shot
Me, Tracie, and Preston on the 57-foot yacht we stayed on for two nights.
NYC/Boston
Painted Wall
This is the wall in the hallway of Julia's apartment, that her roommate painted.
Painting from Mexico
I believe it was also one of her roommates that brought this painting from Mexico.
Entrance to Castle Clinton
This is where you purchase tickets for the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island ferries.
Ferry Dock
Looking at New Jersey skyline from ferry dock
Feisty Seagull
This seagull would not share his perch with anyone and would squawk loudly at any bird that tried.
View of Liberty from Dock
Ferry at Liberty Island
After I started on my walk around Liberty Island, I took a pic of the ferry still at the dock.
Pathway on Liberty Island
Statue of Liberty - back
Rainy Pathway on Liberty Island
Plaque about Liberty Pedestal
Statue of Liberty - Right Side
Plaque about Building Liberty
Plaque about Liberty's Symbols
Statue of Liberty - Closeup
Liberty and Me
NY Skyline from Liberty Island
Ellis Island from Liberty Island
Statue of Liberty - Left Side
Plaque about Fort Wood
Plaque about Liberty Island
Iron Sculptures
These sculptures all represent individuals that helped out in some way to the creation of the Statue.
More Iron Sculptures
Including Gustave Eiffel, on the right.
Iron Sculpture - Gustave Eiffel
Ferry Approaching Liberty Island
Sign - Ellis Island Exhibit Room
Exhibit Room at Ellis
This exhibit with the blue columns shows population growth through the last couple of centuries.
Globe in Ellis
This globe illustrated the increase in routes that immigrants would take to the US over the years.
Language Tree in Ellis
This was illustrating how words branch off other words from other languages into English.
Ancestry Computer
You could type a name into this computer and it would tell you if that individual came into Ellis.
Baggage at Ellis Island
Unclaimed/lost baggage by immigrants arriving at Ellis.
Sign about Baggage
Registry Desk
This is what immigrants would be lined up all over the Great Hall to reach.
Sign about Registry Room
View of Registry Room from Back
Looking down from above the Registry Desk
Cots at Ellis
For arrivals that had to be delayed overnight for whatever reason: illness, etc.
Registry Room
Model of Ellis Island
Ship's Wheel at Ellis
Probably from one of the old ships that used to arrive at Ellis
Clothing worn by Immigrants
Immigrants' Religious Artifacts
Furniture from Original Ellis
Sealed behind glass to preserve the condition it was found in before the renovation.
More Furniture from Old Ellis
View from floor of Registry Room
Entrance/Exit of Ellis
View of Liberty from Ellis
View of NY from Ellis
New Jersey from Ellis
Names on Immigrant Wall of Honor
I was looking up the Weilands that arrived at Ellis... learned later that my relatives spelled their name Wyland.
More Names on Wall of Honor
I am also related to the McAfees and looked them up too. No idea if these are my relatives or not.
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Closed part of Ellis Museum
Another closed part of Ellis
Signs advertising immigration
One of the exhibits displayed in the museum.
Statue of Annie Moore I
Annie Moore at age 15 was the first immigrant to be registered at Ellis, along with her two brothers.
Plaque on Annie Moore Statue
Sign about Annie Moore
Statue of Annie Moore II
There is another statue of Annie in Cobh, Ireland, where she left from. You can see it in my Ireland/Wales album. :)
Sign about Stairs of Separation
Stairs of Separation
Research Room
Here you can pay to have a more comprehensive ancestry search.
Leaving Ellis Island
Ellis Island from Ferry
Ellis Island with NJ skyline
Approaching Manhattan
Battery Park from Ferry
Plaque Commemorating Ferry
WWII Memorial in Battery Park
Eagle Statue at WWII Memorial
WWII Memorial
The Battery in Battery Park
I researched but could not find the name of this structure. If you know please tell me. I just call it "The Battery."
Fountain in Battery Park
Living Statue of Liberty
A guy posing with one of these people who dressed up as the statue for photos.
