Date of trip: December 2009

I first wanted to visit Palm Springs years ago when I read that Elvis Presley had spent his honeymoon there. I figured if it was nice enough for The King, it was surely nice enough for me. Even though it’s located in the desert, it’s anything but desolate and it’s just under a two hour drive from Los Angeles.

Highlights:

-Since Palm Springs is so flat, it tends to get very windy which makes it the perfect location for a wind farm. You can’t miss the huge one located in the San Gorgonio Pass consisting of more than 3,000 windmills. The giant white structures line the ground in neat rows all the way to the horizon and it’s quite a sight.

-A great way to see the city is to ride the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto. No matter where you stand, you’ll get to see everything because the tram rotates 360 degrees as it moves. In fact, it’s the largest rotating tram in the world! At the top there are restaurants and various activities like hiking or snowshoeing depending on the season.

-Palm Springs has many excellent hiking trails and the most popular are located in the Indian Canyons. The canyons sit on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation but are open to the public daily for a small admission fee. Will and I hiked Palm Canyon, so called for it’s large palm tree oasis that winds along the ravine at the bottom. It’s so peaceful and was one of the nicest hikes I’ve ever done. We also really enjoyed Tahquitz Canyon which has a 2 mile loop trail that leads you past Tahquitz Falls, a pretty, 60 foot waterfall.

-I didn’t expect to find a world class art museum in the desert, but the Palm Springs Art Museum is just that. It has an excellent collection of American and local art and a great glass studio. It also hosts a variety of impressive special exhibitions.

-If you happen to drive in or out of Palm Springs via Highway 10, be sure you stop in Cabazon to see the famous dinosaurs at the truck stop there. The huge Apatosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex statues may be random, but they will definitely make you smile. Nearby, Hadley Fruit Orchards is a great place to stop for some of their famous trail mix or a delicious date shake.

Even though most people think of Palm Springs as a seasonal destination, it’s actually a vibrant city year round. It does get very hot in the summer but there are plenty of pools and fun indoor attractions equipped with air-conditioning. It’s a calm, laid-back city but it’s a city none the less filled with people of all ages and a wide variety of things to do.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Palm Springs Links:
Palm Springs Official Site
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
Indian Canyons
Tahquitz Canyon
Palm Springs Art Museum
Cabazon Dinosaurs
Hadley Fruit Orchards

Date of trip: June 2009

Grand Teton National Park is literally right below Yellowstone and it’s often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor. Although Yellowstone’s accolades are well deserved, Teton is an incredible place as well and should not be overlooked.

Highlights:

-The star of the park is the Teton Mountain Range which was pushed up by a fault line it sits on millions of years ago. The peaks are covered by snow year round and are truly breathtaking. The Tetons can be seen from pretty much every area in the park, but the paved road on the eastern side has many turnouts which offer the best views along with signs explaining the history and geology of the mountains.

-My favorite place in all of Teton was the Jackson Lake Lodge and my reasons have nothing to do with the hotel rooms. Inside the main lobby of the lodge are 60 foot, floor to ceiling windows offering unparalleled views of the Willow Flats area. This is one of the best places to spot moose, bear and elk and, because it is indoors, it can be enjoyed even in poor weather conditions. Will and I began and ended all of our days in the park here and one morning we witnessed a bear hunt down and snatch a newborn baby elk. It was an equally thrilling and horrifying sight and a glimpse into the wild and harsh realities of life for the animals in Teton.

-Another great place to spot wildlife is on the road leading up Signal Mountain. It’s long and winding and not the easiest drive, but if you proceed slowly and keep your eyes peeled you’ll be rewarded. We saw elk and deer during our ascent and a delightful pair of mating dusky grouse at the top. The male was puffed up, dancing and showing off his brilliant plumage.

-Jenny Lake sits at the base of the Tetons and offers a stunning view of the range. This area holds the park’s 5 star resort, Jenny Lake Lodge, a collection of beautiful, well appointed cabins complete with patios to admire the scenery at all hours. This section of the park is popular with hikers because Jenny Lake is the starting point for many of the park’s trails.

-The Menor’s Ferry District is an old homesteading area next to the Snake River. It belonged to Bill Menor in the 1800s who ran a country store and ferried early travelers across the water. Today, visitors can still shop in the store, ride over the river on a replica ferryboat and get a glimpse of pioneer life in Menor’s cabin. Nearby, the Chapel of the Transfiguration has a window on its altar that frames the Teton Mountains. It’s one of the most beautiful little churches I’ve ever been in.

