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.

Meet me in St. Louis

I was in St. Louis in March for an ASID President's Forum Conference - and like all great trips - not to be confused with vacations - I packed as much in as possible!

Arriving early morning checking in at the hotel - Great 18th Story veiw of the Arch and Waterfront! Thank you Hyatt!

Then jumping into a cab and heading to the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois!

Why you may ask? Why would I spend time traveiling to see piles of dirt? Why not! You see I first learned about Cahokia while traveiling accross the country in 1991 with my fam. - the museum had just opened in 1989, which was a pretty big deal - we saw signs - it peaked our interest - so we made a side stop - it was so facinating! so memorable we still talk about it - so... Why not stop by when I was only 15 min away! Things to report - Mounds are still there - Mueseum has not changed at all since my 1991 visit and No the video that is showing (which is excellent) is not for sale - but another video is and although has alot of the same parts - it's not the same or as good. but you can watch the good one here: http://www.cahokiamounds.com/learn/video then click on the View: City of the Sun Link at the bottom of the page.

So what' s this place all about? if you didn't watch the 15 min video here's the story in a nut shell... Here lies the remains of the most sophisticated prehistoric native civilization north of Mexico.

Pretty Intereseting! Right!

According to archaeological finds, the city of Cahokia was inhabited from about A.D. 700 to 1400. At its peak, from A.D. 1050 to 1200, the city covered nearly six square miles and 10,000 to 20,000 people lived here. Over 120 mounds were built over time, and most of the mounds were enlarged several times. Houses were arranged in rows and around open plazas, and vast agricultural fields lay outside the city. The fate of the prehistoric Cahokians and their city is unknown, but the decline seems to have been gradual, beginning around the 1200s. By A.D. 1400 the site had been abandoned. http://www.cahokiamounds.com/

So I ran up to the top of the largest mound - enjoyed the view of St. Lo. Mo. & took in the power of the people that came before - and ran down - I had to get back to St Louis - the morning was yet young!

Dropped off at the River Front area I quickly went straight to the Arch - Gateway to the West

There are just certain things you MUST do when in certain places - How could I go to St. Louis and not go up to the top of the Arch.... but time was a ticking - the conference starts at 2pm - Security lines were long and slow (by the way there are two entrances - one with a line and one with out) I head over to the "get up there" line and wow with in minutes, the next availible tram was in an hour... it woul dbe tight but it was possible! Any time anyone asks you if you are clostrophibic before selling you at ticket - let that stand as a serious question - not to be taken lightly!

We are herded like cattle at Disney to get on these "Capsule Trains" this interior - elevator that not only goes up but sideways - Five to a Pod. then shut the door and begin - So back to the Clostrophobic part - I'm not clostrophbic - I like my space but confined spaces aren't diableing or terribly nerv racking - but to this guy on my pod this was the end - his family - wife and teenage daughters - took a vote and p they went - he doesn't like these things apparently - and his kids liked reminding him how crowded and small and old and you get the idea I couldn't wait to get out myself! - Lesson: Heed all lessons from service personel when warnings are offered.

Got to the top and wow - there was some movement... but look at that view - I've always enjoyed seeing for miles -views from mountain tops, amusment park rides, airplanes, and monuments.... this was quite the veiw - from the very small windows!

Then back down - much more comforatable! - no one with issues...

Bauetiful weather. Great time. Check of the list of things to do while in St. Louis, MO

Arch Quick Facts: http://www.gatewayarch.com/Arch/

Designed by Eero Saarinen

• The Arch is the tallest national monument in the United States at 630 feet; it is the city's best known landmark and a popular tourist attraction.
  Construction began February 12, 1963 and the last section of the Arch was put into place on October 28, 1965.
• The Arch is a structure known as a catenary curve, the shape a free-hanging chain takes when held at both ends, and considered the most structurally-sound arch shape. The span of the Arch legs at ground level is 630 feet, the same as its height.

Each year, approximately a million visitors ride the trams to the top of the Arch. The trams have been in operation for over 30 years, traveling a total of 250,000 miles and carrying over 25 million passengers.


• The Arch weighs 17,246 tons. Nine hundred tons of stainless steel was used to build the Arch, more than any other project in history.
  The Arch was built at a cost of $13 million. The transportation system was built at a cost of $3,500,000.


• In order to ensure that the constructed legs would meet, the margin of error for failure was 1/64th of an inch. All survey work was done at night to eliminate distortion caused by the sun's rays. Since the Arch was constructed before the advent of computer technology, relatively crude instruments were used for these measurements.


• The Arch sways a maximum of 18" (9" each way) in a 150 mph wind. The usual sway is 1/2". - Yes I Could feel a little movement while at the top!

2008 Year in Reveiw

It seems the older I become the faster time passes, I remember when time seemed to almost stand still and now there is just not enough. This year has been a technological milestone for me; I am now a lap top toting, GPS relying, qwerty texting and blackberry using fiend – I don’t know how I ever lived without this stuff, so horribly convenient and addicting - I don’t use (or even know how to use) half of the features. As I mentioned last year I thought I start a blog – I did- but never posted anything further – if I decide to post my own soap box rants and the tid bits of my crazy life I’ll be sure to send a press release! For now I have become a more proficient facebook-er! Join if you are not yet on there – if you are look me up! It’s been a great way to reconnect with people!

