BAHAMAS: ABACO ISLANDS

A recent trip to the Bahamian island of Elbow Cay showcases a tropical paradise that most people only get to experience through the movies. I feel so fortunate that I’m able to travel to fantastic locations such as this for my work and look forward to many return trips - next time the beaches will require a more thorough inspection.

The house where we stayed was specifically placed to have a 360-degree vantage point of the island, so you can see the sunrise over the ocean in the morning and the sunset over the bay in the evening.

The house where we stayed was specifically placed to have a 360-degree vantage point of the island, so you can see the sunrise over the ocean in the morning and the sunset over the bay in the evening.

This residence was completed almost twenty years ago by Jaycox Architects & Associates and still has some of the best views over the island.

This residence was completed almost twenty years ago by Jaycox Architects & Associates and still has some of the best views over the island.

Bahamian shutters and covered decks are a must in this climate.

Bahamian shutters and covered decks are a must in this climate.

I enjoyed staying at The Abaco Inn on this visit, the views from this open pavilion were stunning.

I enjoyed staying at The Abaco Inn on this visit, the views from this open pavilion were stunning.

An infinity edge pool elevated twenty feet up in the air makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. This deck sits at the peak of the largest hill on the island.

An infinity edge pool elevated twenty feet up in the air makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. This deck sits at the peak of the largest hill on the island.

Rooftops of homes on the island peak up just over the tree canopy to get a glimpse of the stunning horizon.

Rooftops of homes on the island peak up just over the tree canopy to get a glimpse of the stunning horizon.

SAN FRANCISCO: PALACE OF FINE ARTS

While visiting friends for a California wedding, my wife and I knew we wanted to experience San Francisco’s public venues and artistic spirit. The Palace venue was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exhibition world fair and put the city on the map as a center for dramatic art and architecture.

Very few pieces from the Exhibition have survived the last 100 years, but this public complex still sits on its original site even after multiple renovations and restorations.

Very few pieces from the Exhibition have survived the last 100 years, but this public complex still sits on its original site even after multiple renovations and restorations.

The whole complex exudes a feeling of quiet dignity and real splendor, I highly suggest a visit.

The whole complex exudes a feeling of quiet dignity and real splendor, I highly suggest a visit.

Seeing a built and maintained structure use historic Greek orders and details at this scale evokes a real sense of awe.

Seeing a built and maintained structure use historic Greek orders and details at this scale evokes a real sense of awe.

The domed rotunda commands this site and offers picturesque views no matter where you are as you circle the structure.

The domed rotunda commands this site and offers picturesque views no matter where you are as you circle the structure.

These intricate colonnades wrap the main rotunda and frame multiple walking paths around the park. We had to take this photo quickly, this location is a hotspot for taking wedding photos.

These intricate colonnades wrap the main rotunda and frame multiple walking paths around the park. We had to take this photo quickly, this location is a hotspot for taking wedding photos.

NOTRE DAME BASILICA

When my brother-in-law told us his wedding venue would be the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame, we knew we were about to be somewhere special. This historic neo-gothic church is one of the tallest chapels in the country and features intricate gold detailing and stunning white columns supporting enormous vaulted ceilings and painted frescoes.

Neo-gothic architecture strives to recreate the ornate stylings and stretched, vertical forms used centuries earlier. Buildings like this are great examples of how materials and form can evoke a sense of historical authenticity even if building tech…

Neo-gothic architecture strives to recreate the ornate stylings and stretched, vertical forms used centuries earlier. Buildings like this are great examples of how materials and form can evoke a sense of historical authenticity even if building techniques have moved beyond constraints that informed the original style.

The basilica’s main entry commands a long vantage point on the campus and its many spires and towers reach towards the sky and create a feeling of regal austerity.

The basilica’s main entry commands a long vantage point on the campus and its many spires and towers reach towards the sky and create a feeling of regal austerity.

We didn’t get to hear the organ during the ceremony, but its tremendous scale and beautiful detailing made it a wonderful backdrop at the entrance of the basilica.

We didn’t get to hear the organ during the ceremony, but its tremendous scale and beautiful detailing made it a wonderful backdrop at the entrance of the basilica.

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The basilica has one of the largest collections of French-made stained glass windows of any church in the world, and the austere exterior gave way to brilliantly colored panes once we made our way inside.

The basilica has one of the largest collections of French-made stained glass windows of any church in the world, and the austere exterior gave way to brilliantly colored panes once we made our way inside.