With a population of over 200,000, Boise still seems like an accessible and people-friendly place to live, raise children, work, and enjoy leisure time.

Boise Zoo entrance

Within a few blocks, there is a lovely park with a rose garden, a zoo, both a historical and art museum, an impressive university campus, a river, and a very moving memorial.  The city has a 25-mile green belt, so there is space to breathe and stretch, as you walk along the river.

Rose Garden in Boise

We spent an afternoon trekking around, just walking and seeing the city.  We left our car behind and took in the sights, which we’ll share with you –

Idaho Historical Museum

After a quick visit to scope out the library, usually one of our first stops, we walked through the Julia Davis Park where we saw the Idaho Historical Museum, the Discovery Center (an interactive science museum) and the Boise Art Museum.  As we passed the Art Museum, they were setting up for a private party on the rear lawn.

The Municipal Rose Garden provided a few eye appealing minutes as we walked through the profusion of roses in bloom.

We walked by the Boise Zoo, but they were going to be closing soon, so we continued on.

Morrison Center for the Performing Art at Boise State

We crossed a bridge leading to Boise State University, where the architecture was modern and appealing.  In this day of budget cuts, it was good to see the campus, obviously well kept.

Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Our last stop before we headed to dinner was the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, a sculptural center with waterfalls, interactive exhibits, and evocative statements showing the evils of war from a human perspective.  It was a somber and moving experience to read the words of those whose lives have been less fortunate, the innocent victims of war.

Another child victim of war speaks

If you are in the northwest, don’t miss Boise.  When we have more time, we’ll be back to visit …

Come back next week for a visit to an impressive dam.

Although Robert E. Lee was not born in Richmond (actually at his family home of Stratford Hall near Lerty, Virginia), nor is he even buried there (that would be in a chapel at Washington & Lee University in Lexington, Virginia), his legacy lives on if not more than in a large statue on Monument Avenue.Ironically, Lee was not a proponent of the Virginia’s succession from the Union. The West Point Military Academy graduate reluctantly turned down President Lincoln’s offer to lead the northern troops due to his loyalty to his home state.

Also ironically, not much of anything is actually embossed with the name of Robert E. Lee in the city. But that doesn’t mean the Civil War and the Confederacy for which he led troops for Jefferson Davis is not alive and well in and around Richmond.

The National Park Service operates the Richmond National Battlefield Park. The name is actually a misnomer, as there are actually 11 battlefields, and 2 major museums, which make up the park system. (the Museum of the Confederacy in downtown Richmond is not part of the RNBP)

The thing to recognize from the start is that none of these sites are within walking distance of each other. PERIOD! If you wish to see more than one site, a car is necessary, along with a good map or GPS. A full day will be needed for the 80-mile driving tour.

www.nps.gov/RICH

The original visitor’s center within the city was located at Chimborazo Medical Center, up on the hill in the southeast section of the city. The main visitor’s center is now located at Tredegar Iron Works near the center of the city next to the James River.

Lee may not totally be the center of attention in Richmond, but he was still a true southern gentleman. So, take my advice, don’t ridicule him in front of the true locals, and whatever you do …

Whatever you do, DON’T CALL HIM “BOB”!

Next Week: Civil War Visitor Center at Tredegar Iron Works

Since I hadn’t been to visit in several years, I pondered the best use of my time. Should I head to a museum? Stroll through Central Park? Shop? Visit a landmark?
The only thing time wouldn’t permit would be a Broadway show – sigh!

 
So, given my four hours, I decided to reacquaint myself with NYC by just walking around. I did not head to a museum or to Central Park, but chose to travel a multi-block path that had some major highlights to see.  It was an overcast day, so the brilliant blue skies I was hoping to see just weren’t there.   But Manhattan is still impressive, no matter what the weather.

Macy's - The largest store in the world

Coming up from Penn Station, one of the first sights was Macy’s, “the largest store in the world.” I didn’t go in, because I might never stop myself in time to catch my train to JFK.  

