Notre Dame Montreal Canada, Flickr image by mediafury
I’ve been fortunate, having seen the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedrals in Paris and Montreal, shuddered as I stood where the Berlin Wall was, now no more than a crumble of cement, was intrigued by the Tea House of the August Moon in the Orient and marvelled at the aqua colored ocean in the Caribbean.
Indeed the historic buildings, structures and artifacts of foreign countries beckon travelers from all corners of the world; after all, these things and places can be centuries old. America, on the other hand, is still an infant when compared to many other countries, but thanks to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1965, and the dedication of many, there are now 86,255 historic places in America, preserved for all to see.
So come on America, let’s see what’s in your back yard!
Grand Canyon, Flickr image by YoTuT
It doesn’t get any more breathtaking than standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon of Arizona. The kaleidescope of natural rock color is enough to awaken your senses, not discounting the vista with its 277 river miles, depth of 1.6km (1 mile) and as wide as 18 miles.
Coldwater Covered Bridge, Wikimedia Commons
Even something as simple as a wooden bridge, originally built by a former slave in 1850 [some sources say as early as 1839] can be awe-inspiring. Coldwater Covered Bridge was originally located over Coldwater Creek along the border of Calhoun and Talladega counties in Alabama, now locally owned and spanning the inlet to Oxford Lake in Calhoun County it is one of many visited tourist attractions in Anniston, Alabama.
How about a structure listed on the “11 Most Endangered Historic Places?” . . . Located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma along historic Route 66, the Gold Dome Bank one of the most recognizable sites in Oklahoma City is a “shimmering vision of the future,” at 150 feet in diameter, and an early example of the geodesic dome with its complex web of hexagons, patented by architect and futurist Buckminister Fuller, thus ushering in a new age of technology in 1956. Threatened for distruction due to new development, it was saved and has been re-purposed – you can read its story here.
The Gold Dome Bank, Wikimedia Commons
Be sure to catch part 2 in this series of historical significance!
I never know where I’ll go next or what I’ll blog about, but I hope you’ll join me, from my ‘arm-chair’ or from been there, done that and 69 years of living!
Arm-chair Tourist et al 