Lady Liberty

The looming Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to United States for its 100th birthday in 1886, symbolically represents freedom and democracy. This national monument weighs 225 tons and stands over 305 feet from the ground to the tip of the flame. The height of the Statue from heel to top of her head is 111 feet and 6 inches, her face measures more than 8 feet tall, with a 35 feet waistline and she wears a shoe size 879 (35 feet long). The tablet she holds in her left hand measures 23 feet 7 inches tall by 13 feet 7 inches wide inscribed with JULY IV MDCCLXXVI (July 4, 1776), the American Declaration of Independence date. Lady Liberty has an iron infrastructure and its outer patina (green to blue, depending on the weather) is made of copper, oxidized through the years. She is also known as The Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World.

Autumn in full swing at Choccolocco Number 11 Lake - Oxford, Alabama

The Mushroom Rock

Mushroom Rock, also known as Needle Eye for the slot in its base, is a natural rock formation located in the middle of Highway 176 in Little River Canyon. As the story goes, during the construction of the original scenic drive, a determined crew refused to blast this unique formation. The two-lane road was eventually diverted and continued around it. An iconic spectacle, Mushroom Rock is only one member of a group of surrounding rock outcrops, with some standing at 15 feet above the soil. It is comprised of sedimentary rock with the 'cap' being made of durable sandstone and the 'stem' made of softer layers of shale and limestone. Sadly, graffiti has been found on the rock on multiple accounts. With each sandblasting required to remove it, Mushroom Rock deteriorates a little each time. Thus, this unique pillar may be eventually destroyed not by nature, but by illegal graffiti. - Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama

Empire View

Manhattan Skyline, one of New York's most breathtaking views as seen from the Empire State Building's open-air observatory. Soaring 1,454 feet above Midtown Manhattan from base to antenna, it is the world's most famous office building. Construction took one year and 45 days, with more than 7 million man hours, considered the fastest construction to date for a project of its scale. The iconic landmark held the title of the tallest building in the world from 1931 - 1970, and has been been featured in over 200 movies, including recent hits Sleepless in Seattle, Oblivion and Elf.

Nauset Beach Light, a restored lighthouse on Cape Cod National Seashore - Eastham, Massachussetts

Cotton Candy Clouds at Sunset

After a late afternoon jaunt through the park to watch the glorious sunset, I looked up to see these clouds on our drive out. Their wispiness and pastel coloring is reminiscent of cotton candy floss before it's gathered on to a paper cone! - Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

A late afternoon rolling fog through the barren trees seemingly creates an eerie scene. - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Fall colors abound on the path to view the raging Little River ahead. - Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama

Purple Haze

Hued Smoky Mountains at Newfound Gap - Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee

Azalea Garden

Springtime in Georgia, with the colorful azaleas blooming in March - Callaway Gardens, Georgia

Vivid Autumn Colors

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Little River as seen from Wolf Creek Overlook in the fall. - Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama

Station Road Bridge over the Cuyahoga River

Cuyahoga National Park, Ohio