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Jack London State Historic Park

House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park.
Jack and Charmian London Gravesite at the Jack London State Historic Park
Wolf House Ruins at the Jack London State Historic Park
House of Happy Walls Museum at the Jack London State Historic Park

When I was in my early teens, I read Jack London’s books The Call of the Wild and White Fang, and I’ve admired him ever since for his fierce love of adventure and his early passion for nature conservation. Visiting Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen, California, brought that admiration full circle, as I explored the places most connected to his life and legacy.

The House of Happy Walls Museum, built by his wife Charmian after his death, offers a vivid glimpse into Jack’s world through books, photographs, and artifacts from his travels. Nearby, the haunting stone ruins of Wolf House stand as a powerful reminder of London’s grand vision—a 26-room mansion that tragically burned before he could move in. Finally, a quiet walk through the woods leads to his simple gravesite, a peaceful resting place beneath the trees of the land he loved.

Jack London State Historic Park was not originally part of our plans, but after visiting, I’m happy we did.

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The Proms at the Royal Albert Hall

August 8, 2022 – A memorable night in London.

Attending The Proms at London’s Royal Albert Hall was a surreal and unforgettable experience. This storied venue has welcomed everyone from classical titans like Tchaikovsky, Mahler, and Stravinsky to popular icons such as The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Led Zeppelin — a testament to its place at the heart of musical history.

The BBC Proms — short for “Promenade Concerts” — is an eight-week summer festival founded in 1895 by conductor Henry Wood to make great music accessible to all. Today, it remains one of the world’s most celebrated classical music events, bringing together leading orchestras, soloists, and conductors for an extraordinary range of performances.

Our evening featured the world premiere of Gavin Higgins’s Concerto Grosso for Brass Band and Orchestra, a new work performed by the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and The Tredegar Band under the baton of Ryan Bancroft, followed by a powerful rendition of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique — a fitting finale in such an iconic hall.

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Palm Springs Air Museum

Palm Springs Air Museum - McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet
Palm Springs Air Museum - General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
Palm Springs Air Museum - Cessna O-2 Skymaster
Palm Springs Air Museum Entrance

Our morning bike rides often take us past the Palm Springs Air Museum, where vintage warbirds stand proudly under the desert sun. It’s a striking sight—sleek fighter jets and classic WWII aircraft framed by palm trees against the backdrop of the rugged San Jacinto Mountains. Located near the Palm Springs Airport, the 91,000-square-foot museum showcases military aircraft from World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. Many of the planes remain flight-ready and are displayed alongside exhibits and tributes to veterans, making it a distinctive stop for aviation and history enthusiasts.

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The Breakers: A Gilded Age Masterpiece

Aug. 20, 2023 - The ocean-facing facade of The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Great Hall at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Music Room at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Gilded Age Morning Room in The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Dining Room at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Library at The Breakers.
Aug. 20, 2023 - The Loggia at The Breakers.

Our 2023 visit to The Breakers in Newport, Rhode Island, was an unforgettable journey into the lavish world of America’s Gilded Age. This magnificent “summer cottage” built by Cornelius Vanderbilt II truly lives up to its name, with every opulent room showcasing breathtaking European artistry and an astounding attention to detail, from the monumental Great Hall to the more intimate, yet still grand, family quarters upstairs. Wandering through the meticulously preserved interiors and manicured grounds, with the stunning Atlantic Ocean as a backdrop, was simply breathtaking.

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Palm Springs Public Art

May 14, 2025 - Sculptures by David Černý.
May 14, 2025 – Sculptures by David Černý.

You never know where you’ll encounter art when walking around downtown Palm Springs. Two large sculptures by renowned Czech artist David Černý are affixed to the side of the Rowan Palm Springs Hotel (if you’ve ever visited Prague, you’ve likely seen more of Černý’s work there). Meat is a 17-foot-tall classic red car, reminiscent of a Porsche, with a body stylized to resemble a slab of raw meat. The other, from his Babies series, is intentionally ambiguous and surreal. I can’t say exactly what the artist means by these two pieces, but they’re certainly thought-provoking.

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David Hockney Exhibit

Feb. 13, 2025 - "David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed"
Feb. 13, 2025 – Art patrons examining Hockney’s work.

We visited the Palm Springs Art Museum tonight to see David Hockney: Perspective Should Be Reversed. It’s a wonderful exhibition featuring nearly 200 of the artist’s works in a variety of media, including prints, collages, and photographs. David Hockney is considered one of the most influential artists of the 20th & 21st centuries. I had the pleasure of meeting him at a 1993 Los Angeles Opera press conference at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, where he spoke about his set designs for the opera Die Frau ohne Schatten.

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Return to New Orleans

St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans
Oct. 28, 2024 – St. Louis Cathedral at sunset.