Instead, I headed over to…

A Photographer’s Dream…

A major landmark for photographers is B & H Camera. Located on 9th Avenue between 33 & 34th Streets, B & H is THE place for cameras and photography equipment. They’ve got it down to a science and have probably every imaginable piece of photo equipment. The most wonderful part of the store is the knowledgeable staff because they really know their stuff.

 
Want a flash attachment for a camera? I showed them what I have and they gave me three options! The prices were right and I could leave with my choice, at a good price.

And, no, this is not a paid endorsement for B & H, but it was my second visit.

They’re impressive and also very security conscious. Be prepared to leave large bags at the entrance to claim when you’re ready to leave.

Onward…

Saddled down with a suitcase, my next stop was Schwartz’s Travel Service where I could leave my suitcase. (Located at 357 W. 36th Street near 9th Ave.) Taking the small elevator to the second floor, I paid $10 to leave my suitcase for the day. Ultimately, I left it for less than two hours, but it gave me the freedom to move quickly.

The Sights

New York Public Library

 Next, I headed over to 5th Avenue to see the sights: The New York Public Library with its lions guarding the entrance (stone, not live), and both the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building in the distance. I considered a trip up to the top of the Empire State Building (now the tallest building in NYC since the devastation of 9/11/01), but that would have required several hours.

Empire State Building - the tallest building in NYC

Chrysler Building

I wandered into a street fair on Avenue of the Americas (6th Avenue) that stretched from about 34th Street to 42nd Street. Traffic was closed down for the entire length of the fair with people sampling food and buying the vendor’s wares. There were a lot of people selling jewelry, scarves, and NY T-shirts. The aroma of the food finally made me break down and try an arepa.

 
An arepa is a corn cake sandwich fried with mozzarella cheese melted between the two corn cakes. I chose a poor representation because, while it tasted good, it was very thin. As I marched and munched along, I was seeing the profusion of people and remembering the energy of NYC that I have missed.

Carousel in Bryant Park

Strolling through Bryant Park behind the giant New York Public Library, I viewed the glorious, recently refurbished carousel, a permanent fixture for anyone young or young at heart. The NY Public Library is getting a facelift on the outside with the back face totally clean and gorgeous, but the front has coverings to protect passersby from the cleaning. It is an impressive building and many people stop for a photo op near the lions guarding the entrance.

Street scene in Manhattan

That’s one of the best things about New York City and, especially Manhattan; there is so much energy! The colorful signs, places to see, food choices from street vendors to fine dining, and excitement, can’t be topped anywhere.

 
I know, some might contest that last statement, but I never run out of enthusiasm for NYC and the many opportunities to enjoy. Times Square, entrance to the joys of Broadway, is one of my favorite places in the universe, but this time, the schedule just wouldn’t work.

 
Colorful, thought provoking and dynamic with events and experiences, New York City is the place where I’d spend a week if I could be in any city in the world. But I only had four hours, so I enjoyed what I could and share it here.

If you decide to go to NYC, get a guidebook like DK or Frommer’s to give you the many choices that you’ll have. And, there are many.

Web sites to review:

I Love NY
http://www.iloveny.com/home.aspx

B & H Camera
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/

You, too, can be on Easy Street - in Carefree, Arizona

“Ho Hum Road,” “Slumber Street,” ”Tranquil Trail,” “Carefree Drive”- of course!, and my favorite, “Easy Street.” Wouldn’t everyone just love to be on Easy Street? It turns out that being on Easy Street in Carefree is actually a pretty cool place to be.

Relax in Carefree

There are a group of charming shops like Tommy Bahama, a Watch and Shoe Repair (“We buy and sell used cowboy boots and shoes”), several shops selling Native American Crafts, and the English Rose Tea Room, among others. Most of the shops are one of a kind, so the shopping experience is unique.

 
According to a local expert, the City of Carefree was also the inspiration for the “Cartwright” Ranch of Bonanza fame. (Classic TV buffs, you’ll know this, otherwise, you’ll have to look this up.) Only recently were the last 20 acres of the Cartwright prototype sold, so the legend lives on!

