Hubby and I just took a wonderful road trip to California and the Grand Canyon. :)
The vacation itself was an interesting story. I had requested the time off for my brother's wedding, but my Grandmother passed away three months ago and my brother postponed the wedding out of respect to the deceased (a Chinese tradition). I was going to cancel the time off, but Hubby wanted to go to an air show near where my sister-in-law lived in California the weekend before my scheduled time off. So we made it into a vacation. Hubby would drive out to California first for his air show and time with sister, before I finished up the semester at work and joined in for the rest of the trip.
So 6,000 miles, five states, 8,000-feet elevation, over 40-degree difference in temperatures, 1,000+ photos, about a dozen patches (Hubby collects those) and 50 postcards (I collect those) later, we have had a fantastic time exploring places between the Pacific coast and the heart of Texas. As we go through the photos, here are some of the many wonderful memories from the trip, chronologically:
Coming in sister-in-law's place to Hubby's hello message made of coke cans
Visiting with family and friends (and their children and pets), sleeping on their floor/couch/air mattress and getting fed by their wonderful cooking
Having dinner at the Santa Monica Pier
Cruising along the Pacific Coast Highway and looking out to the gorgeous Pacific Ocean
Eating authentic Chinese food in the San Francisco Chinatown
Enjoying ice-cream while strolling along small-town Sausalito (just outside of San Francisco)
Straddling the Nevada and Arizona state lines at the Hoover Dam
Seeing the rainbow at the Yosemite National Park
Hiking on a sea of snow at Yosemite
Watching the sun set at the Grand Canyon
Looking up to a clear sky full of stars at the Grand Canyon
Camping at Yosemite and the Grand Canyon
Pictures to come!
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label vacation. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Monday, May 31, 2010
Washington DC
Two and a half months ago, we took a road trip to Washington DC, the nation's capital.
It came about when one of the few original copies of "my map" (the 17th-century world map I worked with for my thesis), was featured in one of the exhibits at the Library of Congress. The LOC did not own the map, but made a rare exception to show an item on loan. Since this was the first time an original copy of "my map" was on display in America, I wanted to go! Hubby had a few things he wanted to see in the area, so it expanded into a vacation. It had been about 10 years since we had been to DC (separately).
A long road trip of course meant the license plate game! The goal was to spot all 50 license plates on the road (seeing license plates in the issuing states does not count). Usually we would get about 35-40 plates and it was almost impossible to get Alaska or Hawaii, let alone both. But this time, we got both!! We did not get all 50 plates, but we did have 45!
On the way there, weather was not the best; but while we were there, weather in DC was beautiful! It was sunny, pleasant, with clear blue sky! On the first day, we visited the Library of Congress (for my map, among other things). It was so great to see one of the few original maps in its original size (in 6 panels)!
While Hubby visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps, I indulged in more early modern history with a trip to the Folger Shakespeare Library.
We also visited the National Mall, several Smithsonian Museums (Air and Space, Freer Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History, American Indians, and American History), Chinatown, Arlington National Cemetery and Old Town Alexandria. It was a lot of walking, but it was a nice trip (and riding the subway daily certainly reminded me of home)!
Hubby got sick about half way through our trip so we cut our stay in DC half a day short and I did most of the driving on the way back. It was the first time I drove that much! To add to the adventure, on the way back, there was even snow - real snow - in our own state! Because of that, we changed our route but could still see - and safely drive through - some snow. Pretty phenomenal.
So, enjoy the pictures!
It came about when one of the few original copies of "my map" (the 17th-century world map I worked with for my thesis), was featured in one of the exhibits at the Library of Congress. The LOC did not own the map, but made a rare exception to show an item on loan. Since this was the first time an original copy of "my map" was on display in America, I wanted to go! Hubby had a few things he wanted to see in the area, so it expanded into a vacation. It had been about 10 years since we had been to DC (separately).
A long road trip of course meant the license plate game! The goal was to spot all 50 license plates on the road (seeing license plates in the issuing states does not count). Usually we would get about 35-40 plates and it was almost impossible to get Alaska or Hawaii, let alone both. But this time, we got both!! We did not get all 50 plates, but we did have 45!
