This is a very cool and beautiful image!
Sunday, October 03, 2010
Route 66, Main Street of America
"From beneath the trees in Chicago's Grant Park, historic Route 66 takes in the beauty of the heartland, the plains, and the desert southwest, before coming to rest on the edge of the Pacific Ocean."
A few interesting factoids from the Internets:
--One of the original U.S. highways, Route 66 was established on November 11, 1926.
--The famous highway originally ran from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, before ending at Los Angeles, covering a total of 2,448 miles (3,940 km).
--Route 66 underwent many improvements and realignments over its lifetime, changing its path and overall length. Many of the realignments gave travelers faster or safer routes, or detoured around city congestion. One realignment moved the western endpoint farther west from downtown Los Angeles to Santa Monica.
--US 66 was officially removed from the United States Highway System on June 27, 1985[3] after it was decided the route was no longer relevant and had been replaced by the Interstate Highway System. Portions of the road that passed through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona have been designated a National Scenic Byway of the name "Historic Route 66". It has begun to return to maps in this form.
Get your kicks on Route 66!
Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona
"Laughlin is a growing gaming community, located along the banks of the Colorado River, and a booming vacation spot that features first class hotels and casinos, excellent fishing sites and some of the finest golf courses in the area."
Cactus Bloom
So pretty! The strawberry hedgehog, cholla, beavertail prickly pear, organ pipe, sagauro, and claret cups.
Sedona, Arizona and the Sedona Vortexes
What is that very interesting building in the rocks? A quick search on Sedona online shows that it is the Chapel of the Holy Cross, one of the area's best tourist attractions. I'd sure like to visit!
Here's what Wiki has to say about the interesting structure:
"The Chapel of the Holy Cross is a Roman Catholic chapel built into the mesas of Sedona, Arizona, which was inspired and commissioned by sculptor Marguerite Brunswig Staude, student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The chapel was completed in 1956. The American Institute of Architects gave the Chapel its Award of Honor in 1957. In the sculptor's words, “Though Catholic in faith, as a work of art the Chapel has a universal appeal. Its doors will ever be open to one and all, regardless of creed, that God may come to life in the souls of all men and be a living reality.” In 2007 Arizonans voted the Chapel to be one of the Seven Man-Made Wonders of Arizona, and it is also the site of one of the so-called Sedona vortexes. The Chapel is one of the main tourist attractions in the Sedona area."
I also had to look up vortexes, to see what that was all about. Here's what I learned from About.com: "In Sedona vortexes are created, not by wind or water, but from spiraling spiritual energy. The vortexes of Sedona are named because they are believed to be spiritual locations where the energy is right to facilitate prayer, mediation and healing. Vortex sites are believed to be locations having energy flow that exists on multiple dimensions. The energy of the vortexes interacts with a person’s inner self. It is not easily explained. Obviously it must be experienced." Hmmmm.......
Sedona, Arizona
This looks so strange to me, an east coaster familiar with oceans, palm trees and mountains :)
This is the view from Bell Rock. "Sedona attracts artists, naturalists, outdoors enthusiasts and connoisseurs who have discovered the red rock experience and the abundance of things to do and see at the base of the Mogollon Rim."
Organ Pipe Cactus
This is really cool. My son loves cacti, so I know he'd love to see something like this in person. From the card: "The organ pipe cactus is susceptible to frost damage, which kills the tips of its branches. The afflicted branches cease any further vertical growth but new branches are started from the ground level."
The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah
Excavated by the Virgin River eons ago, Zion Canyon is a deep cavern in the earth, showcasing fantastic rock formations in concert with water in motion. The Subway is a powerful example of this theme.
Thors Hammer, Bryce Canyon Utah
Thors Hammer, as viewed from Sunset Point, appears to be sculpted of gold as it greets the sun and begins a brand new day in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Thors Hammer, Bryce Canyon Utah
Thors Hammer, as viewed from Sunset Point, appears to be sculpted of gold as it greets the sun and begins a brand new day in Bryce Canyon National Park.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia
I love this awesome aerial view of Vancouver--an official Postcrossing find! We'd like to take the kids to Vancouver, and have been talking about someday flying out to Portland or Seattle for an "urban adventure," and then taking Amtrak up to Vancouver, where we'd stay for a few days.
The trick is to conjure congruence between having the time for such a trip and finding affordable airfare for five to get us out to the Pacific Northwest. Maybe one of these days....
Zurich Rennweg
I absolutely adore this color street scene card, showing a view of Rennweg, a pedestrian/tourist street in the old town of Zürich. According to Wiki, Rennweg was the main street of Zürich in the Middle ages.
Thanks to my sister Maria for this fantastic view of a place I would very much like to visit someday--soon! She picked up this and the batch of cards that follow during her recent trips to the States and to Europe!
Zurich Limmatquai
Another lovely Zurich card showing yet another popular shopping street: Limmatquai. Look at those mountains in the background!!! Thank you, Maria ... I really want to travel here!
