From the story: Lost Lions
“Craig Cylke’s dream was to breed a small population of Mountain Lions that he’d raise in captivity at his Georgia mountain preserve, and then release into their native southern Appalachian habitat. The fortitude and passion to fulfill his wish was powerful, but Craig died suddenly before his ambitious plans were carried out. It’s likely his spirit touched the souls of the wild cats he left behind, for they are imprinted with his determined life force and seem to mourn a lost friend.”
From the story: Inside the Atrium of John Portman
“John Portman didn’t invent the atrium, but he perfected it. Atlanta’s most prodigious and creative architect seemed to have an intrinsic understanding of human nature. Sometimes, we need to invite the sky inside. Portman’s buildings have a playful quality that suggest life shouldn’t be taken so seriously. Take a peek upward and enjoy the whimsical view he’s created for you.”
From the story: Mountains into the Sea
“The first time, I drove Highway 1 at the worst time of year: summer. The Pacific’s cold mist upwelled over the land and a persistent blanket of fog always obscured my view. I knew Big Sur’s stupendous sights were right outside my car window but couldn’t see them. Retreating a mile inland, the sun and visibility would return. Such a tease, that road. So, I traveled cross-country again that fall and was rewarded with a California landscape that wows all six senses. No need to choose between mountain or beach scenery here. This is the ultimate American road trip.”
From the story: Gaudi’s Barcelona
“A walk to the top of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia Church mirrored my impression of its famous architect. Antoni Gaudi was a creative, whimsical man who worked in an organic style using natural forms as inspiration. He rarely drew plans for his work, often using only 3-D scale models to guide his path.
Climbing the towers of the still-unfinished masterwork (construction began in 1882), and passing masons and construction workers carrying materials, it felt the design was still evolving eighty years after Gaudi’s death.
You can’t walk into the middle of a massive construction project like this in America, not without a hardhat, a stack of insurance waivers and a personal escort. Here in Barcelona the mantra was: watch your step and enjoy the view. Gaudi would have wanted it that way.”
From the story: Rock of Ages
“It’s impossible to tour Acadia’s rugged coastline and not come away enamored with rocks. The shore is protected by these rose-hued monsters, like they were placed here by an ancient architect to protect inland Maine from the ravages of the Atlantic. Some are as big as Cadillacs. Others are larger still, like stone Cathedrals. Their ages must measure in the millions of years, but these rocks will likely be here another million despite constant pounding by an angry surf.”