-Just outside of the park’s southern entrance is the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor’s Center, a state of the art museum and auditorium. It’s the best place to learn all about Grand Teton and gather information to plan your stay in the park. There’s also a shop with maps and souvenirs and a ranger desk where you can get current weather reports and a schedule of park events.

-Snake River winds through almost the entire length of Grand Teton and it’s a great place to find wildlife as they look for water or food or rest on the cool banks. Float trips down the river on rubber rafts are offered several times a day. Although there are no guarantees that you’ll sight any specific animals, you’ll definitely see birds, perhaps even a bald eagle. The Oxbow Bend Turnout, a section of the river near Jackson Lodge is popular territory for beavers and moose.

Grand Teton National Park is covered in mountains and open flatlands. The geography is ideal for wildlife viewing because a visitor can perch on an elevated area with a vast stretch of land before them to observe while animals make their way across. When I visit a park, I relish the opportunities I have to get away from the crowds and find a peaceful place where I can feel part of the natural world and just enjoy it. Teton is full of such locations and that is what makes it is such a special place.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Grand Teton Links:
Grand Teton National Park Official Site
Grand Teton Lodging and Activities

Date of trip: June 2009

While the Upper Loop of Yellowstone does have some of the many geothermal features that are widespread in the Lower Loop, it is better characterized by its rocky mountains and rolling green valleys. It is quieter, wilder and less developed and it feels like a completely different park.

Highlights:

-Roosevelt Lodge is the most remote area of Yellowstone that guests can stay in without camping. It consists of a restaurant serving tasty southern food, a simple convenience store and 80 cabins. The Frontier Cabins, of which there are 14, have bathrooms, showers and electric heat. The remainder of the cabins, called Roughriders, share public bathrooms and are equipped with wood burning stoves. We were able to secure a very nice Frontier Cabin but I had to book it by phone as it showed up unavailable online. It was such a lovely, peaceful place to stay and many of the guests enjoyed drinks on the porch of the restaurant in the mornings and evenings. There are a few tours offered from Roosevelt including an Old West Dinner Cookout which includes a covered wagon ride. Not far from the lodge is the lookout for Tower-Fall, a pretty waterfall on the northern end of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

-The Upper Loop of Yellowstone is prime habitat for pretty much all of the wildlife in the park, especially in the wide open spaces of Lamar Valley. We saw about ten times more bison here than in any other area as well as many elk and pronghorn. Lamar is also the place to spot the elusive gray wolves, black and grizzly bears, bighorn sheep and coyotes. We saw all of the above!

-When Yellowstone was named the first National Park it was managed by the Army for over 30 years until the formation of the National Park Service. Their headquarters, Fort Yellowstone, was located in the Mammoth Hot Springs section of the park. Today, the area still serves as park headquarters and holds administrative offices and housing for employees. Many of the buildings are closed to the public, but there is a nice museum which chronicles the park’s history and has models of the resident animals. There are also lodging and dining options in Mammoth, but the main attraction in the area are the Springs themselves. The mineral rich water has created large white shelves of calcium deposits left over thousands of years. Algae living in the pools tints some of them with shades of orange and red. The formations are split into Upper and Lower Terraces which can be explored by foot or by car.

-The Roosevelt Arch stands at the northern entrance to Yellowstone, which is actually in Montana. It was built in 1903 to serve as the official entrance to the park when the railroad began serving the adjoining town. President Theodore Roosevelt laid down the cornerstone of the arch in a ceremony attended by thousands.

-Sheepeater Cliff was formed by lava flows hundreds of thousands of years ago. The basalt stone, resulting from the hardened lava, cracks into smaller pieces and falls, creating piles of loose rocks. Aside from its interesting appearance, what makes the cliff special are the yellow-bellied marmots that live within the crevices. I thought they might be shy and hard to spot so I was thrilled when we drove up and found one sprawled out, resting on a rock in full view!

-If you’ve ever wondered how someone becomes a park ranger or what is involved in the job, you can find out at the Museum of the National Park Ranger in the Norris area. The museums has displays featuring old photos, ranger uniforms and models of ranger cabins. Best of all, there are rangers working in the museum that are happy to talk about their jobs and answer questions about what they do.

