Belle Vernon, PA - Cedar Creek Park

Cedar Creek Park is one of my favorite places in Belle Vernon.  There are nice picnic spaces for all size groups.  I also saw several campgrounds for groups such as scouts.  The park is along the "Youghiogheny River Trail".  Wikipedia info - click here

Note: these greens are not added nor enhanced.  It is SO green there!

Small picnic area along the river.

Views along the Cedar Creek Park Gorge Trail.

These are typical picnic areas.  A large covered table space and a few grills.  Restrooms are convenient most of the time.  Some have playground equipment and horse shoe pits.

This building is not in the park, but is important to the directions on how to get there.  "Turn left and go past the old school house."

Phoenix - Viad Park

The Viad Corporate Center is located at 1850 North Central Avenue. It is near the Phoenix Art Museum and the Metro Transit stop at Central and McDowell.  I have driven past this park for years, but never stopped in to take a look at the beautiful bronze statues.  There is also a playhouse in the Viad building, home to many troops "Playhouse on the Park".

The shape of the building is interesting enough in itself.

The park sits on the north side of the building. There is a parking lot next to the park.  

The first bronze looks lifelike from the parking lot.  Look, someone is enjoying a nap underneath the tree!

As you get closer, you see that it is a bronze!

There are a lot of glass windows on the building and it surely warrants constant attention to keeping the windows clean and shiny.

"Bob" is there night and day, keeping things in order.

There is a nice seating area and fountain (the fountains weren't running on this day).

Another tourist is taking photos of the park.

The children are certainly having a lot of fun running through the grass.

A beautiful old clock and fancy "gas lights" add to the ambiance.

Flowers filled the area, and this woman wonders what else needs to be planted.

It is worth the time to stop and enjoy this park.  There are restaurants in the area, the Phoenix Art Museum and Phoenix Little Theatre are within walking distance.

Paris - Becoming locals

Tina and I were sitting on a lovely park bench in Place des Vosges after a stroll through the Marais.  We were people watching, enjoying the warm sun, and feeling pretty local with our scarves gracefully tied around our necks.  I was taking pictures in a series from left to right, panoramic style.  All of a sudden, a real French woman walked up behind us and asked about the camera (in French).  I explained what I was doing (in French!!) with a lot of drama and arm waving.  We carried on a conversation. learned that she was a painter, (I would have bought something right there is she had one) and at the end of it, she said (in French) "Have a great day."  I replied, then Tina replied (YES! IN FRENCH). 

We concluded that we must have looked like locals, sitting on a bench in the park with our scarves blowing in the breeze.  After only 5 days. Paris is amazing.

(PS: A special "Merci Beaucoup" to my French teacher and dear friend, Coco, for her patient and enthusiastic guidance.  And to Joan, for her dramatic take on the language.  All of the conversation practice has really paid off.  You both are awesome!!)

Inside Jackson Square - New Orleans

Jackson Square is a nice park area in front of St. Louis Cathedral.  It is lush and shady, with plenty of benches.  The iron work is beautiful and while most has been painted, some of the benches show a little wear and rust, adding to the charm of the park.

There is an entrance on each of the four sides
with gates and lamp posts.

Lamps light the way and make a beautiful scene at night.

There are fountains throughout the gardens.

St Louis Cathedral stands watch over the park.

Drinking fountains

A large fountain at the main entrance.
The banana bushes had some damage with the recent cold weather.

Benches are available throughout the park.

These trees had bright red berries.