La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles

Located in Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California, the La Brea Tar Pits are a National Natural Landmark. Made popular by the preserved bones found in the tar, today the La Brea Tar Pits are a tourist attraction served by the George C. Page Museum, part of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. I briefly toured the park and shot these pictures. 

Medalta Potteries Kilns in Medicine Hat

One of my favorite locations in Medicine Hat, Alberta has always been Medalta Potteries. 

The old pottery kilns are such unique and beautiful structures, and exploring them in person makes it clear why Medalta, and the clay district at large, are National Historic Sites of Canada. As a venue for musical acts or a gallery for artifacts, the kilns at Medalta Potteries are one more reason to visit this museum and industrial heritage site in Southern Alberta. 

Byodo-In Temple, Oahu

Located near the Eastern Shore of Oahu in the Valley of the Temples Memorial Park, the Byodo-In Temple in Hawaii is a non-denomination shrine and half-sized replica of the Byodo-In Buddhist Temple found in Kyoto, Japan. It was constructed in 1968 to commemorate the centennial of the first Japanese immigrants to come to Hawaii.

During my road trip around Oahu, I stopped here to tour the lush gardens and temple. Massive koi ponds surround the Byodo-In Temple, and as onlookers tossed fish food into the ponds the koi were stirred into a playful frenzy. The incredible scenery made it easy to get lost in my thoughts, and as I wandered I continued to marvel at the epic surroundings I found myself exploring.