Harvey Travel Arts

Hello readers!  I am very sorry it has been so long since I've updated my blog; however, I have been quite busy.  We did a road trip to Mount Rushmore, and thought that would be appropriate for an Independence Day getaway.  I have to admit, I was more impressed with the natural beauty of the surrounding hills, valleys, rocks and nature than I was the stone carving.  Oh trust me, it took a lot of talent and years of dedicated work for Borglum's team to do this.  I wouldn't know where to start.  But just how did that granite and rock get there to begin with?  Our Creator put it there.   Anyway, I have to say, Roosevelt was the one whose face wore the most genuine  expression.  What do you think?

In honor of our nation's upcoming Independence Day celebration, I give you Thomas Jefferson, the primary author of our Declaration of Independence.  The above photo is taken inside his monument in Washington DC.  Below is Jefferson's home, Monticello. It is said that the day before he died, Jefferson asked, "Is it the fourth yet?" He died hours later, on July 4, 1826, as did John Adams.

 It's hard to believe that almost a year has gone by since these pictures were taken.  My mother came for a visit in the fall of 2011, when Brian and I were still living in Germany (the second time around).  We took her to Rothenburg.  It's a small town, where Christmas seems to be a year-round event, but there is a lot of charm and history to be seen. These photos are of a bridge and some of the walls that are left to explore.  There isn't much left of them today, but they are fun to walk through and imagine different times in the city's history.  There are a lot of beautiful photo ops, too.  I recommend this little town if you're driving through Germany and want a quiet afternoon that is off the beaten path.

Sometimes I wish I could just jet to Paris for the day.  Really.  Brian and I have been quite a few times and have seen most of the touristy places we want to see. But to spend a day or two strolling the busy streets, enjoying baguettes, crepes with Nutella, and other tasty treats, visiting art that we can't get enough of: that would be a relaxing day.  It is also amusing to come across places like "Fajitas".  As a native Texan, I would not eat at a Mexican restaurant in Paris.  Most of my experiences with Mexican food in Europe have been weird.  Things like roast beef and carrots in fajitas. Broccoli.  The food is usually okay tasting, but not the flavors one expects. Then there's "Les Deux Magots" which makes the immature kid inside of me laugh.  This place actually has a history with former frequent patrons such as Picasso and Hemingway.  So what are you waiting for?  Just hop in your personal jet for a weekend in Paris...Oh, ...

I just think that living in a little village of winding steps, flat roofs, decks, hills and clear skies might be an adventure.  Imagine waking every morning, opening the shades to take in a sleepy little town where no one else was stirring, existing peacefully in that moment of calm, sipping your tea or whatever it is you prefer.  Listening to the ocean, watching the shopkeepers roll up their doors, opening stores, restaurants with pitchers of water, cafes with old men, their stories and reliving past memories.  Just a few more minutes of peace before a little chaos called a cruise ship comes in, soon the streets flocked with tourists wearing their hats, sunglasses, sandals, women in white cotton sundresses, men in shorts, t-shirts and leather flip-flops.  They'll stop by, pick up some jewelry, a few kitschy souvenirs, maybe something beautiful to be shipped back home. They'll tour the chapels, taste the wine, get some sun, enjoy a salad with feta, tomatoes, cuc...

 We came across several animals while touring the Greek Isles.  Mostly they seemed to be wild or free to explore and go wherever they wanted, without anyone bothering them.  The dog has a collar, so I presume he belonged to someone.  The cat, however, was one of many we saw roaming about.  If they had owners, the cats were certainly still in charge.  I particularly enjoyed the way this cat was turning toward a plant, as though looking for an insect or leaf to enjoy.

"Freedom Is Not Free" as shown on the Korean War Memorial in Washington DC.  Please remember those who have fought all wars this Memorial Day.