Dolly in bronze

Dolly Parton’s statue is located on the courthouse yard of Sevierville, Tennessee, her home town. The statue was placed in 1987, and shows Dolly as a young lady before she gained international fame and fortune.

Sevierville is right next to Pigeon Forge, where Dolly World and  Dolly Parton’s Stampede show is located.

Beauty and function

Seattle’s Puget Sound is home to 13 working lighthouses

The Alki Point lighthouse is an operational fully automated facility operated by the US Coast Guard. It is the southernmost of the 13 lighthouses on the Sound. This is a beautiful structure when seen from any angle, and is often open for free tours. Sorry, you can’t take your dog to this one. We got this shot on a cruise from Seattle to Tillicum Island.

White Ibis teenager

You can tell this White Ibis is a “teenager” by the coloration of its feathers. When fully mature, it will have all white plumage. The brown mottled plumage on its neck shows it is immature. The pink color of the legs and beak will also turn bright red when full grown. We didn’t see Mom or Dad, so who knows what teenaged mischief this one was up to. We captured this shot on a trip to Naples, Florida.

Pay attention…for real

Yellowstone, beauty with some danger

They mean it!

The geysers cover the walkways with steam

Bison in Hayden Valley

 

 

 

 

 

Yellowstone National Park is 3500 square miles of Earth’s magnificence, mostly in Wyoming but there are parts in Montana and Idaho. We would recommend a trip to Yellowstone. Keep in mind that during “peak tourist” season there are thousands of people in the park. You’ll still be able to enjoy the park, the geothermal features, the scenery and the wildlife.

George in profile

Mt. Rushmore in the Black Hills of South Dakota


As you drive past the entrance to Mt. Rushmore and head south, you’ll soon see a striking view of George Washington in profile. There is a decent sized strip lot for parking and viewing. Some stats: George’s face is 60 feet tall, his nose is 20 feet long and his mouth is 18 feet across. Oh, and don’t forget his eyes. They are 11 feet wide each.