One of the skills that I’m working on this year is learning to take better photographs. I got a new camera as a gift last year, and I’ve been trying to learn things about composition, lighting, and sometimes just how the damn camera works.

Since I’ve taken on this challenge, I’ve had the opportunity to visit museums and galleries to get a good look at photographs by some wonderful artists. It’s been a chance to see some great photos, as well as to learn a little bit about the art of photography.

One of the photographers whose work I have always enjoyed is Annie Leibovitz. Some of you may be familiar with her name, others with her work — she was Rolling Stone’s chief photographer starting in 1973, went to Vanity Fair in 1983 (she did the pregnant Demi Moore cover), and has also done work for Vogue. She’s also done some impressive ad campaign, including ones for American Express, Gap, and the Milk Board. You may not who she is, but chances are you’ve seen her work.

The San Diego Museum of Art presents an exhibit of about 200 of her photographs in Annie Leibovitz: A Photographer’s Life, 1990-2005, on display February 10th �” April 22nd, 2007. The exhibit includes some of her well-known photographs of public figures, including Colin Powell, Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, and Bill Clinton.

Here’s how the museum describes the exhibit:

The exhibition encompasses work Leibovitz made on assignment as a professional photographer, as well as personal photographs of her family and close friends. Her personal material, images that many are less familiar with, reflect Leibovitz’s talents in a way that differs from her public career. They document the birth of her three daughters and many events involving her large family, including the death of her father.

The San Diego Museum of Art is located in Balboa Park (1450 El Prado). Hours are Tuesday �” Sunday, 10 am �” 6 pm, with extended hours on Thursday till 9 pm.

Advance ticket purchase (highly recommended) is available through Ticketmaster, although they are also available at the door. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors (65+) and military, $7 for students (with ID), $4 for youth (ages 6-17), and free for children 5 and under.
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I was in Las Vegas a few days ago, and my how the place has changed!

The north end of the strip seems like it is wall-to-wall construction. Some buildings were beginning to take shape, while others were just large sites, tempting us with what was to come. Construction cranes dotted the skyline, where I’ve been used to seeing hotels and giant neon signs.

Last week, after a rather impressive fireworks display, the Stardust Hotel  & Casino was imploded. It had been a fixture on the Las Vegas strip since it opened in 1958. At its peak, its casino was over 100,000 square feet. Las Vegas entertainers Siegfried & Roy (of white tiger fame) got their start at the Stardust, and Wayne Newton, and George Carlin had long running shows in the Stardust Theater.

I remember the Stardust as the purple and pink neon hotel and casino near the Fashion Show Mall.  You can watch what happened to it in this video:

b5media, flight+attendants, flyaway cafe, hotels, Las Vegas, travel, vacation

Today is Admission Day for Maine, our 23rd state, admitted to the Union on March 15, 1820.

Maine is located in the northeastern part of the United States, in the New England area of the country, and joined the Union as part of the Missouri compromise.  It ranks 39th of the 50 states in geographical area, and 40th in population.

Although the origin of the state’s name is debatable, the most probably theory is that it came from the English settlers who lived on islands off the coast.  They would talk about “going over to the mainland,” which soon became shortened to “going over to main.”  The name seems to have stuck.

The state is probably best known for its scenery.  From rugged coastlines (charming fishing villages, lighthouses) to wooded interiors (nearly 90% of Maine is forested), from mountains to sea, Maine has it all.  Oh yeah, and the state is also known for its seafood �” especially lobsters, which you will see on restaurant menus around the country.

Maine is a fairly popular tourist destination, although more so in summer than winter.  Skiing, snow mobiling and winter sports are popular, but summer, by far, is a more pleasant time to visit, with camping, hiking, and boating being very popular activities.  Many people summer in Maine, while wintering in a warmer destination, so the summer population grows tremendously.

Portland, a very busy seaport, is Maine’s largest city, and Augusta is its capital.