On the way there, weather was not the best; but while we were there, weather in DC was beautiful! It was sunny, pleasant, with clear blue sky! On the first day, we visited the Library of Congress (for my map, among other things). It was so great to see one of the few original maps in its original size (in 6 panels)!
While Hubby visited the National Museum of the Marine Corps, I indulged in more early modern history with a trip to the Folger Shakespeare Library.
We also visited the National Mall, several Smithsonian Museums (Air and Space, Freer Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Natural History, American Indians, and American History), Chinatown, Arlington National Cemetery and Old Town Alexandria. It was a lot of walking, but it was a nice trip (and riding the subway daily certainly reminded me of home)!
Hubby got sick about half way through our trip so we cut our stay in DC half a day short and I did most of the driving on the way back. It was the first time I drove that much! To add to the adventure, on the way back, there was even snow - real snow - in our own state! Because of that, we changed our route but could still see - and safely drive through - some snow. Pretty phenomenal.
So, enjoy the pictures!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Favorite Souvenirs
A flower from our niece A. She picked it in her front yard as we were getting ready to leave.
T-shirt from Jamestown.
A cow from the Billy Graham Library, also the mascot of my car.
My sister-in-law named him Conrad.
My sister-in-law named him Conrad.
T-shirt from Jamestown. I studied history in both university and graduate school so I like this shirt very much! :)
Postcards!
I started this random habit of collecting postcards in college.
These are just a part of them from the trip.
I started this random habit of collecting postcards in college.
These are just a part of them from the trip.
This concludes the many posts on the vacation. Hope you have enjoyed them!
Great Signs
During our trip, we saw some great signs.
At the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It was a good warning.
The next 7 miles were indeed quite a winding road.
The next 7 miles were indeed quite a winding road.
Visitor Center, Colonial Williamsburg
Since all interpreters wore 18th-century costumes, the restroom signs at the Visitor Center also featured signs in costume. Brilliant!
Jamestown, Virginia
I am not sure if I have seen this speed limit before.
Passing through Virgina and North Carolina on our way home. As Hubby said: "we are going north and south at the same time."
Virginia - Jamestown
After Colonial Williamsburg, we made a quick stop in Historic Jamestowne, about 10 miles away.
We toured the exhibit at the visitor's center before going to the site (James Fort) by the James River, where Captain John Smith made the landing and established the first permanent English settlement in America in 1607.
The monument commemorating the 300th anniversary of the settlement
The church
While it had little information to replicate life in the 17th and 18th centuries, the way Colonial Williamsburg does, Jamestown featured an Archaearium which housed the archaeological findings of colonial life (Queen Elizabeth II visited it in 2007). My favorite part of the site, however, was the cross beside the Archaearium.
We toured the exhibit at the visitor's center before going to the site (James Fort) by the James River, where Captain John Smith made the landing and established the first permanent English settlement in America in 1607.
The James River
The monument commemorating the 300th anniversary of the settlement
The church
Virginia - Colonial Williamsburg
After North Carolina, we visited Williamsburg and Jamestown of the Historic Triangle (the other leg was Yorktown).
We spent a day and a half in Colonial Williamsburg, where interpreters wore 18th-century costumes to explain the colonial way of life in the thriving British settlement.
From the luxurious Governor's Palace accented with an elegant garden, to the house of George Wythe (Virgina's first signer of the Declaration of Independence), to the many businesses and public facilities along the Duke of Gloucester Street, we went back in time and enjoyed the experience.
We spent a day and a half in Colonial Williamsburg, where interpreters wore 18th-century costumes to explain the colonial way of life in the thriving British settlement.
From the luxurious Governor's Palace accented with an elegant garden, to the house of George Wythe (Virgina's first signer of the Declaration of Independence), to the many businesses and public facilities along the Duke of Gloucester Street, we went back in time and enjoyed the experience.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
North Carolina - Wright Brothers National Memorial
Special thanks to Hubby for editing this post!
