Favorites: the Wanderlust Edition

In honor of the conclusion of my time in Africa,

I've compiled a collection of my favorite photographs I've taken while wandering around this earth the past four years--

those wanderings that took me out of Africa (with the exception of the first photo...).

For my favorite photographs from my years in Zimbabwe: go here!

For my favorite photographs from my years in Senegal: go here!

For my favorite photographs of animals: go here!

The Harbor at Sunset - Alexandria, Egypt - Egypt: Selected Photos

The cloisters at Toledo, Spain's Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes -- Toldeo's Monasterio de San Juan de los Reyes

The Cherry Blossom in harbor in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, United States - Sapphire sea the sun sails like a golden galleon

The sun through a storm of hail, thunder, lightning, and rain in Grand Tetons National Park, Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone: The Sun Through the Storm

Peleș Castle - Transylvania, Romania - Peleș Castle...what a palace should look like!

Thomas Jefferson's Serpentine Walls near the Gardens, the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, United States

The Lawn in Summertime

The beyond breathtaking dome of Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, Spain

Santa Maria la Real de la Almudena Cathedral

The Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial, and the Tidal Basin with the Washington, D.C., skyline.

Washington Monument: The World's Tallest Stone Structure

Hot air ballooning in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains!

Snapshots From the Air: Blue Ridge Mountains Ballooning!

Thermal area near West Thumb on Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park - Wyoming, United States

Yellowstone: Danger Thermal Area

A covered bridge in Woodstock, Vermont, United States

A wanderlust into the snows of New England

Sunrise over the Blue Ridge Mountains in Blowing Rock, North Carolina - Blowing Rock

The majestic snow-capped Rila Mountain, Rila Monastery - Bulgaria

Snow Capped Mountains? Stunning Monastery? Yes, please.

The Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia - The Old Town Alexandria Waterfront

Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the U.S., Washington, D.C. - the Lincoln Memorial

That government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.

Traveling along the stunning Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina - The Blue Ridge Parkway

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Snapshots From the Air: Blue Ridge Mountains Ballooning!

I recently took a hot air balloon ride over the glorious Blue Ridge Mountains outside of Charlottesville, Virginia, United States.

This is what the whole world should look like.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate, but I have never once seen the Blue Ridge Mountains and not felt extraordinary joy.

Okay, maybe I exaggerate, but no, no, I don't really. Mountains bring me great joy.

How cool is this?  I must say this is an experience that I'm now looking for excuses to do allllll over the world.

The balloon's shadow over houses near Charlottesville.

The mist rising off the morning reminded me of the awesome mist from this fantastic hike in Chimanimani, Zimbabwe.

The barn near where we touched down after gliding across the Charlottesville skies.

Excellent views, even better company, and my glorious Blue Ridge Mountains--how can this not be beyond wonderful?

Charlottesville from the balloon.

At times the ride felt like a tour of all the fantastic homes on the outskirts of Charlottesville.

I saw a few I wouldn't mind having...but suspect I couldn't afford :)

So incredibly different from my last snapshots from the air!

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A Hot Air Balloon Adventure!!

I recently had the luck to cross something off my bucket list: a hot air balloon ride!!

While on a (too) short visit to Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, I went on a hot air balloon ride...so different from my last flying adventure!

This is the pilot using the jets of hot air to blow up the balloon.

And let me tell you: the balloon ride more than exceeded expectations.

In fact: it was pretty awesome.

And just begged to be photographed.

This may be a silly observation

but I had no idea how ridiculously large the balloons are...

or how hot it really does get!

We rose very early to take a flight just after the sun had come up over the Blue Ridge Mountains with Boar's Head Ballooning.

If this isn't on your list of things to do, you really need to add it right now.

Actually it was so cool that you pretty much should have already had it on the list!

It's hard to believe the balloon looks this small prior to it being inflated.  Stay tuned: pictures from the air coming soon!

For more information on Boar's Head Ballooning.

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Arlington National Cemetery

Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, United States.

The cemetery is a breathtakingly beautiful yet haunting and sobering experience.  

Men and women who served in several wars, to include the American Civil War, WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, have been laid to rest here.  Others here also include military chaplains, nurses, Civil War contrabands, and countless memorials to those who never returned.  

The eternal flame marking the final resting place of American President John F. Kennedy and several family members.  

JFK and President William Howard Taft are the only American presidents buried at Arlington.

The cemetery also contains the Tomb of the Unknowns, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and many military memorials as well as ones to those from the Space Shuttle Challenger and the victims of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon.

Arlington House--the former estate of Confederate General Robert E. Lee and his wife.  The half-mast flag indicated there was a funeral the day I visited.

It was a sobering reminder to see the family at the grave, to hear the gun salute, and to feel the chills that 'Taps' evokes as it runs down your spine.

But the budding new life the flowers reminded of the cycle of life...

...while the gravestones reminded of the sacrifices given for the next generation.

For more information on visiting Arlington National Cemetery.

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Old Town Warrenton

Warrenton, Virginia, United States

Old Town Warrenton

Loved the Old Town Warrenton feel!

Downtown

The old railroad car.

The railway depot.

The railway car.

For more information Warrenton, Virginia

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An Old Town Smorgasbord

The sunset approaching over the Potomac River in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Every street in Old Town feels so wonderfully full of Americana!

King St.

The Potomac River

An American in Paris and King Street

Christ Church in Old Town

Old Town is full of fantastically bright doors!

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