Third largest working sundial in world

 In the center of town is a small City Park with some unusual attributes. A giant sundial – accurate, we checked it, a very strange children’s slide that looks like a Gila monster and a number of sculptures give visitors some sights to ponder. The sundial is touted as the third largest in the world at 35 feet tall and 72 feet long.

Is it a giant Gila monster? - No, it's a children's slide

Princess Leia? No, a sculpture in downtown Carefree

Spanish Village with restaurants and shops surrounding a courtyard and Carefree Marketplace also give shoppers places to wile away the time and spend their money.

Spanish Village

We found Carefree a fun place to wander about.

www.carefree.org

Come back tomorrow for a proper British tea at the English Rose Tea Room in Carefree!

Lakota Chief Henry Standing Bear wrote a letter to sculptor Korszak Ziolkowski asking if he would carve a monument to the great Oglala warrior Crazy Horse. Ziolkowski worked on the carving of Mt. Rushmore and Standing Bear wanted the white man to know that the Indians had great heroes also.

The carving was started in 1948 on Thunderhead Mountain, in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a mountain considered sacred by many tribes. Many tribes oppose the defilement of the sacred mountain.

How the Crazy Horse Monument is supposed to look when completed

When completed, the carving will be 641 feet wide and 563 feet high, and will be the world’s largest statue. It depicts an Indian warrior riding on a horse, pointing off into the distance and pays homage to the quote attributed to Crazy Horse: “My lands are where my dead lie buried.”

One image of Chief Crazy Horse's face

Ziolkowski died in 1982 and his wife Ruth and their 10 children remain actively involved in the continuing work being done on the carving. The face was dedicated in 1998 and the work is now focused on the blocking out of the horse’s head.

Progress is slow on the massive monument

Whenever there is a blasting, it is attended by thousands of people, and night light shows of blasting have been scheduled. The project is being funded by donations and grants, and the viewings of the blasts are one of the main fund raising events. You can take a tour bus to the foot of the mountain for a closer look, but the public is not allowed on the mountain.

Also on the grounds is the Native American Educational and Cultural Center featuring museums and gift shops. The main building of the Cultural Center was constructed out of rock that was blasted from the mountain. There are Indian artifacts on display in the museum, including many articles which belonged to Chief Standing Bear. Paintings and other artistic items are on display and most are for sale.

The restaurant at the visitors center serves excellent food and is the most inexpensive one around for miles. Have lunch there instead of going into Custer or other area towns or villages. There is a deck which overlooks the valley below and faces the carving on the mountain. On the patio is a scale model of the finished statue.

The monument is located north of Custer, South Dakota, about 12 miles from Mt. Rushmore. Stop by when you are on your way to Mt. Rushmore and visit this work is progress.

Tomorrow… Come back for our Friday Favorites – Fun with Food!

My favorite War Memorial in Washington, DC is the Korean War Veterans Memorial with its band of realistic bronze soldiers warily and wearily crossing a field headed into harm’s way. Dedicated on the 42nd anniversary of the armistice, July 27, 1995, the memorial honors the more than 54,000 who died there, and the thousands of veterans of this conflict.

Korean War Memorial - Photo by George Bradshaw

The most popular memorial is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with its polished, black granite walls honoring the deceased and missing who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in Vietnam. There are also the bronze figures of three soldiers who stand guard over their fallen comrades. The Vietnam Wall is decorated with flowers, letters, books, pictures and other mementoes left by people in remembrance of their loved ones.

One of the most beautiful memorials is the World War II Memorial, set in a plaza centered by a reflecting pool. There are the Atlantic and the Pacific Pavilions and each state is represented by a pillar. The most unique thing that we discovered about this memorial was set in an out-of-the-way corner – the Kilroy Was Here sign etched in cement. Everyone remembers that little guy with the big nose!

Kilroy was here - WWII memorial - Photo by George Bradshaw

The Marine or Iwo Jima Memorial is awe inspiring and brings chills to your body and tears to your eyes. It is the most famous of the WWII memorials and is enormous. The rocks surrounding the feet of the soldiers raising the flag were brought from the island of Iwo Jima. The figures of the men are so detailed that you can see the veins in their hands, the stubble on their faces and the worn condition of their shoes.