I’ve never been to Maine.  I have know someone who was from there, and while he always spoke highly of it, I never got a sense of what it was like to grow up there.  It’s not conveniently located for me (on the way to somewhere else), so it will take real planning to get there. 

Not insurmountable, by any means, but I doubt that I’ll get there any time soon.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Details:  The Great Sphinx of Egypt.

Egypt is one of the countries on my list of Top Ten Places to Go, and this photo is also a little foreshadowing of a post to come next week.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Nearly 10 years after her death, Princess Diana still casts a spell over people around the world.

We saw her beauty and glamour in countless photographs.  We saw her compassion and grace as she traveled the world for causes that she believed in.  We saw her poise and pain as she struggled through a very public breakup and divorce.  And, we saw her commitment and love as she raised two young sons. 

Visitors to Cleveland, however, will have an opportunity to get a little closer glimpse into the life of this beautiful woman who became a Princess, as the Western Reserve Historical Society presents “Diana, A Celebration.”  This exhibition, which chronicles the life of Diana, returns to the U.S. for an encore run starting February 23rd, 2007 and running through June 10th, 2007.  This will be the last time the exhibit can be viewed in the US.

The 10,000 square foot exhibit features 150 objects in nine galleries:  Tiara, The Spencer Women, Childhood, Engagement, Royal Wedding, Charity, Tribute, Style, and Condolence.  The artifacts on display are on loan from the Spencer family, and includes Diana’s wedding gown, including the diamond tiara, veil, and 25 foot train, a selection of clothing, tiaras, jewels, photos, home videos and personal mementos. 

Her brother, Charles, the Ninth Earl Spencer says:  “My family hopes that the people of Cleveland and other visitors will walk away from the exhibition with fond memories of Diana — such as her charitable legacy, boundless spirit and energy along with her endless devotion to others, especially her children.”

Ticket prices are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors, and $10 for children (6-12), and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.  Fifty cents from each ticket sold will benefit Shoes and Clothes for Kids, a Cleveland-based charity.  An audio tour of the exhibition will also be available for an additional fee.

The Western Reserve Historical Society is located at 10825 East Boulevard in Cleveland.  Exhibit Hours are daily 9 am �” 5 pm, with extended hours until 8 pm on Wednesdays.

Photo credit:  flickr

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Most avid travelers, those who marvel at the world around them, who have a never-ending curiosity, and who really enjoy traveling, have a list of places that they want to see.

I do.

It’s a contantly changing list, never static, and sometimes changes within a very short period of time — usually when something unique catches my eye and stimulates my curiosity.

Since it changes so frequently, I thought I’d write it out, and watch how it changes over the course of the year.

So here it is — my current Top Ten Places To Go (listed in alphabetical order):

1. Egypt 
2. Greece (in photo)
3. Iceland
4. Italy
5. London
6. Malta
7. Morocco
8. Paris
9. Quebec
10. Thailand

Do you have a Top Ten Places to Go list?  If so, please feel free to write about it and link back, or leave your list in the comments.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Well, not just ice any more. . . .  It’s more like Stonehenge, and sled dog teams, and other animals and scenic depictions. 

That’s what happens when you turn professional ice-sculptors loose on a huge block of ice. 

You can see the process, as well as the results, at the World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks Alaska, February 27th �” March 25th.   

The process all starts the same way, with large square blocks of solid ice.  The results are as varied as they are spectacular, and represent the efforts of over 100 sculptors from around the world.  By March 10th, all competition will be completed, with the sculptures lighted and on display.

To give you an idea of how much ice we’re talking about, teams (one or two persons) in the Single Block Classic competition starts with a 3 x 5 x 8 foot block of ice, weighing in at approximately 7,800 pounds.  In the Multi-Block event, teams of 4 persons each start with 10 blocks of ice measuring 4 x 4 x 3 feet, with each block weighting around 3,000.  That’s 30,000 pounds of ice! 

