Joshua Tree National Park

Located in Southern California, Untied States, Joshua Tree National Park is a stunning natural preserve spans over 790,636 acres of desert landscape, with two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert, intersecting within the park's boundaries.

The park is famous for its unique rock formations, vast expanses of desert wilderness, and its namesake Joshua trees.

Right after Thanksgiving, we visited this park for a brief time and enjoyed it immensely! Here are some photos documenting our visit.  

Glenstone Museum

Located in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone Museum is a unique and unconventional museum located on a vast property with over 230 acres of land to explore. The property features trails for walking, sculptures, and gardens that provide a peaceful and serene environment for visitors. The museum itself consists of several buildings, all in one color and pure stone, with an emphasis on minimalism and simplicity. Upon entering the main gallery, visitors are greeted by a series of interconnected rooms with sunlit roofs, allowing for natural light to illuminate the artwork on display. The subject matter of the art is simple yet elegant, and the use of space and light creates a serene and calming atmosphere. A central water feature in the gallery creates unique reflections of the surrounding rooms, adding to the overall ambiance.

I visited this place in February, I will come back again in spring!

The National Building Museum

Located in Washington, DC, The National Building Museum is dedicated to exploring the history and impact of architecture, engineering, design, and construction in the United States. The museum is housed in the historic Pension Building, which was constructed in 1887 to serve as the offices of the United States Pension Bureau.

Visitors to the museum can enjoy a diverse range of exhibits and programs that showcase various aspects of the built environment, including building design and construction, the history of architecture and engineering, urban planning, and sustainability. The museum also hosts a range of events throughout the year, including lectures, workshops, and family-friendly activities.

One of the most impressive features of the museum is its Grand Hall, a magnificent space that spans over 15,000 square feet and rises to a height of 159 feet, supported by towering columns. The Grand Hall frequently serves as a venue for special exhibitions and events, and it's a popular spot for visitors to take photos.

During my visit to the museum, I particularly enjoyed the Architecture Photography exhibit, which featured stunning images of buildings and structures from around the world.

National Geographic's Beyond King Tut

The immersive King Tut exhibit opened in Washington, DC this year offering a journey to King Tut's tomb. Through impressive visual art, this exhibit tells the story of the 3,300-year-old child king in video projections and soundscapes of moder-day Egypt and transports visitors back in time to the 18th dynasty when King Tut ruled, and the gods were worshiped. This exhibit run from June 17, 2022, through Feb.6, 2023. 

 King Tut, also known as Tutankhamun, was an Egyptian pharaoh who reigned from 1332 to 1323 BCE. He ascended to the throne at the young age of 9. Today, King Tut is well-known for his tomb, which was one of the few royal tombs in ancient Egypt that was discovery largely intact, with its treasures and contents preserved over thousands of years. 

In 1922, the British archaeologist Howard Carter discovered King Tut's tomb in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Inside the tomb, there were over 5,000 artifacts, including furniture, jewelry, weapons, and other objects.  The exhibit offers visitors the opportunity to experience this discovery and the history and culture of ancient Egypt.