It’s unfortunate that some people visit Yellowstone without traveling to the Upper Loop of the park. The Lower Loop is a remarkable place but it was in the less crowded Upper Loop, where I found peace and solitude, that I really felt connected to nature. To truly experience all the park has to offer, a visitor should see both.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

You can read more about my trip to Yellowstone by visiting my Lower Loop post.

Yellowstone Links:
Yellowstone National Park Official Site
Yellowstone Hotel and Tour Reservations

Date of trip: June 2009

Most summers, Will and I plan a National Park trip and this year we decided to visit the very first park, Yellowstone. Yellowstone was declared a National Park in 1872 when early explorers convinced President Ulysses Grant that it was a special place that should be protected. The park is massive, with the main roads dividing it into an upper and lower loop that form a figure eight. Ideally, a visitor should spend at least 2-3 days in each part.

Lower Loop Highlights:

-There are several lodging options in the Old Faithful area, but the most popular is the Old Faithful Inn, the largest log hotel in the world. The lobby of the inn is magnificent with a towering clock fireplace, a large array of places to sit and live music most nights. We stayed in one of the old house rooms with a private bathroom and although it was very charming, the plumbing wasn’t the best. Still, I can’t imagine visiting the park and not spending at least one night here. The hotel also has an excellent dining room and dinner reservations are recommended.

-The Old Faithful Inn is so named because it sits next to the world famous Old Faithful Geyser which erupts about every 45 minutes. The inn posts when it is expected to blow but they can be off by up to 30 minutes on either side of their projection. The geyser may not be the most impressive feature in the park but it is spectacular and, because it’s synonymous with Yellowstone, it should not be missed. Old Faithful Geyser is part of the Upper Geyser Basin which includes additional geysers and mineral pools and can be toured by following trails of pavement and wooden platforms. My favorite site in the area was the two-toned Morning Glory Pool, one of the prettiest in Yellowstone.

-At the Midway Geyser Basin hot water pours from Excelsior Geyser into the cold Firehole River creating rows of steam. Grand Prismatic Spring, which is the park’s largest is also here. If you’ve ever seen pictures of Yellowstone, you’ve no doubt seen one of this massive pool glistening in bright shades of blue and orange. It is so large that it’s impossible to get a photograph of the whole thing unless you take the Fairy Falls hike up to a hill overlooking it. The colors in the pool are actually reflections of the sun and sky so they do not show up as strongly on a cloudy day. If it is very cold or snowing, as it was when we visited, it may be almost completely obscured by steam. This is also a good area to spot bison. We watched a herd with babies cross the Firehole River early one morning during a storm;an image I will never forget.

-There is nothing quite like the sound of a bubbling mud pot and you can see the best example of one by visiting the Fountain Paint Pot in the Lower Geyser Basin. There are also some nice pools here, Celestine Pool and Silex Spring, and several geysers, some of which erupt almost constantly.

-Canyon Village is one of the busiest areas in the park. It has many places to shop and eat (don’t miss the grizzly berry ice cream) and a beautiful, state of the art Visitor’s Center where you can learn all about Yellowstone’s history. Nearby is the majestic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone which you can get amazing views of at various lookouts including the most popular near the colorful Artist’s Point. If you can handle the challenging hikes to the summits of the Upper and Lower Falls, they are both worth the effort.

-Although bison travel all over Yellowstone, the best place to see them in the lower loop is Hayden Valley. It’s very common to have a close encounter with them here because they graze around the roads. As long as you keep a safe distance and remain in your car, it’s a great experience. Mud Volcano and Sulphur Cauldron are also located in the valley and shouldn’t be missed. Will and I could have stood in front of the smoking Dragon’s Mouth Spring for hours.

-Just north of Yellowstone Lake is Fishing Bridge, a major spawning area for cutthroat trout. Although fishing is not allowed, you can observe the fish in their active months and get a great view of the lake from the wooden bridge during the rest of the year. Yellowstone Lake is the largest in the park and it’s interesting because, although it looks calm, it sits on top of geysers and other geothermal features. There is some limited boating allowed but swimming is not safe. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is the oldest in the park and the most upscale. It has a 1920s feel complete with a gorgeous sun room where guests can have a drink while they enjoy looking out on the lake. It also has a fabulous restaurant considered the best in Yellowstone. Dinner reservations are a must, but you can probably stop in for breakfast or lunch unannounced.