London Houses of Parliament
My mom and three sisters have all been to London. I would like to visit as well :) This gorgeous night view shows Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the River Thames.
San Francisco, CA
Yet another card from Maria (thank you!) showing the pretty San Francisco with one of its S-T-E-E-P streets and a trolley that, I guess, runs along Van Ness Ave., California and Market Streets :)
Alcatraz Island, San Francisco Bay
"Once a Federal Penitentiary, Alcatraz Island is now part of the National Park system and can be visited by tour boats that leave Pier 41 at Fisherman's Wharf."
Another neat card from Maria -- thanks! :)
The crookedest street in the world!
This is another really neat card my sister Maria picked up when she was in San Fran. What a neat street! :)
"Colorful hydrangeas line Lombard Street, 'The crookedest street in the world.' This street, paved with red brick, makes eight turns in one block."
Switzerland map card
Love this map! One of my recent magazines included a map of Switzerland, so I had already been mentally plotting my trip when this card from Maria arrived :) I want to visit Zurich, of course, as well as Lucerne, Lugano, and St. Moritz. Mostly though, I want to hear the languages and explore the streets and visit the churches--and experience the wonders of the Swiss Alps!
My favorite Paris postcard!
Surprisingly, out of all the tourist cards I have from Paris, this is my favorite because it reflects a little slice of what life would be like were I to visit the city. I imagine myself waking up to the sounds of cars and trucks and people on the street below ... peeking out my window down to the street, seeing the sunshine and getting a rush of excitement about exploring the city! First thing--find a cafe where I could indulge in strong coffee and fresh bread while watching and hearing the lyrical French world go by!
Zurich, Switzerland
And here is an aerial view of Zurich -- Switzerland, Schweiz, and Suisse, depending upon your language :)
Multi-view Switzerland with map
I usually don't like multi-view cards, but this one, from Switzerland, the country I most want to visit, is an exception :) It packs a lot of information (and sparks a ton of imagination!) in such a little space. You can see the Matterhorn; a picture from Bern; Mounts Eiger, Monch, and Jungfrau; a lovely pier at Lake Lucerne; Zurich from the water--and more :)
By the way, Lake Lucerne (Luzern), means "Lake of the four forested cantons."
Switzerland map card
A nice colorful card showing what I assume are regions? There is no text on the back to explain. But I still enjoy the card! :)
Stamps on Sendai City card
I also love the pretty stamps--especially the heart-shaped stamp!--on the Sendai City card ... thus this extra image :) (Blog readers, the card is coming up next ... I blogged this in the reverse order from which I wrote it!)
Night view of Sendai City
An official postcrossing card showing Sendai, which the sender explains is very famous for its beautiful green trees. The sender also writes that Sendai is called "The City of the Forest" in Japan.
The card features the night view from the rim of Sendai Castle. Sendai was developed in the 17th century ... today it is home to one million people!
I am always amazed to learn of large cities with over a million people ... and yet I had never heard of them before! I suppose, though, that there are many cities with over a million people ... and the world is a very big place!
Princeton, New Jersey
About 45 minutes north from Cinnaminson, NJ, where I spent my most formative years, is Princeton, NJ, home of Princeton University. Maybe I would have gone to Princeton had we stayed in Jersey. Then again, maybe not :) But I love college towns, and this is no exception.
I received this card in a private swap.
From the card: "Princeton lies in central New Jersey and is home to Princeton University, the 4th oldest institution of higher learning in the U.S. During the Revolutionary War, George Washington defeated British troops in a battle at Princeton."
Barnegat Lighthouse, New Jersey
Ah ... this brings back memories of my childhood, when my extended family would stay at Wildwood for two weeks each summer. I remember the boardwalk ... seeing Jaws in the theater (it was scary!) ... listening to Elton John's "Diamond Girl" ... and going out in a boat at Barnegate!
From the card: "Barnegat Light, the second tallest lighthouse in the United States, was commissioned January 1, 1859. The tower light was 165 feet above sea level. It remained a first-class navigational light until August 1927, when the 'Barnegat Lightship' was anchored 8 miles off the coast. The tower's light was reduced over 80 percent, but it was not extinguished until January 1944."
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Zion National Park
Another card from my sister Jessie! I really like this card because it points out various features in the park.
On the back it says: "Zion National Park isn't just a collection of cliffs, canyons and slick rock chasms, but a complex and varied natural ecosystem."
American Philatelic Center, Bellefonte, PA
This card appealed to me as 1) a former resident of PA, 2) as a philatelist, and 3) as a collector of both art and architecture cards!
I also scanned the back of the card, which features a very nice Center postmark!
Southern Bohemia, Czech Republic Map Card
From Google Translate:
On the front:
It was not, but only in South Bohemia could be...
Magical South Bohemia, Map Carp James (?)
