photography – Page 6 – Snapping The Globe

Plan Goya

Plans A, B, C, D, E and F.

When your time is limited in a city, it is imperative to have multiple plans because you never know…websites have incorrect hours, the lines are too long to get into your intended destinations or you happen to sleep too long.

On this particular day, I had plans to visit the Pantheon of Illustrious Men. It was some distance from my hotel and it closed at 3:00 p.m, so I knew that when I laid down for a quick nap, it had to be just that…quick.

So, what do you think happened?

Yes, I slept a little too long.

On this day, however, I had broken my cardinal rule. There was no Plan B, C, D, E or even F.

As I rushed to get ready, I ran through list of attractions, churches and museums in the area. Temple of Debod came to mind and I thought I would head that way to see what I would find.

It was a beautiful day and I headed on foot in the direction of the Temple of Debod. I didn’t remember that it was a place where you could enter the building; I had only remembered that it was in a park. Yet, when I arrived, there was a line formed waiting for entry.

“Okay, is this worth it?” I asked myself, looking at the empty water basins that make up the monument. I remembered walking by in the past, and it was quite lovely, but waiting an extraordinary amount of time due to Covid spacing requirements for entry, didn’t seem like a productive way to spend my shortened afternoon. Quickly taking a look at my Google maps, I realized that I wasn’t extremely far from the Real Ermita de San Antonio de La Florida (The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida).

A few years ago, I had dragged a couple of my coworkers to this small church before taking a ride on the Teleferico en Rosales. I didn’t remember much about it except that it was extremely famous for its interior painting.

Walking through the Parque de la Montaña and near the Rosaleda del Parque del Oeste, I enjoyed the warmth of the winter afternoon. Finally, crossing the brightly bedecked pedestrian walkway above the train tracks, I found myself at the rear of the church.

Though it wasn’t extremely far, it had taken about 45 minutes and it suddenly dawned on me that it could be closed. I also suddenly remembered that there had been no photography allowed when I had first visited…oh brother…this afternoon was surely going to be a bust!

Oh well, I was here.

Walking toward the front of the church, I found a sign directing me to the entrance on the right. There was no one to greet me and I made my way through the hallway and right into the church, where I found two other visitors, eyes trained on the ceiling. Following their lead, I looked upward and remembered what this church was famous for.

Goya.

Okay, so I had moved on to Plan G. Plan Goya.

In the late 17th century, a chapel, devoted to St. Anthony of Padua, had a great many devotees, especially those of women without future matrimonial prospects. To this day, it still hosts of a pilgrimage, held on June 13, that is attended by young adult women who hope to be married.

The chapel was eventually demolished and relocated to the estate of La Florida. King Charles V ordered the construction of the new chapel between 1792 to 1798 and commissioned painter Francisco de Goya to adorn its vaults with a series of frescoes. Goya, aware of the importance of this chapel to its devotees took great care with his creation and these frescoes ultimately became some of the greatest of his masterpieces.

Due to its importance to the city of Madrid and to Spain, in 1905, the chapel was declared a National Monument and Francisco de Goya’s remains were moved here in 1919 from Bordeaux (where he had died in 1828). In order to preserve the original as a museum, an identical chapel was built beside it, in 1928, for worshipers.

As my eyes moved around the room, I was entranced by the muted movement within each series. These frescoes, depicting the miracles of St. Anthony of Padua, were painted over six months time during which Goya developed many new techniques that he went on to incorporate into his art going forward. The most captivating series, however, are within the dome and depict Saint Anthony raising a man from the dead and absolving his father who had been falsely accused of his murder.

Take a moment to sit on one of the benches, prepare for a neck ache and take it all in.

As I did this for a while, my neck spasms then began. Moving around, I then took in the two altarpieces painter by Jacinto Gómez Pastor, on each side of the rectangular Greek cross-plan chapel, as well as a gold cherub chandelier dropping from the dome. At the front of the chapel, I admired the crucifix, within the apse, decorated with angels and fronted by Goya’s tomb.

The chapel is and contains one of Madrid’s most spectacular treasures and it is a place that all visitors should seek out. Best part for me? Photographs are now allowed!

As I always like to suggest to people, “head on over,” to places that I recommend, I think that in this case it takes on an interesting connotation here.

When Goya’s remains were to be brought to Madrid, the French officials realized that his head had gone missing. Madrid’s response?

“Bring him home, even headless!”

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Real Ermita de San Antonio de La Florida

Email: http://www.madrid.es/ermita
Address: Glorieta San Antonio de la Florida, 528008
Hours: Daily, 0930-2000, Closed Monday. Summer hours, from June 15-September 15, 0930-1400, Tuesday to Friday. Saturday, Sunday and public holidays, 0930-1900.
Admission: free
Guided tours (conducted in Spanish and English, with prior booking by calling 91 542 07 22, from 9:30 to 20:00.
Getting There: Metro, Príncipe Pío (L6, L10, R). Bus, 41, 46, 75, N20. Local train (Cercanías).

The Lions Next Door

Having been on safari in Tanzania, I knew that the Bandia Reserve in Senegal, had its shortcomings.

While I absolutely loved visiting and had done so three times, there was the glaring fact that it was missing some of the animals that captivate thrill seekers…the big cats. Because it is a private reserve comprising just over 8600 acres and is surrounded by fencing, the animals that do reside there…giraffes, deer, ostrich…would be sitting ducks. There are a few hyenas that reside in the front of the park, however, they are in their own enclosure and not free to roam.

On my last visit to Bandia Reserve, I did learn something…Ranch de Bandia, a lodge which offers lion experiences, had opened recently adjacent to the reserve. Offering up close interactions with lions, it was meant to fill the gap where The Bandia Reserve was lacking while still offering a Safari experience with big cats and a place for visitors to call home while surrounded by African wildlife.

Located only 70 kilometers from Dakar (45 minutes), it is an easy drive from the city and also located near the resort town of Saly, a popular tourist destination. Since we were staying near the downtown area, we decided to do both activities (Bandia Reserve and Ranch de Bandia) in order to make the most of our time and the drive.

Arriving in the late morning to Bandia, we quickly realized that early arrivals and late afternoons are probably best for animal spotting. The midday hour is when most animals are inactive due to the heat and it was on this trip when I saw the least amount of wildlife. We still managed to see enough to make our trip worthwhile, however, the park’s rhinos remained elusive on this trip.

*Hyenas in their enclosure at the front of the park*

*Many kinds of deer and elk reside in the park*

After our safari at Bandia was complete, we headed back thru the entrance gates and over to Ranch de Bandia, across the highway.

Preparations had already been made by our tour guide, Mass Kane, so we were all set to take off on our 30 minutes of exploration into the lions’ territory.

Loading up into the park’s specially equipped vehicles, we noticed pieces of meat still sitting on top of the truck’s iron mesh that enclosed it. Flies were everywhere, attracted by the smell and the bloody mess, but if this was the way to attract the lions, we had to get used to it.

