Another short weekend trip into the misty woods of Kentucky’s Red River Gorge. This time, the trees were starting to look bare, without the foliage they had before, and in the morning, it was much colder, although it was still warm with sunshine in the afternoon. In the cold air, the sunrises and sunsets appeared even more striking. Back in Indiana, the leaves had started dropping, too, and looked mostly completely bare.
A very short trip to the Red River Gorge occurred in the month of October, however, it was still beautiful as always. Two spectacular rock climbs were Caver’s Route, and the Bruise Brothers walls.
Within Ohio is a safari, little known to many outside of the state, which houses many animals that are in need of habitat, or have been neglected by their own countries. The Wilds is the largest conservation area in North America for animals, and as such, has an area where visitors can go on a tour of their dreams: a safari.
In this open air tour, through the duration of two and a half hours, you will see many species that are non-native to the United States, and some that are, such as groundhogs and geese. On tour, which showed me the importance of restoration of our forests and natural world, I saw giraffes, zebras, ostriches, rhinos, the Sichuan Tonkin, and many more species, including blue gill and parakeets.
Many may not know that The Wilds is built on a strip mine, and the 10,000 acres of reclaimed land go to research for colleges, and the housing and protection of wildlife.
I thoroughly enjoyed my tour of the safari, and thank the tour guide Bob and the many wonderful staff who work there that made my visit, among the others, so educational and enjoyable. Thank you to The Wilds for making this journey possible, and if you, too, want to go on an open-air tour, visit https://thewilds.columbuszoo.org/home/visit/plan-your-visit/specialty-tours.
On the way back, while in Columbus, Ohio, there was time for a brief tour of the Colombus Museum of Art, which houses collections of some of European’s finest masters, Monet, Matisse, and Robert and Sonia Delauney, although many exhibitions showcased unknown artists from various backgrounds, those of women and black artists. There were several art galleries in the block, making a walking art tour possible, if one had desire.
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During the brief time I was in Ohio, along the way there, there was time to visit the Sunwatch Indian Village, the Indian Mounds at the Hopewell Culture National Historic Park, and Old Man’s Cave and Ash Cave in the Hocking Hills State Park. All were different, yet instilled a sense of peacefulness and serene reverence, especially in the Indian mounds preserve.
The beauty of Hocking Hills cannot be explained, although if I were to choose words, one could say it is like stepping in an enchanted forest, where one could spend hours with no time outside passing, and indeed, it is important we preserve our natural world for years to come.
As always, all opinions are my own, and now, time for some photographs.
Among the most beautiful beaches in the world, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and parts of the Keys offer stunning white sand beaches and waters that offer a sense of paradise. The beaches of Ft. Lauderdale On-The-Sea’s were very pleasant and relaxing. During the brief stay there, I also walked through Miami’s most famous Espanola Way and Lincoln shopping center, which is lined with all the most expensive brands, and spent a short but beautiful day in Islamorada, which one can see, is truly one of the most beautiful places to go on seaside vacation, although there are many in the world, of course.
While I was there, I visited the Islander Girl resort in Islamorada, an island strip between the keys. The snorkeling tour took about two hours, and offered plenty of coral reefs and colorful fish to look at underwater.
If you like art, do not hesitate to visit any of Miami’s art galleries, particularly the exhibitions at Superblue Miami, which have rooms of art combined with technology, making the experience change as you walk through them.
As always, all opinions are my own, and as usual, time for a couple photographs of Islamorada, and one of an exhibition.
Below, the Islander Girl resort, with beautiful, serene vistas in Islamorada, in the Keys.
An exhibition at Superblue Miami featuring colorful umbrellas that seem to breathe, opening and closing, and changing colors from light to dark.
Recently, I discovered there are quite a few stone castles in the United States that look authentic, very like those one would find in Europe. Given the pandemic of coronavirus, the idea of traveling overseas for leisure or tourism has changed drastically, and I wanted to see if one could have a similar experience within the United States itself.
It turns out, one could! There are many castles, in fact, across the United States, some of which are museums, wineries, or bed and breakfasts, or even residences or Airbnbs, however, they are there, and beautiful a sight to behold and look at during a visit.
Below are two of the recent castles I have found, including a third, which is a seminary, in Indiana. There is also a castle in Ohio that is close to southern Indiana!
I do not recommend going to this castle! It is hard to access, the path rutted out, and the gate typically closed. However, while I was there it was open, so I took a photograph and left. The atmosphere was a little haunted, and I have read elsewhere accounts of supernatural activities rumored on that site.
Some say this castle, an estate designed by Lord Doug and Lady Mary Jo Smock, is not designed to detail, due to the windows on the ground floor, for example, however, I enjoyed visiting this place and found the grounds fun (there is a giant chess set, like in Alice in Wonderland, perhaps), and have heard there are gatherings here where you can dress in hand sewn medieval garb by the owners, themselves, and there is an annual festival in September where Shakespeare plays are held and jousting, feasts, and archery is displayed on the lawns. A good place to get married or hold a party of friends, perhaps, so I have heard.