The Ice Park is now open from 10 am to 10 pm daily, and the Single Block competition is complete and on display.  You will also see an ice tribute to Susan Butcher, the famous Alaska dog musher and four-time winner of the Iditarod sled Dog Race. 

Admission to the Ice Park is $8 for adults, $4 for youth ages 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.  A season pass is available for $25 for adults and $10 for youth.

Depending on when you visit the Ice Park, you’ll see various stages of the competition or the completion of sculptures.  You can find a full schedule here, but I wouldn’t get caught up in scheduling the “best” time to go.  I’ve been through the Park during the championships many times over the years, and it doesn’t really matter when you go �” there’s always something amazing being created.  Although the weather in Fairbanks this time of year drops to ridiculously low temperatures at night, if you are able, dress warm, button up, and go through the exhibit at night.  The lighting of the sculptures and park make for truly dramatic displays.

For those who are unable to visit the Ice Park to see these beautiful creations, enjoy the Web Cams and get a look at some great ice sculptures.

Photo credit:  Ice Alaska

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Polly want a cracker?

At the World Parrot Refuge on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, winged residents get lots more than a mere cracker.

This non-profit, educational facility operated by FLOPRS (“For the Love of Parrots Refuge Society”) provides a “Home for Life” for previously owned pet parrots.  Parrots have a very long life span, so it is very likely that they will have a need for more than one owner over their lifetime.  Many parrot owners fail to foresee or plan for this, making it increasingly common to have parrots turn up in shelters.  The Refuge is a home for life for these parrots, and it does not adopt out.

The estimated cost to care for a parrot in a good quality sanctuary is approximately $10/week.  This amount covers a healthy diet, shelter, warmth, light, safety, free-flight enclosures, and skilled veterinary care.  That doesn’t sound like a lot of money, but with current residency at over 500 parrots, which, unfortunately, seems to increase daily, it is easy to see how the World Parrot Refuge has its work cut out for it. 

The Refuge is open to the public every day, from 10 am �” 4 pm, and visitors have the opportunity to meet and learn about these amazing birds.  The Refuge is located at 2116 Alberni Highway in Coombs, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. 

Visitors to the Refuge are occasionally treated to up close and personal meetings with the avian residents, and many birds enjoy being cuddled and fussed over.  If you can’t visit in person, you can meet the residents online via the Parrot Gallery.  Parrot lovers can also support the work of the World Parrot Refuge through its Adopt a Parrot program.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Today is Admission Day for Vermont, our 14th state, admitted to the Union on March 4th, 1791.

Vermont is located in the northeastern part of the United States, an area typically referred to as New England.  With a colorful, independent-thinking history, Vermont was once an independent nation known as the Republic of Vermont.  Today, Vermont is a small state, both is total area, 45th of 50, and population, 49th of 50 (only Wyoming has less people).

Vermont is frequently called the Green Mountain State, although it is unclear where the name comes from.  One theory is that it is called that because the state is more heavily forested than neighboring states.  Another theory is that the name came about because of the existence of green-hued shale.  Whatever the official explanation, fall brings about beautiful panoply of color. 

The state capital is Montpelier, and the largest city is Burlington. 

Vermont is the leading US producer of maple syrup, and the sap running is a tourist draw, along with the visitors attracted to the colorful fall foliage.  In the winter, with mountains full of snow, skiers head to the hills at numerous resorts.  In the summer, those same resorts, along with others, offer summer mountain experiences of hiking, fishing, and boating.

Some interesting Vermont trivia:

• It is the only state in the lower 48 that does not have a Target store
• It is the only state whose capital city does not have a McDonald’s restaurant
• Former presidents Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur were born in Vermont

Politics thrust Vermont into the limelight in 2000, when then Governor Howard Dean signed into law legislation passed by the General Assembly sanctioning benefits of marriage to gay and lesbian couples.  The little state became a big cog in American politics.

Photo credit: SXC

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Today is Admission Day for Florida, our 27th state, admitted to the Union on March 3rd, 1845.

