photography – Page 7 – Snapping The Globe

Wondrous Windmills

While driving along Interstate 10, through the San Gorgonio Mountain Pass in the San Bernadino Mountains, you can’t miss the white giants.

The windmills.

While I was not interested in doing a formal tour, of which many different ones are offered, I did want to see these colossal turbines from a little closer perspective.

First encountering the windmills while driving along Indian Canyon Drive and heading to Joshua Tree National Park, I marveled at their size and stark contrast to the barren desert landscape. Since I did not have the time to stop and photograph the rows of white windmills at the time, I vowed to find a place to pull-off of the road on my way back and again, the next morning, for varying looks and lighting.

The Palm Springs wind farm was opened in 1982 and was destined to harness the natural wind from the San Gorgonio Pass, the gap between Southern California’s two highest mountains, a natural wind tunnel. Winds here have reached 80 miles per hour and generate enough power for 300,000 homes in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

The windmills were installed at a cost of $300,000 each and are two-bladed turbines that require wind speeds of at least 13 miles per hour. They stand 328 feet tall and their blades are as long as half of an American football field (150 feet)!

As I had vowed, upon my return to Palm Springs that afternoon, I pulled onto a side road and captured an amazing photo with the sun slinking down behind the mountains. It was a spectacular sight!

The next morning, with the bright early sun aiming from the opposite direction as the previous day, I realized the opportunity for contrastive photographs. While traveling on Indian Canyon Road, just before Interstate 10, I spotted a sandy road with a sign directing travelers to the Amtrak Station. An empty parking lot gave me ample opportunity to gaze out at these skyward reaching towers adjacent to the station.

A short distance past the interstate, there were numerous side roads upon which I was able to pull my car onto and take more photographs. Although I wasn’t able to get extremely close, learn about the area’s geology, the development, design and evolution of wind turbines or see some of the older models or some of the windmill tops on the ground in the equipment yard as you would during one of the formal tours, I think that the drive through many of the back roads gave me the photo opportunities that I was seeking. There’s always Google for everything else, right?

While I enjoyed these spectacular views, they seemed quite familiar. I knew that I had seen countless older-styled windmills in the Netherlands and occasionally new ones such as these, but I had seen these particular ones and this landscape somewhere else.

Mission Impossible 3, with Tom Cruise was shot in this area. Remember the helicopter chase?

Go chase’em on your own or with a tour! Worth seeing!

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Palm Springs Wind Farms

https://www.palmsprings.com/attractions/windmills/
Address: Adjacent to Highway 111 and the I-10 Freeway just northwest of Palm Springs.
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free. Tours available with various operators for assorted prices.

Short End of the…Tree

When planning my trip to Palm Springs, I was rattling off a list of some of the places and attractions that I had hoped to visit.

While I am pretty adept at discovering everything there is to see and do in a city, I had missed one.

Joshua Tree National Park.

It was my middle son who mentioned that I should venture out into the desert to see this national treasure.

Elevated to National Park status in 1994, Joshua Tree is located one hour east of Palm Springs and approximately three hours from San Diego, Los Angeles and Phoenix…very easy to get to one of the park’s three entrances from any of these cities.

About a year ago, I had visited the Badlands National Park. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had with each part of the park offering something totally different and I expected the same thing from Joshua Tree.

Dating back to 1936, when Minerva Hoyt, a Pasadena resident tirelessly worked to protect the cacti and other plants of the area, 825,000 acres were set aside as the Joshua Tree National Monument. With its large population of Joshua trees…the tree that mid-19th century Mormons believed to look like the biblical figure Joshua with his outstretched arms (tree’s limbs) guiding them westward…visitors are reminded through exhibits within its Visitor Centers of the role it played in helping homesteaders succeed in building and establishing their new lands. Well paved roads, scenic overlooks and well-maintained trails attract those near and far…Joshua Tree National Park brings in over two million visitors from all over the world each year.

*Joshua Tree National Park Visitor Center*

While of course, I expected to see a LOT of Joshua Trees…I wasn’t sure what else I might see.

Probably desert.

Probably rocks.

Probably trails.

Yes, they were all there. But as beautiful as the scenery was, I expected a little more.

Okay, you can hate me for that. But…I kept remembering the Badlands with its spires, its rainbow colored hills, its bison herds, Prairie Dog town, thousands of valley overlooks.

