Browse Tag

Historic Sites

75 Articles
A serene statue surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage with charming old buildings in the background.
A serene statue surrounded by vibrant autumn foliage with charming old buildings in the background.

Toruń

August 16, 2009
No Comment

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 4 :: TORUN, POLAND :: Today, I visited Toruń, a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 200 kilometers south of Gdynia. I hired one of the hotel’s taxis...

View of Lemelson Winery's tower and patio overlooking rolling vineyards during golden hour sunset.
View of Lemelson Winery's tower and patio overlooking rolling vineyards during golden hour sunset.

Malbork Castle

August 14, 2009
2 Comments

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 2 :: MALBORK, POLAND :: On our first full day in Poland, we decided it would be best to hire a private guide to take us on...

A grand building with arched windows, stone carvings, and a central statue atop a fountain. A red and yellow flag waves above against a blue sky.
A grand building with arched windows, stone carvings, and a central statue atop a fountain. A red and yellow flag waves above against a blue sky.

Gdańsk

August 14, 2009
3 Comments

EUROPEAN VACATION DAY 2 :: GDANSK, POLAND :: After our tour of Malbork Castle, we were taken to Gdańsk, Poland’s third-largest city with over a thousand years of history....

A historic stone building with a pointed roof overlooks a valley filled with greenery. People are seen walking on a paved area beside the structure.
A historic stone building with a pointed roof overlooks a valley filled with greenery. People are seen walking on a paved area beside the structure.

Tuck & Robin Lakes

July 24, 2009
9 Comments

ALPINE LAKES WILDERNESS, WA :: The guide books recommend three to four days for a hike up to Tuck and Robin Lakes. Roundtrip, the trail is over 16 miles long...

A hummingbird perched on a vibrant red flower, delicately sipping nectar. The backdrop is a lush green blur, highlighting the bird's intricate details.
A hummingbird perched on a vibrant red flower, delicately sipping nectar. The backdrop is a lush green blur, highlighting the bird's intricate details.

Rosenborg Castle

March 18, 2009
One Comment

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK :: When my dad was stationed in Germany, I loved visiting castles. I was only four or five at the time, but I vividly remember the fairytale scenes...

A serene interior hallway with arched doorways and soft sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminating the textured floor.
A serene interior hallway with arched doorways and soft sunlight streaming through the windows, illuminating the textured floor.

Kastellet

March 18, 2009
3 Comments

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK :: When viewing a satellite image of Copenhagen, it’s easy to spot the star-shaped fortress, Kastellet. Since its construction in the early 1600s, the...

A surrealistic view of a curved interior space with arched windows and sunlight streaming in, creating patterns on the textured floor.
A surrealistic view of a curved interior space with arched windows and sunlight streaming in, creating patterns on the textured floor.

Rundetaarn

March 18, 2009
No Comment

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK :: The Rundetaarn, or Round Tower, was built during the reign of King Christian IV – the same guy who commissioned and lived in Rosenborg Castle....

Enthusiastic performers playing large taiko drums on stage under bright lights
Enthusiastic performers playing large taiko drums on stage under bright lights

KODO

January 30, 2009
No Comment

MEANY HALL, SEATTLE, WA :: Kristie also surprised me on my birthday with tickets to see Kodo, perhaps the most reknown, influential and dedicated taiko troop. The musicians not...

Hikers walking beneath a large, orange rock overhang in the desert. The group is cast in shadow while the canyon below is bathed in sunlight.
Hikers walking beneath a large, orange rock overhang in the desert. The group is cast in shadow while the canyon below is bathed in sunlight.

Tikal

November 28, 2008
No Comment

UNBELIZEABLE VACATION DAY 5 :: TIKAL NATIONAL PARK, PETEN DEPARTMENT, GUATEMALA :: Today we visited the magnificent ruins at Tikal, the largest city of the ancient Mayan...

A lovely house with a green lawn and tall trees, nestled in the Pacific Northwest. Perfectly capturing the serene lifestyle of John and Kristie.
A lovely house with a green lawn and tall trees, nestled in the Pacific Northwest. Perfectly capturing the serene lifestyle of John and Kristie.

The Belize Zoo

November 27, 2008
3 Comments

UNBELIZEABLE VACATION DAY 4 :: BELIZE DISTRICT, BELIZE :: On Thanksgiving morning, Kristie and I arrived in Belize, a tiny Central American country bordered by Mexico, Guatemala,...

A scenic view of the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament in London during a beautiful spring day.
A scenic view of the Elizabeth Tower and the Houses of Parliament in London during a beautiful spring day.

South Beach

November 26, 2008
4 Comments

UNBELIZEABLE VACATION DAY 3 :: MIAMI, FL :: The drive from Orlando to Miami was easy and took just a little over three hours, thanks to the Florida Turnpike (and...

A woman writes in a notebook at a cafe table while enjoying a cup of coffee.
A woman writes in a notebook at a cafe table while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Horsetail Falls Loop

July 3, 2008
One Comment

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, OR :: On my way back home from Painted Hills, I made a stop again at the waterfalls between exits 31 and 35 on...

A wooden walkway winds through vibrant red dunes under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.
A wooden walkway winds through vibrant red dunes under a blue sky with fluffy clouds.

