Life is a patchwork of experiences
This row of five red phone boxes in Broad Court in Covent Garden, London are an Instagram staple. But what you don’t often see in the photos is the lovely bronze ballerina statue that sits right in front of them. The statue is by Italian artist Enzo Plazzota and celebrates the nearby Opera House and School of Ballet. Personally, I think the statue adds to the photo.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
The stairway of the beautifully restored St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel in London looks like something out of a Harry Potter movie. That is actually somewhat fitting since the hotel is across the street from Kings Cross Station and the fabled platform 9 3/4. More important, for the muggle traveler, the hotel is also next door to the St. Pancras train station which makes it a convenient luxury resting spot for those taking the Eurostar train to the continent. Regardless of whether you stay there or not, this historic hotel and its grand Gothic interior is a beautiful visit.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
I happened upon this art installation at Gloucester Underground Station just by chance. My hotel was just across the street so this was the station that I was coming to and going from for a few days in London. A little bit of Google research told me that this bit of egg-centric art is called “my name is lettie eggsyrub” by British artist Heather Phillipson, and was only recently installed in June, 2018. This work is one of a number of decorative installations that are part of the Art on the Underground projects which are designed to “enrich the journeys of millions on the Tube every day”. Apparently “for this commission she [Ms. Phillipson] focused on the egg as an object of reproduction, subject to human interference.” And here I though it was a reference to good breakfast restaurants in the area – shows you what I know. Now I am on a mission to find more London Underground art.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
I had the opportunity to indulge in my Chihuly obsession again – this time at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. This large chandelier hangs in the entrance of the Museum’s rotunda and is the first major piece in the collection that all visitors see when they walk in.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
I think the Big Bend area of West Texas is an undiscovered jewel in our National Park system. My first visit was in 1990 and I loved it then and loved it even more on a recent trip in September which was a perfect time to explore the park. The weather was not super hot (low 80’s during the day) and it was not at all crowded since the busy season had not yet started. So, for those trying to figure out what to do in West Texas country, I am sharing my 25 favorite things to do in Big Bend to inspire your next trip itinerary to one of the least crowded National Parks in the lower 48 states.
The historic west Texas towns of Terlingua and Lajitas share a common location as gateway towns for both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Though only fifteen minutes apart, their personalities are as distinct as their heritage. On my recent visit, I found that both towns are very much a reflection of their historic cemeteries: Terlingua is wild and woolly while Lajitas is more sedate and proper.
Continue reading “Terlingua and Lajitas – A Tale of Two Cemeteries”
I have been posting many individual Big Bend photos from my recent visit to the Big Bend National Park area of Texas. I have gathered up 25 of my favorites into this one post for your enjoyment and reference. So let my Big Bend photography inspire your next visit to one of my favorite National Parks.
Continue reading “Let My Big Bend Photography Inspire Your Next Visit”
Another great spot for watching the sunset in Big Bend National Park is the Sotol Vista viewpoint. When I got there just before sunset, I found that the area had recently experienced a wildfire. The ground was still charcoal black, many of the sotol plants were yellow and dried out, and there was still a slight burnt odor in the air. But none of this detracted from the view across the desert toward the Santa Elena canyon in the distance as the sun dipped below the clouds for a spectacular sunset. Make sure you catch a Sotol Vista sunset when you visit.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Please note that my visit to the Big Bend area was hosted by Visit Big Bend but all content is my own.
Everything is bigger in Texas, so it should not be a surprise that a state park adjacent to Big Bend National Park contains almost 300, 000 scenic acres. For almost 30 miles from Lajitas to Presidio, the El Camino del Rio, or River Road follows the meandering curves of the Rio Grande river. Big Bend Ranch Sate Park offers camping, hiking and river rafting activities. No time for any of that? Then just a drive along this scenic route and enjoy an ancient volcanic landscape sculpted by wind and water.
Thanks for visiting.
Rose
Please note that my visit to the Big Bend area was hosted by Visit Big Bend but all content is my own
I like to find interesting and funky accommodations when I travel. That’s not saying that I don’t stay at chain hotels when I just need a quick night’s sleep as I move from one location to another. But when I want to experience the real personality of a destination, then I prefer to stay in a unique local establishment. My first night’s Big Bend lodging at Eve’s Garden B&B in Marathon, TX was one of the most unique, colorful and tasty stays I have ever had.
Continue reading “Big Bend Lodging: Finding Paradise in Eve’s Garden B&B”