There is no doubt that I thought it a stunning and diverse place and I enjoyed the few hours we spent there. And…maybe that was the problem. We only spent about four hours in total driving through the park, as my travel companions had to be back in Palm Springs for an event later in the day. We made the most of our time in the park, examining the exhibits at the Joshua Tree Visitor Center near the West Entrance, climbing the rocks at Hidden Valley, gazing out of the Coachella Valley from Keys View, a little hiking at the Hall of Horrors and a longer hike to Skull Rock from Jumbo Rocks campground before exiting at the North Entrance near Twenty Nine Palms…all while constantly keeping an eye on our progress through the park and on our watches.

*Our first views of Joshua Tree National Park after the West Entrance Station.*

Those four hours paled in comparison to my entire day in the Badlands. There, I was one of a handful in the park due to it being extremely cold that winter day and I was alone in my car. Don’t ever discount being alone in a National Park! While I chose to not do any lengthy hikes because I was solo, I did do some short ones and I stopped whenever and wherever I felt like it to take thousands of photos! There was nothing keeping me from returning to Rapid City except the darkness at the end of the day.

SO…would I go back to Joshua Tree? Yes, absolutely! But this time with much more time to explore! It is a great place to enjoy hiking, camping and the great outdoors. It’s perfect for solo adventurers, groups and even for families! Much like us, children will love spotting formations in the rocks that looks like other things.

*Yep…I won’t highlight this one. Definitely not for children!*

I feel a little like I got the short end of the stick…er…tree.

Next time, I want to have sufficient time to truly experience this natural wonder, see some of the historical places in the park like the Kellogg House and Keys Ranch, hike to the Wall Street Mill and Desert Queen Mine and go back to see the fascinating Skull Rock…but this time, do it the easy way…park along the road and walk the few feet to the rock! Next time, I want to stay in the Yucca Valley so that I would be near the entrances for an early start. Next time I want to visit the Cholla Cactus Garden!

Next time!

Next time…more time!!!

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Joshua Tree National Park

https://www.nps.gov/jotr
Address: 74485 National Park Drive, Twentynine Palms, California 92277-3597
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: Single, non-commercial vehicles, $30 (7-day permit). Motorcycles, $25 (7-day permit). Individual on foot or bike, $15 (7-day permit). Joshua Tree National Park Annual Pass, $55, valid for 12 months from the month of purchase and covers the entrance fee for the signee and accompanying passengers entering in a single, non-commercial vehicle. Can be purchased at park entrance stations and visitor centers.

The Unwanted Christ

Some of the best times are to be had at of the most prominent attractions in certain cities.

Would you ever visit Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower?

But sometimes, it’s the lesser-known attractions that beckon me. Yes, I would never miss the Eiffel Tower, but you’ll also find me at the Sewer Museum…did you even know there was one in Paris?

After a day of driving around Joshua Tree National Park, I was searching for something else to occupy my time. There were many attractions to experience in the Palm Springs area, but I had learned of a quirky attraction out in the desert.

The Desert Christ Park.

From Palm Springs, it is a short drive along Highway 62 to Yucca Valley, the town named after the yucca palm or as many know it, the Joshua Tree. Not far from the main road, I found the park’s entrance next to the Living Hope Church.

While most people (like myself), imagine that the park is affiliated with the church next door, I learned very quickly that it is not.

After parking my car, I discovered a park volunteer sitting at a picnic table painting bricks with names. Friendly and welcoming, she directed me to the kiosk to learn a bit about the park’s history, however, quite the talkative individual, she gave me a brief overview.

Desert Christ Park was established in 1951 with the collaboration of Reverend Eddie Garver and sculptor, Antone Martin. Martin, an engineer from Inglewood, California, decided to create statues of Christ out of steel-reinforced concrete. After designing a 10-foot, five ton “resurrected Christ” he planned to install it on the rim of the Grand Canyon as a symbol of peace to all mankind…the government decided otherwise. Searching for an alternate location, he was offered a place on Reverend Garver’s five acres on the southern facing slope of the valley. Since the Reverend’s vision was to create a Christian-themed park, this was the first step in achieving that dream.

The “unwanted” Resurrected Christ was brought to its current location one week before Easter in 1951 and the Desert Christ Park was dedicated on Easter Sunday. More snow-white sculptures, portraying scenes of Christ’s life and teachings, followed during the next ten years, including a three-story, 125-ton facade depicting the Last Supper. While the first three statues (the “unwanted” Christ, the Tomb and the Last Supper) were placed in the area behind what is now the Living Hope Church, the remaining statues were relocated next door to the present day park.