Painted Hills

July 2, 2008
5 Comments

JOHN DAY FOSSIL BED NATIONAL MONUMENT, OR :: After a long drive through the Columbia River Gorge and Central Oregon’s scenic high desert, I arrived at Painted Hills. Pulling...

A serene view of a beige single-story home surrounded by tall evergreen trees and a vibrant green lawn under a partly cloudy sky.
A serene view of a beige single-story home surrounded by tall evergreen trees and a vibrant green lawn under a partly cloudy sky.

Lower Oneonta Falls

July 2, 2008
No Comment

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA, OR :: On a whim, I took a couple days off from work before July 4th to enjoy a roadtrip to Central Oregon. My...

Riders on horseback guide a herd of longhorn cattle under a sign reading 'Stockyards Station,' capturing a moment from the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The scene is filled with spectators watching the traditional cattle drive.
Riders on horseback guide a herd of longhorn cattle under a sign reading 'Stockyards Station,' capturing a moment from the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. The scene is filled with spectators watching the traditional cattle drive.

Fort Worth Stockyards

November 3, 2007
One Comment

FORT WORTH, TX :: Fort Worth was once a major railroad town and shipping point for millions of livestock. The Stockyards district preserves this history and celebrates the spirit...

A musician performs on stage with a drummer during an energetic live concert as fans raise their hands enthusiastically.
A musician performs on stage with a drummer during an energetic live concert as fans raise their hands enthusiastically.

Dallas

November 1, 2007
4 Comments

DALLAS, TX :: Dallas is a vastly sprawled, desolate and dirty city. It’s not the kind of place you would want to spend a vacation, although that’s exactly what I...

A view from inside a sandstone canyon looking up toward a narrow opening, with a metal ladder leading upwards.
A view from inside a sandstone canyon looking up toward a narrow opening, with a metal ladder leading upwards.

Iao Needle

September 9, 2007
No Comment

MAUI VACATION DAY 4 :: IAO VALLEY STATE PARK, WAILUKU, HI :: By day four, our burnt skin needed a break from the sun. Fortunately, the remainder of our planned...

A sea turtle glides gracefully underwater, its detailed shell and flippers clearly visible. A small colorful fish swims nearby.
A sea turtle glides gracefully underwater, its detailed shell and flippers clearly visible. A small colorful fish swims nearby.

Sea Turtles at Black Rock

September 8, 2007
2 Comments

MAUI VACATION DAY 3 :: KAANAPALI, HI :: Our day of snorkeling ended at Black Rock (Pu’u Keka’a), one of only three ancient sites where Hawaiian’s believed their...

A blue whale model suspended from the ceiling in a museum with people watching below.
A blue whale model suspended from the ceiling in a museum with people watching below.

Plains of Abraham

July 5, 2007
One Comment

MT. ST. HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT, WA :: If you don’t mind winding, bumpy roads that border along steep cliffs, the drive to this trailhead on FR 99 is as...

A giant whale skeleton floats dramatically over a museum hall filled with visitors. The space is lit with blue light and features glass ceilings and multiple exhibition displays.
A giant whale skeleton floats dramatically over a museum hall filled with visitors. The space is lit with blue light and features glass ceilings and multiple exhibition displays.

The Getty Center

July 2, 2006
One Comment

LOS ANGELES, CA :: Today we enjoyed an exploration of The Getty Center, a billion dollar museum designed by Richard Meier. The white monuments are a modernist version of the...

Kristie from John and Kristie stands smiling next to a large Pink Bear Care Bear mascot inside a brightly lit retail store.
Kristie from John and Kristie stands smiling next to a large Pink Bear Care Bear mascot inside a brightly lit retail store.

Zion Narrows

September 2, 2005
No Comment

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: I had read many amazing descriptions for this hike and was looking forward to finally experiencing it. From Zion’s Visitor Center, shuttles depart...

Majestic red rock cliffs rise against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.
Majestic red rock cliffs rise against a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Angel’s Landing

September 2, 2005
No Comment

ZION NATIONAL PARK, UT :: After hiking the Narrows, I boarded the shuttle at the Temple of Sinawa and headed back to The Grotto, where the trailhead for Angel’s Landing...

A dynamic scene with a violinist and percussionist on a circular stage, set against a dark background, captivating a live audience.
A dynamic scene with a violinist and percussionist on a circular stage, set against a dark background, captivating a live audience.

Lime Kiln Trail

January 15, 2005
No Comment

GRANITE FALLS, WA :: The threat of avalanches kept me away from the mountains this weekend. I decided instead to explore the new Lime Kiln Trail in Robe Canyon. Overall,...

Seattle Central Library

September 25, 2004
No Comment

SEATTLE, WA :: I remember coming across Rem Koolhaas’s modernist projects while I was in architecture school. Honestly, I think I was more impressed by his name than his...

Stunning red rock formations contrast with lush green vegetation under a bright blue sky.
Stunning red rock formations contrast with lush green vegetation under a bright blue sky.

Mt. St. Helens

September 5, 2004
No Comment

MT. ST. HELENS NATIONAL VOLCANIC MONUMENT, WA :: Earlier this year, Jessica secured several permits to climb Mt. St. Helens, allowing Jayson, Jacob, Pat, Cheri and myself to...

Our site uses cookies. By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.