Entering the gates of the enclosure, we could hear the roars of an angry cat in the distance; Malik, a territorial lion protesting our arrival. Moving through the second set of gates, the sound of his roars became much louder and as we turned onto a small roadway, we spotted him behind a bush in a clearing. Realizing that he would soon partake of a meal, he came forward, jumping onto the hood of our vehicle and then climbing onto the roof. It was an amazing experience to have such ferocious, yet beautiful creature that close to us. As he shifted closer to the back of the truck above where I was seated, I could smell his musky scent and feel the mud from his paws falling down into my hair. All in the experience, right? I was definitely going to need a shower when I got home!

Moving back to the front of the truck, he interacted with the driver and guide who, through an opening in the front mesh, doled out his afternoon snack. Finally, growing tired of us, he jumped off and headed back into the trees, seeking shelter from the afternoon’s heat.

Starting up our truck, we drove through and then exited the enclosure into another area. A small bit of travel ensued before we finally spotted the first of two female lions. One, named Savannah, stood under a tree watching us warily before approaching, yet still maintaining a bit of distance. We drove along the road with her staying nearby until we came across her mate, Madibah, a proud male. Promptly, Madibah jumped into the hood and waited for his treat, while Savannah waited patiently nearby. After he was satisfied, he climbed onto our roof and Savannah took her turn, giving us some great photo opportunities with the assistance of our guide.

While I don’t recommend it, we did get some pretty decent shots of Madibah by holding our phone’s camera through an opening at the top of the vehicle. After trying it once, (seeing another friend successfully photograph Madibah this way), I was roared at, causing me to quickly pull my phone inside. On a trip a week later, another friend had Madibah grab her phone from her, biting it and hurling it from the vehicle onto the muddy road.

I wonder if Apple Care covers that!

Our thirty minute adventure soon came to a close and we headed back to where we had started.

What I did learn later, however, is that in addition to the adult lion encounter, Ranch de Bandia also offers a baby lion encounter. This was not an option offered to us nor to any of my friends who visited near that time, leaving me to wonder if it is something that has been added recently or if there were no baby lions at that time.

A visit to both parks is something special for visitors to Senegal. An opportunity to see many animals in a protected reserve is unique to the area and should not be missed! And if you travel with my friend and tour guide, a great dinner on the beach in nearby Saly can wrap up your day’s adventures!!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Ranch de Bandia

Lion cub activity, 1000-1530, daily, 15 minutes. 25,000CFA per person. 18 years and over only. Mandatory dress required: trousers and closed shoes.
Lion Safari, 0900-1630, daily, 30 minutes. Children ages, 3-10 years, 10,000CFA per person. Adults, 20,000CFA per person.
Compulsory vehicle rental for the safari, 20,000 CFA for a maximum capacity of 7 people.

The Motherland Experience

http://themotherlandexperiencetraveltours.com
Telephone: +221 77 295 24 24
Owner: Mass Kane
Email: Kanemass@hotmail.com

Camels and the Capital

After an eventful day visiting the Saloum Delta in Senegal, we were still yearning to explore more than we had ever experienced in this beautiful African country.

Our friend and tour guide Mass gave us another option…one he had described to me in the past. A place that he said he wanted to take me to show me the contrasting beauty that existed in the northwest coast of the country.

It would be a long day…longer than the day spent visiting the Saloum Delta, but we were ready to tackle it for the adventures that lay in store.

*Sights along the way to the Lompoul Desert*

Three and a half hours after our early departure, we woke from our napping to realize that we had turned onto a small, hilly road, leading to the Ecolodge de Lompoul. This lodge is situated in in the Lompoul Desert, a small desert with distinctive orange sands piled into high, extraordinarily shaped dunes. Located about 145 kilometers south of Saint-Louis, the country’s former capital, the area is stunningly beautiful and offers accommodations in the form of tented lodges. As we pulled into the Ecolodge’s perimeter, we noticed the row of tents to the left and the main tent containing the restaurant on the right side.

The main thing we saw, however, was the magnificent sand dunes that stretched out beyond the tents, all the way to the Atlantic Ocean!

While the lodge offers quad bikes to rent and ride throughout the desert (which would have been fun), we had opted to do a more traditional activity…riding camels!

We jumped onto our camels and headed out into the barren landscape. It was hot but a faint breeze, from the nearby ocean, cooled the air as we plodded on through the desert. It was quite beautiful and serene. While we wished that we would have had time to ride all the way to the water, it was still quite some distance. Instead, we concentrated on the shifting sands and even spotted a dung beetle!

With our ride over, we headed back to the camp to have a cool drink before hitting the road again. One thing we wanted to do before we left, however, was check out the accommodations. Peeking into the first tent, we discovered a pretty nice setup. There were beds on the left, protected with mosquito netting and the floor covered with a nice carpet. A couple of chairs and a table filled the remaining space. Behind the table, to the right, there was a dividing cloth and behind it, a basin and primitive shower and a toilet. While the tents have running water, they do not have electricity. They were extremely clean and we were impressed! Had we known the setup, we might have decided to come here the day before and spend the night!

Finally, we were on our way again, this time enroute to Saint-Louis or Ndar, as it is known to the locals. Saint-Louis was the capital of the French colony of Senegal from 1673 until 1902. From 1920 until 1957, it served as the capital of the neighboring colony of Mauritania.

*Sights between Lompoul and Saint Louis*

Driving into the city, we marveled at the colonial architecture and as we crossed the iron Faidherbe Bridge, which links the island of the city of Saint-Louis to the African mainland and we were excited to realize that we were getting ready to see life in the city. But first, lunch!

Lunch at Flamingo Restaurant was delicious and our appetites were filled with not only the grilled gambas, but with the outstanding view of the muddy Senegal River rushing under the Faidherbe bridge and the faint landscape of Mauritania in the distance. With our lunch complete, we walked outside and jumped into a horse drawn cart for the real treat! A tour of the island!

Riding through the streets, I remembered thinking of how much it reminded me of my trip to Cuba. Buildings were largely in disrepair, but I could still the beauty that once was.

Once an important economic center, it still has some important industries including fishing and tourism, mainly due to its status as a UNESCO world Heritage site. While sugar production plays an important part of their commerce, we could see how fishing is what is the most dominant.

As we crossed from the island of Saint-Louis onto the Langue de Barbarie Peninsula, this was where the role fishing plays in the community was most apparent. The village of Guet N’Dar was bustling with activity and colorful boats lined the river banks. Multihued clothing and fishing nets, attached to lines strung between buildings, fluttered in the sea breeze, while strings of bobbers littered the grounds. Near the end of the peninsula, trucks were lined readied for loading of the day’s catch.

Elsewhere, goats languished in the sun while older residents sought out shade from the afternoon’s heat. The children played in the streets, sometimes oblivious to our presence and at others captivated, running alongside our cart, yelling ”Toubab” (white people)!

As I sat on my perch, riding through the streets, I could not help but be mesmerized by its simplistic beauty but I also felt as though we were intruding on these people’s daily lives. True, they rely on tourism, yet you could feel their watchful eyes, wondering why we were truly there.