The day we went to the Tomb of the Unknowns it was raining, but it did not dampen our spirits or our reverence for this memorial located within the Arlington National Cemetery. The men who guard these tombs are members of an elite group called the “Old Guard.” Buried there are unknown soldiers from WWI and WWII and the Korean War. There is no unknown from the Vietnam War because of modern medical advances; the soldier was identified by his DNA and the remains returned to his family.

All of these war memorials should be on your list of “must sees” when you visit the US Capitol.

Today, those who leave graffiti as a reminder of their existence might use paint.  

Centuries ago, scratching laboriously into stone surfaces with hand made tools, native people left designs we call petroglyphs.  Scratched into the surface, Native Americans left behind images that can be easily figured out and some that are mysterious. 

Human form

Protecting the legacy 

In the 1970s, modern man decided it was time to protect this legacy of the ancients.  Petroglyph State Park near Albuquerque, New Mexico was established, which later became Petroglyph National Monument under the protection of the US National Parks Service. 

New Mexico Petroglyphs - Boca Negra Canyon

Interestingly, urban encroachment resulted in modern homes being built within easy view of the petroglyphs. (See photo with houses just beyond the rocks of Boca Negra Canyon in Petroglyph National Monument.)

Petroglyphs - artwork of ancients

Petroglyphs are found in many areas of the Western USA, but those in Petroglyph State Park are particularly prolific.  Many of the etched designs have been dated to as long ago as the 12^th century; some may even be 2,000-3,000 years old. 

Shown in this blog are images that were particularly vivid.  A human being with a design on the chest, a hand, and several animal forms are all right along the trail.  The spiral design is one that has been interpreted to mean a whirlwind, life or even a snake; no one is quite sure what it meant to those who painstakingly etched it into the rock. 

A hand

The partially paved paths reach up among the rocks and are not accessible for many of the petroglyphs. There are four paths with varying degrees of difficulty.  At the top of one of the paths is a flat, rocky section where a panoramic view of the whole area is possible. 

There is a visitor center two miles from Boca Negra Canyon with restrooms and information.  When we visited, an artist was demonstrating his craft on the premises. 

Visitor Center Hours – 8:00 AM-5:00 PM.  Open every day except New Years Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day; they close early on Thanksgiving and Christmas Eves.  There is no charge to visit the park.

http://www.nps.gov/petr/

Tomorrow -Taos; check out this Wednesday’s blog for some more modern graffiti.

Don’t forget to check out our travel blog “shop” – let us know if you’d like to see a photo turned into a T-shirt.  We’ll get it done!

Wupatki Pueblo - part of the 100-room ancient community

Wupatki’s 100-room pueblo, built of intricate stone and clay mortar, housed a resourceful and hard-working Native American population who lived in Northern Arizona over 800 years ago. They farmed, created pottery, and lived in large communities. Water was a scarce commodity and they conserved it carefully.

Reminiscent of southwestern condos, the pueblos are surprisingly modern looking. Restoration of the remnants of buildings was only begun in the 1990s, but you can see how the original inhabitants oriented the buildings to take advantage of the sun and shade in an unforgiving climate. There is evidence of drainage systems and ways to trap water.

Pottery recovered from Wupatki Pueblo

Visitor Center displays of great interest

At the visitor center, the displays show a complex Puebloan life with pottery and farming finds. There is a ballcourt, which indicates a place where people from far-away lands would trade. One thought-provoking interactive display lets visitors decide how and when they would plant their crops. Beware of overworking a field so the soil’s resources are depleted or becoming complacent after a large crop!

The ball court where ceremonies and trading were held

Tucked in the visitor center, one display tells a sad tale. One family’s history is traced. The shameful story of how the Navajo were treated by the US government details how they were shooed from their own land, bit by bit, until it was declared that the Native people had no claim to the land – the land where they had lived for over 1,100 years!

