Bell Rock Lighthouse, the lone sentinel off the coast of Angus, Scotland
Photo by: Derek Robertson, Creative Commons

The Bell Rock Lighthouse is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World. This lighthouse is located just off the coast of Angus, Scotland. It was built on Bell Rock or Inchcape. It is the world’s oldest lighthouse that has survived the tides of the sea. This amazing lighthouse was built between 1807 and 1810 by Robert Stevenson, a civil engineer. He initially hired 60 men in 1807 to start the construction of the lighthouse. There are many legends that came from this wonder of the industrial world and it has earned a wide popularity amongst travelers and common folks. Here are some wonderful things about the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

History

The location of this lighthouse was believed to have earned its name from an abbot from Arbroath. His 14th century idea was to put a warning bell on the rock. After sometime, the bell was stolen by a Dutch pirate. It seems that the bell lasted for only a year before getting stolen.

Bell Rock led numerous ships to fall prey to the treacherous sea. It was during these incidents that Stevenson proposed to have a lighthouse constructed on the rock. His proposal was not approved due to different concerns regarding the cost of the construction. Although, after the HMS York was lost including its passengers, the construction was then allowed to commence.

Construction

Robert Stevenson hired 60 men to help construct the lighthouse. They set sail to Bell Rock on August 17, 1807 and they were to be away from the mainland for two months. The first agenda on Stevenson’s mind was to create huts that will help them to settle in the island. Since the rock is covered by water most of the time, rowing to and from their ship was time consuming. They were able to create beacon houses that held 15 men in the island.

After that was done, stonemasons started cutting Aberdeen rocks to be used for the lighthouse. The men labored on to complete this amazing wonder and through the years they encountered a lot of hardships. There were constant storms, accidents and conflicts amongst the workers. Despite of these trials the completion of the Bell Rock Lighthouse was achieved. It became a tourist attraction because it stood 35 meters high. Its light was visible from 35 statute miles of 56 kilometers inland.

Today

A lot of people are still in awe because of this amazing structure. The dedication to its construction enabled this lighthouse to endure 200 years without the need to replace its rests. It is one of the many constructions in the world that was born out of true labor of love. The hardship of going away for months and the difficulties of the worker’s living condition brought them together to create a masterpiece.

To this day, it stands high as a reminder of man’s ability to create something beautiful. The Bell Rock Lighthouse also provides ships and travelers a guiding light during stormy seasons and dark nights. Its magnificence and amazing construction earned it a worthy place in the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.

7 Wonders of the Industrial World

Panoramic view of Hoover Dam in 2011
Photo by: Kuczora Creative Commons

Anyone who has ever been to the Hoover Dam which straddles the Black Canyon in Nevada and Arizona is immediately awestruck by what modern engineering has been capable of accomplishing. It is an imposing construct that exudes an inspiring sense of power. More than 100 workers died over the five years it took to complete this anti-arch dam which stops up the power of the Colorado River. It is named after President Herbert Hoover and was completed in 1936.

Multi Purpose

The Hoover Dam was built to provide hydroelectric power, supply irrigation for agriculture, and control floods. This supremely ambitious project was initiated by President Calvin Coolidge in 1928, but then faced years of extremely bitter controversy – not everyone liked the idea of a project that was viewed as expensive, would not be beneficial to all, and which posed potential dangers. The political fight to move the Hoover Dam forward was bitter and contentious, sparking feuds between the governments of surrounding states, and uncounted lawsuits.

The Great Depression

But construction finally began in 1931 and was completed in 1935. One of the factors that helped the project along was the coming of the Great Depression after the U.S. Stock market crashed in 1929. The Hoover Dam was the ultimate government infrastructure project providing thousands of jobs in a country that was reeling from massive unemployment. By 1934, the labor force working on the dam was more than 5,400 people.

Design

Design of the Hoover Dam fell to the brilliant civil engineer John Savage, a master dam builder of the modern world. The work itself was awarded to a consortium of construction entities which came to be known as the Six Companies, Inc.

More than 3.2 million cubic yards of concrete were used to build Hoover Dam plus another 1.1 million in the supporting power plant. That’s enough concrete to lay a two-lane highway from San Francisco to New York! Interspersed within the concrete are 582 miles of cooling pipes. The maximum power generation capability of the dam is 2080 megawatts of electricity per year. More than 50% of that power goes to California, 23% goes to Nevada and about 19% to Arizona.

Attraction or Hazard?

The Hoover Dam is a major tourist attraction with more than one million visitors per year.

There were environmental impacts resulting from the construction of the Hoover Dam. Several species of fish that live downstream are now listed as endangered, and the dam is blamed for the decline of the estuarine ecosystem of the Colorado River.

Naming the Dam

The Hoover Dam has always been controversial including its name. It was originally called Boulder Dam, but was changed to Hoover Dam. President Hoover himself was an engineer who is said to have been a great proponent of dams as a source of economic development.

It took a long time, however for the “powers that be” to accept Hoover’s name being attached to the dam – Hoover was considered an ineffectual President, and many blamed him for the coming of the Great Depression. For years, the dam was called Boulder Dam and Hoover Dam interchangeably.

Whatever the case, Hoover Dam is a marvel of engineering, and remains today one of America’s ultimate symbols of technological power and progress.

