The Island of Hispanola

"Welcome Home" they greet us as we come into the resort. Home away from home - better - no cell phones, not checking email, no news, R & R in a much needed and enjoyable way! The Domincan Republic - A Beautiful Island bordered by the Atlantic, Carribean, and Hati. This was my second vacation here (first in 2007) and definitly not my last! August 7-14th at Dreams La Romana traveling through Apple Vacations - great service!

While I was there - I became PADI - Open Water Certified - 6 open water Dives all together! It's a whole different world beneath the surface!
After my last instructional dive - I am a real diver now!

Sorkeling Fun! So many beautiful Fish! The reef is very alive. On one swim I took along an underwater camera - Not bad photos! - Enjoy!

Boomtown

ASID brought me to Cincinnati, Ohio (Boomtown) for our Chapter Leadership Conference.

With a very tight schedule to keep - I did my travel & exploration research early to determine the best places to tour, what and where to eat, and how to get a round... only to find the Carew Tower which houses the hotel Netherland Plaza - where we were stayng & the confrence was held was to only MUST SEE place on the list -Easy!

Now, not to disrespect Cincinnati - it's a charming city - very clean and friendly, and certainly what I saw far exceeded my expecttions - but still not much there - out side of the typical go to any city and you can do the same kinda things - city attractions. There are other good Cincinatti Destinations just not part of this trip - but- if I were to return.

So here is what I did...

FYI - Fly into Kentucky - Taxi into Ohio

First Stop Cincinnati the Queen City- OK, Only Stop:

Carew Tower - 49 Stories - 574 feet above street level. The Carew Tower is the tallest building in Cincinnati (until the great american insurance building at queen city square is completed in 2011 - which will be 86 feet higher). Carew Tower is a National Historic Landmark, containing the Netherland Plaza Hotel (Hilton) & among other things a shopping mall, offices, and connections to many other fun shopping destinations and restaurants down town. It was designed to be a city in a city. built in 1929 - with an interesting story.

Overlooking fountain square - We were there for a Friday Night - Concert in the Square! - and wow! Tastey Ice cream all right in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Also Overlooking the Ohio River waterfront - I am always on the lookout for veiws from the top - Carew Tower offers an observation deck - but it's a little tricky getting there - a few - like 2 -3 very small signs lead you to an elevator - taking you to a landing where you get on a two - person max elevator - and a very narrow staircase - which leads to a small room where an older lady - takes your $2 - and then out the door to to top of the Carew Tower and this view! on a clear day you can see for miles includling three states: Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio!

The Palm Court, the former Lobby and now the Restaurant "Orchids" is said to be the finest example of French Art Deco Architecture in the world - Indeed!

All in all - The hotel was a facinating example of Art Deco - Some Highlights.

Newport Rhode Island

Newport, Rhode Island, just saying that phrase, that place name... I can't help but sigh.

Hmmm... Rhode Island. If you have ever been there - really been there - you know exactly what I mean.

One of my favorite US destinations! I venture annualy to enjoy the New England Scenery (and lobster), Lavish Architecture, and Rich American History.

This particular trip I brought a number of fellow Interior Designers and Interior Design Students on a Travel with ASID Maryland Trip to tour the Newport Mansions. http://newportmansions.org/

Newport's history is remarkable in many ways, but perhaps the most unique aspect is that so much of its history is still visible on the landscape in an unparalleled concentration of preserved architecture.

Showcasing American Architecture and Design specifically: Colonial, Georgian, Victorian, Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts Movement, and especially the gilded age of America and the Beaux-arts Style – Renaissance – Baroque – Rococo and more! With lavish details and rich history, America’s first new port later becomes the Queen of Resorts, where in great architects and designers Richard Morris Hunt, McKim Mead and White, Peabody and Stearns, and others build the "summer cottage" mansions for the American elite for which Newport has become famous.

An incredible view of dusk on the rocky shore.

Followed by a soft and colorful sunset across the bay.