After finishing my conversation with the nice volunteer, I made my way through the park, enjoying each of the setting’s statues. The pearl-colored effigies against the bright azure sky and yellow desert sand were a stark contrast, yet, as I stood amongst them, I realized how quiet and peaceful the entire environment was. Only the sound of birds in the trees, their branches brimming with small, hanging birdhouses, filled the air, until the crunch of sand beneath my feet sounded as I walked between the scenarios.

**The Last Supper**
Matthew 26:17-30
*When the evening came of Christ’s last supper, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.”*

**Garden Of Gethsemane**
*In the “Garden of Gethsemane,” on the hillside, Jesus kneels in prayer before his crucifixion, while his disciples Peter, James, and John slept.*

**Samaritan Woman At The Well**
John 4:4-26
Jesus reveals himself to the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well.

**Sermon On The Mount**
Matthew 5:1-16
*This is the most famous sermon Jesus gave including his teachings.*

**Blessing Of The Children**
Mark 10:13-16
*Jesus took the children in his arms, put his hand upon them and blessed them.*

**Let The Children Come To Me**
Mark 10:13-16
People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

**Jesus Visits With Mary And Martha**
Luke 10:38-42
Jesus visited; Mary listened to Jesus while Martha prepared food. Martha complained about doing so much while Mary was not and Jesus said to her that learning his teachings was more important and wouldn’t be forgotten.

**Christ’s Blessing Of Mankind**
*With upraised hands, Christ is blessing all the people.*

Finally, I made my way behind the church. As I gazed upward toward the acclaimed “unwanted Christ” sitting high on the hill, I decided that I was going to take a closer look. Noting the semblances of trails leading up to the statue, I resolved to find the best one amid the loose gravel and scrub. With a little perseverance, I finally stood at Christ’s base, contemplating his outstretched hands, while he admired the beauty of his creation in the valley below!

**Christ’s Ascension**
Luke 24: 50-53
*Jesus lifted up his hands and blessed the Disciples, then began rising into the sky, and went into heaven.*

At the base of the hill, I observed the “Tomb” which is a depiction of the resurrection of Christ. Three statues stand outside the Jesus’ vacated tomb and an armless Mary Magdalene stands in disbelief inside the vault.

**Tomb Of Christ**
Mark 16:1-7
*When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome brought spices so that they might go anoint Jesus’ body. An Angel Proclaimed “He is risen.”*

Nearby, the Rock Chapel, designed by Frank Garske in 1954, captured my attention. In the shape of a star, the chapel is constructed of large, native stones. A sign on the door refers visitors desiring to use the chapel, to contact officials at the Desert Christ Park or the Living Hope Church for admission. Because of unauthorized use and disrespect, the doors remain locked, even during the park’s opening hours, however, I was able to slide my phone through the crack between the doors and snap a photo of its modest interior.

The park is operated through donations, grants and the work of volunteers. As I walked through the garden, I discovered what the bricks being painted by the volunteer, that I had encountered at the beginning of my visit, were used for. Used to line some of the walkways, the bricks highlight the names of those who patronize the facility. Overall, the park’s grounds are kept up, but the statues are showing some signs of wear, due to being exposed to the elements and the earthquake of 1992. Regardless, Desert Christ Park attracts thousands each year for personal walks, weddings, picnics, photography or to simply experience its peace.

Peace…that was Antone Martin’s sole desire when he sculpted that first statue.

The Unwanted Christ.

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Desert Christ Park

https://www.desertchristpark.org/
Address: 56200 Sunnyslope Drive, Yucca Valley, California 92284
Hours: Sunrise to sunset, approximately 0700-1800, daily
Admission: free, donations accepted

The Wild, Wild West

Saturday afternoons were for westerns.

Bonanza (1959 to 1973), Gunsmoke (1955-1975) and Rawhide (1959-1966), were some of my favorites. They were preceded by countless of other popular movies and series, set during a time where cowboys, Indians, outlaws and sheriffs ruled the land.

When Hollywood began searching for a “living, breathing movie set”, 32,000 acres in the California desert near Palm Springs was deemed the perfect location. Investors, including Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Dick Curtis and Bud Abbott, incorporated the land which became known as Pioneertown.

