The American Institute of Architects announced the results of its annual poll and named the top 150 favorite structures across the United States. 
Here are the Top Ten on the list:

Empire State Building
The White House
Washington National Cathedral
Thomas Jefferson Memorial
Golden Gate Bridge
U.S. Capitol
Lincoln Memorial
Biltmore Estates
Chrysler Building
Vietnam Veterans Memorial

As I browsed through the list, I noticed that although I have visited 59 of the buildings on the list, I have only written about a handful.  Those that I have written about include:  Empire State Building  (1), Lincoln Memorial (7), Washington Monument (12), Supreme Court (15), Rockefeller Center (56), TransAmerica Pyramid (61), Corning Museum …read more

February 19th is Presidents Day, a federal holiday here in the United States.
Originally, the holiday was designated as Washington’s Birthday, and was celebrated on George Washington’s actual date of birth, February 22nd.  In 1971, however, as part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Bill, the holiday was moved to the third Monday in February.  The holiday has also been expanded to honor Abraham Lincoln (birthday February 12th).  Various states choose to observe the holiday on different days, under different titles, and even different presidents, but as far as federal holidays go, today is Presidents Day.
I have already written about the Washington …read more

Gerald R. Ford was the 38th President of the United States, and when he died last December 26th, politicians from both parties lauded the legacy left by the man who elected to Congress from the State of Michigan, but not to the presidency nor the vice presidency.  For that, and for his pardoning of former President Richard Nixon (for which he was eventually awarded the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award), he will likely always be best known.
Ford, like all Presidents, amassed volumes of “stuff” during his term of office ““ even though he spent less time in the …read more

While diamonds may be a girl’s best friend, let’s not over look the beauty and sheer sexiness of a ruby.
On a recent visit to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC, I had the opportunity to see the Carmen Lucia Ruby, a 23.1 carat Burmese ruby.  Burmese rubies of this size are extremely rare.  And extremely gorgeous, I would add.
Donated to the Smithsonian by Peter Buck in memory of his wife, Carmen Lucia, the ring is set in platinum, has diamonds on both sides, and is part of the museum’s Gem Collection.  The oval ruby is a deep, …read more

Details:  Today is the anniversary of the dedication of The Pentagon.
The Pentagon is the headquarters of the US Department of Defense, and although it’s mailing address is Washington DC, the complex is actually located in Arlington, Virginia.  It is one of the largest buildings in the world, and has five side, five floors above ground, and two basement levels. 
Photo credit:  Department of Defense, photo by Master Sgt. Ken Hammond, U.S. Air Force
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A little bragging rights for my home state right now —-
Washington State sent a 65-foot Pacific Silver Fir tree, from our Olympic National Forest, to the “other” Washington for the Capitol Christmas Tree.  With the theme “A Gift from the Evergreen State,” the tree is decorated with 3,000 Washington state themed ornaments made by area students.
Details regarding the December 6th tree lighting ceremony can be found at The DC Traveler (thanks Jon).
Photo credit:  2005 Capitol Tree, flickr

When you think of the day after Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? 
Relaxing around the house and eating leftovers?  Watching football?  Listening to holiday music and putting up the holiday decorations?  Or are you one of the many, many people who will be heading out to the stores for the kick off of the holiday shopping season?
No matter how we may rebel, there’s no getting around the fact that the upcoming holiday season means shopping.  I hope to make that process a little easier for you, by showcasing a variety of products and services that would make great gifts for travelers …read more

Yes, this is a shameless plug for two new b5media travel blogs, one written by yours truly, and the other by my friend (and frequently photo contributor), Jon Rochetti.  I hope you’ll give a look to both of the new blogs. 
 
 
Travelers and residents of Washington, on either coast, have a new resource with the addition of two new city specific travel blogs.

The DC Traveler, written by Jon Rochetti, covers Washington DC, and nearby Virginia and Maryland neighborhoods. Jon says: I look forward to writing The DC Traveler and hope that it provides insight and resources about visiting and experiencing all that Washington DC …read more

With a theme of Nature’s Bounty, you’d expect a wide variety of travel writing, and this month’s Travel Blog Carnival didn’t disappoint.
I contributed my post about the beautiful Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens just outside of Washington DC.
A very big thanks to Trip Hub for sponsoring this roundup of great travel writing.  Be sure to go read all the other articles!
 
Photo credit:  Jon Rochetti, c. 2006
 
 

Where were you on 9/11?
The question doesn’t need a lot of other detail, or further explanation.  It’s the kind of question that shaped a generation, just like previous questions:  Where were you when the President was shot?  Where were you when you heard about Pearl Harbor?
I was in Southern California five years ago.  I had gone to Anaheim with a friend to watch a little baseball.  The Seattle Mariners were in town to play, and we thought we’d follow the team to the sun, catch a couple of games, and take in a little sun. 
We’d made a late night of …read more