-The Grant Village/West Thumb area is the closest to the southern entrance. Grant Village is a great place to spot elk and the West Thumb Geyser Basin is probably the most underrated basin area in Yellowstone. Its stunning pools and hot springs are just a quick walk from the parking lot.

The Lower Loop of Yellowstone is the caldera or crater area caused by massive volcanic eruptions that occurred hundreds of thousands, even millions of years ago. It is the more popular section of the park because it contains the best examples of the geothermal features that Yellowstone is known for: geysers and colorful mineral pools. Although there are a few other places in the world where such phenomena exist like Iceland and New Zealand, Yellowstone is the only place left completely in its natural state and not exploited as a power source. It is truly unlike any place on Earth and perhaps the greatest example of nature’s extreme power and strength to both create and destroy.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

You can read more about my trip to Yellowstone by visiting my Upper Loop post.

Yellowstone Links:
Yellowstone National Park Official Site
Yellowstone Hotel and Tour Reservations

Date of trip: June 2009

Jackson Hole is the valley in Wyoming encircled by the Teton and Gros Ventre mountain ranges. Among the places contained in the valley are an airport, the National Elk Refuge, part of Grand Teton National Park, Teton Village and the town of Jackson. I explain this because it’s easy to mistake Jackson the town and Jackson Hole as the same place when, in fact, one is a section of the other. Will and I didn’t originally plan to spend much time in Jackson Hole, but after driving through the area on the way to Yellowstone and the Tetons, we realized there were quite a few things to see there and decided to come back for a look.

Highlights:

-From the Jackson Hole Airport, we headed to the National Museum of Wildlife Art located 10 minutes away. The museum has over 5,000 pieces in its permanent collection and it’s widely considered the finest of its kind in the world. Many of the paintings are so detailed they look like photographs of animals and some of the sculptures look real. It is truly a unique place because while art usually offers an escape, the art here reminds you of beauty that exists in the real world and how important it is to protect the amazing creatures we share this earth with.

-Teton Village is right outside of Grand Teton National Park and because it includes the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, it is the best place for winter sports. It’s a small village with hotels, restaurants and shops and though it has posh accommodations, including a Four Seasons, there is also a big hostel so it caters to all budgets. Obviously, you can’t ski during the summer but you can take the famous Aerial Tram up the mountain. The tram just reopened after 2 years of renovations and it doesn’t disappoint. Although it was cloudy and snowing (in JUNE!) during our ride, we still managed to spot two moose resting on the mountain. At the top there is a cafe where you can have a snack and a drink while you wait for the next tram down.

-In downtown Jackson, the Town Square has something for just about everyone. There are historic hotels, restaurants and bars as well as galleries and plenty of shopping. There are carriage rides and staged “shoot-outs” in the summer. Everything has a western flavor and you must get a photo next to one of the four elk antler archways.

Before I traveled to Jackson Hole, I had a picture in my mind of a place full of wide open spaces in the middle of nowhere. There are definitely sections like that but there are also areas that are unmistakably urban with many things to do. The contrast between the developed and undeveloped parts makes the valley a particularly fun and interesting place to visit.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Jackson Hole Links:
Jackson Hole Official Site
National Museum of Wildlife Art
Teton Village/Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
Jackson Hole Aerial Tram

Date of trip: August 2006, April 2009

Chicago is one of America’s great cities and there are so many reasons to love it. Right away, Will and I felt at home there. It was safe, familiar and easy to navigate. We tried to think of a city it was similar to but Chicago is totally unique.

Highlights:

-Chicago is an art lover’s paradise. There are magnificent sculptures on just about every corner including Calders, Picassos and Miros. The parks are full of beautiful fountains and gardens and the architecture is equally impressive. It is obvious that many designers and artists have a fondness for the city and that Chicago cares about bringing culture and beauty into the lives of those that live there or visit.

-The Art Institute of Chicago is the most important museum in the city and one of the country’s premier art institutions. Among the famous paintings exhibited there are Grant Woods’ “American Gothic” (the farmer with his daughter, holding a pitchfork) and Seurat’s “A Sunday on the Island of La Grande Jatte” (the picture of all the people dressed up by the lake at a park…don’t know how else to describe it, but if you saw it you would recognize it). I was surprised at the size of Seurat’s painting as it’s really quite large.