Castle Clinton in Battery Park
Looking out of Castle Clinton
The Sphere and Eternal Flame
This sphere once stood between the Twin Towers and was moved here after it was found in the rubble.
Times Square
Sign at Ground Zero
Ground Zero I
Damaged Building at Ground Zero
More signs at Ground Zero
The Cross at Ground Zero I
This 20' cross of structural beams was discovered in the wreckage and now stands as a symbol of hope amidst tragedy.
The Cross at Ground Zero II
Ground Zero and Cross
Ground Zero II
Sign at WTC Site
Memorial at Ground Zero
Poem by NYPD Officer
Approaching Brooklyn Bridge
Manhattan Bridge
View from Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge and Streetlamp
Crossing Brooklyn Bridge
Empire State Building in Clouds
Statue of Liberty from Bridge
Brooklyn Bridge
Me on Brooklyn Bridge
It was a little windy.
Pier 17 from Brooklyn Bridge
Traffic on Brooklyn Bridge
Lobby of Empire State Building
The visibility was only 1-5 miles, so we decided to try again later.
Macy's Department Store
Inside LUSH I
Bath Bombs!
Inside LUSH II
Bubble Bars!
Central Park
Covered Walkway in Central Park
Central Park Bridge I
Central Park Bridge II
Across Central Park Pond
Swiss Cottage in Central Park
Belvedere Castle in Central Park
I had to have my obligatory castle experience on this trip.
Park View from Belvedere Castle
Side of Belvedere Castle
Twisty Stair in Belvedere Castle
The Great Lawn from Belvedere
The Great Lawn has 8 baseball diamonds.
Delacorte Theatre
As seen from Belvedere Castle
Courtyard of Belvedere Castle
View from tower
Me at Belvedere Castle
View from Empire State I
We finally went back to the Empire State Building as it was getting dark.
View from Empire State II
Julia had VIP passes so we didn't have to wait in line...we went past everyone else and were up at the top in 5 minutes.
View from Empire State III
View from Empire State IV
Chrysler Building from Empire St
View from Empire State V
Flatiron Building from Empire St
Liberty Island from Empire State
Me on top of Empire State Bldg
Still windy.
View from Empire State VI
Karoake at Sing-Sing
This place gave you your own little karaoke room. Went with Julia (second from right) and her friends. Great fun. :)
Inside St. Patrick's Cathedral
Went here for Sunday Mass before my side trip to Boston.
A side altar at St. Patrick's
St. Patrick's Cathedral Facade
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Had to cross the street to try to get as much of the building in the picture as possible.
Organ at St. Patrick's
Entrance to Boston Common
I took a side excursion to Boston from NYC totally on my own. Took the train and had a wonderful time exploring solo.
Boston Common
The Freedom Trail starts at Boston Common. You can walk it by yourself or with a guide. I went by myself at my own pace.
Path through Boston Common
Massachusetts State House
One of the stops on the Freedom Trail
Granary Burial Ground
This is the first cemetery along the Freedom Trail.
Entrance to Granary Burial Grnd
Franklin Tomb in Granary
This is the tomb of Ben Franklin's parents. Ben himself is buried in Philadelphia.
Tomb of John Hancock
Tomb of Paul Revere
Boston Massacre Victims' Tomb
Tomb of Samuel Adams
Park Street Church
Old City Hall
...and Benjamin Franklin statue in front
"Boston Sends Help" Plaque
Commemorating Boston's role in the Irish Famine
Old South Meetinghouse Steeple
Old South Meetinghouse
Lower Half
Faneuil Hall
Old State House
Site of Boston Massacre
The circle in the traffic island marks where the crowd of Bostonians were fired upon by the British soldiers.
Quincy Market
Faneuil Hall Marketplace along Freedom Trail
South Market
Faneuil Hall Marketplace along Freedom Trail
Boston Street on Freedom Trail
Bell in Hand Tavern
As seen through the window of the Green Dragon Tavern across the street.
Inside Green Dragon Tavern
Bell in Hand Tavern Sign
This is one of a few taverns that claims itself as America's oldest. The original Green Dragon was founded in 1657.