The town, easily accessible from Los Angeles, served as a filming location, vacation destination and residence for those working in the entertainment industry. The structures built on Mane Street were fully functional and included a grocery store, saloon, restaurant, motel, beauty shop, bowling center and shooting gallery. More than fifty films and serials were filmed in Pioneertown during the 1940s and 1950s, including the popular Gene Autry Show, the Cisco Kid television series (1950-1956), Annie Oakley television series (1954-1957) and The Adventures of Judge Roy Bean (1955-1956) and it wasn’t uncommon for two separate movies to be shooting on opposite sides of the street.

Being such a short distance from Palm Springs, I decided to make the drive to see what Pioneertown was all about in a day and age when westerns are no longer all the rage. Though I anticipated some authentic-looking buildings, much like the few I had encountered while in the small towns of South Dakota, I was really surprised by the number of buildings which comprised the town and its credibility.

As I arrived a bit early in the morning, I discovered that I was one of only three people wandering the dusty main street, Mane Street. Beginning in the Film Museum and Trading Post, I marveled at the collection of memorabilia on display and watched the film which narrated the story of this historic town.

Walking west on the north side of the street, I photographed and inspected each of the buildings and businesses that occupied their spaces…the General Mercantile and its souvenirs, the Pottery and its artwork and the Chapel, which to my dismay, was locked. There were weathered wagons, rusty mine cars and remnants of old machinery littering the street as well as a few artful pieces.

To say that the residents of Pioneertown have a bit of humor is an understatement. Barrel cactuses wearing sunglasses and quirky signage was prominent, but they really fooled me near the Mercantile. My curiosity got the best of me as I saw a barrel, covered with mesh wire and topped with the sign, “Warning! Baby Rattlers”. I half-expected to see small snakes slithering around the bottom, but that seemed like such a hazard…instead, the bottom was lined with baby rattles…yes, the kind baby’s like to shake!!!

As I approached the Bath House and Hotel, I stepped onto the boardwalk, I and passed the Bank and the Livery. Many buildings were inaccessible as they were now private residences. At the end of Mane Street, I stopped to inspect the town’s Ok Corral, the Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Post Office, said to be the most photographed branch in the United States.

*Pioneertown Post Office and Sheriff’s Office*

I made my way back up the south side of the street, I noticed that more visitors were making their way amongst the buildings. Although still eerily quiet, it must have been quite the site during its prime to see horses hitched to their posts and gunslingers ready for duel…of course with cameras recording!

Approaching the Hay and Feed Store (53585 Mane Street), I learned that this was the location of the current sound stage. Today, though not in the capacity as it was started, the town still functions as a production set where movies, independent films, music videos and commercials are filmed quite regularly. Some of the more familiar titles you might recognize are Ice Cube’s I Rep That West Music video (2010), Kenny Roger’s The Gambler (2014), Cyndi Lauper’s Funnel of Love music video (2016) and Ingrid Goes West (2017), which I had actually seen!

Finally, I completed my walk and headed to the Pappy + Harriet’s Grill for a bite to eat. Sadly, I was visiting on a day in which it was closed, but there was still a few more things to see. The Wild West and Stunt Show arena was closed but I was able to peek through the fence to see its primitive hay bale seats and old west architectural set. A little further, I spotted the Pioneertown Motel…the perfect spot to spend to live out my cowgirl fantasy…horseback riding by day, marshmallows by the campfire and a short stumble home from the Red Dog Saloon!

Though the original intent of Pioneertown is much different than what it has evolved into, it is now a destination where regular folk can live out their cowboy fantasies in the Wild, Wild West…whether for the day, the night, or as the residents do…for a lifetime!

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Pioneertown

https://visitpioneertown.com/
Address: 53626 Mane St, Pioneertown, California, USA 92268
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: From downtown Palm Springs. Head north on Indian Canyon Drive past Interstate 10. Turn right onto CA-62 E and continue for 13 miles. Turn right onto Pioneertown Road and drive for 4.4 miles. Pioneertown will be on the right with parking behind Pappy + Harriet’s Grill.

The Gift

The mission of the day was to see a fountain.

I saw the fountain, but I also found a church.

Imagine that? Another church in Rome!

After a bit of research, I had learned about the history of the Fontana Delle Cariatidi and the controversy that it had stirred due to its explicit statues and its proximity to a nearby church. Deciding that the fountain was the first thing that I wanted to visit during the beautiful, Roman summer afternoon, I accomplished this feat and the church, San Gioacchino in Prati, less than a block away, became my next calling. It soon became a place that I learned a great deal about the generosity of Catholics throughout the world.