I’ve been to New Orleans 5 or 6 times and always had a great time. We stayed for a week, ate delicious food (it’s all about the Cajun cuisine and seafood), and drank probably a little too much. It’s such a unique and vibrant city; the French Quarter feels like being in another country.

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Basilica of St. Michael

Aug. 15, 2022 - High altar in Basilica of St. Michael.
Aug. 15, 2022 - The nave of Basilica of St. Michael.
Aug. 15, 2022 - Basilica of St. Michael exterior.

Our visit to the Basilica of St. Michael in Mondsee was a beautiful blend of history, art, and movie nostalgia. As a fan of The Sound of Music movie, seeing the church famous for the wedding scene in person was incredible. Its soaring Baroque interior and twin towers were even more striking than I imagined. The basilica itself is part of the former Mondsee Abbey, a Benedictine monastery founded back in the 8th century that later transformed into a significant spiritual and cultural center.

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Sanssouci Palace

Aug. 11, 2022 – Visiting Sanssouci & Neues Palais.

Ever since I read James R. Gaines’s Evening in the Palace of Reason: Bach Meets Frederick the Great in the Age of Enlightenment, I’ve been fascinated by the enigmatic Prussian monarch. Frederick the Great’s complex legacy—his influence on music, philosophy, and military strategy during the Enlightenment—continues to captivate me. His architectural vision lives on in places like Sanssouci, his intimate rococo retreat in Potsdam, and the grand Neues Palais, a symbol of Prussia’s rising power built to impress visiting dignitaries.

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Mission San Juan Capistrano

May 21, 2017 - Mission San Juan Capistrano
May 21, 2017 – Ruins of the Great Stone Church.

Tucked amid the bougainvillea and terra cotta rooftops of coastal Orange County, Mission San Juan Capistrano offers a serene glimpse into California’s layered past. Founded in 1776 by Spanish Franciscans, it’s often called the “Jewel of the Missions” and is famed for the annual return of its cliff swallows each spring—a tradition that draws visitors and locals alike.

May 21, 2017 - Mission San Juan Capistrano.
May 21, 2017 – Mission San Juan Capistrano Museum.
May 21, 2017 - Mission San Juan Capistrano.
May 21, 2017 – Ruins of the Great Stone Church.
May 21, 2017 - Mission San Juan Capistrano
May 21, 2017 – Serra’s Chapel.

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The City of Lights

November, 1999 - Jim Morrison's Head Stone at Père Lachaise Cemetery.
November, 1999 - Oscar Wilde's tomb at the Père Lachaise Cemetery.
November 1999 - Standing in front of "Pyramide du Louvre."
November, 1999 - In front of Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris.

Visiting Europe—especially Paris—had always been a dream of mine, and in November 1999, it finally happened. We spent seven unforgettable days exploring the City of Lights, then hopped on a train to Amsterdam for a few more days, before heading home. These photos are scans of the originals I took on that trip, capturing moments from a journey I’d imagined for years.

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Music, Music, and More Music

Saint James Chapel of the Archbishop Quigley Center
April 9, 2011- Saint James Chapel in Chicago.

I did three fun, music-related things this week. On Saturday, the University of Alabama Contemporary Ensemble performed works by Twentieth-Century classical composers. It was presented by Les Amis Des Vitraux in the beautiful Saint James Chapel. Saturday night we stopped at The Tonic Room to have one drink before going to our planned venue B.L.U.E.S. But an excellent jazz saxophonist named Frank Catalano and his band were playing, and they were so good we stayed until the end, never making it to our original destination. Last night I went to “VIVID 2011″ at the beautiful Auditorium Theatre. It was a concert by the students of Chicago College of the Performing Arts. I especially enjoyed the “Tribute to Miles Davis” and Edvard Grieg’s “Piano Concerto in A Minor” with the talented, young pianist Chanmi Ryu.

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Greystone Mansion

Greystone Mansion
March 8, 2011 – Exploring one of Beverly Hills’ best-kept secrets.

Tucked away in the hills of Beverly Hills, the grounds of Greystone Mansion and Gardens are a quiet gem—a serene escape where manicured lawns, stately architecture, and trickling fountains offer a rare sense of calm. When we lived nearby, I’d often find myself wandering its peaceful courtyards and shaded pathways. It quickly became one of my favorite respites from the noise and rush of the city below.

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Museum of Science & Industry

Chicago Museum of Science and Industry
Jan. 27, 2011 – Chicago Museum of Science & Industry.

The Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago is one of the largest science museums in the world, housed in a historic building from the 1893 World’s Fair. It features hands-on exhibits, a WWII German submarine, a working coal mine, and dazzling displays on space, genetics, transportation, and more, making science fun and accessible for all ages.