7 Wonders of the Industrial World

The Panama Canal took around 25 years to build and claimed 25,000 lives to make it one of the seven wonders of the industrial world. It is 51 miles (82 km) in length. Everything comes at a cost and the life of the people engaged in constructing the panama canal has made it an admirable engineering achievement.

History

1534 – A canal to be built across the Isthmus of Panama was ordered to be surveyed by the Spanish King and the Roman emperor. This would have given an added advantage to the Spanish military over the Portuguese and helped in transportation via ships between Spain and Peru.

1788-1793 – Alessandro Malaspina, came to a conclusion during his expedition, that there was a possibility of building a canal and drew the plans for construction.

1855 – An employee of the government of the United States, William Kennish, surveyed the feasibility of constructing panama canal, and wrote a report on the proposed route.

1869 – The French were able to complete the Suez canal. It took around ten years of hard work and determination to complete the 102 mile (164 km) project. This success gained under the guidance of the French engineer, Ferdinand De Lesseps, gave them the strength to start another project of building the great Panama canal on 1st January, 1880 – uniting the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.

French Attempt

In 1893, the French failed in completing this engineering feat, due to large number of deaths caused by malaria and yellow fever and also due to rusting of steel equipment. The diseases not only killed employees but also engineers and top people from the French company. It is worth noting that health providers and scientists were not aware that the diseases were caused due to a mosquito bite.

During the same period while the French were attempting to build the Panama canal, the United States also started showing the interest in building the canal. In 1903, the Hay-Bunau treaty was signed between the Panama ambassador to the US and United States, allowing the latter to build and carryout the administration of the canal and in 1904, the construction of the canal was started. The work was started under the leadership of US President Theodore Roosevelt.

US Involvement

US president Theodore Roosevelt, appointed an experienced engineer, named John Stevens to start the construction of the canal. In-spite of the tough environmental conditions and tropical diseases only leading to death, John agreed to take up the work.

Stevens took the steps to overcome the diseases

Scientists by this period learned that the causes for malaria and yellow fever was a mosquito and devised the first step to clear these diseases. This task was achieved in 1905 by, William Gorgas, chief medical officer, destroying yellow fever completely, by using fumes of some chemicals to kill the mosquitoes present in the houses, draining and cleaning stagnant water and pools by digging ditches.

John Stevens, used the scheme proposed by Baron De Lepinay of constructing a large lakes and lock canal system. This lead to the creation of one of the largest artificial lakes (Gatun Lake) in the world. A new material, concrete was used to construct the canal and an impracticable Culebra cut excavation was carried out for the first time.

In 1914, the Panama canal was ready and opened for use – the most iconic engineering feat and work that we all admire as one of the seven wonders of the world.

7 Wonders of the Industrial World

It would be difficult to underestimate the significance of the First Transcontinental Railroad which joined the American East Coast to the West Coast. This feat was accomplished in 1889, and can easily be ranked along with the moon landing or the building of the atomic bomb in terms of monumental technological achievements.

Civil War

Establishing the First Transcontinental Railroad meant that the United States was one cohesive nation in material reality for the first time. The building of this railroad had economic and social consequences that are almost too far reaching to express fully. Not only did having a coast-to-coast railroad super charge the economy of the United States, but the psychological and sociological impact on the nation was enormous.

The First Transcontinental Railroad project was authorized by the Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862 and 1864, a time when the United States was suffering through the brutal agony of the bloody Civil War. Congress was still looking forward at this time, and even contemplating this gigantic engineering feat while embroiled in war, is a testament to the fundamental optimism that suffused the American character, and its government.

The Work

Work began on the Transcontinental in 1863 and the last “Golden Spike” was driven in 1869 at Promontory Summit, Utah, on May 10. The project was paid for mostly with government bonds, subsidies and land grants.

Laborers

The majority of labor in the eastern portion of the project was provided by Irish immigrants, and in the west, by Chinese immigrants. Contrary to the belief of some, the Chinese labor force was not slave labor, but paid labor, although they had come to the United States as part of the Coolie slave trade. However, the back-breaking work of laying track across deserts and over mountainous regions was a chance for many Chinese to make some money, and capture their share of the American Dream.

The Terminals

There was much debate prior to construction about what would be best route across the American continent. Some favored and lobbied for a southern route, but a central route was finally selected. There was a huge amount of infighting, politics and intrigue surrounding where the eastern terminus of the First Transcontinental Railroad would be located. Council Bluffs, Iowa/Omaha, Nebraska, basically won out as the eastern terminus. The western terminus was San Francisco.

Completion

Interestingly, the completed First Transcontinental Railroad was 1,776 miles long, echoing the 1776 birth date of the nation.

Before the First transcontinental railroad was built, a significant portion of the population and even many engineering experts declared that the project was “impossible,” similar to the way skeptic mocked the idea of landing a man on the moon. The obstacles were many – huge mountain ranges to get past, gigantic tunnels through rock that needed to bored through and deep chasms that needed to be bridged. Remember at the time that there were no such things as bulldozers, heavy machinery or trucks – dynamite had not even been invented until 1867!

It’s a testament to sheer human grit, will and ambition that a rail line crossing the entire nation was built in a time when the vast majority of the work had to be accomplished with shovels, pick axes and back breaking work.