-The parks in Chicago are a must visit. In addition to all the wonderful artwork on display, in Lincoln Park there is a great FREE zoo that rivals the Bronx Zoo and nearby there is even a beach! Have you ever heard of a city having a beach right downtown? In Millenium Park you can see Anish Kapoor’s awesome Cloud Gate and Jaume Plensa’s Crown Fountain and in Grant Park you can visit Buckingham Fountain…remember the fountain in the opening of Married With Children and in Friends? Yup…that’s it!

-As a New Yorker, I am partial to New York pizza, but when in Chicago, you’d be cheating yourself of the full city experience if you didn’t try their world famous deep dish. Will and I tried a pie at Gino’s East, a Chicago legend in business since 1966. The pizzas are small, but DEEP so a small is more than enough for two people. I have to admit…it was delicious. The sauce was chunky and light and the crust was like a crisp, golden pastry.

-The Field Museum of Natural History is considered a national treasure, but is most famous for Sue, the largest preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton in the world. The museum is cool, but if you’ve seen the Museum of Natural History in NYC it’s hard to compete. My advice would be to find out ahead of time what special exhibitions are going on and make your decision to visit based on those.

-Next to the Field Museum you’ll find the Adler Planetarium, the oldest in the country. I found this to be a much more interesting place to visit. Aside from the standard star show, they offer several others and there are three floors of fun and interesting interactive space exhibits.

-A visit to Chicago would not be complete without a trip to the top of the Sears Tower, the third tallest building in the world – the first if you go by number of floors. The observation deck does give you an unparalleled view of the city, but it will be crowded and don’t expect any extras, like a restaurant, bar or any cool exhibits. The height is really the only draw here. In case you’re wondering, Sears is no longer in the building.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Chicago Links:
Chicago Official Site
The Art Institute of Chicago
Lincoln Park Zoo
Gino’s East Pizza
The Field Museum
Adler Planetarium
Sears Tower

Date of trip: December 2008

People picture different things when they hear about Death Valley National Park. I always thought of a desert while Will imagined the patterned salt flats but everyone thinks of extreme weather. Summers in the park are brutally hot so most people visit in the winter when the temperatures are comfortably in the 70s during the day and the 50s at night.

When Will and I decided to spend Christmas in Las Vegas, I remembered that Death Valley is only about 2 1/2 hours from there and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to check it out.

Highlights:

-Death Valley is very isolated and there are few lodging options. The nicest place to stay is the Furnace Creek Inn. At $300/night, the rooms are expensive but they are well appointed and many offer spectacular views of the park. In addition, the Inn has a natural, spring fed pool which stays at a temperature of 85 degrees year round and is flanked by fireplaces to help guests dry after a swim. If you can’t splurge on the Inn, there are more affordable rooms and cabins, as well as a campground nearby. I do recommend the Inn dining room either way as the food is fantastic but reservations should be made in advance.

-It’s hard to imagine someone living in Death Valley but Scotty’s Castle is proof that it’s not only possible, but can be done in style! In the 1920s, Chicago millionaire Albert Johnson built a mansion in the northern section of Death Valley to serve as a vacation home. He chose the area for its dry climate and because his friend, and renowned con man, Walter Scott loved it so much. The unlikely pair met when Johnson got caught up in one of Scott’s schemes. Johnson loved Scott’s carefree, wild lifestyle and the two became friends. Scott liked to tell people the mansion was his, hence the name “Scotty’s Castle”. Today the property is owned by the park and there are excellent guided tours offered frequently. The house is very interesting and it gives visitors a unique picture of Death Valley’s past. Right off of the castle road is a turn for the Ubehebe Crater, a 600 foot deep chasm caused by a volcano 300 years ago. Whether or not you choose to hike in or around the crater, be sure to visit in the morning or mid-day when the sun is bright for the best views.

-The main attraction at Salt Creek is the little pupfish that live in the salty water. Pupfish are known for their ability to live in extreme conditions and this is the only place in the world to see this particular species. Unfortunately, the fish are only active in the spring so we didn’t see them, but we still enjoyed the peacefulness of the creek and walking the boardwalk that winds all around it.

