Sometimes in the mountains it seems like you can almost reach out and touch the change of the seasons. This picture of Saint Malo chapel was taken along the Peak to Peak Highway, one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. This day was clear and cold and you could literally see winter creeping down the imposing Mount Meeker (in the background) towards St. Malo and on down into the foothills.
It doesn’t matter what season you drive in, St. Malo Church is always a photogenic attraction. Pope John Paul II visited St. Malo in 1993 during World Youth Day, and bestowed a special blessing on the chapel. Recently, the St. Malo Conference Center was severely damaged in a devastating fire, but the chapel was spared.
St. Malo Church
Allenspark, Colorado
The old post office building in Washington D.C. reminds me more of a fancy palace or church from Europe than a place for sorting mail. Originally built in 1899 it was one of the first government buildings in D.C. to have its own electric power plant and it is the third tallest building in the nation’s capital. The building only served as a post office for 15 years before the District of Columbia Mail Depot was moved to a larger building. Since then it has served as over flow offices for numerous government agencies. Today, it houses offices, a food court and shops and is a good place to stop and rest while checking out the D.C. area. (It’s air conditioned!)
The National Park Service offers both ranger led and self guided tours of the clock tower. Inside, you can check out the Bells of Congress – replicas of the bells in Westminster Abbey which were a Bicentennial gift from the Ditchley Foundation in England. There is also an awesome observation platform which offers up fantastic views of the National Mall and capital skyline. If you are unable to get tickets to go up the Washington Monument this is a great alternative and it’s cheaper! The tours of the clock tower are free.
The St. Francis Cathedral Basilica stands in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is one of the longest established Christian congregations in the world. The church is a place of tranquility, even with a rocking wedding taking place across the street! There is a labyrinth here to add to the spiritual nature of the church. It is a nice place to take a break and sit on a bench to relax. It is even a good place to watch the many people that come to worship or just to take a picture.
Hidden away in one of the far corners of the Mirage Hotel in Vegas is the Japonais Restaurant. I stumbled across this place late one night when I was out wandering around looking for interesting things to take photos of. I got there right as they were closing down for the evening so sadly I was unable to try the food. However, if they put half as much thought in to the menu as they did in to the interior design I suspect the food is outstanding. Although I was too late for dinner, the hostess was kind enough to let me take a photo. I felt the natural wood, stone and copper accents made for a warm and inviting atmosphere not to mention made for a great HDR. I am planning another trip to Las Vegas this fall, so perhaps I will try to get back here and try the food.
There is nothing quite like waking up in the backcountry. The air is still and the surroundings are quiet and I always wonder if this is how pioneers in the old west might have felt. This picture was taken in Chesler Park – a backcountry hike in Canyonlands National Park. We woke up on our first morning to an amazing sunrise punctuated by phenomenal rock formations in the distance. Something about the desert is a little surreal and a lot beautiful. The scrub brush landscape and miles of harsh environment command respect and inspire solitude. There really isn’t any place on Earth, in my opinion, quite like southern Utah and it’s deserts.
This was taken during a quick trip into New Mexico for my wife and I. We stopped in Taos to have lunch and then headed to the Taos Pueblo, a community that has been operating for close to 1,000 years. According to their informational readings, it is considered to be the oldest continually inhabited community in the United States. During our time at the Pueblo we learned many things about the culture here and the history of this landmark.
Surrounding the Taos Pueblo is a low adobe wall. At one time, it stood 10 feet tall and served as a boundary wall and for protection. Today, it serves as a boundary of a different kind – it marks the place where traditional beliefs are honored and foreign beliefs do not apply. Within the walls, the Pueblo has restrictions on running water and electricity for its 150 or so full-time residents. Many Taos people sell their handmade jewelry, pottery and other artistic wares from their shops in the Pueblo. The Taos Pueblo is an amazing place to visit and think about the centuries of history and life that have gone on here.
This photo was taken within the walls, and is near the Hlaauma or Northhouse.
This was one of our favorite destinations when we traveled to Hawaii. The Kilauea lighthouse is part of a national wildlife sanctuary. From this point you can see many different types of wildlife, including whales and the occasional albatross. We stood for several minutes and learned to watch for the tell-tale sprays of water that signify a pod of whales traveling nearby. Standing on the point, you can easily lose yourself in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean. The lighthouse is no longer functional, but it is a beautiful landmark. It began lighting the way for sea farers in 1913. It was an important navigational aid for ships on the Orient Run. It was decommissioned in 1976. They are in the process of trying to restore the lighthouse to it’s original condition. You can help restore this awesome landmark by purchasing a print. I will donate 20% of all sales of this photo to the Kilauea Point Natural History Association to help with the restoration. To purchase a print click the buy print link below the picture. If you do not wish to purchase a print but would still like to help you can make a donation at the Kilauea Point Natural History Association’s website at http://www.kilauealighthouse.org .
Vegas is a city that never sleeps. No matter the time of day or night, it all seems to blend together. The lights in this picture hopefully capture the energy and movement that surrounds Vegas at all times. Even if it is 3:00 AM, everything is vibrant and surreal.
The Paris Hotel and Casino is just one of many amazing hotels on the Vegas strip. The inside of the hotel is Paris in miniature, and you can even take a ride to the top of the Eiffel Tower. If you end up spending some time here, be prepared to stroll through the many shops and restaurants that fill the hotel. You can even gamble a little, if you want. 
One of the coolest things about Washington D.C. is that the memorials are open 24 hours a day. This is especially nice when you are there on business and can’t cut away from work until late. Anyway, it was close to midnight when I took this photograph. It was great. We passed a couple of people on the stairs as they were leaving and then we had the whole memorial to ourselves. Honestly, I almost prefer visiting attractions like this after hours simply because there is a lot less traffic and you can really take your time and set up your shot and not have to wait for people to get out of the way. However, if you ask anyone in my family, they will say I am crazy for toting around a bag full of expensive camera gear in downtown D.C. in the dark.
I don’t know. Perhaps they are right, but it is hard to argue with results like this.
The complete inscription around the top of the memorial reads:
“I Have Sworn Upon the Altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.” -Thomas Jefferson
I always dig walking down Main Street Americana. I find it completely interesting how much things have changed in such a short amount of time.
I took this photo in downtown Buena Vista, Colorado, on what used to be their Main Street. It is not that Main Street moved, it’s just that the larger highway that runs through the middle of town now has marginalized it to a side street.
Anyway, I thought this old Colorado Highway Department building was kind of cool. The state had long since stopped using it but here it stands as a testament to a bygone era.