7 Wonders of the Industrial World

Entrance through the Great Gate into the Taj Mahal
Photo by: Srikeit, Creative Commons

The Taj Mahal in Agra, India is one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture. It is world famous as a testament to the love of an Emperor to his wife. Emperor Shah Jahan built this monument of love to his beloved Queen Mumtaz Mahal, who died in childbirth in 1631. The construction of the Taj Mahal took twenty years to complete.

Five Sections

• Moonlight garden which lies north of the river Yamuna.

• River front terrace which contains the Mausoleum, Mosque and Jawab.

• Pavilions of the Charbagh garden.

• The Jilaukhana which was built as the accommodation of the tomb attendants as well as two subsidiary tombs.

• The Taj Ganji, which was originally a market place and only traces of it are still in existence.

The entrance known as the Great Gate is located between the Jilaukhana and the Garden. The entire Taj Mahal complex was reputedly built by Shah Jahan to resemble facets of paradise. The gate is the symbolic transition point between the worldly and spiritual realm, denoted by the paradise garden, mosque and mausoleum.

For construction of the Taj, the finest materials were sourced from all over India and Asia. The best of artisans, master builders etc. were employed. The Emperor spared no expense to see that the Taj was a magnificent edifice, worthy of his love.

Main Components

Mausoleum – It is a symmetrical shaped white marble tomb. It has a cubic building with chamfered corners and arches. It is topped by a large dome. It comprises four floors and the basement contains the tombs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. The ground floor contains exact replicas of the tombs below.

Cenotaphs – The inner chamber of the Taj contains the cenotaphs of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz. It is a masterpiece of craftsmanship never paralleled anywhere else. The inner chamber is octagonal in shape and the cenotaphs are surrounded by marble lattice work. The cenotaphs contain fine calligraphic inscriptions and made to resemble the garden of paradise with inlays of flowers, plants, arabesques etc. The lower chambers, where they are actually buried, have two cenotaphs, but as per Islamic tradition, they are relatively plain.

Dome – It is the most spectacular feature. It has a height of about 35 meters. The tomb is topped by gilded finial using Islamic and Hindu designs.

Minarets – At the corners of the base plinth are located four minarets on each corner. They stand more than 40 meters tall. They lean slightly outward, as a safety precaution in the event of collapse; they would not damage the main building.

The Jawab and Mosque – On either side of the mausoleum are two identical buildings. On the western side is the Mosque and to the east lies the Jawab. The Jawab was constructed to maintain the symmetry of the complex. It used to accommodate important guests and visitors.

The Gardens – It is divided into four parts and gives an added beauty to the entire complex. It has pools and well laid out avenues of trees and flower beds. It has a raised marble water tank called the “Tank of Abundance”.

The Taj Mahal is a wonder of the world. The Taj Mahal architecture which consists of intricate inlays of semi precious stones, exquisite calligraphy, eye catching symmetry, the purity of white marble etc., and has drawn countless visitors from all over the world. Visiting the Taj Mahal complex is an experience of a lifetime and viewing the Taj by moonlight, is to have visited paradise on earth.

The architectural wonder of India, the Taj Mahal in Agra, is considered the “Jewel of Muslim Art in India”. The story of the building of this magnificent structure goes back to the early 1600s, during the Mughal Empire Period. The Emperor Shah Jahan, led India through its architectural Golden Age. Shah Jahan built many monuments during his reign, all of them exquisite and breath-taking. He was titled as “The Builder of Marvels.” His most famous work of art is the Taj Mahal, a tomb for Jahan and his Wife.

A Great Love

Shah Jahan had three wives, but was forever devoted and thoroughly in love with his first wife, Mumtaz Mahal. She traveled with him frequently, and was equally devoted to him. She had 14 children, but died while giving birth to her last child. Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal out of grief, love and devotion for Mumtaz Mahal.

For the task of designing the structure, Shah Jahan employed architects from all over the world to create the tribute to his great love. Several artists, stonecutters, brick-layers, and 20,000 laborers from India, Persia, and throughout Asia were employed during the 22 year construction of the Taj Mahal. A thousand elephants were utilized to move the large pieces of white marble.

Construction

The marble was brought to Agra from China, Tibet, Afghanistan, and Arabia, and cut and fashioned onsite to build the monument. Calligraphers inscribed marble with holy passages from the Quran, the 99 names of God, and welcoming messages for all visitors. There has been a rumor that Shah Jahan cut off workers’ hands so they could not repeat the building process.

The structure was completed in 1653. The grounds of the Taj Mahal include a beautiful reflecting pool and walkway that guides visitors to the entrance of the famous structure. The Paradise Garden is a beautiful manicured garden with fountains and trees, though it was likely more elaborate in the 1650s. There are other decorated buildings on the property, including a gateway building, a mosque, a mausoleum for Shah Jahan’s other wives, and a mausoleum dedicated to Mumtaz Mahal’s favorite servant. Shah Jahan was laid to rest next to his wife in 1666.

Renovations

Throughout history, the building has gone through many renovations. The earliest was in 1908, when British Viceroy Lord Curzon headed an intricate resurfacing and detailing to try to replace the missing lapis lazuli, turquoise, and sapphire stones that were inlayed in the walls. It sustained a lot of damage during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

During World War II and the Indian-Pakistan Wars of 1965 and 1971, the Indian government erected huge protective scaffolding to attempt to shield the Taj Mahal from possible air attacks. Several resurfacing jobs and cleaning have taken place in the last century, but the marble is turning brown. From far away and in photos, the Taj Mahal still appears glistening white. When close, it is obvious that centuries of air pollution and decay has caused the white marble to lose its luster. Visiting tours are not allowed to bring automobiles near the structure in hopes that keeping the car exhaust away will help maintain the old-world marble.