Although some of the story at Wupatki is a sad one, the evidence of a well-developed community is fascinating to study. There are several other sites at Wupatki (Wukoki, Citadel and Nalakihu Pueblos), all worth a look.

Come back tomorrow to meet a Navajo weaver.

http://www.nps.gov/Wupa/index.htm

Wupatki National Monument is off US 89 north of Flagstaff, Arizona, 21 miles from the shared entrance to Sunset Crater Volcano. (Or about 15 miles north on US 89 and enter Wupatki directly.) Much of Wupatki is accessible. Entrance fee is $5 per person.

By Guest Author Peggy Bradshaw

Upon first seeing Mt. Rushmore, the first thing that goes through your mind is the enormity of it. The second thing is “Wow! How did they do that!”Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mt. Rushmore is carved from granite and is sixty feet tall. The American Presidents depicted on the side of the mountain are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

George Washington detail from Mount Rushmore - Photo by George Bradshaw

Gutzon Borglum guided 400 workers in the construction of the carving for fourteen years – from 1927 to 1941. The entire memorial covers 1,278.45 acres and cost almost $1 million. A tourist magnet for South Dakota, two million people visit the memorial annually.

What to see once you’re there

Mt. Rushmore is reached by following a picturesque highway through wooded mountains where there are many pull-outs for photo opportunities. The carvings can be seen from several different sites and angles throughout the area. When we reached the memorial, there was ample parking and even an area for RVs and tour buses. Parking was just a short walk to the visitor’s center with its gift shop and restaurant.

The Avenue of the Flags, lined with all of the flags of the states of the union, is located beyond the buildings. We walked to the end of the pedestrian walkway on the Avenue and found an amphitheater used for special presentations and ceremonies. Also found at the end of the Avenue of the Flags is the start of the Presidential Trail, which takes you up the grand staircase built by Borglum and brings you closer to the carvings.

There is a cave built at the rear of the carvings that is called “The Hall of Records,”  which was to contain carved replicas of the Declaration of Independence and other patriotic documents.  But, work was halted in 1939. This cave played important roles in movies that were filmed at the memorial. Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint were chased throughout the memorial and carvings in Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.”  Nicholas Cage searched for the cave and the documents in “National Treasure – The Book of Secrets.” The movie, “Team America,” was a satire of the World Police whose headquarters were located in caves and tunnels within Mt. Rushmore and the heads of the presidents.

The memorial is a very beautiful place and well worth the walk to view. Wear your walking shoes!

http://www.nps.gov/moru/

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Montezuma Castle National Monument

ALERT:

This is the last weekend (August 15-16) that the US National Park Service is allowing free entry to over 100 national parks. Montezuma Castle is one of the free locations during this special promotion. See the following list to see what is available to visit for free.

http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm

Living in a cliff dwelling

A five-story, 20-room building, Montezuma Castle is nestled high on a cliff. Since the building is not accessible to visitors, what it must have been like to live so high off the ground with all of your needs having to be hauled up the 100-foot cliff? Certainly, the native people were intrepid.

 
From visiting similar buildings in Arizona, I have learned that often the rooms were entered from an opening above. The people performed food preparation and other activities communally. What they never seem to show, however, is what people used as “rest facilities” – a puzzle to me!

 
It seems like they must have been extremely physically fit climbing up ladders and the rocks to reach their living space. With water so scarce, they used pots they created to transport the water.

 
A visitor center provides exhibits and background on this amazing construction, which has weathered time well, considering the wind and elements that have battered it. An “easy 1/3 mile” park-like loop allows visitors to see the cliff buildings from a distance. There are trees for shade.

 
The park information claims the Sinagua abandoned the cliff dwellings and the area in the 1400s. They speculate that the area was in a drought or the Sinagua were in conflict with neighboring people.

 
NOTE: This can be an enjoyable visit in conjunction with other nearby National Park sites like Montezuma Well and Tuzigoot. A joint pass can save a visitor admission fees if you want to see both Tuzigoot and Montezuma Castle. Seeing Montezuma Well is free.

 
www.nps.gov/moca/

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