Eventually, we returned to Saint-Louis where we stopped for a moment to admire L’eglise Saint-Louis-en-I’lle, the 18th century Catholic Church which bears the distinction of being the oldest church in West Africa. The first foundation stone was laid on February 11, 1827 and was brought to fruition by Anne-Marie Javouhey, founder of the Order of Sisters of St. Joseph of Cluny and Captain Roger Baron. The stone was blessed by the apostolic prefect Girardon father and opened to it faithful on November 4, 1828.

With so much to see and experience in Saint-Louis, I could have stayed for days soaking it all in, but alas, there was a long drive back to Dakar to think of.

Bidding our adieus, we took our tired, sweaty and camel-smelling bodies to the waiting van for our return trip. Indeed it was an amazing adventure, one that I will build upon on a future trip! A night in a desert tent will definitely be something in my future when I return, but as of this day, I will think back fondly of our trip to the north of Senegal to the vast desert, the former capital and its people.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Motherland Experience

http://themotherlandexperiencetraveltours.com
Telephone: +221 77 295 24 24
Owner: Mass Kane
Email: Kanemass@hotmail.com

Lompoul Eco-Lodge

Restaurant Le Flamingo

https://www.hoteldelapostesaintlouis.com/le-flamingo/
Hours: 1200 noon-0200

Baobabs, Bats, Birds and Boats

Three whole days in Senegal!

That much time in Senegal nowadays is a rarity for me and I was excited for the possibilities it held. Until…we found out that my company had changed our hotel at the last minute due to a problem with our regular one. The one we were being moved to was in the middle of nowhere! Nothing to do but hang at the overly crowded pool and stare out of my dusty window at the highway.

Thank goodness, I have a good friend who operates his own tour company, The Motherland Experience! After contacting Mass Kane, my friend Amy and I quizzed him for some different tour ideas since we both have done quite a lot within the country.

We perused a few different options that he presented and finally decided on the Saloum Delta. Located on the southwestern coast of Senegal, this is the area where the Saloum river meets the Atlantic Ocean. What interested us most was that we were told that if we made it there on time, we might be able to participate in the drum mass at the Catholic church. Now that was something I was wanting to see…and hear!

Leaving early in the morning, we began the long drive, past the resort town of Saly toward Fatick. In Mbour, we stopped quickly so that we could get a glimpse of the Grand Mosquee de Gandigal-Est. Though we could not get closer than the front gates, past the tall palms that line the front walkway we could see that it was a stunning piece of architecture with its twin minarets reaching skyward. A little further, we drove down a narrow dirt road to check out the Catholic Church’s steeple towering over the trees. Attracting a great deal of attention, a group of young girls came over to say hello. Wanting to practice their English, they giggled and asked me my name and insisted we all take a picture together!

*Catholic Church and local school girls*

Continuing on our way, we reached Fatick, where witnessing large crowds walking through the muddy streets and congregating in a large field, we learned that the community was hosting a festival. While I am sure that it would have been interesting to take part, we had a destination in mind, so after stopping to watch a few minutes of a wrestling match in the field, we headed out.

A short time later, we pulled over again.

Now, there are baobab trees everywhere in western Africa and I have seen some gigantic ones during my times there, but the tree located here? It was one of the largest baobab trees I had ever seen. Mass wanted us to see this magnificent beauty so we all jumped out and began to take pictures. On one side of the tree, we noticed a hole…the entrance to the inside of the tree! Many of the baobab trees are hollow and as they are considered sacred, they are often used for burials of the village elders, but we were invited to climb inside as it was empty. Well, I am not one to pass up a challenge, so I readied myself, hike up a leg and attempted to follow the directions of the Senegalese men offering to help me inside. It is was not the most elegant of entrances and I actually got stuck for a moment, but finally after wiggling a bit, I made it in!

Very dark and damp, it seemed more like a cave and realizing that I was feeling drops of what felt like water, I looked up. Well, what do you normally find in caves? Bats! Hundreds of bats were circling above me and were attached to the inside of the tree. And that water? Well, you know…not water.

Getting out of there as fast as I could, I prayed that I didn’t contract any airborne illnesses from the bats and headed over to the nearby stalls to check out some of the local crafts for sale.

Finally, we were on our way once again and after a few short miles, we arrived at the Somone Lagoon. Herding us down to the boats, Mass greeted the boatman and we were on our way through the Saloum Delta.

The delta is the perfect place to see a variety of wildlife and birds among the mangrove trees. We glided through the calm waters admiring nearby houses and wharfs. As the boat eventually slowed, we pulled up to a small beach onto Morloth Island. On the shore was a small hotel with woven hammocks swinging in the breeze under a grass hut. This looked like a place I could hang out for a couple of days!

Quickly guided to the rear of the structure, we were loaded onto a horse-drawn cart with a few other visitors. Heading out, we bumped along the dirt road until we reached a small, quaint village.

The narrow road, lined by high walls, protected the cinderblock structures behind them and after a short ride, we were pulling into the main part of the village. A white, weathered gazebo stood in the center, obviously the place for village gatherings and we spotted a minaret towering above the village mosque. Children walked together in groups and many local artisans attempted to attract our attention to sell us their wares. A little ways up the road, we were shown the marriage trees. These trees had grown adjacent to each other and intertwined. With their tall roots extending from their bases, it was a great spot for photos.

A short walk led us to the Catholic church, Missionaire Du Sacre Coeur. This is the scene of the famous drum mass that we had heard of, but sadly, we learned that we were too late. The Sunday services were complete and with it the sounds of the local instruments. Disappointed, we stepped through the doors of the church, admired the stark simplicity of the interior with its pointed arches, heavy wooden pews and small stained glass windows which encircled the worship space. Designed for a smaller congregation, it was intimate and even more of a disappointment that we did not get to participate in the Sunday services.

Setting out to make the return trip, we first stopped at a large, covered pavilion; the craft market. Unlike any craft market I had ever experienced, these ladies were intent on each vendor getting a crack at selling their wares. While, I like to peruse all commodities in a normal market for the best selection, we were each greeted by a village woman and ushered over to a chair. The woman then proceeded to show me what she had. Only. I wasn’t allowed to look at what was being offered to anyone beside me or anywhere else in the pavilion. Since I have been to Africa so often and have so many mementos, it would take something extremely unique to have me open my wallet…and on this day, I saw nothing of the sort. Leaving with my merchant a bit unhappy, I decided to concentrate on the the musicians who filled the afternoon with song. Though we didn’t get to partake in the drum mass, here we listened to the beats of the local soul and watched one woman bust out her moves! She definitely had the rhythm!

Hopping back onto our cart, we were driven back to our starting point so that we could take our boat back across the delta. Here, we would have a delicious lunch to ready us for the long drive back to Dakar.

Although a long day, the trip to the Saloum delta was filled with the colorful sights and sounds of western Africa, along the way and at our destination. Definitely an experience I won’t ever forget!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Motherland Experience

http://themotherlandexperiencetraveltours.com
Telephone: +221 77 295 24 24
Owner: Mass Kane
Email: Kanemass@hotmail.com

Remembering D-Day

News reports these past couple of weeks have kept the world on edge. With bated breath, we watch to see what this war will bring.

