The Alexander Hotel

I had the opportunity to stay in the Alexander Hotel in Indianapolis.  The Alexander is a chic new hotel in the Indianapolis downtown and it presents a wealth of art which create the interior and exterior appeal of the building.  The most impressive element of the hotel was the amount of art that it contains, as soon as you enter you are confronted with big, bright and vibrant works of art.  The art is well placed and resemble what is occurring within that space.  If you are ever visiting Indianapolis, this is a hotel worth staying at.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located in Arlington National Cemetery.  The entire complex is meticulously kept and does a wonderful job of honoring our service men and women who have perished in the line of duty.  The expansive rolling hills lined with stones, and crosses, and stars of David take your breath away as you realize they all lost their lives defending our Nations freedoms just for you.  Even more incredible are the dedicated United States Army members who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, everyday, all day, no matter sleet, or hail or snow.  Watching the Changing of the Guard is an experience everyone should partake in.  It shows the precision and dedication of our servicemen.

National Capital Building

I was taken back by the power that our Nations capital presents when you are there.  The building is not only intense but its dominance ensures that our Nation is perceived as a world power.  I would like to visit the Capital again and take a more in depth tour.  I can only imagine that every visit would be different, with different faces and different things going on.

Oklahoma Murrah Building

The Oklahoma Murrah building was tragically destroyed by a domestic terrorist attack by Timothy McVeigh on April 19th, 1995.  Over half the building was destroyed by a bomb created by McVeigh made of fertilizer.  The blast killed 168 people including many children and injured 680 others, it also damaged 324 buildings in a 16 block radius.  In all, the attack effected more than just peoples lives and the surrounding buildings, but it changed the Nation.

I never visited the Murrah building, I was only a toddler when the attack occurred.  However, I have visited the memorial and museum.  The museum encompasses the events which occur that tragic morning and it pays tribute to the lives effected and the building which proudly stood in downtown OKC.

Rodeo Drive

Rodeo Drive is home to many high end, luxury shopping stores.  The contents of the buildings are extremely expensive, but the buildings themselves are beautiful as well.  The buildings on Rodeo Drive have been called a museum of an architectural experience.  My favorite part of Rodeo Drive is a corner, which has been developed into a several story complex.  It is a cobble stone walk with shops on both sides and it resembles a quaint european town street.  The entire area is gorgeous, I may not be able to shop, but I sure like walking around.

The Cotton Bowl

The Cotton Bowl is a stadium in Dallas, TX, surrounded by the Texas state fair.  It is home to the long lived Red River Rivalry.  I have been to the OU texas game for several years now and I always enjoy going back.  The stadium has a great Southern feel, and the liveliness of its surroundings during the state fair are very exciting.  This game, wouldn't be quite the same if it weren't at the Cotton Bowl.

Gamma Rho - Lambda Chi Alpha

I am a member of Lambda Chi Alpha in Norman, OK.  I joined in the Fall of 2011, ever since joining the Fraternity, one of my favorite things is the house.  Fraternities create an opportunity for members to become brothers and to create life long friendships, many of these first opportunities are formed at the house.  I have many fond memories of 904 College, but my involvement with this building goes beyond the memories.

Even before I was initiated I became an officer within the Fraternities leadership and have served as such until this, my senior year.  This responsibility instilled in me, great pride for the members, but also the physical house itself.  I grew up working around my own home with my dad, and I am very familiar with general upkeep and maintenance.  I was able to live in the house for one semester before they temporarily closed the residence for a $3M remodel.  I was involved with the housing corporation, architecture firm, and construction company during the remodel.  I am happy that I was, it allowed me to become even more familiar with the house and how it would work once complete.

The housing corporation considered bulldozing the house and starting new, but Lambda Chi has a strong history within the house.  The house was originally built in 1929 and served as a small veterans hospital, where pre-nursing students often studied.  Soon after, the veterans hospital was decommissioned and Lambda Chi purchased the property.  Lambda Chi at OU has lived nowhere but 904 College, every one of our members have been initiated in that house.  In the 1960's an additional wing was added and renovations were done.  With this kind of history, the housing corp could not justify destroying the landmark every Gamma Rho member remembers.

The Alamo Mission

I visited the Alamo after living in San Antonio for two months.  I graduated from USAF basic military training at the end of January and when my family came down to see me, we toured San Antonio.   I remember the Alamo seeming out of place, the older building surrounded by a developed city.  I remember this building fondly, because I was surrounded by friends and family after being away and isolated from them for two months.  