Florida is located in the southeastern part of the country, with the Atlantic Ocean flanking one side, and the Gulf of Mexico the other.  Ponce de Leon named it, and many believe that it was in Florida that he claimed to have found his fountain of youth.

Before the formal declaration of Civil War, Florida seceded from the Union, and became a founding member of the Confederate States of America.  Full representation was restored in 1868.

For much of its existence, Florida was the least populated southern state.  By the mid-20th century, however, many residents were leaving the frigid weather of the northeastern US, looking for the temperate climes found in Florida.  Today, Florida is the second most populated of the southern states (behind Texas), and is the fourth most populated state in the country – quite a turnaround.

The capital city is Tallahassee, the largest city is Jacksonville, and the largest metropolitan area is Miami.  Other large cities include:  Tampa, St. Petersburg, Hialeah, Orlando, and Ft. Lauderdale.

Tourism is the largest industry in the “Sunshine State,” as Florida is known, in large part due to its warm, tropical weather and hundred of miles of beaches.  There are scores of amusement parks, and supporting businesses, including Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Busch Gardens, SeaWorld and others.

For such a sunny state, however, Florida has its share of extreme and severe weather.  Central Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States, the state has the highest average precipitation of any state in the country, and tornadoes and hurricanes have become an all to frequent occurrence.  On a brighter note, however, snow if very, very rare.

Trailing tourism in the state economy is agriculture, mainly citrus fruit (oranges, grapefruit, tangerines), but also sugarcane and celery.  Other Florida industries include phosphate mining, and the aerospace industry.  Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center (photo of launch pad at right) are both located in Florida.

While rich in many things, Florida has its share of poverty, too.  The 2002 Census revealed that Miami was the poorest city in the United States.  By the time of the 2004 Census, they had moved up a little, to the third poorest city.

I’ve been to Florida many, many times, primarily visiting the Miami and Orlando area.  In fact, I’ll be in Florida again this month, and am looking forward to the respite from the unseasonably cold Seattle weather.  Here are a couple of my favorite things to do when I’m in Florida:

• Tours of Kennedy Space Center
• Looking at memorabilia at the Astronaut Hall of Fame
• Shopping at Ron Jon’s Surf Shop
• Wading in the Atlantic Ocean and frolicking on the sand in Cocoa Beach (anyone else out there remember Cocoa Beach from the television show “I Dream of Jeanie?”)
• People watch along Ocean Drive in South Beach

Of course, there are still lots of things left on my list of things that I’d like to do or see:

• Take an airboat ride in the Everglades
• Spend some relaxing time in the Florida Keys
• Visit the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersurg

What are your favorite things to do in Florida?

Photo credit:  Launch pad, Miami Beach

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San Francisco’s Chinese New Year Parade, celebrating the Year of the Boar (Lunar Year 4705), will begin on Saturday, March 3rd at 5:30 pm.  The parade will start at 2nd & Market, ending in the heart of Chinatown.  This parade is one of the few remaining illuminated Parades in the country, and is consistently named as one of the Top Ten Parades in the World.

This year’s parade promised to be no less spectacular than years past, with over 100 entries that include floats, elaborate costumes, fierce lions, firecrackers, and the newly crowned Miss Chinatown and her court.   You won’t want to miss the Golden Dragon.  It is over 200 feet in length, and takes a crew of over 100 people to carry and parade the dragon throughout the streets.

The San Francisco Chinese New Year Parade started back in the 1860’s as a way for the Chinese community to share their culture with those unfamiliar with it.  Combining the Chinese culture with a strictly American tradition – a parade – it was an effort to become part of a new culture while maintain the traditions of a lifetime.

In 1959, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce took over the responsibility and direction of the Parade, moving it to the evening and making it a torchlight parade.  The Parade and accompanying two-week festival has grown to become the largest celebration of Asian culture outside of Asia.