The construction of the church of San Gioacchino began in 1891, to address the problem of the expanding population and movement to the outer perimeters of the city. Pope Leo XIII (whose birth name was Gioacchino Pecci), then the head of the Catholic church, had always desired that a church be built in Rome to honor his patron saint. Because of the need and of his long-standing wish, this church became a gift to him for the celebration of his 50th anniversary of priesthood. The church took a long seven years to be completed due to the mismanagement of the project by Abbe Antonio Brugidou and delays due to natural disasters. The pope, however, persevered and realized his dream and his gift.

Finally opening to its parishioners in 1898, San Gioacchino’s interior was not quite in its finished stages, more specifically, the side chapels. Regardless, it was dedicated to St. Joachim, the father of Mary, the Blessed Mother, consecrated on June 6, 1911 and made a titular church in 1960 (assigned to a member of the clergy who is created a cardinal).

What struck me the most, in a city abound with churches, was its interesting façade, designed and built by architect, Raffael Ingami. While churches are usually known for their amazing art collection and painting on their interiors, this one is graced with beautiful paintings on the exterior, atop the portico, and depict the Blessed Mother, its namesake, St. Joachim, other saints and angels. The gold dome is decorated with perforated burgundy stars.

My walk down the main nave kept my eyes trained on the ceiling, observing its high decorated vault, edged by small, circular stained glass windows and below, a darkened balcony and large columns.

The altar and pulpit were highlighted by a small dark blue dome, awash with ambient light from the perforations in the outer stars and from the stained glass. The beautifully crafted maple pulpit, divided into chiseled panels, depicted scenes from the lives of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Joachim, Saint Anna, Saint Alfonso de Liguori, Pope Gregory the Great, Saint Agostino, Saint Girolamo and Saint Ambrogio. It was quite hard to appreciate the altar’s stark beauty, but I was willing to excuse the lack of illumination to be able to visit on a weekday and have the place all to myself.

The side altars were what I was most enchanted with, however. While most of the church was in a darkened state, many of the chapels were somewhat illuminated. What I learned about each of these elaborately decorated chapels was that while they were not completed initially, a unique plan was set in place to do so.

Abbe Brugidou, returned to Lyon by Pope Leo XIII for his inadequacy in fulfilling obligations to bring the church’s construction to completion, did have an idea that proved to be astute. Catholics from specific countries around the world were invited to contribute to the project in honor of the pope. Each country that actualized the monetary benefaction, were to have its own chapel. Many countries took part in this process and the construction debts were exculpated quickly.

Moving along each side of the church, I admired these chapels dedicated to the countries of Brazil, Portugal, Bavaria, Poland, Canada, England, United States, Spain, France, Italy, Holland, Belgium, Ireland and Argentina. Each unique and resplendent in the own right, it was quite moving to know that each country cared about a small church in another country, and their pope, to assist it in its realization.

While San Gioacchino may not be the oldest or the most visited church in Rome, it may hold the title of one that achieved a most impossible dream. A true gift.

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San Gioacchino in Prati

http://www.sangioacchino.org
Address: Pompeo Magno, 25, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Hours: 0800-2000 (unverified)
Admission: free
Getting There: Metro, Lepanto (Line A)

The Fountain Au Natural

Dozing on the way to my hotel, I suddenly sat up, aware that the bus was making a series of turns. My inner navigation, sensing that we were almost to my hotel, had alerted me to the area, that no matter how many times I visit, I never tire of seeing on my arrival into Rome.

Passing by the Vatican’s towering walls and the line snaking around its perimeter, our bus made its way through the busy streets, finally taking a final turn. I eyed the vendors displaying their wares on the street corners, the summer sale signs in the clothing stores, the gelato shops…and then, I noticed something I had never noticed before.

A fountain.

Not so unusual, you say? If you’ve been to Rome before, you would be aware that fountains are a dime a dozen, existing in the city for over two-thousand years. They decorate street corners, piazzas and buildings. Originally fed by nine aqueducts to provide drinking water and enhancement, they are part of the overall Italian art and architectural experience.

But this one…just down the street from my hotel….looked a little lonely and a little bit dilapidated, with no running water. Yet, there was something about it that was extremely intriguing, but we drove by a little too quickly. Since it wasn’t far, I decided that I would walk that way later in the afternoon and take a closer look.

In the circular Piazza dei Quiriti, the fountain that I had spied…was still there…and waiting for me…but now I knew a little bit more about its history.

Before I had taken my nap, I had learned (thanks to Google!) that this small fountain was one of five erected in Rome during the 1920s to embellish the city. A competition was held by the municipality and the winner, Attilio Selva, gave them not only what they wanted but also a bit of controversy.