The Pentagon

I have always been intrigued by the Pentagon.  I have visited Washington DC and the areas surrounding it, but have never visited the Pentagon.  I think most of my fascination with the Pentagon is in the construction and contents of the building.  Obviously a very powerful building both in its construction and the daily activities which it contains.  I hope that when I am able to see the building in person that I know a little more about the details of the building, however, I know there will be a lot that I am unable to know.

The act of terrorism event of September 11th, 2001 which struck the Twin Towers and the Pentagon is still an event which brings me great sadness.  I believe visiting this site to honor those who lost their lives and the service men an women who supported the emergency efforts after this event would be humbling.

Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins

The Chichen Itza Mayan Ruins are located in Progresso Mexico on the Yucatan peninsula.  It was one of the largest Maya cities.  I was able to tour these ruins as an excursion on a cruise in the summer of 2010.  This was an amazing experience, it was interesting that I was seeing architecture that was so old and honestly so close to North America. The design of the structures is interestingly similar to the pyramids, but inspired by Latin American influence.

My favorite part of the ruins was an arena where, we were told, ancient games were played.  Humans participated in these games and were played to the death of the opposing team.  The game would be played continuously until the end of the match had been achieved.  There was so much power in the walls and it had a very eerie feeling to it.

Neuschwanstein Castle

The Neuschwanstein Castle is one of the most visited castles in Western Europe today.  The castle began its construction in September of 1869 as a refuge for Ludwig II of Bavaria to retreat to from public life.  The King was shy and used private moneys to build this elaborate dwelling for his personal enjoyment.  The castle is set in the mountains of Southern Germany next to a lake with an impressive dam.  Many describe the castle as "the castle of the fairy-tale king."  The castle was filled with art and performance stages, many portraying natural scenes.  It was built as a homage to Richard Wagner, a German composer and theatrical artist.

I was able to visit this Castle on a recent trip to Southern Germany.  When approaching this castle, you are able to see it from miles away, its presence in the mountains is impressive to say the least.  The walk up the hill which is rather steep is a testament to the purpose of the castle, to allow Ludwig to retreat from public life.  The castle is absolutely beautiful, and the surrounding landscape adds to the beauty.  The castles exterior is interesting in that the only high-contrast facade is of the gate building.  The rest of the castle is made of a light colored stone and is adorned with round spires and other stone decorations.

The interior is elaborate and expansive.  King Ludwig was very particular in regard to the art which was throughout the entire castle.  The details of the interior of the castle were the most impressive to me.  The detail and just how much of it there was, was impressive and amazing.  Not to mention how ornate it was.  Pictured above is the Throne room, one of the most ornate rooms in the castle.  Seeing this in person was very interesting, it seems very unreal.  Below is a picture of the large halls and open areas that were common in the house.  These halls were just as detailed with murals and large arched ceilings.

Visiting this castle was an amazing experience.  It is very eye opening to know that there are many many other castles which are equally impressive throughout this region.

Arizona Biltmore Hotel

The Arizona Biltmore Hotel is a beautiful gem nestled in the desert mountains of Scottsdale, AZ.  Last year, I had the pleasure of visiting this hotel twice, once during the peak season in April and again in July.  As a part of a Student Advisory Committee for my Fraternities International Headquarters we prepared legislation for the 55th General Assembly of Lambda Chi Alpha, to be held at the Biltmore.  This hotel was like none I have ever seen before.  It's age gave it an awe inspiring sense of prosperity.

The Arizona Biltmore is full of history, it opened its doors in February of 1929.  Many claim that it was Architected by Frank Lloyd Wright, however this is not true.  The hotels architect of record is Albert Chase McArthur.  Wright did have a lot of influence on the building and did serve as the consulting architect.  One of the most prominent influences is the use of the "textile block" (pictured below) which he had used on several buildings in the Los Angeles area.  Many details have been added to the hotel that are of Frank Lloyd Wright Design.  Wrights influence has lead to a large conference room being named after him in main building.



While visiting this hotel twice, only three months apart, I had the opportunity to experience the design and layout fairly well.  The massive blocks known as the Biltmore Block are incorporated into every detail of the hotel.  The detail is unlike anything we have today and is a testimony to the craftsmanship of the early 1900's.