The Green Dragon Tavern
Paul Revere House and Street
Street outside Paul Revere House
Cool Buildings near Revere House
A Bell at Paul Revere House
Paul Revere was a silversmith and this is one of few existing bells from his time, so it is believed he helped with it.
Outside Paul Revere House
Funny Sign in North Boston
This is an area known for its Italian influence. This sign made me smile. :)
Paul Revere Mall
Sign in Paul Revere Mall
Mentions the Green Dragon Tavern as the Headquarters of the Revolution, according to Daniel Webster.
Inside Old North Church
This is where Paul Revere instructed the lanterns to be lit from the steeple, "one if by land and two if by sea."
Plaque on Old North Church
About Paul Revere and the lanterns that signaled the arrival of the British troops
Washington Memorial Garden
Behind Old North Church
Steeple of Old North Church
Not the original steeple; that one was destroyed in a storm and rebuilt.
Courtyard on side of Old North
The Third Lantern
This lantern was dedicated by President Ford for the bicentennial of the Revolution in 1976.
Steps on side of Old North Chrch
Cool Alleyway
Along Freedom Trail
Copp's Hill Burying Ground
Oldest Tombstone at Copp's Hill
Robert Newman's Grave
Robert Newman hung the famous lanterns in Old North Church as directed by Paul Revere.
Grave of Daniel Malcolm
Don't know who he was, but British soldiers didn't like him; according to legend those are target practice bullet holes.
Museum at USS Constitution
USS Constitution
"Old Ironsides"
Bunker Hill Monument
It was getting dark so I took a picture from the USS Constitution and had to head back.
Pier at USS Constitution
Rainy Boston Street
Returning to closest subway station from USS Constitution.. they need one at the end of the Freedom Trail!
Sign at Salem Witch Museum
Next day I did my excursion to Salem. Hurricane Wilma was just offshore from NE, so it made my trip quite memorable.
Outside Salem Common
Puritan Statue
Salem Witch Museum
Salem Common
The House of Seven Gables
View of Harbor from Seven Gables
Nathaniel Hawthorne's Birthplace
This house was moved across Salem so it could be by the House of Seven Gables, the inspiration for Hawthorne's novel.
Counting House
At the House of Seven Gables
Rainy House of Seven Gables
Reconstruction of Friendship
Salem Maritime National Historic Site
View of sea from Salem
New England Pirate Museum Side
Flags/Maps in NE Pirate Museum
I particularly liked the Welsh Flag...
Wax Figure of Sam Bellamy
New England Pirate Museum
Wax Figure of Rachel Wall
Boston's only known woman pirate, hanged in 1789.
Blue Anchor Tavern
New England Pirate Museum
Outside NE Pirate Museum
Candlelit Ghostly Tours
I visited Salem in late October, so Halloween stuff was everywhere; it was great. :)
Salem Witch Trials Memorial
Words on Witch Trial Memorial
Taken from actual statements during the trials.
First Church in Salem
One of America's oldest churches, founded in 1629.
Sign outside First Church
Sorry, it's hard to read...
The Salem Inn
One of several hotels in the center of town.
The Witch House
This was the house of Judge Jonathan Corwin who presided over the Witch Trials.
My Home in Boston
My room at the Prescott International Hotel and Hostel.
Tyrannosaurus Rex
Back in New York, at the American Museum of Natural History.
Tyrannosaurus and Prey
American Museum of Natural History
Stegosaurus
American Museum of Natural History
Triceratops
American Museum of Natural History
Duckbill Dinosaurs
I think these are called hadrasaurs? Don't know for sure.
Me and Triceratops
American Museum of Natural History
Display of Dinos
American Museum of Natural History
Narwhal
American Museum of Natural History
Mastodon Skeleton
American Museum of Natural History
Mammoth skeleton
American Museum of Natural History
Pterosaurs
American Museum of Natural History
Plesiosaur
American Museum of Natural History
Scary-looking fish
I don't know what it is, but it's creepy looking. And that finishes off my trip to NY... returned home the next day.