Severely criticized not only for its naked female figures and the positions in which they were situated, but also because it sat in the shadow of the church of San Gioacchino in Prati. Because of the controversy it aroused, the inauguration was postponed for over a year. During that time, however, the new Fascist government, preferring the exhibition of naked bodies, as evidenced by the adornment of au natural images on various buildings, caused the disputation to be soon forgotten.

Except to those enroute to San Gioacchino in Prati and of course, the curiosity seekers.

And me.

The curiosity seeker, enroute to San Gioacchino.

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Fontana Delle Cariatidi

Address: Piazza dei Quiriti, 00192 Roma, RM Italy
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free
Getting There: Bus, 180F, 30, 32, 70, 81. Train, FC3, FL3, FL5. Metro, Line A.

Tour Number Two

“Anyone want to go to finish of the Tour de France today?”

For twenty-three days, cyclists compete in the Tour de France, one of the greatest races in the world. Consisting of twenty-one stages that pass through villages and hamlets throughout the country, thousands of spectators line the streets and roadsides to cheer on the competitors and be part of the national celebration. The final stage speeds its way down the Avenue des Champs-Elysees on its final day, a day almost akin to a national holiday for the French.

My husband had always followed the Tour de France. Me? Not so much, but I knew that Lance Armstrong was a top contender that year and I just so happened to be in Paris for the finish of the great race. Of course, I was going to go!

Many of my coworkers were convinced that it “was going to rain”, that we “weren’t going to be able to get there”, that we “wouldn’t be able to see anything even if we got there”. In the end, only three of us decided to take the chance and headed out toward the Arc de Triomphe.

It was my first Tour de France and…

…it did not rain.

…we were able to get there.

…we saw everything!

Lance Armstrong won that year and we were able to watch the racers streak by from our perch atop some hikers’ backpacks on the Avenue des Champs-Elysees. We also learned from two British gentlemen, who attended every year, that once the award ceremony was completed, we shouldn’t leave…the riders would come by slowly for victory laps and we would be able to capture some amazing photos! For never having had much interest in a cycling race, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!

Of course, the next day, those who told us not to go…were…well…a bit jealous, to say the least!

Over the years, I always thought I would go back to witness the finish of Tour de France again, but each June would go by and as I saw it playing out on television, I realized that my schedule that year, wouldn’t allow it.

Until this year.

I was going to be in Paris for the finish of the Tour de France! Funny thing was that I didn’t plan to be. A last minute swap with a coworker had put me being in the City of Lights on Sunday, June 18. My husband, while watching one of the stages of the race, mentioned that our youngest son had ruined his Tour de France shirt. This brought to mind my upcoming trip. As I checked the website and my calendar, I was amazed…the finish would be on the very day that I would be there! And although, things were going to be a bit different due to Covid restrictions, wild horses couldn’t keep me from going down to the Champs-Élysées to witness tis amazing spectacle!

After arriving in Paris that morning and a brief nap, we all headed down to the Arc de Triomphe to try and secure a primo viewing spot. The area was cordoned off by metal barricades and we had to walk for blocks to find an entrance. At the entrances, guards were checking vaccination cards and negative Covid test results to allow entry to the Avenue des Champs-Élysées.

Still early in the afternoon, we headed down the avenue noticing that there were no hordes of spectators lining the edges of the barricades yet. Checking the expected arrival of the racers on the Tour de France app, we realized that we still had a bit of time, so we decided to grab a bite to eat and a couple of beers.

As my cohorts enjoyed their food, I kept a close eye on the adjacent barriers, determined to have that front row seat that getting there early enough would merit.

Finally, we picked our spots…front row…and waited…anticipation mounting. Trips to the beer cart down the street may or may not have helped to pass the time.

Sirens filled the air and police motorcyclists sped down the Champs de Elysees. But no riders yet! What I had not remembered was that the racers were preceded by the publicity parade. This caravan, made up of many of France’s major brands in dedicated vehicles, advertise their wares and usually throw out free gifts to eager and waiting hands. This year, due to Covid, you guessed it…no free gifts! But still, the publicity parade is great fun and many people come to the race primarily for this part of it, not just to see the racers.

As a roar swept through the crowd, making its way down toward us, we realized that they were finally here. Flashes of metal and colored jerseys departed as quickly as they arrived as the sheer speed of the cyclists made it nearly impossible to distinguish one from the other until the main pack slowed each other’s speeds. It was almost unimaginable, the endurance needed for these riders to make it to this point in the race, riding 100km for three weeks in physically challenging terrain.

