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.All Trips / California / North America / Southwestern USA
Truckee, California
Situated slightly north of Lake Tahoe and a little west of Reno, I’d driven past this small city on route I-80 many times. But it was not until this past summer that I actually stopped and explored it. The day of our visit was dry and hot and the sun intense as it can only be at high altitude, the heat draining our energy; still, we took our time, stayed hydrated and enjoyed visiting Truckee.
The town’s original name was Coburn Station, after one of its saloon keepers. It was renamed ‘Truckee’ after a Paiute chief named Tru-ki-zo. This friendly chief greeted the first Europeans migrating to California and legend has it that he rode toward them yelling, “Tro-kay”, Paiute for …
Tagged railroad, Sierra Nevada, Truckee
“Pic of the Week”, June 22, 2018: Views of Lake Tahoe
Lovely Lake Tahoe! It has been described as the “gem of the Sierras” and it’s hard to argue with that.
Its statistics are impressive. Lake Tahoe is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountain range at 6,225 ft (1,897 m) and straddles the California/Nevada border. At 1,645 ft (501 m) deep, it is the second deepest lake in the United States — only Crater Lake in Oregon is deeper at 1,945 ft (593 m). It holds more water than any lake in the US, excluding the five Great Lakes.
And the scenery is spectacular. As are the hiking opportunities around the lake!
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance)
“Pic of the Week”, June 15, 2018: An Interesting Shed, Gold Hill, Colorado
My eye was drawn to this old shed situated in someone’s back yard in the historic mining town of Gold Hill. The town is not far from Boulder, is charming and visiting it is much like stepping into the past.
I have to admit, I would love to own a shed like this, wheels, bed frame, antlers, ads and all!
(Click on thumbnails to enlarge, right arrow to advance)
.All Trips / Central USA / North America / North Dakota
“Pic of the Week”, May 25, 2018: The Flood Memorial, Grand Forks
I’ve previously discussed how flat the great plains of central North America are. Like the Amazon basin in South America, when there is flooding of a river over its bank the flat topography lets the water spread a far distance before there is enough contour change to stop it. Obviously this can do a lot of damaged in populated areas.
The Red River, which flows through Minnesota and North Dakota on its way into Manitoba and on towards Lake Winnipeg, is one of the dominant rivers of the plains. It seems like the Red floods every few years and usually a small flood can be reasonably managed. But there are rare springs when the elements combine to make flooding particularly severe, …
Tagged Flood Memorial, Flooding, Grand Forks, Red River
“Pic of the Week”, May 4, 2018: Reclining Connected Forms, CityCenter
Who would have believed that Las Vegas, in its ongoing transformation, would become a center of fine public art? Certainly not yours truly, at least not until recently.
This is especially true at the $10 billion CityCenter, where part of the master plan included $40 million to purchase some world-class pieces. One of these is by English sculptor Henry Moore, a work called Reclining Connected Forms. It is one of several similar-styled pieces by the same artist found around the globe.
Here are some specifics: Crafted between 1969-1974 of Roman travertine marble. A massive piece measuring 10 x 17 x 7 feet. It is thought to represent a baby wrapped in its mother’s embrace.
You can find this work between ARIA Resort …
May 3, 2018
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.All Trips / Art / Central USA / Colorado / North America
A Sampler of Rocky Mountain Street Art
I’ve enjoyed many visits to the Colorado Rockies, mostly in the summer months as I like the weather and wildflowers that time of year. I love spending time in the mountains! There’s nothing more pleasant than going for a walk on a nice day on a wilderness trail or in a beautiful alpine town resting in a lovely valley, surrounded by majestic peaks.
During these strolls I’ve noticed an increased amount of street art displayed on the lanes and walkways of the tourist towns. A lot of the work is of high quality, mostly bronzes, many reflecting the mountain life. These photos include some of the street art I came across in Vail, Avon, Aspen and Leadville.
I hope you like …
“Pic of the Week”, April 27, 2018: “Big Edge”, Las Vegas
Situated in the heart of Las Vegas’ City Center, in the middle of many beautifully designed skyscrapers, is a fascinating piece of street-art. It’s crafted by Nancy Rubins and is known as “Big Edge”. Like something you might imagine seeing at the bottom of a waterfall that has surprised dozens of boaters.
“Big Edge” is situated in front of the Vdara Hotel and Spa, between the Aria and Bellagio casinos, and is best seen from its elevated circular drive (its not visible from The Strip). Two hundred boats, many canoes but with some flat bottom boats and rowboats, are incorporated into this unusual piece. Given the strong desert winds, this seemingly haphazard arrangement of boats actually has to be firmly …
Apr 26, 2018
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.All Trips / D.C. / North America / Southeastern USA / Washington District of Columbia
Martlin Luther King Jr Memorial, Washington D.C.
“Out of the Mountain of Despair, a Stone of Hope”
One of the newer memorials in Washington DC is also one of its most unusual and memorable. The Martin Luther King (MLK) Jr. Memorial is located adjacent to the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, beside the National Mall and the FDR Memorial. The MLK Memorial is spread along the banks of the Tidal Basin and cover four acres, but is centered on a carving of the famous Civil Rights leader.
The MLK statue is incorporated into part of a large granite boulder that has been sliced into three pieces, much like the layers of a giant sandwich. To enter the monument from the National Mall, you walk through the outer two …