On the back:
Collectors of postcards with carp, James will get in a fabulous office for every 10 cards slosovatelny coupon. On the autumnal fairy tale in Ceske Budejovichich will be drawn on a collector who will receive a mountain bike brand Anlen.
I'm not sure what this all means, but I am sure thankful for Google Translate, which at least gives me a chance to try to understand :) I am guessing that the fish all over this card is a carp named James :)
Downtown Asheville, North Carolina
Love this older art card that shows a reproduction of an original watercolor of downtown Asheville as seen from Charlotte Street and College Street by local artist Ann Vasilik. I have some cards that showcase her work already, so was pleased to be able to add this to my collection!
Table Mountain, Cape Town Views
"The cable car soars above Cape Town on its way to the summit of Table Mountain. Top right -- The dassie, or rock hyrax is the closest living relative of the elephant. Bottom left - King Protea, South Africa's national flower."
Wow -- not only is that a great view over Cape Town, but the dassie?!? I've never heard of such a creature! The photoshopping in this photo makes it look elephant-sized, alright! Wiki tells me that these creatures are known as dassies in South Africa, and sometimes rock rabbits. The Swahili names for them are pimbi, pelele and wibari, though the latter two names are nowadays reserved for the tree hyraxes.
Table Mountain, Cape Town
"The South African national flower, 'Protea Cynaroides' commonly known as the King Protea, is one of 2,285 indigenous plant species found on the Table Mountain chain."
This card is really beautiful, with the white border and the fancy script--not to mention the beautiful flowers! It almost looks like an art card, but the photo comes from the Mark Skinner Image Library.
Printed in Cape Town.
Volendam, The Netherlands
This is another cool multi-view, showing the neat, historical area of Voldendam, in North Holland. When reading about it, I was intrigued to learn that only maybe 50 people today wear the traditional costume of Volendam on the streets--and they are mostly elderly people.
I also found a very cool website that shows the different costumes of the different Dutch regions: www.octulipfestival.com/provinces.htm. You'll see the costume of Volendam on there, too!
Pastis Brasserie & Wine Bar, Hartford CT
This looks like it would have been a nice place to unwind and enjoy a meal. I understand that Pastis is closed, now, so this postcard is a piece of Hartford history. I enjoy it because it's an art card! The signature looks to read O'Maxfield '98. O'Maxfield is a fine art photography firm, but I'm not sure which O'Maxfield did the lovely art :)
Banaue Rice Terraces, Ifugao
From Wiki: "The Banaue Rice Terraces (Tagalog: Hagdan-hagdang Palayan ng Banawe) are 2000-year old terraces that were carved into the mountains of Ifugao in the Philippines by ancestors of the indigenous people. The Rice Terraces are commonly referred to by Filipinos as the "Eighth Wonder of the World" It is commonly thought that the terraces were built with minimal equipment, largely by hand. The terraces are located approximately 1500 meters (5000 ft) above sea level and cover 10,360 square kilometers (about 4000 square miles) of mountainside. They are fed by an ancient irrigation system from the rain forests above the terraces. It is said that if the steps are put end to end it would encircle half the globe."
Another great find from my box of free cards!
V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, south africa
View of V&A Waterfront built as part of the old docks below Table Mountain. The waterfront abounds with shops, restaurants, historical buildings and places of entertainment."
What a lovely view card! I usually don't like multi-views, but this card is an exception. Notice the Christmas wreath and festive decorations on the left photo? And the SeaLink Tours sign on the right? Awesome!
Cape Point: Where 2 Oceans Meet
I love this view and the idea of two oceans meeting at Cape Point, South Africa. "Sheer cliffs at the meeting of the Atlantic Ocean ... with the warmer waters of the Indian Ocean."
Published in Johannesburg.
The text is also printed in Afrikaans: Steil hange waar die Atlantiese Oseaan die warmer waters van die Indiese Oseaan ontmoet.
Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe
Somehow, a part of me is saddened to post all of these wonderful cards when I haven't actually been to the places pictured!
For example, Victoria Falls, also known as Mosi-oa-Tunya, the Smoke that Thunders. When will I ever get to Zimbabwe?!? I'll be lucky to get to Europe, much less Africa. Well, maybe some day ... I can never stop hoping!
Aloes of Zimbabwe
1. Aloe excelse with a young Euphorbia ingens
2. Aloe chabaudii
3. Aloe arborescens
4. Aloe pretoriensis
5. Aloe chabaudii
6. Aloe inyangensis
Published by Tourist Promotion in Africa, Avondale, Zimbabwe
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Hero Day in Okahandja, Namibia
This postcard, another treasure my box of freebies, shows wonderful native attire and captures a native custom: "In August Heroes come to pay tribute to their dead chiefs." Published by H.W. Theiss, Windhoek, Namibia
Cape Ann, Massachusetts Map Card
A nice map card for my collection. I notice the interesting sounding "Singing Beach" at the bottom left!
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