Ireland/Wales
Unpacking at the Hostel
Kristen and Janice unloading our stuffs into storage cubes before we hit Dublin.
Lunch in a Dublin Cafe
Kristen, our Waitress, Janice, Me, and Julia (still recovering from the overnight flight...no sleep yet)
Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle Lawn
Colorful Buildings/Dublin Castle
Dublin Castle Tower and Us
Janice, Kristen, and Julia
Dublin Castle/Tower
I think that's a chapel that the tower is attached to...
Dublin Castle Entrance
This is where the tour was due to begin in about an hour from that time we were there, so we went into town for a bit.
Crunchy Nut Cereal
...and its ludicrous tagline. :)
A Dublin Street
...and Kristen
Trinity College
We were killing time before the tour of Dublin Castle started, so we visited this campus briefly.
A Room inside Dublin Castle
Throne and Cool Chandelier
Excavations under Dublin Castle
Stairs part of original castle
Sealed Tunnel
The tour guide explained that this archway was bricked off to keep rats from coming in during the Black Plague.
A Model of Medieval Dublin
View over Dublin
From Christ Church Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral Passage
This is the passageway over the street that connects two parts of the Cathedral.
Nave of Christ Church Cathedral
Crypt of Christ Church Cathedral
We learned this is the oldest part of Dublin still in use today.
Crypt II
Cathedral excavations
Exiting Christ Church Cathedral
Janice, Kristen, and Cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral
Kristen and Janice in Castle Inn
We were pretty tired. And it was only lunchtime. :)
Liffey River - Halfpenny Bridge
I know it's sort of silhouetted but the bridge is there. :)
Millennium Spire
Band at Oliver St. John Gogarty
This is our favorite Irish pub.
Us at Oliver St. John Gogarty
Janice, Julia, Kristen, and Martin, in various stages of drunkenness. :) YEEEAHHHH!!!!!
Crowd in Oliver St. John Gogarty
En Route to Aran Islands Ferry
Shot of countryside from the bus traveling from Galway to where we would pick up the ferry to the Aran Islands.
Shore of Aran Island from Ferry
Most likely Inishmore, since that is the island we landed at and explored.
Us on the Ferry
Me, Kristen, and Janice on the Ferry. I didn't have time to wash my hair that morning, hence the ugly bandana. :)
Shore of Inishmore
Inishmore Bike Path
We rented bikes and biked around Inishmore. I'll never do anything that crazy again! :)
THATCHED ROOF COTTAGES
Inishmore Stone Fences
Yes, all the picturesque visions of Ireland you have seen are true. :)
Inishmore Shore from Bike Path
Celtic Cemetery on Inishmore
Dun Aengus
This fort is 4,000 years old. Outside of Stonehenge, this might be the oldest thing I've ever visited.
View of Sea from Dun Aengus
Sorry for the tilt... it was extremely windy there.
Houses seen from Dun Aengus
Me at Dun Aengus
Holding on so I don't get blown off into the sea...
Us and Dun Aengus
Matt, Kristen, Janice, and me (We met Matt on the shuttle bus to the ferry from Galway...he is from Illinois.)
Town on Inishmore
Took this while waiting for our ferry
Entering Dunguaire Castle
This was on the way during our bus tour to the Cliffs of Moher.
Courtyard of Dunguaire Castle
Dunguaire Castle
Watchtower in the Burren
Countryside from Bus
Us and a play thatched cottage
Me, Janice, and Kristen. The bus stopped at some caves...we opted for the mead/cheese shop. This was on the way.
Drinking Mead on the Bus
Matt and Kristen
Poulnabrone Dolmen
This is an ancient burial site.
Leamaneh Castle
The Cliffs of Moher I
The Cliffs of Moher II
The Cliffs of Moher III
O'Brien's Tower
At Cliffs of Moher
Me and O'Brien's Tower
Behind O'Brien's Tower
O'Brien's Tower and Cliffs
Bunratty Folk Park
Kristen and Janice among thatched roof cottages
Approaching Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castleyard
Me Entering Bunratty Castle
Bunratty Castle Great Hall
They still hold banquets and dinners here.
