Just Go Solo Travels

09/06/2026

Lotta’s Fountain in San Francisco. Donated to the city by actress Lotta Crabtree in 1875, it survived the notorious 1906 earthquake and was a major meeting point for survivors in the days following. For decades survivors gathered there on the quake’s anniversary every April 18th at 5:12am. Although commemorations are still held, the last survivors passed away after the 2015 gathering.

#1906

07/04/2026

06/29/2026

Lego display featuring Hedwig at the Lyric Theatre, where the single-performance version of “Harry Potter & the Cursed Child” is currently playing with Tom Felton reprising his movie role as Draco Malfoy. If you want to see the original two-play version, it is only playing in London and only through mid-September of this year.

06/29/2026

Taco Bell, Hard Rock Cafe, many street food carts and an “I Love NY” neon sign about 10:30 at night. All the hectic things that make New York so vibrant!

06/25/2026

9th Avenue in New York City’s Garment District.

06/21/2026

I’m standing in the Manhattan Municipal Building’s subway station looking up at 8 Spruce, a 76-story building designed by Frank Gehry. It’s famous for its steel facade, although a rainy and cloudy day doesn’t show it off to its best advantage.

Speaking of famous, I’m surrounded by tile arches designed by Rafael Guastavino, whose distinct design work can be seen throughout Manhattan.

06/15/2026

The Bailey Fountain in the Grand Army Plaza, Brooklyn. The statues of Wisdom and Felicity are almost hidden in a veil of water, giving it a mystical appearance. The art deco sculpture is by Eugene Savage and was completed in the 1930s.

06/04/2026

Los Angeles’ Union Station. I always pause and admire the way light refracts through the many panes of glass in the entrance. There is a strong Art Deco influence throughout the station, combined with elements of Mission Revival. This resulted in a blended style now called Mission Moderne.

06/03/2026

Scenes from a train:

Ever wonder why your friends in Southern California say “bring a sweater” before you visit in the summertime?

“May Gray” and “June Gloom” is why. SoCal can be downright chilly during the summer months.

Taken from the Amtrak Surfliner.

06/02/2026

Scenes from a train: sunset near Del Mar. Taken from Amtrak’s Surfliner, traveling between Los Angeles and San Diego.