People have fled from their homes and their country because of wars past, but because of modern day communications, we are seeing it in real time. We don’t have to rely on hearsay or wait for the daily newspapers as was once the case during past altercations.

But, as difficult as it is to see, it brings to mind the sacrifices those have made in the past for the freedoms many have in their own countries.

Sacrifices we should never forget.

War memorials have been erected throughout the world so as not to forget those who died fighting for their country, their own people and for what they believe in.

Over the course of my travels, I have visited many war memorials throughout the world…Washington, D.C., Honolulu, London, Normandy and Berlin and many more.

Many notable cities have constructed these monuments to pay tribute to those who served and they attract large numbers of visitors each year. But when I learned that there was a very important memorial in western Virginia, just a few hours from my home, I was somewhat perplexed.

The D-Day Memorial was built to honor the American GIs who participated in WWII at the invasion of France at Normandy on June 6, 1944. More than 3,000 American soldiers were killed and wounded, among them eleven companies of soldiers from Virginia. More than thirty soldiers from Bedford went ashore at Omaha Beach. By day’s end, nineteen of Bedford’s soldiers were dead and four more died later in the Normandy campaign. With a population of only 3,200, this constituted one of the most severe proportional losses of any town in the United States.

Dedicated on June 6, 2001, by United States president George W. Bush, the memorial receives over 100,000 visitors per year, including veterans from different wars.

My friend Kathie, an army veteran, had wanted to visit this memorial for quite some time. Learning that its unique water features do not operate during the harsh winter months, we had postponed our trip. With a busy spring and summer, we suddenly realized that with winter approaching once again, the water feature would soon again be off.

Deciding that it was “now or never (or much later)”, we decided to make a day of it and make the long three-hour drive to Bedford in November.

Purchasing our online tickets, we effortlessly made our way past the entrance gates and to the ticket office to check in. Asked to step outside for the arrival of our guide, I walked into the Bobbie G. Johnson Pavilion to admire some of the antique military vehicles.

As prompt as a military man can be, our veteran guide joined us and introduced himself. He then asked for those veterans in the group to identify themselves. Acknowledging those with raised hands, he missed my friend Kathie. It was probably not intentional, as I’m sure he greets more men than women, but it was sad that she was passed over. Thankfully, some around us, realizing the slight, reached over to her and thanked her for her service.

After an introduction to the memorial grounds, he led us past the John Robert “Bob” Slaughter portrait bust and the sculpture Homage, for the sons of Bedford, to the Reynolds Gardens and then we were free to wander the premises on our own.

The Richard S. Reynolds Sr. Gardens are beautifully landscaped and well maintained, with its pattern mimicking the design of the Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force shoulder patch. Here, we discovered the sculpture, The Supreme Commander, which depicts Dwight D. Eisenhower as the Supreme Commander for Operation Overlord. In the dome above him, a mosaic tiled map details plans for the invasion and he is surrounded by busts of his principle subordinates…Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur William Tedder, Deputy Supreme Commander Admiral Sir Bertram H. Ramsay, Allied Naval Commander, Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford L. Leigh-Mallory, Allied Air Forces Commander, Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery, D-Day Assault Commander, Lieutenant General Omar N. Bradley, US 1st Army Commander and Lieutenant General Walter Bedell Smith, Chief of Staff. Along the wall to the north, you can observe monuments honoring the major ground forces that participated in D-Day.

*Dwight D. Eisenhower, The Supreme Commander*

*Monuments honoring the major ground forces that participated in D-Day.*

Making our way up to Elmon T. Grey Plaza, where the floor is divided into five segments (alluding to the five D-Day landing beaches: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword), it is surrounded by bronze plaques bearing the names of the 4,413 Allied service members killed in action on D-Day. The names of United States service members are on the western wall; the names of the other Allied Expeditionary Force members are on the eastern wall. There is an alphabetical register of names inside the Gift Shop.

Finally, we had reached the part of the monument where the water feature was so important. The granite “Higgins Boat”, representing the various landing craft that brought troops from their ships to shore on the morning of D-Day, sits along the “waterfront” and in the shallows lie two “hedgehogs” representing the many obstacles that the Germans had set out to deter the landing craft making their way to shore.

There are many beach sculptures which display troops on various poses of battle, honoring the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice, the hallmark of Operation Overlord. As we looked out over the scene before us, we realized that the sounds we were hearing were that of bullets whizzing by and hitting the water with small explosions. This, along with the cascading falls alongside soldiers scaling the wall, was the water feature that we wanted to experience and it really lent to the authenticity of the encounter.

Making our way to the top of the wall to Robey W. Estes Sr. Plaza, we found the highlight of the memorial, the forty-four-and-a-half foot triumphal arch. The black and white arch was designed to rise to this height to commemorate the date of the D-Day invasion…the sixth day of the sixth month of 1944.

Also in Estes Plaza, which celebrates the success in the Normandy Landing, is the sculpture, Final Tribute, the inverted rifle topped with a helmet, which salutes the more than 4,400 Allied Members of the Expeditionary Forces. You can spot the National D-Day Memorial seal inscribed on the floor beneath the arch.

Making our way past the arch to the Edward R. Stettinius Jr. Parade which shows the liberations expansion from the beaches to Paris and beyond, we encountered Le Monument aux Morts, created by French sculptor Edmond de Laheudrie in memory of the forty-four men of Trevieres, France who died in World War I. The original statue was struck in the head and disfigured. It was re-cast and serves as a reminder of peace and victory. We also crossed the path of The Purple Heart Monument which stands in the shadow of the garrison flag. It is dedicated to those who received the Purple Heart for their service on D-Day. Flying overhead are the flags of the twelve nations of the AEF in an arch along the exterior of Estes Plaza.

A couple of other items of interest on the premises is the aircraft on the western side of Estes Plaza which pays tribute to the more than 11,000 aircraft which flew in support of the D-Day operations and the Gold Star Families Memorial, which pays tribute to parents, children, spouses and siblings of those who died in service to their nation at any point in our nation’s history.

While our visit wasn’t a lengthy one, it was one that stirred up a lot of emotions for not only myself, but for my friend Kathie who had devoted some time in her life to our nation’s military. Though she never saw combat, I am sure that it brought to mind the possibilities that she could have faced, should war have been declared at that time.

