Travel Tips

When you think of the breath taking splendor that is the North American continent, it seems we will never stop being astounded by the beauty all around us in this phenomenal land that God has given us for our home. But every now and then as you re sightseeing in this magnificent land, you gaze upon something so breath taking, so inspiring and yet not entirely made by nature.

We have in diverse locations around our countryside some of the most phenomenal man made works of art that have ever been created. Small wonder that any vacation that sets out to see the wonders of our nation would have to include trips to see such amazing creations as these man made sights that our culture has produced.

Mount Rushmore in South Dakota is a perfect example of a magnificent sightseeing stop that combines the greatness of nature with the creativity, tenacity and artistic talent of mankind. In addition its a well crafted monument to the greatness of our leadership especially in the early years of the federation.

It is almost impossible stand and not be awed by these mountain sized tributes to George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Some might say that we are participating in a bit of hero worship making such grand statues to our early presidents. To that I say, guilty as charged. And why should we not hold these men as the tremendous heroes that they were and still are? And Mount Rushmore only dramatically brings out our deep sense of gratitude and respect we have for these early presidents who put all on the line to make this country the great nation that it is.

The statue of liberty in the New York harbor is just the kind of fantastic man made sight that both makes its visitors go wow and inspires everyone who sees it because of what that statue stands for. Just like the monuments at Mount Rushmore, Lady Liberty, as she is called is also stunning for the striking physical beauty of the harbor and of Manhattan Island to her North.

As much as we sometimes have mixed feelings about the relationship between the French government and our own, this gift that the French gave to our nation when we were just becoming a real country of our own is such a beautiful reminder of the value and enduring friendships America has with the international community. But more than that, because so much of our citizenry came to this country with little more than a dream and the clothes on their backs, the Statue of Liberty is a dramatic statement that this country is the home of the brave, the land of the free and the place people come to know true liberty in a world where freedom and opportunity are often very scarce indeed.

But not all of the man made wonders you can take in when sightseeing all over America are statues. In a way, the city of Washington DC itself is one huge work of art. This is particularly easy to see when you watch video of shots of the city taken from a helicopter that shows the stunning view looking down the Washington Mall. The elegant and simple Washington monument stands proudly in the center surrounded buy the reflecting pool, the White House, Congress and the most amazing art museum campus in the world, the many buildings of the Smithsonian Institution. The beauty of Washington is so unstoppable that it could not even be contained to one building. Instead to really get a feel for this amazing artistic creation, you need lots of time to explore the nations capital on foot.

The man made wonders that are welcoming you as a visitor all over America are more evidence of how great this country really is. And because they all touch us so deeply because of the combination of the beauty of art and the wonderment of nature, they point to what makes America great too. And that is the glorious country God gave us to live in combined with the heart of a great people who are the nation called America.

Seattle’s Maritime History Plays Important Role in its Current Culture

Seattle Washington is nearly surrounded by water. It is no wonder that water has played a vital role in the history of this great city. Water has also been a serious draws for those choosing to visit Seattle Washington as well. Not only is water of historical significance to this city, it is a cultural phenomenon as well. The maritime traditions of this great city are an important part of its current greatness.

If you are planning a visit to Seattle, one of the very first things you should do is head on over to the Pioneer Square Historic District and take the Underground Tour. This tour will explain to you a significant point in history about the relationship of this city and water. Take a tour of an entire section of the city that was literally buried in order to avoid plumbing problems. Find out where the term Skid Road originated and laugh along as you hear great stories about the colorful history of this part of town.

Many Islands and Island communities abound on the outskirts of Seattle. The Ferries here are integral to the daily lives of commuters and tourists alike. Access to many tourist attractions is easily accessible by Ferry when driving would be impossible. There are often summer concerts at the Ferry Terminal on Pier 52. The last Friday of every month from June through August, they celebrate Picnic at the Pier with live music on the upper level of the Terminal from 3:00 until 6:30 p.m. There are 10 ferry accessible communities in the Puget Sound; each of these communities has a unique flavor that is really interesting to experience. If you can’t visit them all, read about them and visit the ones that interest you most. It is a great day trip and you never know what creatures you will see along the way.

If you love the water, and by this I mean you are like me and feel that a piece of your soul was meant to be at sea, then you simply can’t pass up the opportunity to visit the Center for Wooden Boats. The visit is free and you get to actually see how these beautiful boats are crafted. There is nothing like literally riding the wind in a wooden sailboat and you can do just that on Sunday afternoons for free or you can charter one of their many boats during the right weather conditions. Remember these boats are works of art and should be handled with extreme care. If you’re going to be in town a while you can even take one of their sailing lessons. They offer group lessons (which are excellent for beginners) and one on one training (better for this with basic knowledge of sailing).

Whether you were born with webbed feet or just enjoy the idea of being on water, there is plenty to be seen and done from the water in and around Seattle. From whale watching and sailing, to kayaking, water skiing, and any number of other water activities there is a place to partake in them all in this great area. Not all areas are suitable for all activities so be aware of the water you are near and find out what is and isn’t safe to do in that area. There are some areas where the water simply isn’t safe to be in for health reasons and others where the currents are dangerous and swift. Most importantly have fun exploring the great salt and fresh water in this area and learning their role in the history here.

Cultural activities and events abound in the great city of San Francisco. There are even plenty of museums that not only promote awareness of the diverse cultures of this great city but also celebrate the contributions of these people to what this city has become. If you are planning to visit San Francisco, you will be robbing yourself of a real treat if you fail to visit some of the museums devoted to the cultural history of this city.

Below you will find museums dedicated to the great and diverse people of a city that is only as wonderful as its citizens. San Francisco truly is a melting pot of cultures, beliefs, philosophies, and ideals. If you are looking in from the outside it may not be as obvious to you as to someone who has made a great study of it, however, it is still there. The differences of people here are celebrated rather than duly noted. It’s a different world here and I think it’s an example that the rest of the world would do well to follow.

One of the first such places that I will mention is The San Francisco African American Historical Cultural Society. The goal of this society is to instill a sense of pride in African Americans of all ages, but particularly the younger generations, for their history, culture, and most importantly their heritage. The society offers art exhibits, educational workshops, cultural performances, and a vast wealth of knowledge to people of all cultures who come to learn about not only the African American heritage of San Francisco but around the world as well. This is definitely worth a visit especially for the library, which holds around 5,000 books written either by or about African Americans.

The International Museum of Women is a favorite of mine for many reasons. First of all, it’s a museum that celebrates the contributions that women have made throughout history while celebrating our roles as individuals, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, grandmothers, friends, and wives. The International Museum of Women celebrates the many responsibilities that women face in the world today, not only to themselves as individuals but also to other women around the world. One of the primary goals of this museum other than celebrating the history of womanhood is to educate about the problems that women around the world continue to face on a daily basis.

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is another place you can go to see yet another of the many cultural faces of this great city. The Contemporary Jewish Museum offers a place where people of all cultural backgrounds can come together and learn about the history of a people whose history is so epic and so tragic and yet so full of hope. I think this museum is a great way to showcase each of these things while celebrating life itself, the one thing that all of the people of San Francisco have in common.

There are other museums and cultural centers that will work to showcase the diversity of the people that make San Francisco the wonderful city that it has become as well as the important roles that every culture has played in the making of this city that is known around the world. Whether you share the culture of any of the groups represented or simply shares the humanity of us all, there is much to be learned from all cultures represented.