After ten laps, we didn’t see the riders any more. That was it. It was over! No fanfare, no rider slicing through a ribbon at the finish line. We weren’t that close to the end point. We did learn, however, that the winner was 22-year old, Slovenian Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) with Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard and Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz behind him in second and third place.

Although during the last time I had attended, we had ventured down to the podium to watch the award ceremony, prior to the victory laps, it was not meant to be for the Tour de France 2021. My companions were not as eager to wait an unspecified time for something that may or may not have been cancelled due to Covid…and they were hungry!

So off we went…but with a new Tour de France t-shirt for my husband!

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Tour de France

https://www.letour.fr/en/

Not Taking Art For Granted

Exploration of Chicago’s Grant Park is something that every tourist in Chicago undertakes at some point during their visit.

Me included!

Filled with important sculptural works and wide-open spaces, it is where Chicagoans head to enjoy the great outdoors.

My first full day in the Windy City was a beautiful one! The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and it was definitely not windy! My husband and I decided to head to Grant Park to see the many landmarks that dot the landscape and evoke fervor from its visitors.

Knowing there were many things to see and so many access points to the park, we decided to simply work our way from north to south. Entering from Maggie Daley Park, we walked through the Cancer Survivor’s Garden, with its open metal pavilion flanked by two forty-foot-tall granite columns, set up to greet visitors and invite them to stroll through its beautifully landscaped paths. This garden has spectacular views of Lake Michigan and was designed to be a celebration of life and hope for the survivors and those afflicted with cancer. It is a popular location for weddings and other special events and attracts those interested in ice skating during the winter, to its rink, and children seeking out a place to let off steam, year round, in its well-equipped playground.

To the west, we spied one of the city’s most iconic landmarks…the Cloud Gate in Millennium Park. A piece of fascinating sculpture, affectionately known as “The Bean”, it allows views of the city from its many mirrored sides. The stainless steel piece of artwork was designed by British artist Sir Anish Kapoor and installed in 2004. It is one of the most famous symbols of the city and definitely one of the most photographed.

Not far away, we spied the Crown Fountain through the tree line. Another of the city’s interesting sculptural pieces, it was designed by Spanish artist Jaume Plensa and consists of two 50-foot glass block towers at the end of a shallow reflecting pool. The towers project video images of Chicago citizens with water flowing through an outlet in the proximity of their mouths. It is a great place for cooling off in the hottest months of the year!

Continuing our walk south, we encountered the Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain, one of the park’s art pieces that I was most excited to see. One of the world’s largest fountains, dedicated in 1927, it was inspired by the Latona Fountain at the Palace of Versailles, which I had seen on one of my visits to France. Sadly, it was not operating. Not sure if it was the time of the year or if it was shut off due to Covid, it was a huge disappointment. We were, however, able to see some of the smaller fountains that surround the Buckingham Fountain…Fisher Boy, Crane Girl, Turtle Boy and Dove Girl…one pair north and one pair south. These fountains were designed by Leonard Crunelle and were originally part of an exhibit at Humboldt Park. In 1964, they were installed in their current location.

*Clockwise from top left, Fisher Boy, Crane Girl, Turtle Boy, Dove Girl*

Heading west to Congress Plaza, we encountered the Equestrian Indians, two bronze equestrian sculptures which act as gatekeepers to the park. Known as The Bowman and The Spearman, they were created in Zagreb by Croatian sculptor Ivan Meštrović and installed in 1928.

Walking through the Formal Gardens to the southernmost end of the park, we finally ended up at the sculptural group that I most wanted to see, The Agora. Consisting of 106 headless figures, these bronze, steel and iron effigies, designed by Magdalena Abakanowicz, was installed in 2006. The figures are posed as if walking in multiple directions or standing still and seemingly invite visitors to pose with them (which I did, of course). In ancient Greece, the Agora was the central meeting place in its villages and cities…this final piece is the perfect addition to Grant Park. As the ancient Agora attracted people to meet, visit and learn, so does this newest addition to the park.

Grabbing rental bikes for our exit, we finally had the opportunity to experience the wind in our hair! As we rode past these amazing works of art again, seeing them in a much different light, we realized that although there are so many things to see in Chicago, these ones that people walk past every day, are not ones to be taken for granted!