The Profession: The Interior Design industry continues to grow, my residential business is steady and I continue to expand my commercial projects –a lot of church designs lately – many different denominations – it has been very fascinating, each has very distinct design needs. Great year for publicity – quotes, articles, and photos in a number of publications! I wrapped up my 9th Show house and just previewed the 10th! Photos at www.lckinteriors.com As of Oct 1st, I am the President of the Maryland Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers - I have an excellent board -we have already set the bar higher and continue to grow and support our profession. This coming spring semester I begin a new venture - teaching college - I was asked to create and teach a Historic Color, Ornament, and Textiles Class (right up my alley!) – my syllabus is ready, text books selected, I am now preparing my lectures and exams! The semester begins the end of January, best part I am combining the class final project with a real historic project (see community) wish me luck! We’ll see how professor-ing suits me – never know where this might lead.

Community: As always I enjoy my involvement in various community organizations, highlights include being on the board of the Friends of the Perry Hall Mansion- Historic Restoration Project http://www.perryhallmansion.org/ we have had a very successful first year of the organization - raising awareness and funds, offering tours, events, products for sale, and delving into history! Construction for updating the HVAC/Electrical/Plumbing starts this spring – then the real fun begins! In February, I will finish my second term as VP of the Republican Club of Northeast Baltimore County; what an election year to be so politically involved! It will be nice to take a back seat to politics for a little while and focus on other things!

Church: Early August I was released from the Stake Young Women’s Presidency – then Mid October put right back in- same position, I guess my time wasn’t quite up- still serving as the Second Counselor in the Stake Young Women’s Presidency – my role now is primarily bridging the two presidencies we are amid preparations to take the youth to Kirtland, OH for Youth Conference this coming July and 2009 Girl’s camp follows right behind. This past year’s Girls Camp proved to be a bit more of a challenge - we changed locations and spent the week at a tree house camp – quite fun but a bit more rustic an outdoor cook ‘hut’ with 2 faulty outlets and no fridge - meals were tricky but we prevailed – we hiked part of the Appalachian trail, went tubing in the Potomac river (MD/VA/WVA portion not the DC murkiness!) and I took the Youth leaders (16-18 yr olds) Geocaching! We had a blast! Visit: www.geocaching.com more fun than one should have with a GPS all around the world! I have certainly enjoyed working with the Young Women over the past few years.

Travel: Seemed like more travel for business than pleasure this year, but I do love a good trip! I found myself in all mountainous areas East and West! – End of April in Provo, Utah for my Sister’s Graduation from BYU- nice to visit campus again (She is now in grad school at University of Maryland) and my Brother and Sis-in law came down from Idaho too! May –Poconos, PA with the nieces for a few days- good to outnumber them- 3 adults to 2 kids! We had so much fun at the indoor water park resort! June –Girl’s Camp in Western Maryland (see church). July - ASID leadership training Conference took me to Calgary, Canada – Wonderful City! – I extended my stay and spent a few days in Banff - the Canadian Rockies were incredible - what a beautiful part of the world - Lake Moraine was my favorite (see photo) brilliant blue-greens! October – St George, UT I put on my wedding planner hat – wedding was beautiful –reception so unique and well dressed - held in an airplane hangar! - I was able to squeeze in a bit of pleasure – spending time with friends, a drive though Zion’s Nat’l Park, and the trip ending in Fabulous Las Vegas catching up with a college roommate and a enjoying a luxurious hotel deal – only in Vegas! My Sis’s Fam. “the Nieces” now live just over an hour away in N. VA. It is grand fun being an Aunt! – I have been able to pop in on them on often, wind them up, spoil them a bit, lots of hugs, presents, fun, and leave!

Oh, Canada!

I spent a week in Calgary/ Banff area in July 2008 - an extended ASID Conference becomes a brief Vacation spot the exotic and foreign lands of Alberta Canada! Beautiful place! Loved flying in over the miles of canola fields - a vibrant yellow like I have never seen. Calgary was nice - western style city - I thought it felt a lot like Denver - very friendly - clean and easy to maneuver- with some fabulous eateries - but Banff - Oh, the scenery!

Bow River - Really the view from the trail behind my Hotel!

Lake Moraine - by far my favorite stop! These colors are real! although even more incredible in person!

Banff Gondola - going up sulfur mountain! what a ride! Only if I had more time - What a hike!

Almost there!

Almost at the peak- Jaunt across the mountain ridge from the gondola Station to the upper most peak at the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Wow - On top of the world!

View from atop Sulfur Mountain!

I Left my Mark! The Cosmic Ray station national historic landmark building - had thousands of signatures all over the building from many of the people who have made it there... I had to leave my mark too! -I'd like to think of it as leaving the flag on the Moon- Marking that I was there - not so much defiling and graffiti-ing a Canadian National Landmark! I had a sharpie in my back pack - always comes in handy! and very inconspicuously left my name and date(next to the door if you are ever there and want to see)! I zoomed in - it's hard to read - Laura K. 7/28/08 nevertheless there it is - on the top of Sulfur Mountain in the Canadian Rockies.