Reserved bleacher seating for this year’s parade has already sold out, so you’ll have to find a spot along the parade route to view the festivities.  The streets will be more crowded the closer you get to Chinatown.  Or, watch from the comfort of your home or hotel room on KTVU/Fox 2, or KTSF, Channel 28 (Chinese broadcast).  The parade lasts about two and a half hours.

I’ve been in the San Francisco area for most weekends the past couple months.  However, this weekend I’ll be in a different part of the country and will be missing the parade.  If anyone gets some great photos, please let me know!

Photo credit:  flickr

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Today is Admission Day for Ohio, our 17th State, admitted to the union on March 1st, 1803. 

The date of admission was actually determined retroactively, because no formal date of statehood was set by the original legislation.  It wasn’t until 1953 that the date of admission was set as March 1st, 1803, the date that Ohio’s first legislature convened.  (Photo above of Ohio Statehouse)

Back in 1835, Ohio fought a war with Michigan, known as the Toledo War.  Somehow, my US History class missed this important battle, but as a result of it, Michigan got the western part of its Upper Peninsula as part of its state boundaries, and Ohio got the Toledo Strip. 

Located in the Midwestern United States, and part of the Great Lakes region, Ohio is a heavily populated state (ranked 7th in population).  Its largest city is its capital, Columbus.  The largest metropolitan area is Cleveland.  Other major cities include:  Akron, Canton, Cincinnati, Dayton, Toledo, and Youngstown.  These cities are home to many popular tourist attraction, including the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton (see photo above).

Ohio’s geographic location, well-developed highway system, and proximity to numerous seaports, has made it a hub for cargo and business traffic.  In fact, 50% of the North American population is within a one-day drive of Ohio.

Ohio is frequently called the “Mother of Presidents,” with seven U.S. presidents having been born there.  Only Virginia has more, boasting eight.

Hitting on a theme a little closer to my heart, Ohio is the birthplace of the airplane, a result of numerous experiments by Orville and Wilbur Wright.   A large experimental and design facility is still located near Dayton, and the entire state still has many ties to the aviation industry, both civil and military.

I spent ten days in Ohio a few years back.  I was traveling with a good friend, and we spent the time driving around, visiting many of the small cities and communities.  It was my first trip to Ohio (other than making a flight connection – which doesn’t count).  Little did I realize that a visit to Ohio actually meant a visit to three additional states — the Cincinnati metropolitan area extends into Kentucky and Indiana (this counted as my first visit to both of those states), and the Youngstown metropolitan area extends into Pennsylvania.

Photo credit:  Ohio Division of Travel and Tourism, www.DiscoverOhio.com.
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Today is Admission Day for Nebraska, our 37th state, admitted to the union on March 1st, 1867.

Located in the middle of the United States, on the Great Plains, Nebraska has a history deeply rooted in farming.  In the 1860’s homesteaders arrived in Nebraska, claiming free land granted by the federal government.  These first settlers staked out their plot of land, and turned the Nebraska prairie into a land of ranches and farms.

The state’s largest city is Omaha, followed by the capital city of Lincoln, but small cities and town’s dominate the landscape.

I’ve not been to Nebraska, and must confess that prior to doing a little research about it, didn’t know much about the state other than it was located in the middle of the U.S., in an area called Tornado Alley.  I would guess, that unless you live in this part of the country, that may be all you know as well. 

So, here are a few bits of trivia about Nebraska:

• The Arbor Day holiday, celebrated on the last Friday in April, was established in Nebraska in 1872
• Kool-Aid was created in Nebraska in 1927
• Not that I ever used them in school, but CliffsNotes were started in Nebraska in 1958
• Hebron has a swing in its city park (5th & Jefferson Streets) that claims to be the world’s largest porch swing, long enough to accommodate 18 adults.

If you’re from Nebraska, please leave a comment sharing what makes you proud to be from Nebraska.

Photo credit: Mike Welfl

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Location:  Napa Valley Vineyard.