At this time of so much uncertainty, we need to pray for those fighting in the world to maintain their freedoms, for those who have lost their lives and those that will. Their families will never forget them. Neither should the world.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

National D-Day Memorial

https://www.dday.org/
Address: 3 Overlord Circle, Bedford, Virginia 24523
Hours: 1000-1700, daily. Closed Mondays December through February. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Memorial closes at noon on New Year’s Eve.
Admission: Adults, $12.00 ($10.00 online), Veteran (not WWII), $10.00 ($8.00), WWII veterans and active-duty military, free, Students (https://www.dday.org/
Address:
Hours: 1000-1700, daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. The Memorial closes at noon on New Year’s Eve.
Admission: Adults, $12.00 ($10.00 online), Veteran (not WWII), $10.00 ($8.00 online), WWII veterans and active-duty military, free, Students (ages 6-18 or older with college ID), $8.00 ($6.00 online), Children (under age 6), free. Thomas Jefferson’s Poplar Forest/D-Day Memorial Combo Ticket, $20, includes admission and tour at both sites, which may be visited on separate dates.
Getting There: From Richmond, 360 west to 460 west; Follow signs to Lynchburg and Bedford. Take 2nd Bedford Exit. Take a right off of the exit onto Burks Hill Road. Take the next left at the Bedford Area Welcome Center for ticket purchases. Total distance – approximately 143 miles. Or, 64 west to 81 south; take exit 150 to Alternate 220; Follow signs to 460 (Lynchburg and Bedford) and take a left onto 460 east. Travel approximately 25 minutes and take the 122 exit. Take a left off of the exit and proceed through the stoplight. Take an immediate left at the Bedford Area Welcome Center for ticket purchases. From Roanoke, 460 east to Route 122 north. Take the 122 exit. Take a left off of the exit and proceed through the stoplight. Take an immediate left at the Bedford Area Welcome Center for ticket purchases. Total distance-approximately 27 miles.

Here In the Venetian Isles

When I began thinking about writing this post, the first things that popped into my head was the song from Gilligan’s Island.

Just sit right back and you hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip…

While we were on a three hour tour (or pretty close) and we kind of had a skipper and a first mate (the two who planned the tour). The only things in common with Gilligan’s outing was that we were taking a boat and heading to some islands, but we were praying that it would not be a fateful trip! Thankfully, it was anything but, however, there were some times I was doubtful.

Although I had been to the Venetian island of Murano, many years ago, I had never made it to any of the others. When approached by some of my friends about taking a tour that his wife had set up, I instantly agreed. It sounded like a day of sun and fun! It also ended up being a day with a few challenges!

Finding out where our boat would be picking us up was the first challenge. We wondered if we had walked over the bridge to the wrong location, but after some pacing, self-doubt and frantic internet searches, we saw the boat sidling up to the pier…a few minutes late.

Making our way across the gangplank, we were on our way.

First stop, Murano.

The ride across the Venetian Lagoon was not long, however, we were fortunate that one of us had the forethought to bring a small ice chest filled with champagne and beer…you know…to pass the time. Now, whether this was allowed or not…I can only say that we were not asked to stop and we even shared with some other tourists!

A couple of drinks later, I noticed that the lighthouse at the entrance to the harbor of Murano was growing closer. Making our way into the main canal, the boat eventually pulled up to the pier, allowing us to disembark. We were ushered into one of the many glassmaking studios to witness a glassblowing demonstration, which I remembered from my first visit. After its completion, I made my way along the canal boardwalk. Peering into the many Venetian glass shops, I admired the artistry, resisting the temptation to pull out my wallet and bring home a few colorful pieces.

Keeping up my walk and an eye on the time, my internal radar led me to…what else? A church. The Renaissance church of Santa Maria degli Angeli was built in 1188 and then rebuilt in 1529. Though it was not open, I was able to make my way throughout the property and admire the exterior architecture.

Returning to the banks of the Canale degli Angeli, I strolled along, photographing and admiring the beauty of the day and my surroundings. The last time I had been here, was during winter. Bitterly cold, we had only concentrated on a few shops that day and one of the glassblowing demonstrations. In the bright sunshine of this summer day, the buildings were distinctive and the water sparkled. It was much more stunning than I had remembered.

I spotted my companions up ahead near the Ponte Longo Lino Toffolo (bridge). Pausing for some quick photos, we then ran back to the meeting point to depart on our boat for the next island, Torcello.

A short ride later, with some additional drinks and snacks picked up in Murano, we were arriving at the island’s pier. Time was limited and I wanted to see as much as I could. While my travel companions opted to take a seat at one of the restaurants to have another drink, I headed to the 7th century Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. A small line snaked from the entrance, so I opted to only enter the Byzantine Church of Santa Fosca and walk the grounds of the church and the Museo Provinciale di Torcello.

*Grounds of* *Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta*

As in Murano, time was limited and I made sure to leave enough for the long walk back to the pier, so as not to miss our boat’s departure. Running into one of my colleagues, we quickly walked to the gangplank, however, not seeing our other companions, whom he had left earlier at the restaurant, we begged the guide to wait a few more minutes. Running to the corner, we did not see them and quickly made the decision that we would miss the boat if they did not show. Finally, they came strolling around the corner! Thankfully, the boat had waited and we all hastily hopped on board, ready for Burano.

Thankful that we had all made it and didn’t have to figure out our own way to Burano or back to Venice, I eagerly anticipated our next stop. Burano, is the island that I was most excited for. Over the years, I had seen pictures and always planned for a trip. Usually arriving into Venice at mid-day, it was always a bit tough to make it to the ferry and over to Burano and back, so I had never made it a priority. Today, even with limited time on the tour, I planned to squeeze in as much as I could so that maybe on a future visit, I would be more prepared.

That first views of the colorful buildings of Burano was unlike anything I had ever imagined. Set against the bright blue sky, they were absolutely breathtaking! Deciding to stick together this time, the four of us headed along the banks of the canals and through the small alleyways that make up the island…well, until we lost one at a bar! Deciding to pick him up on our way back to the boat, we set out to explore more of the colorful fisherman’s village.

Striped curtains covered doorways, allowing both ventilation, privacy and a quaint charm. Many of the buildings offered Moorish influences and small bridges spanned the canals. We learned that that any person wishing to paint their building in Burano have to follow a specific system and submit a request to the government which, in turn, issues a permit for certain colors to allow for variety and yet, consistency.

While Murano is known for its glass making, Burano is known for its lace. There were many shops featuring the beautiful lace that the island is famous for. Lacemaking was started in the 16th century and continues today, although only a few lace makers create it in the traditional way. Beautiful examples of traditional lace and demonstrations can be found at the Lace Museum in the palace of Podesta of Torcello, though we only opted to admire the artistry from the shops lining the canal.

We spotted Burano’s leaning tower, located near the San Martino Church. Dating back to the 16th century, Il Campanile Storto tilts severely and can be viewed from many points throughout the island, including the nearby Piazza di Galuppi. While I had hoped to visit The Chapel of Santa Barbara and a few other notable landmarks, we had to make do with walking down the nearby main street and grabbing some refreshing gelato before seeking out our mislaid companion.

While he wasn’t where we initially left him, with a little luck, we found him otherwise engaged in conversation on a bench with a local, before we dragged him back to the boat!

Finally, our tour of the three islands completed, we headed back to Venice. with the sun falling lower in the evening sky. A magical day, I was happy with all that I had seen and that it was a day that I did not have to plan. Although my colleagues may have been a bit challenged with getting to the boat on time, we had made it back to Venice in time for dinner.

All four of us…the skipper, the first mate, Mr. Howell and me, the movie star…okay…okay…Mary Ann.