The castle was built by hand, stone by stone, lugged up ton by ton from the Ohio river, by Harry (later Sir Harry) Delos Andrews, who built it over the course of his life in the 20th century, with the help of the Boy Scouts the Knights of the Golden Trail, his troop. Together they built it and guard it and to this day, it is willed to the knights. It costs $5 to visit and is a museum with grounds that are also beautiful and accessed.
This is a really peaceful place. It is a seminary now, however, until as recently as 2008 nuns lived and prayed in the castle-like structure, designed like a real 15th century medieval castle, and one can still feel the weight, and blessing, of their prayers on the grounds. A sacred space, and healing to those who seek wisdom no matter what your religion.
The architecture in the historical neighborhood in Kentucky, which sits right next to its Central Park, is a destination that is worth a visit to see alone, even if you do not go anywhere else in the city.
Below, some of the houses that you will find if you walk, too, into the twilight of the 18th century….and find some beautiful Victorian-era homes.
The canal also lends some views of the city skyline, and if you go to the Falls of The Ohio State Park, you can see the river, with the city behind it, and enjoy the peace there.
The blue ridge mountains – a sight one should see once in their lives.
There is something about the rolling Appalachain mountain range, the blue ridges, stretching into the distance for miles and miles on end, that is quite moving.
Desolate, beautiful, timeless, yet fragile – these mountain ranges were once civilized, in places, and still, less than a century later, they are forested again in regions where farmhouses once stood.
That is not exactly what you would think looking at out at the ridges now, for here, it looks as though time stood still and the trees forgot their own names, or, we forgot the meaning of natural beauty.
As for trails, there is a beautiful short trail nearby the Sugarlands Visitor Center that is paved, only 0.5, however it is very beautiful, and not to be missed if you have the time. Laurel Springs, a short 2.0 mile round trip hike from the road, is also very popular and worthwhile, because of the beautiful falls at the end of the journey before the turn-around. Anywhere is worth going, as long as you remember to return on the journey home.
Don’t forget to check out the Appalachian Trail. It has beautiful vistas in rugged places, although the scenic drives to Cades Cove or up to see the mountains from Newfound Gap and Clingman’s Dome are worth it, too. Of course, a drive through Gatlinburg and over to the Fontana Dam will yield some pretty, if packed, sights, if you go! The mosquitos and bugs are out in the summer months, so be prepared.
Time for the photos! As always, all opinions are my own.
There is rugged beauty in Northern California, stretching up into the pine forested territory of Oregon. Though I only spent two weeks here – not long, given how beautiful and serene, vast, and full of so many things to explore here this area is — however, it sank into my soul, like it does, I am sure, to those who visit the region.
Like a cup full of stars, that a mythical goddess could drink and never quite reach the bottom of the universe, creating mysteries in the worlds of the night sky in some myth, half-forgotten….that is how California’s spirit and Oregon’s, in parts, washed over me while I was there, like the waves crashing along the coast along Bodega Bay and up the Pacific Highway One coastal route.
A visual guide to where I went. Some suggestions – Muir Woods, Bodega Bay, Sebastapol (lots of fun shops – handmade jewelry and gemstones, handcrafted artisan furniture, eateries, and so on), the Rose Garden in Eugene, Oregon, and of course, San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf and the gardens….
with so many places to explore, I will only say that the Japanese Gardens in Portland, Oregon, and the Cannon Beach coast were two of the most breathtaking places in Oregon, and don’t forget the scenic overlook, of Multnomah Falls (a few miles east of Portland city).
Time for the photos, as usual, and as always, all opinions remain those of where I’ve travelled.
I really loved being here — the turquoise waters off the coast are one of my favorite things about this area. If you want more of a party vibe, go to Miami Beach, but the quiet and comfortable area in Fort-Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is so relaxing and beautiful.
On Las Olas Boulevard, there are a lot of art galleries and shops, and eateries, nearby the NSU Art Museum. ABRA Gallery has paintings by Star Mortezavi and Hessam Abrishami, and several other Iranian painters.
A couple fun things to do while sightseeing was seeing the Anna Sui exhibition at the NSU Museum, which also had some paintings and photographs worth seeing in their galleries, and the Bonnet House, which features paintings and art collections by the Bartlett’s in the studio and house.
The blue waters off the coast of Miami Beach were stunning, as was the sparkling white sand, although honestly, it was more beautiful in the quiet areas of the beach.
Painting by Star Mortezavi in the ABRA Gallery
Paintings from New River Fine Art Gallery, down the boulevard
The beach at Fort Lauderdale
Near the pier in Fort Lauderdale
Morning sunrise at the beach in Fort Lauderdale by the sea
Pelicans, over the shoreline
Anna Sui’s exhibition at the NSU Art Museum, featuring samples from collections over the decades
The Bonnet House Museum and Gardens
The Pier 
Key Biscayne lighthouse
Charleston is a really beautiful city, with colorful walls, cobblestone streets, and the wharf nearby to walk along after walking through the city. It really is a place that artists could stay in for a long time.
If you go, visit Rainbow Row and walk through downtown at the least! Beautiful sights and beauty awaits around every corner in this town.