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

Maggie Daley Park

https://maggiedaleypark.com/
Address: 337 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Hours: daily, 0600-2100
Admission: free

The Cloud Gate

Address: 201 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602
Hours: daily, 0600-2300
Admission: free

Crown Fountain

Address: 201 E. Randolph Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Hours: daily, 0600-2300
Admission: free

Clarence F. Buckingham Fountain

https://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/parks-facilities/clarence-f-buckingham-memorial-fountain
Address: 301 S. Columbus Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60601
Hours: 0800-2300, daily
Admission: free

The Bowman and The Spearman

Address: S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60605
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

The Agora

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/chicago_s_publicartagora.html
Address: 1135 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60605
Hours: 24 hours, daily
Admission: free

The Amazing Water Tower

One of my favorite television programs is The Amazing Race.

Obviously!

Anyone who knows me knows that my passion is seeing and photographing the world and this show epitomizes travel and highlights some of the most iconic landmarks in the world. Some of my best travel ideas have come from watching the show and of course, I would love to one day compete!

On seasons 6 (2004) and 29 (2107), the Chicago Water Tower was featured in the finales of the Amazing Race. It seemed quite familiar to me as I walked by its location in Jane M. Byrne Plaza (named after the former Chicago mayor), on the way to my hotel, but it took a little research to realize why it had sparked my curiosity.

The Chicago Water Tower, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyington. It doesn’t appear to be the usual type of tower seen in most cities; designed to blend in with the nearby architecture and enclose the tall machinery of a powerful water pump which was intended to draw water from Lake Michigan.

When much of the city burned during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the water tower miraculously survived along with a few other structures in the area. In the years since the fire, the tower has become a symbol of old Chicago and the city’s recovery.

The second oldest water tower in the United States now operates as a Chicago Office of Tourism and as a small art gallery known as the City Gallery in the Historic Water Tower. While not acting as the finish line for television races or the inspiration for fast food restaurants (think White Castle), the gallery features the work of local photographers, artists and filmmakers and draws tourists to the Windy City for a look at a piece of the city’s historical architecture.

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

The Chicago Water Tower

https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dca/supp_info/city_gallery_in_thehistoricwatertower.html
Address: 806 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60611
Hours: Monday-Friday, 1000-1900, Saturday and Sunday, 1000-1700. Closed holidays.
Admission: free
Getting There: Metro, Red Line, Chicago metro stop. Walk two and a half blocks toward Lake Michigan.

The Cathedral of the Musical City

Sometimes I feel like I don’t find churches, they find me!

I wasn’t looking to visit a church while in downtown Austin…I just happened to stumble upon one of the most historic ones in the state.

Built in the late 1800s, St. Mary’s Cathedral began as a small stone church named St. Patrick’s. As the parish continued to grow, the decision was made to build a new church. With both an Irish and German congregation, it was determined that a patron saint that reflected both heritages was needed, and St. Mary was chosen. In 1872, when Austin was made the state capital of Texas, the first cornerstone was laid, and the church completed two years later. St. Mary’s was deemed a cathedral in 1948.

The Gothic exterior seemed out of place amongst Austin’s towering skyscrapers, yet it was mesmerizing with its Gothic revival towers and spires which were added in 1907. Inside the tower, the cathedral’s bell is one of the largest in the state of Texas.

As I entered the cathedral, I was quite surprised to find a stunning interior, highlighted by spindled beams and a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Towering stained glassed windows lined each side of the church and tree-like columns were topped with foliage carved capitals. As I made my way toward the altar, I gazed upward at the bright blue dome painted with stars and flanked by two altars dedicated to the Blessed Virgin and St. Joseph and as I turned to face the rear of the church, I was mesmerized by the spectacular large rose window in the front façade.

In a city of known for its music, St. Mary’s is the site of a Christmas concert that highlights its Irish heritage. Traditional Irish and Scottish music is performed by acclaimed artists and the concert is a sellout each year.

So, when you visit Austin, not only can you experience music throughout the city, you can hear it at St. Mary’s and experience its history and architecture at the same time.

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

St. Mary’s Cathedral

https://smcaustin.org/
Address: 203 E 10th St203 E 10th St, Austin, Texas 78701
Hours: daily, 0800-1800. Daily mass schedule, Monday-Friday, 0630, Monday-Saturday, 1205. Weekend masses, Saturday, 1730 and Sunday, 0730 (Latin), 0930 (Live streamed), 1200, 1345 (Spanish, live streamed), 1530 (Latin, live streamed), 1730.
Admission: free