Today, the historic Taj Mahal is probably the most famous structure in India. The story of the Taj Mahal inspires tourists to travel from all over the world to experience it. They come to visit the translucent white monument, with its rounded, elegant domes and hand-cut stone decorations. The Taj Mahal is one of the Seven Ancient Wonders of the World, and is amazing to see, both inside and out.

Frolicking on Kailua Beach
Photo by: pred_de, Creative Commons

Visitors who are visiting Kailua, Hawaii for the first time can expect a wide range of activities waiting for them. Kailua is on the windward side of the island of Oahu. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, Kailua has the best beaches in the world. Aside from swimming, there are other activities that you will surely love, such as surfing, kayaking, and wakeboarding. While those who prefer the indoors, there are a lot of museums and art galleries that they can visit.

Kailua boasts of having the best beach in the island, the Lanikai Beach. Visitors and residents alike will enjoy strolling on the beach covered with soft sand. The water is crystal clear and blue as the sky. You also get a breathtaking view of two small offshore islands from a distance. The Lanikai Beach can also be considered as one of the cleanest beaches there is. So if you love the sea, grab your swim suit, a beach towel, and apply some sunscreen and enjoy frolicking in the sand of Lanikai Beach.

A perfect activity to do while in Kailua is kayaking in the clear waters of the Kailua Beach. This particular beach is known to be the home of large sea turtles and spectacular coral reefs. Aside from kayaking, you will also enjoy a host of other water activities like windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, and paddling. Your visit to Kailua will not be complete if you don’t engage in these various outdoor activities.

Did you know that Kailua is also known for its most comprehensive Barbie doll collection? You will surely enjoy going to Hawaii Loves Barbie Dolls Museum and feel like a child again. Aside from Barbie dolls, this unique museum is also home to other popular toys like G.I. Jo action figures, Madame Alexander dolls, as well as Qupie dolls.

For art enthusiasts, the Rankin Gallery is a favorite destination. Here you will find a lot of artworks from local artists.

People who have diverse interests will definitely enjoy visiting Kailua, Hawaii.

Totem pole at the Native Heritage Center
Photo by: Alaskan Dude , Creative Commons

A popular destination in Alaska for local and foreign visitors is the Alaska Native Heritage Center. This center was built in 1999 and is arguably the place to learn about of the rich culture of Alaska. It will not only give you the experience to witness just one cultural group, but most of them. You will get to know how it was to live in each indigenous group, how it was living in that period of time.

Some people have this impression that centers like this one can be boring and is just going to be a waste of time and money. The Heritage Center is not going to be boring at all. You will be entertained by programs which are specifically prepared for the visitors. Your eyes will also feast because of the life sized village displays which will give the clearest idea on how they lived and what they did for a living.

You will also get the chance to visit and learn about craft-making which are truly amazing. Visiting the center will definitely give you the feeling of importance of the past traditions and treasure the traditions that you presently have and practice.

It will be a really good learning experience for everyone, young and old. The center also have a variety of facilities. There are cafes if you get hungry and there are gift shops if you would want to bring home something that can remind you about your visit. Make sure to be in your most comfortable walking shoes to fully enjoy roaming around the whole of the center. To avoid the hassle when visiting, make sure to call in advance to get the full schedule and activities in the center.

Downtown Conway
Photo by: Photolitherland, Creative Commons

Conway, Arkansas is a city brimming with youthful vigor and energy. It earned the moniker “City of Colleges” for having three postsecondary schools namely, the Central Baptist College, Hendrix College and the University of Central Arkansas. These colleges provide the city with numerous performing arts opportunities all throughout the year thus enriching the cultural experience in Conway. (more…)

If you are sports enthusiasts who have a passion not only for the game itself, but also for its rich history, then one of the stops you have to make when visiting Alabama is the Sports Hall of Fame and Museum. This building located in downtown Birmingham spans an area of 33,000 square feet, with three floors all dedicated to the athletic contributions and history of the area.

The Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1967 through a legislative act and has since then inducted over 200 athletes and sports contributors to its list. The museum is state funded and showcases over 5000 objects that have something to do with athletes who were born in Alabama or who have gained popularity in association with Alabama.

Noted items on display in the museum are the Heisman trophies won by two athletes from Auburn University, a hounds tooth necklace pendant worn y acclaimed University of Alabama coach Paul Bryant apart from the number of jerseys, athletic equipment, and life sized dioramas of players and renowned sporting events. The museum is well kept by its team of curators and directors and is in fact one of the examples of how sports memorabilia can be presented well. The museum continues to grow its collection as more and more people are becoming interested in the exciting world of sports.

With respect to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, popular names include Jesse Owens, Hank Aaron, and Carl Lewis. Every year 6 to 8 new inductees are added to the list comprising of Alabama natives with significant contributions to athletics or those who have become positively associated with the place. So far, five personalities on the list have made it to the 15 greatest athletes of the last century as released by ESPN.

When going to the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, the visitor will notice that he or she is actually in a life-sized museum. This place is an open-air museum with 28 reconstructed village structures. Included in these buildings are an opera house, blacksmith, and a school house. The attractions are not confined in a single building. Wandering around this museum village would be like travelling back in tie and enjoying the sights and sounds of a bygone era.

