In 1891, Stanford University opened its doors. The university, sometimes ranked along side the Ivy League, was created as a tribute to Leland and Jane Stanford’s only son who died of typhoid as a teenager. After visiting the Hanna House, which … Continued
A professor and an architect with much in common paved the path for one of the architect’s most comprehensive and unique residential commissions. The professor was Paul Hanna at Stanford; the architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Though the Hanna House or … Continued
When we talk about ancient things, generally they aren’t living. However, in California you can find trees that have lived longer than the oldest buildings in North America built by the Ancestral Puebloans of the Southwest. Visiting a grove of … Continued
Just north of the Golden Gate Bridge you’ll find Marin County, which until 1937 when the bridge was complete was a relatively isolated region of the bay area. Once the bridge connected the city to the county people began moving … Continued
San Juan Bautista Mission and State Park Over the past couple of years, my brother-in-law has visited all 21 Spanish missions in California along historic El Camino Real. Two years ago when I visited we admired the Carmel Mission. This … Continued
History, Architecture and Nature: A little bit of everything in Central California Last week I took a vacation to central California where my sister lives with her family. Over the week we visited three National Historic Landmarks, two beautiful houses … Continued
Working in an Architectural Masterpiece Five months ago I switched jobs. I no longer work at an art gallery in Old Town Scottsdale. Instead, I have a great job at a National Historic Landmark, which also happens to be the first … Continued
Last year I designed a China scrapbook from my time in China with all of my blog posts and more pictures. For Christmas, my mom gave me vouchers to have the scrapbook printed. I’ve had too many instances of my … Continued
The Petrified Forest A colorful depository of ancient lumber Helping a friend with her goal to visit all of America’s national parks, we traveled to Petrified Forest National Park in the northeast corner of Arizona near Holbrook on a 30-mile … Continued
Musical Instrument Museum one of the best museums I’ve ever visited Over the Thanksgiving holiday my parents came to Scottsdale for a visit. Unlike last Christmas when they came, none of us got severely sick, so we were able to go and … Continued