The Bull and the Herd

Like many New York City tourists, I went by Wall Street to see the famous charging bull. Very few people were around, but that changed quickly...

Moments later, bus loads of tourists came by. When they left, another bus load came, they left, another bus load came, this went on for awhile...

Then students walking by went into action and got into the midst of the tourists. It was a mob scene, but no one cared if strangers got into their picture.
When it got too crowded by the bull's head, people took their photos by the bull's rump. Amazing!

- Karen

Curious Blue Beams

While in New York City, I spotted this unusual structure and liked the pattern it created. The beams certainly are not there to hold the building together nor do they serve as a precarious fire escape.
Is it art or a memento of what once stood there?
Sorry to keep you in suspense, but I do not have any information about this location, although I am hoping someone out there knows to keep me from pondering.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

Seen on the Potomac

As we sail on the Potomac River in Washington D.C., I see the Washington Monument jutting out from behind the miniaturized buildings.

A group of rowing students share the river with us as we cruise by.

This flaming red fireboat docked on the Potomac is named after the famous astronaut.

A colossal quadrupled-decked ship for hire for your next party.

- Karen

Pick a Chair

It's the weekend, pick a chair to relax in and watch people go by.

Wordless Wednesday

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

Into the Mist

What is a trip to Niagara Falls without getting wet and feeling its force?
Since 1846, the Maid of the Mist 30 minute boat ride has been taking passengers in for a closer look. With its huge popularity, the tour operator has since expanded to include a number of boats leaving from both the U.S. and Canadian borders.
Most people migrate onto the open top deck of the boat where you can hardly move without bumping into a stranger, but with so much excitement, no one hardly notices. Everyone is issued a complimentary blue poncho to keep the clothes underneath dry. One size fits all for the adults. I was using my point & shoot camera and it got quite wet. At some point when it was misting so badly, I had to put away the camera and just admire the scenery.

On our ride into the falls, another Maid of the Mist boat returns from their journey into the mist.

- Karen

Niagara Falls in the Evening

You can see the Rainbow Bridge and the Niagara River that divide the United States and Canada.
I arrived just before sunset on the United States side and here looking down at one of the two falls that make up Niagara Falls, the "American Falls". If you were standing on the Canadian side, you would get a much better view.

From this angle, you might not even realize that this is the popular "Horseshoe Falls" if not from all the mist it creates.

Sunsets at Niagara Falls with the Canadian cityscape in the background.
I think the red reflection on the water came from a neon sign from one of the numerous hotels or casinos across the way.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Multiple views of Niagara Falls

To read other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

- Karen

Tulipmania

I will conclude this week-long tour of Filoli with more tulips from its garden.

I will be traveling to the East Coast for the week. If I have a chance, I'll post something; otherwise, have a great week!

- Karen

Filoli's Garden House

Soon after the completion of the house you saw in my previous posts, the Garden House was constructed in 1920. It is part of the 16-acre garden.
Imagine the regular landscape work. I can barely care for the few plants in my yard.

You can come in from the heat for some quiet time and solitude.

Or, you can sit outside on a nice summer evening and admire its surrounding beauty.

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Filoli Garden

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

Filoli's Interior

The door to the Filoli mansion is about to open and a few of its jewels revealed to you...

As you enter the main entrance, you will first encounter this massive area known as the Reception Room.

Only 2 families have lived in this home. Known as the Study Room, it became the favorite of the last owners, the Roths. Mrs. Roth's portrait is hanging over the fireplace. The vaults on each side of the mantel were converted into a wet bar and wine storage by the Roths.

This is probably my favorite room of all...the Ballroom. The room is 32 feet (9.75 m) wide and 70 feet (21.3 m) long. Imagine the parties held here. Elegant enough for royalty.
In the back of the room is a huge fireplace. With a person standing in front of it in this photo, you can imagine its size.

You might have guessed this is the Library with all the books and rich wood paneling. In the foreground is a few of the owners' family photos. Hung on the far right is a painting of the first owner's mum, Mrs. Bourn. The carpeting on the floor was from Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight.

The Dining Room is huge and I feel a little too formal a place to eat a meal.

With a full-time cook living onsite, this is the Kitchen he used to cook the family meals.

Filoli

Following up with my last post, this is the front of the mansion attached to the entrance.
Funded by a local wealthy businessman, Mr. William Bourn, construction of the home began in 1915 and he and his family moved in two years later.
Why the name Filoli? Mr. Bourn's belief was
"FIght for a just cause; LOve your fellow man; LIve a good life."


If the house looks a little familiar to you, it has been featured in a number of television shows and movies. I first noticed it from the opening credits of the 1980's show "Dynasty". You can see the home as the camera pans over it 15 seconds into the video I found on Youtube.
In the show, the home was portrayed to be in Denver, Colorado, but in actuality, it is only about 30 miles south of San Francisco.

More beautiful flowers and possibly a former fountain at the front entrance.

More to come...

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

On the Edge

While walking through the park over the weekend, I noticed a photographer above me standing on the edge. He made me nervous because it is a long way down.
This photograph is taken at 200mm.

Here is what I actually saw from down below.
I wonder if he could see us ants.

- Karen

Murals & Markets

My parents owned a restaurant during my youth and I remember spending many Saturdays here going from stall to stall with them to shop for fresh vegetables. Many decades later, I come back for a visit because the murals draw me in.

The San Francisco Farmer's Market opened in 1947 and this 1951 picture shows how it looked back then. (Photo courtesy of the San Francisco History Center)
You history buffs might like to read a historical essay about the popular San Francisco farmers markets written by John Brucato.

There is a mural for each stall. They were painted during the 2002-2003 timeframe as part of a community beautification project.

A close-up example of a mural within a stall.

I really like this one with the bees and colorful archway.

- Karen

Under Renovation

I thought this was a creative and aesthetically pleasing way to cover up any construction work behind the scenes.

I wonder if the boards came with the designs already on them or if someone actually painted the scenery after the boards were put in place. Hmmm...

- Karen

Wordless Wednesday

Meet a new friend at the amusement park.

To see other Wordless Wednesday posts, click here.

- Karen

In the Sky

Feeling dizzy?
You wouldn't know it by looking at this picture that you are standing 100 floors (474.2m or 1,556 ft) above ground.
This is Shanghai's World Financial Center which was once the tallest observation tower in the world until the 2010 opening of the Burj Khalifa tower in Dubai.

A placard in the observation deck confirms we are way up high.

On the floor are windows for you to look down.

Go ahead, stand a little closer to the edge.
Unfortunately, on the day we visited, the whole city was fogged in and we could not see anything, but we were no doubt in the sky.

From the ground looking up, the observation deck was somewhere in the sky consumed in fog.

- Karen