Founded in 1870, Syracuse University is a  private, non-sectarian research university. The main campus, which is open to the public, contains the university’s first building, the Hall of Languages.  It was originally the College of Arts and Sciences, which covered just about everything in a college curriculum of the time.  That building, still in use, is impressive.

A short distance away from this building is a corner of the Kenneth A. Shaw Quadrangle, referred to by students as “the quad”.

The quad is a rectangular grassy expanse surrounded by a mix of academic buildings, a library, a chapel and various works of art. I spent a pleasant spring morning wandering around the edge of the quad, stopping in to visit some of the buildings (most impressive was Hendricks Chapel) and checking out the artworks.

The chapel was commissioned in 1920 by Senator Francis Hendricks in honor of his wife, Eliza Jane. Designed by the architectural firm of Pope and Baum, it was intended as a place of worship for people of all faiths.

Among the sculptures displayed on the quad, one of the most impressive was the “Saltine Worrior” by Louise Kaish, a  former student at Syracuse. The sculpture used a member of the Onondaga Nation as a model.

Named for a popular folk singer, Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area is a small park in the southern part of Flagler Beach, Florida. The coast highway, Route A1A, runs through the park creating a beach area, which includes one of the park’s two campgrounds, and an inland area, which borders a section of the intracoastal waterway. The inland area features a boat ramp, an area for fishing, a second campground and the Joe Kenner nature trail. Colorful wildflowers grow in various places.

Joe Kenner nature trail

The trail, about a mile long, is a loop, that begins opposite the waterfront bulkhead. On the trail, you”ll encounter a variety of trees including the sable palm, the only palm native to Florida. There are also a number of shrubs, including the ubiquitous palmetto. Interpretive signs along the trail identify some of its outstanding features. A most enjoyable way to experience the trail is to come to the park on a day when a guided tour of the nature trail is offered. Check the park web site or call the park office for schedule and other information.

The downtown art gallery

Surprise! The gallery is a wonder. Crammed with paintings and sculpture, and featuring the work of local artists, no space is wasted as artworks are spread on the walls of hallways and between offices. Don’t worry about bumping into a municipal official or a clerk; they’re busy with their work and will ignore you. After admiring the art collection, step outside to take in the atmosphere of the downtown area.

Little Lady cafe

Lunch was on my mind when I left city hall. After walking a few blocks, I came to the Little Lady cafe and stopped in for a bite. The owner and her assistants greeted me with friendly smiles and suggested an omelette, which turned out to be a great recommendation. After a relaxing lunch, it was time to wander some of the local streets to absorb more of the local flavor.

Exploring downtown

Brooksville gives the impression of a city that has had its ups and downs and is now on the upswing. Many of the buildings are decorated with colorful murals. Some appear to have been improved and repurposed from their original use.

Across the street from the Little Lady cafe, the Country depot is a rustic store which took over a used-to-be Texaco gas station (and still looks like a gas station minus the pumps). The county court building on Main Street is a stately affair with giant live oak trees spreading their branches out in front.

One of the premier destination for visitors, the Maui Ocean Center overlooks Maalaea harbor on Maui’s isthmus. It’s just off the main road connecting Kihei with Lahaina. The road parallels Maalaea Bay, a quiet place at which the waters lap at a wide, sandy beach. Prevailing winds have bent the trees into eerie shapes. An occasional hiker or jogger takes the beach trail along the water; otherwise, serenity prevails.

Maui Ocean Center

The Maui Ocean Center is a world class aquarium featuring exhibits of a reef and its colorful denizens, sea turtles, sharks and many other aquatic species. Children are fascinated by the creatures they see here and even their jaded parents are impressed. Plan on spending half a day checking out the exhibits. Then try one of the tasty lunch entrees at the restaurant overlooking the harbor. After lunch take a stroll through the area and visit the impressive fishermens shrine.

Maalaea harbor

The harbor is a busy place. All year long, boats leave for Molokini, famous for world class snorkeling. Whale watching is popular during the winter months. Some people live on their boats, some in the nearby apartments. There’s always a lot of activity here so this is a great place to spend some time.

Walks on Maalaea Bay

Walking along the bay is fun with views of south Maui eastward and the west Maui mountains in the other direction. When my wife and grandson were in the area, we hopped onto the Keālia Coastal Boardwalk, part of the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. The boardwalk parallels the shore and winds through several scenic areas. It wasn’t crowded; in fact we saw only two other people while we were there. We observed some colorful bird species that we couldn’t identify. After a bit, we left the boardwalk and circled back along the shore. We had an enjoyable walk after spending the morning at the Maui Ocean Center.

Known for its black sand beach, Waianapanapa State Park is a coastal gem along the Hana road in Maui. Visitors stop at the park to relax at its beach, sample the ocean and enjoy the views of lava formations buffeted by the incoming waves.

Black sand beach

The beach, composed of ground lava, makes a fine backdrop for colorful towels and bathing suits. Most people take a quick dip in the bay, but be careful when the waves are high. While the beach is beautiful and its setting is spectacular, there are many more exciting features in the park.

Trails and sights

A small opening at the edge of the beach leads to a cave, which can hold a surprising number of people. This is another spot to watch the incoming waves. Many people take the trail from the other end of the beach that winds its way along the rocky shore. Going barefoot is not recommended because of the sharp-edged lava boulders. There are fine views of the black sand beach and other park features from the trail.