One of my most enjoyable weekend trips is to spend time wine tasting in the Napa Valley (California).  While several large, major wineries are located in Napa, I’ve found that some of the most fun are the smaller, limited production, family wineries.

Photo:  Aaron Logan

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Grand Canyon National Park was designated a national park on February 26, 1919, and is one of the oldest national parks in the United States.  It is located within Arizona, near Flagstaff, and within the parks lies the Grand Canyon, considered to be one of the major natural wonders of the world.

Although the Grand Canyon is not the largest canyon in the world, it is spectacular in its combination of size and colorful layers of rock.  The National Park covers a little over 1.2 million acres, and is governed by the National Park Service.  Flying over the canyon always elicits lots of oooooh and aaaaaaaahs from passengers.

The South Rim of the park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and services are available year round.

The North Rim offers visitor services and facilities from mid-May to mid-October.  The North Rim is open for day use only in mid-October, weather permitting.

Admission to Grand Canyon National Park is $25 per vehicle, is valid for seven days, and includes both the North and South Rim of the Canyon.  An individual admission is $12/person.  An annual pass is $50, and admits the pass holder and all accompanying persons in the same vehicle.  Special rates are available for groups.

Photo credit:  SXC

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Where in the World have I been?

Here’s a link to a map which visually lays out the US States and countries of the world that I’ve visited.  I’m not counting the location if I’ve only touched down at the airport to make a connection.  I actually have to have left the airport for it to count.

You’ll notice that there are some big, glaring omissions in my travels!

I invite you to post a link to a map of your own travels.  It would be fun to comparie where we’ve been.  You can find the tools to make your own map here. 

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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This weekend, the New York Botanical Garden invites us to break out of our winter doldrums with a visit to fifth annual Orchid Show:  An Exhibition and Sale of Fine Orchids.

This year’s event opens on Saturday, February 24th, and runs for six weeks, culminating on Easter Sunday, April 8th.

The Orchid Show features museum-quality orchid exhibits in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and textures.  It’s a stark contrast from our frigid winter experience, providing us with a colorful sensory feast.

The highlight of the show, and of the Botanical Garden itself, is the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory.  Under the Victorian domed glasshouse, you’ll find a waterfall cascading over volcanic rocks, surrounded by stately palm trees, and tropical pools of orchids. 

Here are a few other featured exhibits of the Orchid Show:

• Lowland Tropical Rain Forest Gallery – Here’s a chance to see orchids as they grow in nature – around tree trunks and branches.  Some species you’ll see here are the fragrant pansy and golden dancing ladies orchids, laelias, and ruffled corsage orchids.
• Upland Tropic Rain Forest Gallery – The terrarium will feature miniature orchids, giving you an opportunity for a close-up view of some of the smallest of the species. 
• Seasonal Exhibition Gallery – Featured here is an Orchid collector’s Garden with elaborate displays of formal planting beds.  Thousands and thousands of orchid plants, with profuse and colorful blooms.  Just a few of the species you’ll see:  cymbidiums in all colors, maroon slipper orchids, tall nun’s cap orchids, and pink and white moth orchids
• Library Building – Take a look at the Orchid Rotunda on the first floor of the library building.  It’s a colorful display of over 50 species, and countless numbers of hybrids, of moth orchids.  While you may be familiar with the large white-flowered moth orchid, there are actually dozens of new colors in shades of red, peach, green, and yellow, along with patterns of stripes and spots.  It’s not just that boring white orchid any more!
• Rare Book and Folio Room – Located just a few floor above the Orchid Rotunda, are large, rare folios from the 18th and 19th century that feature beautiful orchid illustrations.

After you’re done drooling over all these beautiful displays, you’ll have a chance to satisfy your appetite at Shop in the Garden.  You’ll find it in the Visitor Center, and there you’ll have the opportunity to purchase some of the tempting orchids that you’ve seen.  There will be exotics for the advanced grower, as well as some easy-to-grow varieties for us beginners.  Shop in the Garden will also carry a selection of orchid books.