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Getting to Murano, Burano or Torcello

http://www.venice-guide.info/Water_Bus_Lines_Venice.php
There are many tours available which visit the three sister islands. Check with your hotel or a quick internet search will point you in the right direction.
Take a water bus or vaporetto. Line 3: Express line between bus station and main station to Murano (Non Stop), journey time about 20 minutes. Line 7: Direct lines between San Marco and Murano. Line 7 runs from the south of Venice to the island of Murano in the north of Venice. Line 12: From Venice to the islands of Murano, Burano, Torcello and Mazzorbo from Fondamente Nove. Line 13: From Venice to the islands of Murano, Vignole and Sant Erasmo. Line 14: From San Marco to Lido, Punta Sabbioni and Burano.
Fares: 24 hour unlimited fare, 24€, 12 hour unlimited fare, 18€. One way fare, 7.50€.

Ted Obsessed!

Last fall, while attending my friend’s annual Halloween party, I was stumped.

While most people’s costumes are easily identifiable, there was one group’s that was not.

All dressed in blue and red sweats, one of the girls had a mustache and a whistle. I assumed she was some sports figure, but I had no idea which and neither did my husband.

A few beers later, I finally had the courage to admit to “mustache girl” that I could not figure out what her costume was all about. Ted Lasso. We still did not know who that was, since we did not have Apple TV and strangely enough, neither of us had never seen any ads for the television series either. It was totally off our radar!

Ted Lasso virgins…yes we were!

A couple of months later, while perusing my subscriptions, I discovered that we had been signed up for an Apple TV trial. I didn’t remember doing this and planned to cancel…until I remembered Ted Lasso. I decided to hold off, because maybe, just maybe, we could watch it…but only after we had finished watching Game of Thrones (yes, we were very late to that game too!).

Once the Nightwalkers had been defeated and Daenerys’ dragon had wreaked havoc upon King’s Landing, my husband and I needed a new series to watch together. Impatiently, we flipped through, Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Showtime and HBO, realizing how different our tastes are, until I remembered that we had not canceled that Apple TV subscription.

It was a Saturday afternoon and we were toying with the idea of getting dressed and going out to dinner. With a little time to kill, we decided to see what Ted Lasso was all about. The episodes were pretty short…we could get one in to get the gist of it.

Eight episodes later, with some Chinese takeout for dinner, we were hooked.

While watching Ted walk near his apartment, I wondered (out loud) where the show was filmed. The little square and the pub near Ted’s flat were so picturesque! My husband suggested that since I would be in London that week, I should look it up. With a few clicks on Google, I easily found the location! Richmond…only 9 stops from my hotel!

Needless to say, Sunday afternoon was spent finishing Season One and beginning Season Two. Obsessed was what you could now call us!

Arriving to a beautiful morning in London two days later, I took a quick nap and headed to catch the tube’s District line to Richmond. My Google map on my phone was marked with the location of the pub that Ted frequents, Richmond green and some other interesting locations in the area.

Forty-five minutes later, I was walking out of the Richmond transit station and down the road toward my destination. Turning onto Golden Court, I spied Richmond Green up ahead and on the corner, to my left, the Prince’s Head pub, the location of Ted’s and other character’s favorite hangout, called The Crown and Anchor on the show. Exiting onto the lovely small square, complete with red telephone booths, I couldn’t believe that just a week before, I had no idea that any of this existed!

Spotting the small alleyway to the left of the pub, I realized that this is where Ted’s apartment is located. Because of some prior research, I had learned that although his apartment on the show is number 9 1/2, it is, in actuality, a small shop with a different number! Paved Court is a quaint little pedestrian street, filled with colorful doorways, shops and an ideal place for having a coffee or grabbing some empanadas from Chango’s…perfect for my lunch the next day.

Crossing the street toward Richmond Green, where Ted and Coach Beard watch the local children play soccer, I spotted a sign which informed me that a couple of the buildings, that I had marked on my map, were part of the Richmond Palace, just across the street. The Richmond Palace was a royal residence during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries and replaced the former royal residence of Sheen. Only nine miles from the Palace of Westminster, it was built in 1501 by Henry VII of England. Henry VIII lived in the palace, until moving to Hampton Court Palace, as well as his fourth wife, Anne of Cleves (after their divorce). Not much of Richmond Palace remains, however, after walking through the old gate into the Old Palace Yard, I spotted the Old Gate House, The Trumpeter’s Lodge and the Trumpeter’s House. All of the remaining structures are private residences and not open to the public.

*Old Richmond Palace, the Trumpeter’s House and the Trumpeter’s Lodge*

Following signs pointing to the river, I was in search of the area where Ted Lasso characters Keeley and Roy walked for their first date. As I neared the banks of the Thames, I realized how high the water was. The sun was low in the sky, creating an amazing setting, so I decided to stroll along the walkway towards the Richmond War Memorial. The water was over the banks and lapping along the walkway and I noticed a gentleman peering over the adjacent fence.

“You can’t go that way”.

“Hmmm? Me?”

“Yes, it’s blocked.”

I noticed the water had covered part of the walkway up ahead but a few people were walking my way from that direction. I decided to ignore this man, who, no doubt was giving me false information. Pretending to study my phone, I continued forward, until the three gentleman reached me.

“It’s blocked. The water is really high and you won’t make it unless you swim!”

So, he wasn’t lying!

As I turned around, I realized how fast the water was rising! Now covering the walkway entirely, I had a bit of a problem. The guys tried to run through the grass, not understanding how high the water was there as well, so I just popped off my shoes and waded through freezing ankle deep waters. Thank goodness I never fell off the Titanic, because I could barely walk back to Old Palace Lane. That water felt like piercing needles!

Frozen feet needed to be defrosted! Back to the Prince’s Head I went and secured a table in the front near the bar. Ordering a Guinness, I watched as a CNN crew disassembled their equipment in the corner and some of the pub regulars wondered aloud if they were there to promote the show. Though I desperately wanted to ask the bartender a billion questions, I also didn’t want to appear as a tourist, which was probably harder to disguise than I thought.

*The Prince’s Head pub, a.k.a. The Crown and Anchor*

The Guinness was delicious, warmed me to the core and rested my feet enough to head…the long way around…back to the Richmond War Memorial.

Taking Paved Court, I headed to King Street and then back to Petersham Road, taking a turn at the Museum of Richmond and the Old Town Hall. The Richmond War Memorial, located higher up (thank goodness) on the banks of the Thames was unveiled on November 23, 1921 and is dedicated to those local individuals who died fighting in World Wars I and II.

*Richmond Riverfront area near the Richmond War Memorial*

Though I would have loved to have visited one of the many restaurants along the riverfront, prior plans had to take me back in London!

Two weeks have passed since my visit to Richmond. I am watching the final episode of Season 2. My husband probably regrets reminding me that I would be in London after our foray into Ted Lasso Land. I keep pointing out the locations that I saw…the exact table I sat at at the Prince’s Head was where Ted, Keeley, Rebecca and her mother sat during lunch…Ted and Coach Beard walking past Chango’s…those were delectable empanadas!

