victoria's photo diary

Beach, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Wish I were there right now...

Power House, Boldt Castle, Heart Island, Alexandria Bay, New York, USA

Over 1,700 islands, both big and small, make up the Thousand Islands archipelago of islands along the St. Lawrence River between the US and Canada. This photo is of the Power House at the Boldt Castle complex located on Heart Island. Although we just took a cruise tour throughout the Thousand Islands, we were able to see the many islands and this one in particular stood out. Boldst Castle was built by George C. Boldt for his wife, Louise. Sadly, she passed away suddenly in 1904 and construction of monuments on the island ceased. The Thousand Islands Bridge Authority acquired the island in 1977 and began restoration. The island is now a tourist attraction. This particular part - the Power House - was built to store a generator to supply power to the island, but it is now a museum dedicated to electric power.

The Thousand Islands is in fact the reason for the naming of Thousand Island dressing as it was served and popularized in this area. My summer adventures on the East Coast brought me to many interesting sights throughout the Eastern US and Canada and this was no exception. The cruise gave us a nice tour of this area and insight into the history of many of the different islands throughout this region.

Lodwrick M. Cook Rotunda, Central Library, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

As a result of his financial contributions and work with the Library Foundation of Los Angeles, this rotunda in the Central Library was dedicated to Lodwrick M. Cook, an American businessman. After a 1986 fire set by an arsonist, he worked to help the library in rebuilding after over 400,000 books and periodicals were destroyed. The room is covered with murals depicting eras significant in the founding of Los Angeles. The chandelier in the middle is a beautifully crafted globe.

Boulevard at Sunset, Saigon, Vietnam

The busy streets of Saigon are filled with speeding motorbikes and cars and each time we tried to cross the street, we walked/ran in fear. The sun was setting and the sky turned a fiery orange-yellow color. This was a wide boulevard that we crossed as we returned to our hotel. Each time I have visited Vietnam, Saigon has rapidly changed from the previous time and the city is always bustling with activity at all times of the day.

Hiking, Lake Perris, California, USA

Last year, we went camping around the Lake Perris area. We did a hike that started just outside our campground and got to see an amazing view from atop the rocks. The sky was a perfect blue and we could see for a distance all around us.

110 Freeway, Los Angeles, California, USA

Los Angeles freeways are known for being traffic-ridden, but by night, usually its not something you have to worry about. From an overpass in Downtown LA, I took this photo of cars zooming both north and south on the 110. This area of the freeway system is a maze of interconnecting freeways that gets confusing if you aren't familiar with it.

Flamingo, Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, California, USA

It was a hot, sunny day in Los Angeles, and these bright-colored flamingos were cooling off in the pond. The Los Angeles Zoo, located within Griffith Park, is home to many species of animals I don't see too often - zebras, giraffes, gorillas, among over 1,100 animals from around the world. The zoo is featured in the opening sequence of Three's Company - now, don't those flamingos look familiar??

Hollywood Forever Cemetery, Los Angeles, California, USA

Located in the heart of Hollywood, the Hollywood Forever Cemetery is the final resting place for many famous personalities, especially in the entertainment business. Surrounded by a pond of water is the tomb of William A. Clark, Jr., founder of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. After his death, his collection of rare books and manuscripts were donated to UCLA. This cemetery is also home to Cinespia, screenings of classic movies during the summer within the grounds of the cemetery. I haven't been there for that yet, but I'd imagine it to be an interesting experience!

Shopping at the Grove, Los Angeles, California, USA

Day of shopping at the Grove in Los Angeles. :)

Walt Disney Concert Hall, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

111 South Grand Avenue in Downtown LA is home to the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This Frank Gehry building is a unique landmark in Los Angeles and it certainly stands out amongst the skyscrapers surrounding it. :)

UCLA vs. Kansas State, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California, USA

The college football season is in full effect. Love this time of the year (in addition to the college basketball season). I enjoyed a fun day of tailgating and football action as UCLA went on to defeat Kansas State at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Good times!

Game of Dominoes, Fountain Valley, California, USA

"Film Strip - U.S.A", Culver City, California, USA

Located outside the Veterans Memorial Complex in Culver City (corner of Overland and Culver), this public art by Natalie Krol is titled "Filmstrip - U.S.A". Acknowledging Culver City as the "Heart of Screenland", this stainless steel structure was dedicated in 1981 and features three intertwined film strips. Throughout the night, the water continues to flow and the lights are lit to illuminate the reflections of the film strips into the pool of emerald green water. I've passed it so many times going to meetings for work, and guessed that by night, it would look even cooler...and I was right!

Los Angeles Sky, Los Angeles, California, USA

When I think of Los Angeles skies, I usually imagine a hazy, gray sky which unfortunately, it often is. On this one particular day, I was in awe of the sky and how I could see the bright blues and the white clouds. It was a pleasant change. From atop the roof, I could see the skyscrapers of Century City and apartments and houses throughout West LA.

Interesting Tree, Carlsbad, California, USA

Central Library Ceiling, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

High ceilings in the beautiful Central Library in downtown LA. Nicer than any library I've ever seen!

Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Seen faintly in the distance is the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. It was named this because it is considered the "gateway" between the Eastern and Western United States. We took a futuristic-looking tram to the very top of the arch and we were able to see a panoramic view of the city of St. Louis.

"The Grass is Greener on the Other Side", Laguna Beach, California, USA

We walked along this fence en route to the beach and I snapped this picture. Thought of that quote when I decided to post it. I never really thought of the meaning of the quote - just assumed it was positive. However, upon further analyzation, I realized how essentially negative it is. I would prefer to think that you should be happy in your own life, and not worry about others. It's up to you to make it happen so that you have greener grass on your side!

Vase in Pascucci Restaurant, Santa Barbara, California, USA

This is from the inside one of my favorite Italian restaurants. It's named Pascucci, and it's located on State Street in Santa Barbara. I would go there often when I'd visit my cousins there. :)

Bradbury Building, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Downtown Los Angeles is full of wonderful architecture, and the Bradbury Building is one key example of this. It was built in 1893 and was commissioned by Lewis Bradbury, a silver mining millionaire turned real estate developer. Loved the inside of the building! There were engagement photos going on while we were inside too.