Harvey Travel Arts

In the midst of all the concrete that is Washington DC, the Botanical Gardens add a soft, delightful touch. Due to its location, it also provides a good place to stop and visit while waiting on the Capitol tour. These flowers remind me of being in a tropical paradise. Even the dessert areas of the gardens have lush beauties throughout. The vibrant pinks, purples, yellows, reds, flowers of so many shapes, the flourescent green ivies, the fuzzy cacti, all part of our Creator's neverending imagination. Makes me wonder: if there is this much beauty on this earth, how much more vibrant it will be in Heaven!

Reims, France. Another beautiful city full of ruins, historic architecture, art, and these arches. I especially enjoy the sunlight through the archway of the image below. Our lives are like the archways. We have our thoughts, actions, feelings, our very soul tucked inside, and those close to us can see into our arches. So can God. Nothing can be hidden from Him. If we have Christ as Lord of our lives, He is then the light that shines through us, much like the arch below.

These ghostly images were taken in Luxembourg. Luxembourg was an old walled city, and much of that wall is still in place today. I found it fascinating to be able to walk the borders, and to look down to the cityscape. The old church (above) caught my eye. I can imagine people in worn out clothing, traipsing through the fog, cold and mud in order to worship their God. How sad it is today, with all of our conveniences, we now find easy excuses not to visit. So many churches across Europe are primarily tourist attractions, or they have been abandoned and turned into restaurants and bars.

The fact that some of these flags still remain is astounding to me. I do not remember what eache of the flags symbolized, but they were all various Gettysburg flags. Brian and I first visited Gettysburg in 2003--a very sobering experience. Since then, they have built a new museum which is one of the most comprehensive battlefield museums I've seen. They also have a few CD audio tours that are well worth the money. Walking up through the fields and trails, getting up close with the battles, it is all very difficult to do. You think of those who were in that spot 150 years ago; let your mind rest.

Today I do not yet have pictures of the new Pentagon 9-11 memorial, which was beautifully designed from what I could tell in this morning's Washington Post. So in its place, I have put a couple of other memorials, two of many in Washington. Washington's himself, and Lincoln's. But on this post, I want the photos to stand alone. Say a prayer for those who have lost loved ones seven years ago. Or for those that have lost loved ones during this war. God bless you all.

Colonial Williamsburg, one of the most well preserved historical towns in the US. I came across these pictures this morning and couldn't resist! There was a field of sunflowers, and the light was just right. Brian picked this one to photograph. It is so cheerful! I try not to listen to those who call them "weeds." Really, how can this delightful beauty be a pest? This garden/maze area was also fun to look at. So green! If it weren't for the obvious water hose down in the left hand corner, it would be a picture of pure nature. Hard to find these days!

Today's photos are more examples of the intricate architecture of Scotland's past. Throughout Europe, one can find countless cathedrals, castles, theaters, etc. that were designed uniquely for one place. One purpose. The handiwork of the artists, sculptors, craftsmen, masons, whatever their trade is just that: hand iwork. Sure, they had basic machinery. But the carvings were done by hand. The plans were laid out by hand. Each person contributed a part of themselves. They had to apprentice for years before their work was ready for such large projects. Such incredible feats of accomplishment! Today a lot of the handiwork has been lost. Yes, there are still beautiful buildings being created. I am an enthusiast of modern architecture. I know that computers have simplified the craft. Years of education is still required to design today's modern structures. But there is a generic feel to so many of today's structures that saddens me. Truely unique buildings are still being de...

I've just submitted another story for publication consideration, and decided to take a break. Putting yourself out there for rejection is a nerve wrecking task for someone who takes criticism personally like I do. "Develop a thick skin," is what the advice says on the forums. Knowing that rejection will happen in the writing world isn't going to make it any easier when they start flooding in. However, getting rejected for small pieces will hopefully cushion the blow for when I get my novel ready to go. I'm hoping to have it ready to go soon, possibly by the first of the year. It's about time. I've been working on this thing since 2003. Of course, one should know that I laid it on the shelf for a few years before tackling it again recently, now with more determination than ever. I'm setting goals, and sticking to them! Okay, now on to today's photograph. There is but just one. I saw this picture of a cathedral in Strausbourg, France. Just...

Today I'm feeling lighthearted and relaxed after a great long weekend. In honor of the long weekend, I thought I would share some fun pics that we took several years ago in the Mulhouse Automobile Museum in France. One of the many things we enjoyed doing while living in Germany was traveling to see exhibits such as these! We loved the road trips; they were always filled with beautiful scenery and good roadside food. Even a simple stop on the highway meant a delicious fresh sandwich or a hot cup of soup--often served in the adorable lion bowls. From the most sleek of vehicles (above) to the most humble (below) visiting this museum was a fascinating day for us both.