If you are a Ted Lasso fan…well…you know what to do!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

The Prince’s Head

Address: 28 The Green, Richmond TW9 1LX, United Kingdom
Hours: 1200-2300, Monday through Saturday, 1200-2230, Sunday
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

The Old Richmond Palace

Address: Richmond TW9 1PA, United Kingdom
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

Richmond War Memorial

Address: Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1EH, United Kingdom
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

Chango’s Empanadas

Address: 3 Paved Court, Richmond TW9 1LZ, United Kingdom
Hours: 1000-1900, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: London Metro, District Line towards Richmond.

Star Attractions

Palm Springs… The desert get away for Hollywood stars!

Many years ago, Palm Springs became the place for Hollywood’s rich and famous could escape to enjoy the warm dry climate and leave behind the gossip columnist watchful eyes. Only 107 miles from Los Angeles, it became a safe haven where numerous stars bought homes, including Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Lillian Gish, John and Lionel Barrymore, Bing Crosby, Errol Flynn, Robert Wagner, Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope.

While today, the city still hosts many stars, it is now more popularly known as the Golf Capital of the World. You may see the occasional star, especially during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival or while they seek nearby vacation hotspots, but the most reliable places to catch them is in the downtown area.

Okay, maybe not in the flesh, but they’re essence… In the forms of statues and stars!

Head over to the Palm Springs Art Museum to get a glimpse of Marilyn Monroe. The Forever Marilyn statue, designed by Seward Johnson, is a representation of one of the most famous images of Marilyn Monroe from the 1955 film The Seven Year Itch. Standing 26 feet tall and weighing 24,000 pounds, the statue was first displayed on Chicago’s Magnificent Mile and was then moved to Palm Springs in 2012. Two years later, it was relocated to Hamilton, New Jersey at the Grounds For Sculpture an2015, then sent to Bendigo Australia sword guard gallery until 2017 and then to downtown Stamford Connecticut for an exhibit station honoring the works of Seward Johnson . In 2019, it finally returned to Palm Springs where it now remains a permanent fixture, seemingly mooning the art museum. Although it is caused quite a stir it attracts thousands of visitors, hoping to get an Instagram worthy photo while standing beneath her bellowing skirts.

A short distance away, on South Palm Canyon Drive, fans can visit the statue of the late singer (of Sonny and Cher fame), mayor and United States representative, Sonny Bono. Judging from the shiny nose (rubbed for luck) and legs (lots of sitting in his lap), thousands of visitors flock to pay their respects to the savvy businessman, entertainer, politician, and great mayor who worked hard to put the city back on the map and elevate its status.

While statues are great remembrances, downtown Palm Springs also has its own Walk of the Stars, much like Hollywood’s. Over 400 celebrity’s stars line Palm Canyon Drive, Museum Way and Tahquitz Canyon Way, including Liberace, Elizabeth Taylor, Elvis Presley, Sonny Bono, Frank Sinatra, Presidents of the United States, literary figures, pioneers, tribal leaders, humanitarians and hundreds more. Established in 1992, the first induction ceremony was held in February of that year and the most recent, February of this year.

If you are a fan of Hollywood’s elite and in Palm Springs, take a bit of time to check out these star attractions!

For more pictures, check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Forever Marilyn

Address: Palm Springs Art Museum, 101 North Museum Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

Sonny Bono Statue

Address: 155 South Canyon Drive, Palm Springs, California 92262
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

Palm Springs Walk of Stars

http://palmsprings.com
Address: Palm Canyon Drive, Tahquitz Canyon Way, Museum Drive, downtown Palm Springs
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

What Goes Up…Must Come Down, Part Two

I love airplanes.

Well, obviously…I am a flight attendant, after all!

My job is performed on airplanes, I travel for pleasure on them, I enjoy seeing them in museum settings and especially love seeing them in action, no matter if they are modern or antique. They are all works of art and feats of engineering. The Wright Brothers imagined that they could take us up high into the atmosphere, show us the world from another viewpoint and bring us back down again safely. They did and continue to do so.

What is even cooler is that my husband loves airplanes too! Could you imagine if he was afraid to fly? No…definitely would never have worked out!

On a trip to Palm Springs, there was only one day that I would have to spend with my husband, since he was actually there for work. Although there were lots of things in the area to enjoy, I wanted to make sure that we participated in something that we could enjoy together. Visit a church? No, I have probably dragged him to enough churches to last him a lifetime! Go to the top of a mountain? Check out some airplanes? Yes to both!

The Palm Springs Air Museum fit the bill. Perfect for me. And. Perfect for him!

The idea for Palm Springs Air Museum was conceived in 1993 from the minds of three men, Charlie Mayer, Pete Madison and Dr. Mort Gubin during a break from an airport commission meeting. Since they knew various people with World War II airplane collections, they wondered why they just couldn’t have a museum to house a collection in Palm Springs.

After years of working with contacts and volunteers, construction was started in February 1996 and the Museum opened to the public on November 11, 1996. Two hangers were initially built to house the collection, a third, opened in 1999 and a fourth opened in May of 2017.

A simple idea during a meeting break has led to a Palm Springs venue which attracts over 100,000 visitors annually. The museum houses over 59 vintage flying and static aircraft, the Berger Foundation Youth Exploration Center, the Berger Foundation Classroom Annex, the General Ken Miles Science Center, an upstairs Library and Education Center with over 9,200 volumes (many primary source materials), a Community Room, Theater and tons of wall exhibits. Over the years, the museum has also hosted temporary exhibits and visiting aircraft such as the only flying B-29, the AVTT Vietnam Wall Memorial, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum Bob Hope Exhibit, Ansel Adams’ Photos of Manzanar and the Salute to WW2 Flying Tigers in China.

Spotting the museum’s amazing outdoor collection of aircraft while landing at the Palm Springs Airport on my arrival into the city, I made up my mind, then and there, that this was the one of the places that I would bring my husband. With our visit to the top of Mount Jacinto complete during the morning, we headed to Gene Autry Boulevard and parked in the parking lot amidst many aircraft on display in front of the museum. Saving these for later, we paid our admission, we were then greeted warmly by one of the volunteers and given a map of the premises. With so much to see, we decided to start with the first hanger and discover something new and exciting at each turn.

While it would be tedious and, to be honest, a bit boring, to try and describe everything we encountered, I will tell you about a few of the things I enjoyed most.

The short documentary describing the German prisoners which were kept in Texas during World War II.

The countless airplane models housed throughout the museum in glass cases along the walls and in the middle of the hangers.

The many military uniforms on display.

Staring up at the A-5 Release Bomb Rack while standing under the plane.

The automotive collections.

The outdoor collection.

The “named” aircraft.

Seeing the F-117 Nighthawk.

Sitting in the cockpit of US Air Force Roadrunner.

Seeing the “movie-famous” leer jet seen in The In-Laws, Airport 1975 (1974), Any Which Way You Can (1980) and Dragnet (1987) among others.