The Wright Brothers
The large boulder marking the take-off point of the first successful flights
Monument on Kill Devil Hill, where the brothers practiced their flights on gliders
At the bottom of the Monument
North Carolina - Family
After Charlotte, we drove across North Carolina to visit with family - my sister- and brother- in-law and their three girls, N, A, and baby #3 due in August!
We spent a few days together while visiting a couple of places . It was a lot of fun!
We spent a few days together while visiting a couple of places . It was a lot of fun!
North Carolina - The Billy Graham Library
The barn, where the exhibits are located. It was amazing and humbling to walk through the cross (i.e. the entrance).
Dr. Graham's preaching Bible. Another one of my favorite pictures.
The Graham family home moved on site brick by brick.
Mrs. Graham's tombstone. The Chinese character on top means "righteousness," formed in two parts: the "Lamb" on top and "I" or "me" at the bottom. Mrs. Graham was born in China to missionary parents. The flowers were from Dr. Graham.
North Carolina - Friends
The title is a bit of a misnomer, since we were in North Carolina already when we got to the Great Smoky Mountains. No matter, we spent quite some time - a week - in the state, not only sightseeing but also visiting with friends and family.
After the mountains, we went to Charlotte to visit with Chad and Angel, whom we had not seen in quite some time. We had a nice dinner at their back porch before Wii (again!). At first, all four of us were playing a variety of games and having loads of fun, but after Angel went to bed, and Chad and Hubby continued to talk engineering on an increasingly intense level, I was the only one playing Wii (tennis, what else?), and ended up with a sore shoulder the following day. My opinion that Wii tennis was more difficult than real tennis held.
Tennis and Wii aside, we had a great time.
After the mountains, we went to Charlotte to visit with Chad and Angel, whom we had not seen in quite some time. We had a nice dinner at their back porch before Wii (again!). At first, all four of us were playing a variety of games and having loads of fun, but after Angel went to bed, and Chad and Hubby continued to talk engineering on an increasingly intense level, I was the only one playing Wii (tennis, what else?), and ended up with a sore shoulder the following day. My opinion that Wii tennis was more difficult than real tennis held.
Tennis and Wii aside, we had a great time.
Chad and Angel
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Blue Ridge Parkway
After camping at the Great Smoking Mountains overnight, we spent most of the following day driving along the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway.
The hightest point of this stretch was Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet. It was also the highest point east of the Mississippi River!
The hightest point of this stretch was Mount Mitchell, at 6,684 feet. It was also the highest point east of the Mississippi River!
Great Smoky Mountains
We spent two days at the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which was celebrating its 75th anniversary. It was great fun. While most people enjoy the Park in the fall when the leaves change to a beautiful array of gorgeous colors, the green was very nice too.
The Mountains were great. As we drove and visited different parts of the Park, we took many pictures. The hardest part is to choose which ones to post!
After the trip, I came across this article by Dr. Billy Graham. Since he is from Charlotte, NC, he was teaching the Bible using illustrations of the scenery we had just witnessed firsthand at the Great Smoky Mountains!
The Mountains were great. As we drove and visited different parts of the Park, we took many pictures. The hardest part is to choose which ones to post!
After the trip, I came across this article by Dr. Billy Graham. Since he is from Charlotte, NC, he was teaching the Bible using illustrations of the scenery we had just witnessed firsthand at the Great Smoky Mountains!
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Georgia
After Florida, we traveled to Georgia, where we met up with my other former roommates.
Lindsey and 10-month old Bethany
We had dinner at Sonny's - where else? Since my roomates and I met in Gainesville, that was only fitting. While Stephen and Lindsey looked at the camera, Sandy (my other roommate) was busy playing with Bethany!
Florida - Interlude
As we were leaving Tampa -
Bayshore
Bayshore adorned with a palm tree
Old Tampa Bay as we passed through I-275
Old Tampa Bay under the beautiful blue sky
Old Tampa Bay as we passed through I-275
Old Tampa Bay under the beautiful blue skyWednesday, July 8, 2009
Mississippi
After Louisiana, we stopped at the beach while passing through Mississippi. We had a blast! We did not know how much we missed the water until that day. It was great weather and the water was perfect!