Apart from that, what sets the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum is that, as inferred by its name, it is actually a living museum, which means all the buildings are functional, with real people in them. A visitor will not be having a Pompeii-like ghost town experience with everything preserved, stuck. This place has real people with functioning buildings that just look (and are intended to be) a hundred years behind.

Visitors receive an authentic feel of how pioneer families of centuries ago lived. The museum hosts a good number of wildlife like jackrabbits, cottontails, ground squirrels and birds, which in turn capture the time the museum is trying to showcase. The authenticity of the museum reaches a point that it actually has snakes in the facility, with warnings all around the premises about snakes. Visitors can get inside the cabins to see what furniture and appliances (if any) pioneer families had.

Due to the authenticity of the village museum’s construction, the streets of the museum get muddy and at times, flooded during rainy season. On the other hand, strolling around the museum can also be a chore during the summer, as Arizona weather can be mercilessly hot. Thus, it is recommended that visitors visit this quirky museum during the cooler yet dry months. It is also advisable for visitors to call the museum before going ahead and planning the trip. The museum is closed during Mondays and Tuesdays.

USAF Lockheed VC-121A on the Constellation used by Douglas MacArthur in Korea.
Photo by: USAF, Creative Commons

Museums are supposed to be large, stuffy, and closed halls filled with dusty artifacts, old paintings, and untouchable exhibits. Don’t expect any of that in this extraordinary showcase of the wonders of flight.

The Planes of Fame Air Museum can be found mainly in Chino, California, but the huge collection of flyable – yes, at least 30 are flyable and flown during the museum’s monthly and annual air shows – and exhibit aircraft it has assembled over the years has caused it to open another facility in Valle, Arizona in 1995, containing over 40 aircraft.

First opened in 1957, the museum was then known simply as “The Air Museum”. Volunteers recovered aircraft which would have otherwise been scrapped or melted down and set out to make these flyable once again. The museum’s collection grew over the years and it moved a lot until it finally settled at the Chino Airport in California in the 1970s.

Visitors to the museum at either Chino or Valle will be able to see a huge collection of airplanes – both restored and unrestored – from the First World War, the Second World War, and on to the jet age. There are also a few military ground vehicles such as tanks on display. Some of the aircraft and vehicles of the museum have also appeared in movies like Pearl Harbor. They have also been shown on television and featured in books.

As an added treat, members of the museum are allowed to take up a few of the aircraft on “orientation flights” and experience firsthand what it actually felt like to be in the cockpit of a famous aircraft. Who wouldn’t want to actually go up in a Dauntless dive bomber or race through the sky in a P-51 Mustang or shoot for the stars in a T-33 Shooting Star jet plane? This is the place to go for anyone who ever dreamt of flying.

Smoki Indian hat, a rim of brilliant red and a crown of bright blue.

Preserving Native American art and cultur, that was the thrust of the Smoki People, citizens from the city of Prescott, Arizona who came together in 1921 while performing a Hopi snake dance. Over the years the members of this group performed Native American rituals and dances in shows and fairgrounds in order to perpetuate the Native American culture as well as present it to other people. While the Smoki People are no more, having been disbanded in the early 1990s, their legacy lives on in the shape of the Smoki Museum.

The Smoki Museum of American Indian Art and Culture can be found in Prescott, Arizona. It was founded in 1935 by the Smoki People and the Civilian Works Administration. Built to resemble a Native American pueblo, the museum is constructed of native stone and wood. The museum’s external appearance really sets the mood for the exhibits inside. Native American tribes featured in the museum include the Hopi, Apache, Sioux, and woodland Indians.

Within the museum, visitors will find a collection of prehistoric and contemporary Native American pottery, jewelry, and stone artifacts, along with a collection of basketry and katsina dolls. There are exhibits of clothing, ornaments, and ceremonial objects which were used by Native American tribes from the area.

Examples of weapons such as bows and arrows can also be found here, as well as models of Native American dwellings and exhibits about the Smoki People’s history. The museum even contains a collection of artist Kate Cory’s photographs, paintings, and documents plus a library full of books on Native American archaeology and ethnography.

Visitors may avail of arts and crafts as well as publications sold by the Museum Trading Post.
The Smoki Museum is open every day except on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Make it a point to visit the museum during a trip to Prescott.

McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park
Photo by: Dru Bloomfield, Creative Commons

One of the often-overlooked yet entertaining attractions that the state of Arizona offers is the McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park. The charm of the park stems from its display of railroad innovations that rival some of the best railroad museums in the country and the fact that it is a park as well, so people can actually be entertained with the attractions that are on it, including, obviously a train ride.

Among the park’s attractions is the Paradise & Pacific Railroad, created by the park’s founder himself, Guy Stillman. The Paradise & Pacific Railroad was the first attraction to be offered in the park, making it the oldest and still functioning attraction. The gauge train has a route which includes 3,800 feet of track and 1,400 of sidetrack. There are two trestles, turntable, a tunnel, water tank, loading platform, two crossing signals and an extensive train shed and workshop on the attraction, making it as authentic as possible.