Playing with the in-flight simulators in the Library and Education Center. This by far was my favorite and in case we ever have an emergency on one of my flights where the flight attendants have to land because something has happened to our pilots…well, let’s just say that I can’t do it! My time on the simulator proved that we would be doomed if left up to me!

Learning about my husband’s extensive aircraft knowledge. The most educational part of our afternoon, however, was learning how much my husband knew about these planes. Spouting off facts and figures about so many of the aircraft on display, I finally had to ask him how he knew all of this. When he was a boy, his favorite things to do was build model airplanes and watch World War II movies and television shows (remember Hogan’s Heroes?)! Well, just when you think you know everything about your spouse!

*Aircraft and monuments in the front of the museum.*

We both spent a wonderful afternoon, sometimes losing each other in the vast hangers, each preoccupied with the things that interested us most. The idea that Charlie Mayer, Pete Madison and Dr. Mort Gubin dreamed of was one that probably evolved more than they ever imagined and I was proud to see many veterans walking through the premises.

A popular museum for not only visitor’s to the area, but it also hosts many functions throughout the year for various conventions and other private events.

That evening, while my husband was talking to a colleague about our outing that day, he discovered that his work function’s cocktail party, the next night, was going to be held…

At the Palm Spring Air Museum!

More fun for him!

For more pictures check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Palm Spring Air Museum

https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/
Address: 745 North Gene Autry Trail, Palm Springs, California 92262
Hours: 1000 to 1700, daily
Admission: Adults, $20, Seniors, Veterans, Retired Military, Teenagers (ages 13-17), $18, Active Duty & immediate family (significant other + children), free with ID, Children 12 and under with paying adult, Free.

What Goes Up…Must Come Down, Part One

Our plans for the day included two things…

Mount Jacinto and the Palm Springs Air Museum. Fitting to combine them since both involve going high up into the atmosphere and then returning back to terra firma…and in the case of some of these aircraft…permanently!

If you are ever interested in heading to Mount Jacinto, REMEMBER…it is at a much higher altitude! Even if people are wearing shorts in the downtown area, when you get to the aerial tram parking lot, you’ll see lots of people in heavy jackets and snow clothes during the winter months. We had planned semi-accordingly, and I will say that because although I had brought a warm jacket, I had worn tennis shoes with short socks! When I stepped out of the car and walked to the aerial tram station, my ankles were asking “why” and we weren’t even to the top yet!

The idea for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway was conceived in 1935 by Francis Crocker, a young electrical engineer. During the heat of the day on a visit to Banning, California, he looked up at the snow-capped peak of Mount San Jacinto and wished that he were able to go there “where it was nice and cool.” With the assistance of O. Earl Coffman, Francis Crocker set out to make this desire a reality. Construction of the tramway, in the rugged Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs, was finally started (after countless roadblocks) in 1961.

Engineers were challenged to overcome the jagged terrain by the use of helicopters in the erection of four of the five supporting towers, with only the first able to be reached by road. Twenty-three thousand helicopter missions, twenty-six months of construction and hundreds of workers resulted in the the completion of the towers and the 35,000 square foot Mountain Station, after two years of strenuous labor.

On September 12, 1963, local and state dignitaries and countless celebrities took the tram’s inaugural ride to the Mount Jacinto’s peak with Francis Crocker occasionally riding along, giving a narration of the construction process and of course, so that he could go “where it was nice and cool.”

Since we had not purchased our tickets online, we easily purchased them at the Valley Station ticket counter and then waited for our timed boarding process to begin. Stepping out of the rear of the station, we gazed up at the miniscule Johnson Falls cascading down on the rocky face before spotting the signs warning of rattlesnakes in the area…back inside for us!

In the small Tramway History Museum (after searching fruitlessly for socks in the gift shop), we watched a film on the tram’s construction process and regarded the photographs which documented this feat of engineering until an announcement was made regarding our boarding.

After a few minutes wait in an anteroom, the doors were opened and we were allowed to board the tram car. As in any case such as this, passengers jockeyed for position to be sure to get the foremost and lowest windows, but as the tram began its ascent, we realized that during the 1998 modernization project, the cars had been updated. These new cars became the largest rotating cars in the world offering all passengers the most spectacular views, regardless of where they stood in the car, during its two complete revolutions on its ten minute, 2.5 mile ride.

As we ascended toward the peak on this clear, sunny day, we were fortunate to have outstanding views of the rocky Chino Canyon and the desert plains of the Coachella Valley. An exhilarating ride, we delighted in the grand perspective and even the swinging of the car as its arm passed atop each tower…something my husband who is terrified of heights was dreading.

Exiting into the Mountain Station, at an elevation of 8,516 feet, we took some time to take in the views from two of its observation decks, while we stepped around the newly fallen snowdrifts. Yes, my ankles were extremely cold at this point!

*Mountain Valley Station* *Observation Deck Views*

Finally, a walk down the paved trail behind the station, led us to the trails of the state park. Deciding to follow Desert View trail into the park proved to be a bit difficult at times due to the snow and icy conditions, but we persevered, despite me falling down hard at one point. No broken bones, but we got some great photos, built a small snowman, watched families have a great time sledding down the small hills and learned about some of the trees and wildlife of the area through the park’s signage. It is easy to imagine that it must be quite lovely here during the summer months!

Once back inside the (much warmer) Mountain Station, we browsed the wildlife exhibits and watched another movie about the tram’s construction until it was time to make our way down to the Valley Station. Here, we realized how smart it was to make the start of our day an early one. Whereas we had entered the station and walked directly to the counter to purchase our tickets, we now discovered a line stretching from the counter, outside, down the steps and onto the sidewalk. And…while we had parked directly in front of the station, cars were then being directed to one of many parking lots only accessible by trolley.

Whew! Hard to get up in the morning, but worth the effort!

Best part of getting up so early…we had time to have lunch downtown and then head to the Palm Springs Aviation Museum! Another trip to the clouds…well sort of!

For more pictures, check out Facebook Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe.

Mount Jacinto Aerial Tram

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/sbnf/recreation/hiking/recarea/?recid=74226&actid=50
https://pstramway.com/
Address: 1 Tram Way Palm Springs, California 92262
Hours: Monday through Friday, First Tram up 10:00 am, Last Tram up 4:30 pm, Last Tram down 6:00 pm. Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, First Tram up 8:00 am, Last Tram up 4:30 pm, Last Tram down 6:00 pm
Admission: Adults, $28.95, Children (ages 3-10), $16.95, Seniors (65+), $26.95. Tickets can be purchased online, however, if online tickets are sold-out for any day, tickets are still available, but can only be purchased on the day of your visit at the Tram’s Valley Station.
Getting There: From Downtown Palm Springs, head east on E. Tahquitz Canyon Way toward E Tahquitz Canyon Way, turning left onto N. Calle Encilia. Turn left onto E. Alejo Road and then right onto N. Indian Canyon Drive. Turn left onto E. Stevens Road and then right at the first cross street onto N. Palm Canyon Drive. Pas by 7-Eleven and then take a left onto Tramway Road. Destination will be on the right.