Clear blue sky
Hubby hanging out Me in the water. One of my favorite pictures from the trip.
Nice water 
Hubby taking a picture of me as I headed for the water! Fun picture.
Louisiana
I have been sorting through our 800+ pictures, and many posts will be coming. Enjoy!
Our road trip took us from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and back down to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The highlight in Louisiana was the visit with Hubby's friends from when he was a college student on co-op. I actually had never met the family, but had exchanged emails with Allison, who takes wonderful pictures and keeps websites of each of their three wonderful children!
Our road trip took us from Texas to Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and back down to Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
The highlight in Louisiana was the visit with Hubby's friends from when he was a college student on co-op. I actually had never met the family, but had exchanged emails with Allison, who takes wonderful pictures and keeps websites of each of their three wonderful children!
Allison and 9-month-old Hannah
Eli, full of energy like Dad
Big sister Abby, who gave me a tour of their house and a heart-shaped sticker. She is a cutie, and was a joy to be around even though she was not feeling particular well that morning.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy 4th of July!
From the Wright Brothers National Memorial, North Carolina,
where we visited during our vacation.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Home!
Hubby and I got back from vacation last night. We had a great time!
After 17 days, over 5,000 miles, 90 hours in the car, and 10 states, we came home with tons of memory and about 800 photos!
More posts to follow...
After 17 days, over 5,000 miles, 90 hours in the car, and 10 states, we came home with tons of memory and about 800 photos!
More posts to follow...
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Beautiful City
Hong Kong – my birthplace, my hometown, my favorite city in the world.
Our most recent trip to Hong Kong was in December. It was hubby’s second trip there so he was quite familiar with the city already. In addition to visiting with family and friends, we also went out occasionally to enjoy the city. One night, we went by the famous Victoria Harbor (named in honor of Queen Victoria of Great Britain), looking over the Harbor and the beautiful skyline. Hubby shot the following 25-second video with our camera that night. We shared our photos after we came back but had not had the chance to share the video so I thought I would post it here.
At the end of each year, buildings along both sides of the Harbor decorate their exterior with bright lights as well as Christmas and New Year greetings, so the December skyline in Hong Kong carries a very colorful and festive tone in addition to the regular office/building lights. Last year was no exception. Hubby shot the video from west to east, capturing some of the city's most familiar landmarks. The beginning of the clip shows one of his favorite buildings, the 88-storey Two ifc, the International Finance Centre, also the tallest building in Hong Kong (the shorter One ifc is next to it). Following shortly after ifc in the video is the Bank of China Tower, another one of his favorites. Featuring striking white lines in the shape of triangles, the Tower is the work of I.M. Pei, the same Chinese-American architect who designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. Towards the end of the video shows a much shorter and wider building with horizontal purple lights. It is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, venue of the handover ceremony in 1997.
Enjoy!
Our most recent trip to Hong Kong was in December. It was hubby’s second trip there so he was quite familiar with the city already. In addition to visiting with family and friends, we also went out occasionally to enjoy the city. One night, we went by the famous Victoria Harbor (named in honor of Queen Victoria of Great Britain), looking over the Harbor and the beautiful skyline. Hubby shot the following 25-second video with our camera that night. We shared our photos after we came back but had not had the chance to share the video so I thought I would post it here.
At the end of each year, buildings along both sides of the Harbor decorate their exterior with bright lights as well as Christmas and New Year greetings, so the December skyline in Hong Kong carries a very colorful and festive tone in addition to the regular office/building lights. Last year was no exception. Hubby shot the video from west to east, capturing some of the city's most familiar landmarks. The beginning of the clip shows one of his favorite buildings, the 88-storey Two ifc, the International Finance Centre, also the tallest building in Hong Kong (the shorter One ifc is next to it). Following shortly after ifc in the video is the Bank of China Tower, another one of his favorites. Featuring striking white lines in the shape of triangles, the Tower is the work of I.M. Pei, the same Chinese-American architect who designed the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. Towards the end of the video shows a much shorter and wider building with horizontal purple lights. It is the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, venue of the handover ceremony in 1997.
Enjoy!
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