Bunratty Castle Dungeon
Except for those orange spots of light, I could not see what I was taking a picture of. The flash illuminated the room.
Stairs out of Dungeon
The dungeon was right off the Great Hall, to the left.
View from top of Bunratty
With the Shannon River and bridges.
Shannon River from Bunratty
Kristen on top of Bunratty
Earl's Chamber at Bunratty
Parting shot of Bunratty
I was still trying to fit the whole thing into one picture.
Farmhouse in Bunratty Park
There was a quaint little area surrounding Bunratty that we walked through and found these cute little sights.
Chapel in Bunratty Park
...and Kristen
Inside Bunratty Chapel
Covered Pathway - Bunratty Park
Bunratty Chapel from side
Inside a Schoolhouse in Bunratty
Us in Bunratty Meadery
Kristen, me, and Janice with our mead. The meadery was the whole reason we stopped in Bunratty. Yum!
Outside Bunratty Meadery
View outside Bunratty Meadery
Our Car in Ireland
We rented this car to drive from Galway to Cork, with our stop in Bunratty.
Blarney Castle from Battlements
We chose to take the long way around to enter Blarney, to see more of the outside area.
Side of Blarney Castle
Entrance to Blarney Castle
This is the first room when you enter Blarney.
Second Floor of Entrance Room
I went halfway up the stairs out of that room and took this picture, which shows where the second floor would've been.
Inside Blarney
I'm guessing this was three different stories and the wooden floors fell away.
View from Blarney Castle
Us in Blarney Castle
Me, Kristen, Janice
View from top of Blarney I
This mansion is owned by the same family that currently owns Blarney Castle. I guess they got some money.
Kristen kissing Blarney Stone
Yep, folks, this is how you have to do it. I didn't do it. I think it's gross. :)
Looking inside Blarney from top
Janice kissing the Blarney Stone
View from top of Blarney II
Arch on top of Blarney Castle
Stairs from top of Blarney
The Murder Hole
This is looking directly up at the ceiling above the entrance. So they could dump boiling pitch on intruders, I guess.
Blarney Castle
Stairs to Dungeon in Blarney
Like the previous dungeon picture, my flash had to show me what I was taking a picture of.
More Dungeon Stairs
Also too dark to see without flash
Blarney Oubliette
"It's a place you put people to forget about them."
Another shot of Oubliette
Trees Outside Blarney
We exited Blarney into this druidic fairyland called the Rock Close, thought to be remains of a Druid settlement.
Overgrown Creek I
Outside of the Rock Close at Blarney
Kristen in a Tree
Outside of Rock Close - Blarney
Bridge and Huge Leaves
Outside the Rock Close at Blarney. It felt like being Alice in Wonderland.
Overgrown Creek II
Rock Close - Blarney
Pathway through Trees
Outside Rock Close at Blarney
Trees outside Rock Close
Me in a Tree - Rock Close
Just call me a Wood Nymph.
Matt in a Tree - Rock Close
Doing his best Blair Witch impersonation.
Wishing Stairs
Rock Close
Witches' Kitchen
Rock Close
Druid's Cave
Rock Close
Witch's Stone
Sacrificial Altar
This was one of the things we spent the most time searching around for, but it didn't look like much of an altar to us!
Druidic Circle
For those Druidic Council meetings?
Fairy Glade
Rock Close... nope, didn't find any fairies.
Bizarre Tree
When leaving the Rock Close, we saw this tree with a branch that grows out of one trunk and into another.
Cobh Train Station
Picture of Room at Turn of Cent.
Looks pretty much the same...
Newspaper in a Glass Case
Cobh was the last stop of the Titanic before its doomed voyage, so there's an exhibit there. But this was unexpected...
Weatherbird
Out of all the papers they could've displayed (NYTimes, London Times), they had the St. Louis Post Dispatch. Awesome. :)
Statue of Annie Moore
She was the first immigrant to pass through the newly-opened Ellis Island. There is a statue of her there as well...
