The Giving Tree

Sometimes pictures will speak for itself.  I had planned to draft several lines of expressions about this tree, but I will simply leave this for your imagination.  This is what I call the "Giving Tree", because when I first met this wonder of nature I could feel and sense its presence - the tree spoke to me and instantly gave me a sense of hope, healing and happiness.  And you may wonder where was I at when I found this tree.  Well, that will remain a secret....but it's located in a serene area that I visit from time to time - a place that's not too far, but also not too close.

Finally.....Philadelphia!

 On today, I hopped an Amtrak train to the city of Brotherly Love: Philadelphia!  I come to Philly at least once a year or every other, simply to explore and to take part of the urban experience.  However, this is the first time I have posted a feature on Philadelphia, so....finally, here's Philly!  

I love the variation of the hi-rise architecture of Center City (downtown) and the waterfront trail along the Schuylkill River.  The last two times (including today) I visited, I had breakfast at this spendid Center City eatery name the Green Eggs.  Both times I orderd the french toast and sausage - the first time was amazing, but today wasn't as great (but still good).  

I spent most of the day walking the trail along the Schuylkill.  I had walked a portion of this trail several years ago, but today, I walked it all the way to where it (currently) terminates just south of South Street.  There were many walkers, runner and bicyclists on the trail.  Also, there was a group of folks performing yoga on a grassy area near the river.  

Philly is such a cool city and being that it's only a 2 hour drive or rail ride, it makes for a fun and close day trip!

The Wharf

A lot of major cities seek ways to redefine itself - whether it is through architecture, events, arts, culture or tourism, there is always something to set each city apart from the next.  In Washington, D.C., a developer has transformed a portion of the city's southwest waterfront into a spectacular destination called the District Wharf.  I had heard about this project several years ago when online media outlets broke the news about a waterfront redevelopment planned for southwest D.C.  I was rather intrigued by what was being planned at this location.  I recall coming to this area in 2000 to a night club and, again, several years later.  On today, I decided to head into the District and experience this new outdoor spot and see what it is all about.  Phase 1 of this project is now up and running and I do believe that the signature venue here is a concert hall name the Anthem.  Phase 2 is scheduled to be completed in 2022.  The Wharf features a lot of restaurants and bars, with a few specialty stores and boutiques, offices, hotels and I believe apartments/condos.  What's charming and elegant are the Wharf's design elements, which includes some sophisticated architecture that "fits" lovely for a waterfront setting.  The buildings are well balanced and proportional with the plazas and open space areas for walking, gathering, and sitting, with a few piers that extend out into the river for stunning views of the Wharf community.

A Mid-America College

In the summer of 2017, I had a chance to tour a small public university in Missouri.  The University of Central Missouri (UCM) is located in a small city name Warrensburg.  Warrensburg is about 1 hour southeast of Kansas City and is about 5 hours east of Lebanon, Kansas (Lebanon is situated in the center of the United States).   UCM is a public state university with an enrollment of approximately 14,000 students.  The school was founded in 1871 and got its start as a teachers college.  Today, the school offers 150 majors and minors and 37 graduate programs.  I was quite impressed by its campus scene and facilities.  I had a chance to walk inside the Elliott Student Center, where modern lounges, meeting rooms, eateries, a large lovely ball room, a bookstore and a bowling alley are located.  I visited the Maastricht Friendship Tower (a symbol of friendship and of a welcoming environment) and next to it was the football stadium and a new student housing complex that featured a second bookstore. Also, I noticed an interesting piece of outdoor artwork named the "Equiponderation", a welded steel sculpture located along the northern edge of campus.  It symbolizes the balance of life.

Maastricht Friendship Tower

Walton Stadium

Equiponderation

Wish Upon A Star

This past spring, I spent a few days in Roanoke, VA.  Roanoke is a major city of the New River Valley region in southwestern Virginia.  It serves as a regional center for commerce, transportation and medicine.  Roanoke is also home to a good friend of mines and his wife and while visiting, I was able to spend some time with them and explore parts of the city.  One of my favorite visits was to Mill Mountain - a 1,700 ft. tall mountain that features a beautiful tree shaded park, a zoo and trails overlooking downtown Roanoke.  The best feature on the mountain was the "star".  The star is a 88-foot tall steel structure that has been illuminating (at night) from the top of the mountain since 1949 and it remains as the world's largest man-made freestanding star.

Downtown Roanoke (taken from atop Mill Mountain)

Port City

On July 17, 2016, I spent the day in charming downtown Wilmington NC.  I had seen a feature about the city on one of the cable networks a year prior and I wanted to visit and experience it for myself.  And I am glad that I did!  Wilmington is a "port" city, located on the coast of of southeastern North Carolina (about an hour or so southeast of Raleigh).  Without knowing much about the town, I was eager to walk through its historic downtown and meet and mingle with the locals and to take in the scenes.  While there, I was delighted to find out that there is a riverwalk attraction - a wooden boardwalk that stretches about 1-mile along the Cape Fear River.  From the downtown river front, there are magnificent, stunning views of the open water and the docked USS North Carolina Battleship.  Also, I included a photo of the historic New Hanover County Courthouse, which is located at the corner of Market and 3rd Street.  The building has a majestic presence as you walk along Market Street and I wanted to include it in this blog/journal.  And, finally, I had lunch at Elijah's - an upscale restaurant located in a historic house next to the Riverwalk.  I had the Mixed Grill seafood dish and it was absolutely amazing - salmon, mahi, shrimp all char-grilled to perfection!

Riverwalk along Cape Fear River

Historic New Hanover County Courthouse

mixed grille from Elijah's Restuarant

Finding Ferguson

On July 5, 2016, I made a detour into the city of Ferguson, MO.  It was a hot day (brutally hot) as I embarked on my journey back to the east coast from the small town of LaMont, MO (about 3 hours west of St. Louis).  Once I had reached the St. Louis metropolitan area (around mid day), I took the quick detour off of I-70 and into the city of Ferguson.   Ferguson is a small city, located in St. Louis County, MO, and abuts the northern edge of the city of St. Louis.

I wanted to see, experience where the tragic events occurred during the summer of 2014 when an 18-year old black man name Michael Brown was shot dead by a Ferguson police officer.  This event lead to protests and acts of vandalism in Ferguson, mainly, along W. Florissant Avenue - a major roadway that runs east and west between downtown St Louis and the suburbs in the County.

I noticed that there are two sides of Ferguson - a charming, historic 'downtown' area with green lawns, coffee shops, boutiques and eateries and then there is the side where Michael Brown resided - an economically depressed side of town aligned with numerous liquor stores, pockets of debris along the streets and many closed, boarded up businesses.  That was the common scene along W. Florissant Ave. where the rioting occurred in August of 2014.  It was there I saw the store (Ferguson Market and Liquor) where Brown had stolen some cigarillos (according to reports/video surveillance) and the location, Canfield Drive, where Brown was shot dead.  Along Canfield Drive, there is a bronze plaque embedded into the sidewalk in memory of Michael Brown.  I wouldn't had noticed this plaque (from sitting in my car) if two people hadn't stopped and looked down at the pavement.

May Brown rest in peace.

W. Florissant Ave. 

Brown's Memorial on Canfield Dr.