Thousands upon thousands came to see the majestic 2010 Olympic Cauldron lit during the Winter Games. With the Games complete, the Cauldron remains as a permanent landmark on the Jack Poole Plaza. This was definitely something on the top of our list to see. I was hoping it would be lit with fire, but apparently, they only lit with fire for certain reasons, and on certain days, like Canada Day, July 1st. However, it is lit with lights every night and they change the colors depending on the season or again for special occasions. Continue reading “The 2010 Olympic Cauldron -Vancouver, British Columbia”
Month: June 2020
Andaz 5th Ave in Manhattan, New York – Hyatt Resorts
A few years ago we joined the Hyatt Reward program and have enjoyed using it a few times. Just for signing up, we received two free nights, which was great. After some debate, in October of 2015, we decided to use them in one of the most exciting places, NYC. While in NY, we spent two amazing nights at the Andaz on 5th Avenue right across from the Stephen Schwarzman Library. While we have stayed at three different properties since we joined their program, and found each one wonderful and quite unique, there was just something special about the Andaz. Continue reading “Andaz 5th Ave in Manhattan, New York – Hyatt Resorts”
South Mountain Park – Majestic Phoenix Arizona in the Distance
I am happy to share that in had an incredible time exploring the unique Phoenix area with my niece Alex. It was early March of 2017 and our first trip together. We had such a blast doing such things as the OdySea Aquarium, and the Open Air Market, that we planned another trip together next year, lol. Sadly that hasn’t worked out, but hopefully, we can again soon. Anyway, while in the Phoenix area we were able to visit beautiful South Mountain Park. Apparently, it is the largest municipal park in the United States and is one of the largest urban parks in North America. It has been designated as a Phoenix Point of Pride. Continue reading “South Mountain Park – Majestic Phoenix Arizona in the Distance”
North Dakota State Capitol in Bismark – The Peace Garden State
On our continual quest to tour all the U.S. State Capitols, in June of 2015 we took a trip to Bismark, North Dakota to check out the North Dakota State Capitol Building. Sadly, I had heard a few derogatory comments about this capitol, about it not being a real capitol, but I feel they were WAY wrong. This is a gorgeous capitol and very unique. There are only 3 other capitols that I know of that have the same style: Florida, Nebraska, and Louisiana.
The current North Dakota State Capitol Building has 19 floors and is 241 feet 8 inches in height. It was completed in 1934 at slightly under its $2 million dollar limit. With merely 80 percent usable space, it cost merely 46 cents per cubic foot. Amazing! It is the tallest building in North Dakota and is known as the Skyscraper on the Prairie. Continue reading “North Dakota State Capitol in Bismark – The Peace Garden State”
Arches National Park in Moab, Utah – Phenomenal Arches
I cannot believe all the beautiful arches at Arches National Park. We visited the park in May of 2015 and originally we had planned to do the park on Saturday, then Canyonlands Natural Park on Sunday. Well, we quickly realized that wasn’t going to happen. The park, which was established on April 12, 1929, as a national monument, is actually 76,679 acres and has over 2,000 natural sandstone arches. There was no way we were going to be able to see everything we wanted to in one day. So we went back on Sunday and here are a few of our favorites: Continue reading “Arches National Park in Moab, Utah – Phenomenal Arches”
Microsoft Visitor Center Redmond, Washington – Vision of the Future
In May of 2016 we spent a few days in Seattle on our way home from Vancouver, Canada. While there we had to make a point of visiting the Microsoft campus and Visitors Center. As a person in the IT field, this was very high on my list and was one of the first things we did between visiting the Boeing plant and the Museum of Flight which were on the top of Gene’s to-do list. Continue reading “Microsoft Visitor Center Redmond, Washington – Vision of the Future”
Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California – Where Magic Lives
For those of you who don’t know me personally, I am a huge sports fan! Baseball is my passion and the Anaheim Angels are my favorite team. I have to get something out of the way right here, and state that I WILL NEVER refer to them as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim or Los Angeles Angels, or whatever they want to call them. They are the Anaheim Angels unless they move to another city. They are in Anaheim, not Los Angeles, and should not have had it added to their name. The city of Los Angeles has another team, you can watch them if you want to watch a baseball team in LA. Anyway, I am done with my rant and off my soapbox, lol. As an Angels fan, my favorite stadium is Angels Stadium in Anaheim. Continue reading “Angels Stadium in Anaheim, California – Where Magic Lives”
Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge – Sarasota Florida
We have been to Florida many times and enjoyed the differences between different areas of the state. I have to say though, that I fell in love with the Tampa / St. Petersburg area on our very first trip in May of 1999. Exploring Salvador Dali was probably one of the highlights of our time in this area. However, I also love bridges and had to go see the Sunshine Skyway Bridge since we were so close to it. I don’t know why I am so fascinated with bridges, but I just love them. This bridge was spectacular. Continue reading “Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge – Sarasota Florida”
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado – Take a Step Back in Time
While on a fall birthday trip to take a ride on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in October 2009, we took a short ride to check out Mesa Verde National Park. The park has some of the best-preserved Ancestral Puebloan archaeological sites in the United States. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we decided to visit, but it was definitely more interesting than I have envisioned. Continue reading “Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado – Take a Step Back in Time”
Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium, MO – Check Out Their Aquatic Creatures
While in the state of Missouri I was able to tour the wonderful Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium. I had been in the area before to tour the Hallmark Visitor Center, but we didn’t have a chance to visit the aquarium. Thus, I was determined not to miss it on this trip. So glad I was finally able to visit while in the area in September of 2017. Continue reading “Sea Life Kansas City Aquarium, MO – Check Out Their Aquatic Creatures”