Dock at Cobh
Perhaps this is where the Titanic docked before it left...
Cobh Street
Cathedral and Colorful Houses
One of my favorite shots from the trip. This is St. Colman's Cathedral in Cobh.
Entrance to St. Colman's, Cobh
Inside St. Colman's, Cobh
St. Colman's Cathedral, Cobh
Kegs lined up outside Pub
St. Colman's Catheral from Ferry
We crossed from Cork, Ie. to Swansea, Wales, by ferry and watched the lights from the cathedral vanish into the night.
Swansea Castle
A bit of medieval times in the middle of a bustling modern city. We were amused.
Entrance to Caerphilly Castle
Kristen and Janice. This is the largest castle in Wales, built by Gilbert de Clare in the 13th Century.
Caerphilly Castle Moat
Me under Portcullis
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly and Leaning Tower
Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly's Leaning Tower
This tower leans at a steeper degree than the one in Pisa. Historians are not sure why it leans; some blame Cromwell.
Great Hall - Caerphilly Castle
Fireplace in Great Hall
Caerphilly Castle
Back of Great Hall
Caerphilly Castle
Shields on Wall of Great Hall
Caerphilly Castle
Janice leaving Caerphilly
Trebuchets outside Caerphilly
A medieval catapaulting device, if you haven't seen the movies. :)
Kristen and Janice's T-Shirts
In a clothing store in Caerphilly.
Cardiff Backpacker Hostel
Certainly one of the most colorful hostels we stayed in during our trip. :)
Dining Area
Cardiff Backpacker Hostel. We spent the evening before here, making pizza and watching movies with other guests.
Brecon Beacons National Park I
On our drive from Cardiff to North Wales.
Our Little Welsh Car
Once again, we braved the roads of the British Isles. (No, I didn't drive. Forgot my license.) :)
Brecon Beacons Waterfall
Brecon Beacons National Park II
Brecon Beacons National Park III
Cilmeri Marker Stone
Llywelyn the Last was the last Welsh prince of Wales.
Monument at Cilmeri
Marking the spot where Llywelyn ap Gruffudd was reportedly killed in 1282.
Gifts for Llywelyn
The Welsh still love their last Prince and leave him gifts and flowers at this monument.
A Card for Llywelyn
I think this was a Christmas card... we took it out of the plastic and opened it, then replaced it.
Me at Cilmeri
The wreath had blown off the monument and tumbled down the hillside, so I put it back in my own tribute to Llywelyn.
Welsh Translation on Stone
"Ein Llyw Olaf" means "Our Last Leader," and Llywelyn is sometimes referred to as Llywelyn Ein Llyw Olaf.
Menai Strait from Pen y Bryn
Pen y Bryn
This is the home of the last Welsh Princes, Llywelyn the Great and his grandson, Llywelyn the Last.
Houses near Pen y Bryn
Windows looking out Stables
Kathryn, the woman who lives in Pen y Bryn, said these are the oldest windows in use in Wales. Don't know how she knows.
Secret Passageway under Stairs
The passageway under this house leads to the connecting Tower and then out to the mountains, to provide easy escape.
A Poem for the Llywelyns
This is in the entrance hall of the house.
View of Menai Strait from Tower
The tower is the only part of the house that actually dates back to Llywelyn's time, so maybe he gazed on this view too.
Window seat in the Tower
This could be the same room that the Princes' wives gave birth in and died in.
Front Room of Pen y Bryn
Ancient Artifacts
Pen y Bryn is built on the site of a Roman fort, so Kathryn often finds objects dating back to Roman times on her lands.
Exhibition Piece
Kathryn had a whole exhibition set up in her home and this was a part of it. Most of it was taken down by our visit.
Fireplace in Pen y Bryn
I think... either that or maybe part of the original wall of the tower?
Exhibition in Pen y Bryn
This is in the upstairs of the house, where Kathryn has her research on the home displayed.
Another shot of Passageway
I lowered my camera as far as I could (very carefully) down in the passageway to take this one.
