terratrekking's photostream  

Sometimes in the mountains it seems like you can almost reach out and touch the change of the seasons. This picture of Saint Malo chapel was taken along the Peak to Peak Highway, one of the most scenic drives in Colorado. This day was clear and cold and you could literally see winter creeping down the imposing Mount Meeker (in the background) towards St. Malo and on down into the foothills.

It doesn't matter what season you drive in, St. Malo Church is always a photogenic attraction. Pope John Paul II visited St. Malo in 1993 during World Youth Day, and bestowed a special blessing on the chapel. Recently, the St. Malo Conference Center was severely damaged in a devastating fire, but the chapel was spared.

St. Malo Church
Allenspark, Colorado

The old post office building in Washington D.C. reminds me more of a fancy palace or church from Europe than a place for sorting mail. Originally built in 1899 it was one of the first government buildings in D.C. to have its own electric power plant and it is the third tallest building in the nation's capital. The building only served as a post office for 15 years before the District of Columbia Mail Depot was moved to a larger building. Since then it has served as over flow offices for numerous government agencies. Today, it houses offices, a food court and shops and is a good place to stop and rest while checking out the D.C. area. (It's air conditioned!)

The National Park Service offers both ranger led and self guided tours of the clock tower. Inside, you can check out the Bells of Congress - replicas of the bells in Westminster Abbey which were a Bicentennial gift from the Ditchley Foundation in England. There is also an awesome observation platform which offers up fantastic views of the National Mall and capital skyline. If you are unable to get tickets to go up the Washington Monument this is a great alternative and it's cheaper! The tours of the clock tower are free.

The St. Francis Cathedral Basilica stands in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and is one of the longest established Christian congregations in the world. The church is a place of tranquility, even with a rocking wedding taking place across the street! There is a labyrinth here to add to the spiritual nature of the church. It is a nice place to take a break and sit on a bench to relax. It is even a good place to watch the many people that come to worship or just to take a picture.

Hidden away in one of the far corners of the Mirage Hotel in Vegas is the Japonais Restaurant. I stumbled across this place late one night when I was out wandering around looking for interesting things to take photos of. I got there right as they were closing down for the evening so sadly I was unable to try the food. However, if they put half as much thought in to the menu as they did in to the interior design I suspect the food is outstanding. Although I was too late for dinner, the hostess was kind enough to let me take a photo. I felt the natural wood, stone and copper accents made for a warm and inviting atmosphere not to mention made for a great HDR. I am planning another trip to Las Vegas this fall, so perhaps I will try to get back here and try the food.

There is nothing quite like waking up in the backcountry. The air is still and the surroundings are quiet and I always wonder if this is how pioneers in the old west might have felt. This picture was taken in Chesler Park - a backcountry hike in Canyonlands National Park. We woke up on our first morning to an amazing sunrise punctuated by phenomenal rock formations in the distance. Something about the desert is a little surreal and a lot beautiful. The scrub brush landscape and miles of harsh environment command respect and inspire solitude. There really isn't any place on Earth, in my opinion, quite like southern Utah and it's deserts.