-I mentioned before that I pictured the park as a desert and there are areas that are covered in sand dunes. We visited the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes and it was definitely a highlight of our time in Death Valley. You can easily reach the area on foot after parking on the road although it is a hike to the taller dunes. The sand is very fine so boots are a must and it’s important to stay aware of how far and high you’ve walked as you want to make sure you have the energy to get back. Being among the dunes is really fun! It feels like a giant sandbox and the sand absorbs a lot of sound so you feel alone even with other people around. Many people visit the dunes at night in the moonlight but Will and I weren’t brave enough to return after dark with rattlesnakes around.

-In contrast to the sandy hills of Mesquite, Badwater Basin is low and covered in salt crystals. At 282ft below sea level, it’s the lowest point in North America. There is a sign in the mountains above the parking lot to mark sea level so you can see just how low you are. Walking on the salt flats is allowed except in the summer when Badwater is typically the hottest area in the park. It was in Badwater that the second highest temperature on Earth of 134F was recorded in 1913! The nearby Devil’s Golf Course is also covered in salt crystals but unlike the flat Basin it is rocky and jagged.

-In the late 1800s several borax refineries were located in Death Valley. There are ruins and an original wagon at the Harmony Borax Works where you can read about the tough life the workers and their famous 20 mule team had transporting the goods. To learn even more, you can pay a visit to the Borax Museum at the Furnace Creek Ranch which is small but very interesting and is open late.

-There are many beautiful canyons and scenic trails in the park. Zabriskie Point is the best place to watch the sun come up and its rays bounce off the slotted walls of Golden Canyon. In your car, Artist’s Drive will take you through brightly colored mountains that look painted and the one way road through 20 Mule Team Canyon is full of fun twists and turns. Although some of the roads are unpaved, all of these places can be reached without difficulty in a standard vehicle .

I love all of the U.S. National Parks but Death Valley stands out because of its diversity. In a place famous for extreme conditions you would hardly expect to see such a variety of natural and man-made sights. Death Valley is like a collection of several different parks and each one is as equally impressive and worthy of a visit as the last.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Death Valley Links:
National Park Service Death Valley Page
Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort

Date of trip: September 2008

Although Will and I went to Pittsburgh primarily to make the trip to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater, we ended up loving the city itself and really enjoying our time there.

Highlights:

-Pittsburgh has one of the most beautiful city views I’ve seen and the best place to check it out is from the top of Mt. Washington, a 5 minute drive from downtown. In the late 1800s, there were 15 cable cars, or inclines, that would bring residents of the mountain down into the city to work. Today, the only two remaining are the Monongahela and Duquesne Inclines. We rode the Duquesne at night. Parking is extremely limited on the mountain so I recommend parking at the bottom of one of the inclines and riding up. If you visit during the day and have time, you can walk just over a mile between the two at the top. Both offer unique, stunning perspectives of the city.

-Andy Warhol is probably Pittsburgh’s most famous resident so it is fitting that the city has an Andy Warhol Museum. The building has seven floors and holds over 500 pieces by the artist including sketches, videos, installations and many of his signature portraits. There is also an area devoted to Warhol’s biography and life story. Not to be missed is the “Silver Clouds” exhibit which invites visitors into a small room to dodge and play with flying silver balloons.

-I’ve seen a lot of amazing artwork and I can be a tough critic but I was completely impressed with The Mattress Factory. The museum of contemporary art is unique in that you get into and become part of most of the pieces. I particularly liked the crazy mirrored rooms by Yayoi Kusama. I love art that engages and involves its audience and the collection at The Mattress Factory accomplishes this better than most.

-The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is one of the few zoo/aquarium combinations in the United States and it’s a great place to spend a few hours. The highlight is the elephant enclosure which is home to two endlessly entertaining babies born over the summer.

-For an afternoon or evening out in the city the Strip District is your best bet. The area is comprised of former factory and mill buildings converted to shops, restaurants and clubs. On Saturday the streets are full of locals and tourists strolling the sidewalks and browsing the outdoor markets.

As a cool U.S. city, Pittsburgh is highly underrated. It’s laid back, friendly, safe and full of top notch art, picturesque scenery and great restaurants. Although I didn’t mention sports, they are a big deal here and if you happen to visit during baseball or football season, the entire city seems to come out for the games!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Pittsburgh Links:
Pittsburgh Official Site
Duquesne and Monongahela Inclines
Andy Warhol Museum
The Mattress Factory
Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium
The Strip District

Date of trip: September 2008

Will and I are big fans of modern architecture so Fallingwater, a house designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright, has been on our list of places to visit for many years. Located an hour and a half outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, it is widely considered the most beautiful house in the world and is certainly one of the most famous. Why is Fallingwater so special? The house is literally built into a waterfall and enhances the surrounding natural landscape without intruding on it.