Floor of Secret Passageway
Lowered my camera again and aimed for a different view.
Tower of Pen y Bryn
The oldest part of the house, dating back to the 12th century.
Junk in the Chapel
This is the chapel on the grounds of Pen y Bryn.
Part of a wall at Pen y Bryn
Possibly part of the old Roman wall?
A River Runs By It
River by Pen y Bryn
River by Pen y Bryn
Kathryn told us to imagine the Princes as young boys playing in this river. :)
Execution site of W. de Braose
"Black" William de Braose was found in the bedchamber of Joan, Llywelyn the Great's wife, and was hung here in 1230.
Remnants of Roman Road
You can see the path going through the grass where the old road used to be.
Gate near Pen y Bryn
Hills near Pen y Bryn I
Hills near Pen y Bryn II
Stables near Pen y Bryn
Welsh Pony
They always turn their heads right when I'm about to take a picture.
Welsh Ponies at Pen y Bryn
Stable at Pen y Bryn
Where the old windows were
Door to Stable at Pen y Bryn
Back of house (and Kathryn)
Kristen and Janice Digging
There was a pile of trash next to the house with some stuff dating back to the 18th cent. that they started digging in.
I Found Teeth
They were on the ground by the house in the front yard. Pretty sure they're not human...Dog? Sheep?
Us and Kathryn
Kristen, Janice, Kathryn, and me in front of Pen y Bryn.
Us and Kathryn and the Tower
Kristen, Janice, Kathryn, and me and Twr Llywelyn
Us, Kathryn, and Pen y Bryn
Long shot of us in front of the house. Kathryn kept in touch with us for a few months after this visit.
Driving through Snowdonia I
En route from Pen y Bryn to Dolwyddelan Castle. Ths is the second major national park in Wales besides Brecon Beacons.
Driving through Snowdonia II
Snowdonia National Park
Driving through Snowdonia III
Snowdonia National Park
Driving through Snowdonia IV
Snowdonia National Park
Dolwyddelan Castle I
This castle was a stronghold of the Welsh princes in the 12th cent., particularly of Llywelyn the Great.
Dolwyddelan Castle II
Llywelyn the Great was reputedly born here.
Wall at Dolwyddelan
I think we read Llywelyn the Last added this portion of the castle later.
Inside Great Hall of Dolwyddelan
By the way, the name is pronounced "Dole-with-Ellen."
Inside Dolwyddelan
Doorway of Dolwyddelan
View from Dolwyddelan I
Wall from top of Dolwyddelan
View from Dolwyddelan II
Dolwyddelan Turrets
View from Dolwyddelan III
View from Dolwyddelan IV
More Dolwyddelan Turrets
Looking down from Dolwyddelan
We weren't sure what these things protruding from the outside walls were. Torch holders? Holes to pour boiling pitch??
Stairway in Dolwyddelan
Me and Dolwyddelan Doorway
I don't think I was entirely ready for the picture, hence the pout.
Me and Dolwyddelan
Wait... in the window... is that a GHOST?? ...or maybe just Kristen?? :)
Stairs to Dolwyddelan
Me and Wall at Dolwyddelan
Kristen and Sheep at Dolwyddelan
Sheep seemingly wander all over Wales.
Dolwyddelan and Park Monument
Swallow Falls
...or at least our best shot of it. You had to pay to actually see it. We didn't.
Irish Sea from Ferry
We ferried back to Dublin out of Holyhead.
Lighthouse on Welsh Shore
From the ferry back to Dublin
Our Ferry
Declaration at GPO
This is the site of the Easter Monday Rising in 1916, when Irish nationalists declared themselves a free state.
Statue at General Post Office
The whole statue that the declaration is inscribed on
Front of the General Post Office
The columns supposedly contain bullet holes from the Easter Monday Rising.
Kristen and her stuffed pack
Crammed with all the stuff she brought and acquired on the trip.
Kristen running down the hall
...with her stuffed pack to see if she could carry it. I think she ended up emptying some stuff out into another bag.