The Orchid Show also features educational opportunities from home gardening demonstrations to advanced continuing education classes.  There’s even some programming for the kids. 

The Orchid Show runs through April 8th.  Exhibit hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am – 5 pm, February 24th through March 31st, and until 6 pm April 1st – 8th.  Admission to the Show is $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and students, and $5 for children.  Advanced tickets are available through Ticketmaster.

The New York Botanical Garden is a plant museum located in the Bronx at Bronx River Parkway at Fordham Road.

Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti

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The American Institute of Architects announced the results of its annual poll and named the top 150 favorite structures across the United States. 

Here are the Top Ten on the list:

1. Empire State Building
2. The White House
3. Washington National Cathedral
4. Thomas Jefferson Memorial
5. Golden Gate Bridge
6. U.S. Capitol
7. Lincoln Memorial
8. Biltmore Estates
9. Chrysler Building
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial

As I browsed through the list, I noticed that although I have visited 59 of the buildings on the list, I have only written about a handful.  Those that I have written about include:  Empire State Building  (1), Lincoln Memorial (7), Washington Monument (12), Supreme Court (15), Rockefeller Center (56), TransAmerica Pyramid (61), Corning Museum of Glass (136), and MoMA (146).

You can get the full list of 150 at the AIA 150 website.  AIA member architects provided the nominations, and voting was conducted via a Harris Interactive poll.

How many of these buildings have you seen?

Photo credit:  wikimedia

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Just a few waning minutes where I am, actually, but there’s no reason to stop the partying until the clock strikes midnight.

That’s when Lent begins, starting on Ash Wednesday and ending on Easter Sunday.  40 days (Sundays don’t figure into the counting of days) of fasting and penance.

Looks like you’d better enjoy those last precious minutes of frivolity.

Photo credit:  webshots

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February 19th is Presidents Day, a federal holiday here in the United States.

Originally, the holiday was designated as Washington’s Birthday, and was celebrated on George Washington’s actual date of birth, February 22nd.  In 1971, however, as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, the holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.  The holiday has also been expanded to honor Abraham Lincoln (birthday February 12th).  Various states choose to observe the holiday on different days, under different titles, and even different presidents, but as far as federal holidays go, today is Presidents Day.

I have already written about the Washington Monument and Washington’s estate home in Mount Vernon, but I haven’t written about Lincoln.

The Lincoln Memorial is at one end of Washington DC’s National Mall.  The building looks like a Greek Doric Temple, with huge columns, and a bigger-than-life marble statue of Lincoln.  The statue is 19 feet tall and 19 feet wide.  Above the statue of Lincoln are inscribed the words:

In this temple
As in the hearts of the people
For whom he saved the Union
The memory of Abraham Lincoln
Is enshrined forever

On the south interior wall is inscribed the Gettysburg Address, on the north wall is inscribed Lincoln’s second inauguaral address. 

The memorial steps was the site for Martin Luther King’s 1963“I Have a Dream” speech, part of the March on Washington.  A tile on the step marks the spot from where Dr. King delivered his speech. 

The Memorial is open 24 hours, every day exept Christmas.  I’ve seen the memorial as different hours of the day, and is particularly spectacular at night.  There is no fee to visit the Memorial.

The Lincoln Memorial is at one end of the Reflecting Pool, with the World War II Memorial at the other, and beyone that the Washington Monument.  Metro access to the Lincoln Memorial requires a bit of a walk, but is reachable from the Smithsonian or Foggy Bottom stop, both on the Orange and Blue Line.

If you can’t make it to Washington DC to see the Lincoln Memorial, all you have to do is grab some US money. You can see Abraham Lincoln on the front side of the penny (commonly called the Lincoln Penny), and the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side.  Lincoln is also depicted on the front side of the five dollar bill, with the Lincoln Memorial on the reverse side.

Photo credit:  Memorial at night; statue

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