There is also a short trail that begins at the cliff above the east side of the beach. This trail goes through the park campground and a Hawaiian cemetery before reaching a blowhole in the lava. Spectacular islands and lava projections are just offshore. One of them is the aptly named Rabbit Island. If you can find the path, it continues for about three miles, all the way to Hana bay.

A multi-use paved path circles the pond  and provides access to the many fishermen who try to catch one of the lunkers said to inhabit the depths of the pond. Although the pond is stocked several times a year experienced fishermen say the best time of year to catch a good-size fish is in the spring, just after a stocking day. Many anglers gather at the pond on the first day of trout season, but, as you might imagine, not everyone catches a big one.

You can get an idea of whether it’s going to be a good day for fishing by watching the cormorants that frequent the pond. A lack of birds suggests that there will be no fish. A lot of bird activity suggests that fish are plentiful. But be forewarned, the cormorants are the equal of any angler. So make sure you are well equipped to compete with the birds or they will take off with the lion’s share of the fish.

In the upcountry town of Makawao, away from Maui’s crowded resorts, the Sacred Garden of Maliko is a garden and a refuge, not a place to hide but rather to expose your inner self. The theme of the garden is peace, reflected through artwork, labyrinths, flags and especially its plant collection. Enter the cavernous building and you are invited to have tea or a hot chocolate. Then feel free to wander through the garden’s aisles and admire the plants and artifacts, many for sale. Succulents are featured though a wide variety of tropical plants may be found.

A highlight of the garden is the large wooden Buddha sitting in a place of honor. The carving is beautifully done and the polished wood gleams, giving off an aura of tranquility. There are two stone labyrinths, one outside and a smaller one indoors. I watched as a woman, oblivious to the outside world, slowly, methodically walked the marked path of the outdoor labyrinth. The path through the labyrinth is said to symbolize life’s journey although many interpretations are possible. Walking a labyrinth with an uncluttered mind helps to focus one’s spiritual energy and has a calming effect.

Despite displaying symbols of several religious traditions, the Sacred Garden doesn’t promote any religion. The emphasis is on  relaxation, a free and open mind and the attainment of inner peace. Nature can be a valuable contributor to spiritual growth and understanding. The Sacred Garden relies on beautiful plants, a part of nature we can all appreciate.

Part of the “Inland Empire”, Temecula is a thriving southern California city. In between tours of the local wineries and balloon rides over the vineyards, a walk through Old Town, including a stop for lunch, is a lot of fun. Check out the interesting architecture and cultural activities. And notice the number of wine bars and tasting rooms.

One of the interesting sites is the “spirit wall”, which honors individuals, families and businesses that contributed to the Temecula theater foundation’s Courtyard campaign. The donations were used to build the old town Temecula Community Theater, a local cultural center.

Pompeys Pillar is a giant sandstone rock containing the only physical evidence of the route taken by Lewis and Clark during their monumental exploration of the American west. Captain William Clark stopped at the pillar and took the time to carve his name and the date, July 25, 1806, into the soft rock. He was on his way back east, following the Yellowstone valley.

Clark’s signature is still there, protected by a brass casing with a bulletproof glass cover. Now a national monument, Pompeys Pillar is easily explored on foot. A trail leads past an open area and then climbs the rock. One branch of the trail leads to the area in which Clark (and many others) left marks in the rock. The other branch climbs to the top of the pillar, with panoramic views in all directions. The view of the Yellowstone river is most impressive and well worth the short climb. Pompeys Pillar National Monument is about 25 miles east of Billings, Montana.

Chapel Hill is most famous as the home of the University of North Carolina, the nation’s first state university. The town essentially grew up around the university and much commercial activity depends on purchases by students. A visit to Chapel Hill should include some time spent on the university campus, as well as Franklin Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. Lined with shops and other businesses, Franklin Street exudes a friendly vibrance and is a fun place to take a walk through the town center. No longer an actual pharmacy, Sutton’s Drug Store is a great spot for a hamburger or ice cream soda. Preservation Chapel Hill is an organization that runs a series of downtown walks and other events that focus on the town’s history. The university offers several guided tours.

University of North Carolina

The Old Well, at the center of the campus, is the symbol of the university and appears on its web site. It’s a pretty spot, decorated in neoclassical style and surrounded by gardens and benches. Years ago, the well served as the sole water supply for two adjacent dormitories. One of them, Old East, dates back to 1795 and is described on a plaque as  the oldest state university building in the United States. Morehead planetarium puts on daily shows; it is famed for its role in training astronauts in “celestial navigation” for the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions. In front of the planetarium building is a huge sundial with numerals more than a foot tall. Ackland Art Museum has an interesting collection and seems more welcoming than most other art museums. It is part of the university and admission is always free to all.

Other sites

A couple of places away from the town center deserve mention. The North Carolina Botanical Garden, part of the university, has an  intriguing display of carnivorous plants. I had seen many of them before, but several were new to me. Some of my companions stuck a finger into one of the pitcher plants, but I didn’t think it was a good idea. Southern Season is a unique food emporium that sells food and kitchen implements, offers cooking classes and features a pleasant restaurant. The scale of the place is impressive and each section is like a separate store. It’s a great place to have lunch and then check out the large variety of foods and food-related items.