Running in the railroad are gondola cars, three steam engines, three diesel engines, two boxcars, two cabooses, a coach car, and a trolley car. There’s also a merry-go-round called the Charro Carrousel, which has been operating for more than 60 years already. For children, there are two playgrounds, with one offering a southwestern theme. The Xeriscape Arboretum, grown since 1980, hosts a good number of plant species unique to the region.

Meanwhile, exhibited in the park are the Magma Arizona Railroad Engine #6, which is only surviving Arizona & New Mexico engine remaining in the state, a railroad museum that houses an extensive line of historic railroad memorabilia and pictures, a Ronald Amundsen Pullman Car, the Gabre Brooks Machine Shop, which still contains original machining tools and Navajo Hogans, of which only two of three remaining of the Indian Hogan’s existing outside the Northern Arizona Navajo Indian Reservation.

Looking out from Ruffner Mountain
Photo by: Max Wolfe, Creative Commons

If there’s any place that is great for outdoor activities, Ruffner Mountain is one of them. It enormous bio-diverse surroundings help make that outdoor experience more authentic. Miles and miles of forest trails with different kinds of wildlife living on wetlands can be seen and make for a good hiking trip.

Ever since the invention of modern technology that help people in their daily lives, there have been places where a peaceful habitat for animals become affected; without people being aware of it. It is from these natural materials where most of man’s innovations started.

Ruffner Mountain helps people in seeing the world the way it was before, natural habitats without any cables, wires or artificial lights, the pure essence of nature where the earliest inhabitants lived.

Ruffner Mountain is one of many nature preserves in the world. Not only to provide scenery to people but more importantly to preserve nature itself. Without it, the modern world today will not exist. In addition, educators and nature enthusiasts are given the opportunity to learn more about what nature is and what it gives and help share the knowledge to others to help them be aware that nature itself is part of man’s evolution where in turn in their own small ways help in preserving it for future generations.

Black Leopard in the Out of Africa Wildlife park
Photo by: Qilinmon, Creative Commons

Because of the state’s almost desert location, lack of seasons and dry landscape, Arizona hosts many attractions that pay homage to its unique wildlife and geography. It’s not a wonder why something like the Out of Africa Wildlife Park is such a major attraction in the state. After all, who doesn’t want to experience a being close to rare nature and wildlife without having to leave the US? Going to Out of Africa Wildlife Park is a unique experience that combines the thrill of being that close to wild animals and the safety of the environment.

So, what is the experience in going to Out of Africa Wildlife Park actually like? Visitors are given the treat of approximating a safari experience resembling those being done in Africa. Guests get on a bus and get toured around the facility that houses the usual line up of wild animals – tigers, zebras, lions and the like. They are given the chance to go down the bus with their guides so that they can take pictures and really get close to the creatures to the point of actually feeding and even playing with them. Like in a safari, the wild animals housed in the park are not caged in a barred space like in zoos. They can roam around, just like in safaris, with some housed in cages that are not really that restrictive.

Aside from the Serengeti Safari and Preserve Tour, a lot of guests get excited over the Tiger Splash attraction where they get to see at least three tigers playing in a pool with some of the park’s staff. The interaction between the park’s staff and the wild animals is something great to see, as the animals are obviously well taken-cared of and not to mention well-fed. The admission fee may be a bit steep for some people, though.

Statue of Martin Luther King Jr. overlooking the Civil Rights Institute
Photo by: fotobot-d, Creative Commons

The American Civil Rights Movement covers a period in the history of the United States when African Americans struggled to get equal and fair treatment. It has undoubtedly etched its place in history not leaving any wonder as to why different memorials and museums have been put up in its memory. One such place is the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, a museum and research center rolled into one complex that is dedicated to the remembrance and depiction of the struggles faced by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950s to 1960s.

The institute is rightfully located in the Civil Rights District, a site of other historic venues such as the 16th Street Baptist Church, the Kelly Ingram Park, and the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame. The establishment of the institute in 1992 only served to cement Birmingham’s pride in its history as well as its fervor to forge and promote unity among its communities.

Through the Institute’s museum, you can take a walk through the Birmingham’s past especially as it is associated with the Civil Rights Movement. Different permanent exhibits showcase the city’s many contributions to the movement. A slew of multimedia exhibits on the other hand provide a good background on the African American life and struggle for civil rights. The most popular of these exhibits is the Oral History Project, which tells the story of Birmingham’s role through taped voices of those included in the movement.

The Institute’s research center is another treasure trove for those who want to learn more about the civil rights movement with its collection of different archived materials such as documents and artifacts. These are made available to researchers and educators. The place may also serve as a meeting place for different organizations as well as a venue for seminars and workshops.

McWane Science Center
Photo by: Sweetmoose6, Creative Commons

Located in the heart of downtown Birmingham, Alabama is the perfect destination for kids and adults who have a great passion for fun and learning. The McWane Science Center is indeed the place to be for anyone whose eyes still brim with wonder at the different marvels of nature or whose hearts race with excitement at the thought of dinosaurs and other creatures.

This four story building houses a number of breathtaking exhibits and science demos that are sure to capture your imagination and make you want to explore every nook and cranny that the center has. Apart from the four floors dedicated to its science based features, the McWane Science Center boasts of the Imax Dome Theater where educational films are shown on a five-story tall screen complete with high intensity speakers for the perfect viewing experience.