I booked us on the first tour of the day to avoid crowds. Although the house is in a remote location, it is very popular with tourists and reservations must be made in advance online or by phone. Tickets start at $16/adult for a regular tour with no pictures but there are many more expensive options that include more rooms, photography, sunset hours and brunch.

Fallingwater was built in the 1930s for the Kaufmann family, owners of a department store in Pittsburgh. They met Frank Lloyd Wright when their son studied under him. The Kaufmanns loved modern design and had a lot of money so it was a perfect match.

The Tour:

The tour of Fallingwater starts in the kitchen, small and somewhat standard except for its unusual windows. The glass panes come directly out of the stone walls with no frames separating the two. In the small reading room next to the kitchen there is another unique window with no frames on it’s corners. The frameless windows appear throughout the house and give the illusion that they are glass free and open to the elements. Wright wanted to minimize the separation between indoors and outdoors and the technique is very effective.

We visited three bedrooms all equipped with fireplaces, the only source of heat in the house, and private balconies. The balconies are cantilevered, or supported on just one end. They hang over the waterfall outside the house and your view over the edge is unobstructed. By giving each living space a private outdoor area Wright encouraged guests to form personal relationships with the natural setting outside.

The most famous room in the house is the Grand Room and it doesn’t disappoint. It combines a dining room, living room and small sitting area into one large space. Shelves line the walls of the eating area while a long couch and tall windows cover the opposite side. A staircase leading outside is positioned so it disappears into the river running below. A stone fireplace with the most beautiful hearth I’ve ever seen adds warmth to the room.

Above Fallingwater there is a second building which was used as a car garage and guest house. There is a sitting room and a bedroom here and offices for the foundation currently maintaining the property and running the tours. Directly outside, there is a pool with interesting stone slab steps that is fed by natural water. It may or may not be full during a visit as it is routinely emptied.

Fallingwater has been open to the public since 1964 and millions of people have visited. Although it has many admirers, with the building codes of today, it could never be duplicated making it truly one of a kind. There may no longer be residents living at Fallingwater but it continues to provide many people with a serene and peaceful escape from city life, if only for a few hours.

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Permission for this non-commercial use of photography from Fallingwater was obtained from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

Fallingwater Links:
Fallingwater Official Site

Date of trip: August 2008

Will and I had to cut our visit to Philadelphia short so we went straight to Independence National Historical Park to check out the attractions in the area. The park covers 20 city blocks and includes many important sites in American history.

Highlights:

-The most well known landmark in Independence Park is probably the Liberty Bell. In 1776 it rang out when the Declaration of Independence was read, cementing it’s place in history as a symbol of freedom. Although it’s been out of commission since 1846, due to it’s famous crack, it has remained popular with tourists from around the world. You must pass through security to visit the bell but, once you reach it, you can get surprisingly close.

-Nearby stands Independence Hall, arguably the most important building in U.S. history and the original location of the Liberty Bell. Here, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the Constitution was drafted and signed. Entry is only allowed by tour and tickets must be obtained at the visitors center a couple of blocks away. Unreserved tickets are free but limited. If you visit during a busy time, I recommend paying the $1.50 fee to buy them online in advance. Reserved tickets must be picked up at least one hour prior to tour time.

-We also stopped by the grave site of Benjamin Franklin at Christ Church and toured the National Constitution Center, a museum dedicated to the history of the Constitution and the people who have worked to uphold and protect it for over 200 years. On September 19th, a new exhibit will open there about our election process and current presidential candidates called “Headed to the White House”.

With election season in full swing, there’s no better time to visit Philadelphia. It is, in many ways, the birthplace of this country and will remind you of the ideals and principles the United States was built on. It is the perfect place to reflect on your own feelings about the country and remember the amazing individuals who made our lives today possible. Hopefully, it will also get you excited about paying homage to them this November when you cast your votes!

For more pictures, please visit my Photo Gallery or click on any of the photos posted above.

Independence Park Links:
Philadelphia Official Site
Independence National Historical Park
National Constitution Center