The exhibits offered on the center’s four floors are varied and are sure to cater to whatever interest you may have, be it aquatic life, dinosaurs, or a host of scientific exploits and discoveries. The exhibit featuring dinosaurs has always been a winner for people of all ages while the amazing aquarium and the different environmental showcases provide relaxation for some. Apart from these interesting displays, science demos on different fields are performed by highly trained and well equipped educators. To cap all of these, science films and other educational shows can be seen in the Imax Dome Theater.

As a nonprofit endeavor, the proprietors of the center only have the interest of inspiring the love of learning among children and of continuing to awaken the sense of awe among adults. Since it opened in 1998 millions of people of different ages have flocked to the area to experience this exhilarating learning environment.

The place is easy enough to reach through different Interstate Routes and highways and group tours and fieldtrips can be pre-arranged on their website. The center is open seven days a week at rates that are just right for the features that they offer.

Places to See & Visit in Birgmingham, Alabama – Travel to Alabama

Two U.S. Air Force F-16A Fighting Falcon fighters over the morning Arizona desert.
Photo by: NSgt. Meneguin, Creative Commons

A lot of people are curious about going to Arizona usually ask if there is anything else they could do aside from exploring the natural wonders of the state. As majestic and breathtaking the canyon and mountain of the state may be, there are travelers who just want something else that does not relate to hiking, mountain climbing, or idyllic picnics with breathtaking scenery. The good news is that Arizona offers attractions that go beyond natural beauty. In fact, for those who want to take a more edgy adventure, there’s Fighter Combat International, where you can fly a plane for a day. How’s that for extreme?

Fighter Combat International maintains an aircraft facility near the Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa. The company’s main product is an offer of the “Flight of a Lifetime” experience to its clients. This means people can undergo unique adventures in air combat and aerobatics, all in just one day! Anyone who has ever dreamed of being the Tom Cruise character in Top Gun can have his dream of being a fighter pilot or an ‘Air Show Pilot’ a reality. Yes, the company claims for this to come true within a day! The experience includes flying a real competition aircraft under the tutelage of real military fighter pilots.

Courses such as Introduction to Air Combat Maneuvering, Advanced Air Combat Maneuvering, and Power Ride: 20-Minute Aerobatic Flight and Super Ride: 45-Minute Aerobatic Flight are offered to clients. Interested people should take note that this is the real thing – this is not a simulated experience where the plane does not take off. After the course, participants will be given the chance to actually fly the plane and fulfill their pilot dreams. No previous flying experience is required from clients. This vacation is truly something that will be a unique experience in Fighter Combat International.

An A-12 reconnaissance aircraft on the grounds
Photo by: Civilentiger, Creative Commons

As far as history has known, mankind has always been fascinated with flight. Since its invention in the early 20th century, aviation has never stopped to seize the imagination of people from all over the world. Through time, different exploits and feats have been made in the field of flight and with the advancement in technology man has made his dream easier to reach. With all this history surrounding the wonderful subject of aviation it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are premises dedicated solely to the safeguarding of the different artifacts culled through time.

The Southern Museum of Flight in Birmingham, Alabama is a structure built in memory of the different feats in aviation throughout the years. Strategically located three blocks away from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport, the facility is brimming with different aircrafts and flight memorabilia spanning a length of eight decades in the history of flight. The complex is divided into different facilities each catering to a specific area of aviation ensuring that the public is treated to a showcase that is meant not only to enrich their appreciation of aviation, but also provide them with education.

The facilities include an early aviation hall where the history of flight is presented through a number of displays and exhibits, an experimental aircraft hall which features the advancement of technology as it applies to aircrafts both for military and civilian use, and the Alabama Aviation Hall of Fame which features different personalities that have made a mark in the history of flying. Noted personalities on display here are Amelia Earhart and the Red Baron.

Crowd drawers are the outdoor exhibit featuring 26 different aircrafts with interesting stories behind them as well as a flight simulation area where people can try out the feel of military aircrafts, antique planes, and other popular models.

A Ferruginous Hawk flying in the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
Photo by: Jöshua Barnett, Creative Commons

There are lots of places where you can witness the beauty of nature. Rainforests and jungles of any kind provide habitat for numerous species of the world. But even in the desert there exists a wide variety of species of both plants and animals that you can see. When you visit the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum you can witness the great things the Sonoran Desert has to offer.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum (ASDM) was first found by William Carr and Arthur Pack in the year 1952. This museum is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to the protection and conservation of the Sonoran Desert. Certain kinds of attractions like a demonstration of live animals through projected images enable visitors to witness the natural life of animals that live in the desert. They also have a zoo where visitors can see the live animals that live in the desert and a botanical garden as well where just like the animals; visitors can see the natural vegetation that exists in the desert.

This museum does not only show the beauty of the Sonoran Desert but also provide educational programs in which visitors could be informed of the importance of the different plants and animals that live in these places, specifically the Sonoran Desert. Through the exhibits featuring live animals and amazingly natural settings and demonstrations of different kinds of animals, and simply by understanding and appreciating the Sonoran Desert the museum aims to inspire people in living in harmony with the natural word.

Even in the desert you can see the beauty of nature and by visiting the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum either with your family or your friends you will not just see its beauty, you may even get more knowledge about the desert itself, how the plants and animals that live within its environment contribute in its natural cycle.

Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
Photo by: Altairisfar, Creative Commons

The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a 13,000 square foot Greek revival antebellum mansion facing Springhill Avenue in Mobile, Alabama. It was built in 1855 by Judge John Bragg for his wife and family to enjoy from Thanksgiving to Mardi Gras. Since Judge Bragg’s death in 1878, four additional families owned this home, the last one being the A. S. Mitchell family in 1931.

Recognizing this home’s status as a cultural icon, the Mitchell family decided to donate it to the Explore Center in the 1970’s. Deciding not to mess with the mansion’s historic integrity, the Explore Center built a separate science museum instead. The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1972; and after three million dollars’ worth of renovation work, it was opened to the public in 1987 and a 501(c) not-for-profit organization was founded to solidify the mansion’s place in history.

As one of the most-photographed buildings in Mobile, the mansion offers a glimpse of picturesque Old South lifestyle with its unique design for its time, a grove of century-old oaks, and fine antiques and crystal chandeliers.

The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is open to the public for guided tours from Tuesday to Frida, with discounts for AAA cardholders, senior citizens, and groups of 20 or more adults. For persons with disabilities, there is added accessibility throughout the mansion. It can also be rented for usage in weddings and receptions, cocktail parties and dinners, luncheons, showers, and corporate functions. Those rentals are by appointment only.

Conde-Charlotte House
Photo by: Altairisfar, Creative Commons

The Conde-Charlotte Museum House in Mobile was built in 1850 by Jonathan and Elizabeth Kirkbride on the site of a jail built in 1822. Having inherited the jail’s two-foot thick brick floor and doors and it being a witness to French, British, Spanish, American, and Confederate occupations of Fort Conde in Mobile (in chronological order); this house sports the mix of five different cultures in one place.

Since 1957, the house has been owned, refurbished, and maintained by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Alabama and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is also a member of the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce, the Mobile Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel, the Alabama Museums Association, the Mobile Arts Council, and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association.

The house contains a French sitting room and bedroom, a British “commandant’s room”, a walled Spanish garden, an American Federal dining room, two 1850’s bedrooms that belong to the Kirkbrides, two Confederate parlors, and a kitchen packed with 19th and 20th century equipment.

A 45-minute guided tour showcases the house and its treasured antiques to visitors from Tuesday to Saturday at 11 am to 3 pm.

The Conde-Charlotte Museum House is located at 104 Theatre Street, Mobile, AL 36602. From the Interstate 10 East Water Street Exit, turn left to the tunnel at Government Street; turn left again to Royal Street by exiting the tunnel; and turn right to Theater Street. The house should be very near Fort Conde.

Legacy of the Crimson Tide
Photo by: Rtr10, Creative Commons

The Tuscaloosa Paul W. Bryant Museum is a specialty museum dedicated to the famous football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant and is located inside the campus of the University of Alabama.

Paul William Bryant was born in Fordyce, Arkansas; but he considered Alabama his home. He gained a scholarship at the University, playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide; and then coached three different college football teams; and went back to Alabama since “Momma called. And when Momma calls, you just have to come runnin’.” Over his career, he led the Crimson Tide to 323 victories and six national championships, and racked three national coach of the year titles and eight SEC coach of the year titles.

The museum is a must for college football fans, and eventually sports fans in general, who want to see the history of the Crimson Tide and the impact Bryant left on them.

In 1981, Bryant suggested that a museum be built not just in his honor, but also of the former players and assistant coaches who helped him clinch those landmark achievements. The museum was founded in 1985 and was opened to the public on October 8, 1988.

The museum is a comprehensive collection of the University of Alabama’s sports history ever since the first football and baseball teams were founded in 1892. The collection includes Bryant’s trademark hound’s-tooth hat, the Daniel Moore painting that inspired the 32-cent US postage stamp that honors Bryant, an archive of every game Alabama played, and a listing of people who are named after the coach.

The museum is open daily except major holidays.

Iron bacteria in the Sipsey Wilderness Area in the Bankhead National Forest
Photo by: Ke4ropMike Henshaw, Creative Commons

The Decatur Sipsey Wilderness Area is the largest national wilderness area east of the Mississippi River and the first of its kind in Alabama. As part of Bankhead National Forest, its span of 25,906 acres offers 54.2 miles’ worth of trails for hiking and horseback riding. It also contains the Sipsey Wild and Scenic River, a river system that is 61.4 miles long.

The William B. Bankhead National Forest is located in northwestern Alabama. With a span of 180,581 acres, occupying portions of Winston and Lawrence Counties, the forest offers lots of opportunities for camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and swimming. It was first known as the Alabama National Forest when President Woodrow Wilson designated the area on January 15, 1918; then had its name changed to Black Warrior National Forest by proclamation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt on June 19, 1936, in honor of the Native Americans who settled in the forest; and finally got its current name by an Act of Congress on June 17, 1942, in honor of one of Alabama’s most distinguished native sons, William B. Bankhead, who served in the U.S. Congress from 1917 to 1940 and was Speaker of the House from 1936 until his death in 1940.

Together, these two places offer opportunities for natural beauty and primitive recreation, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The Sipsey Wilderness Trails offer varied scenic views along its paths, from cliffs to waterfalls to foliage and trees. Along the way, you can also hear the sounds of animals native to their habitats. Experiencing all the trails can take you a few days.

The Bankhead National Forest has six recreation areas, each offering various facilities for forest lovers, from beginners to experts. As the seasons change, the experiences in the recreation areas also change, giving visitors greater comprehension of those seasons.