Showing posts with label UVA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UVA. Show all posts
The Lawn and Rotunda at U.Va.
One of the most exhilarating aspects of traveling is the exposure to new and different people, places, and things. While the prospect of experiencing something new is certainly what makes traveling so alluring to many people, it also unfortunately serves as a potent deterrent to others. Any seasoned traveler, however, will explain that, even though every place is different, the experience of being a stranger in a foreign land inevitably reveals not only differences, but also similarities among the places of the world and the people that inhabit them.
In recognition of this observation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endeavored to identify, protect, and preserve sites around the world that are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity, and not just to the local people. "What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."
In my past travels, I have always made a concerted effort to find out whether there were any World Heritage sites in the area. If there were, I made sure to visit and see them for myself. In this light, it's a little embarrassing to admit that last year when I moved to Charlottesville, VA, I had no idea that I was living only 10 minutes way from two such sites: the University of Virginia, the only university in the United States designated as a World Heritage Site, and the nearby Monticello. It's more than a little embarrassing to further admit that two months passed before I visited Monticello; and a year had almost expired before I saw the Lawn at U.Va. for the first time.
In recognition of this observation, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has endeavored to identify, protect, and preserve sites around the world that are considered to be of outstanding value to humanity, and not just to the local people. "What makes the concept of World Heritage exceptional is its universal application. World Heritage sites belong to all the peoples of the world, irrespective of the territory on which they are located."
In my past travels, I have always made a concerted effort to find out whether there were any World Heritage sites in the area. If there were, I made sure to visit and see them for myself. In this light, it's a little embarrassing to admit that last year when I moved to Charlottesville, VA, I had no idea that I was living only 10 minutes way from two such sites: the University of Virginia, the only university in the United States designated as a World Heritage Site, and the nearby Monticello. It's more than a little embarrassing to further admit that two months passed before I visited Monticello; and a year had almost expired before I saw the Lawn at U.Va. for the first time.
Old Rag Mountain
A Saturday excursion to Old Rag Mountain was a well-deserved break from the law library and, for that matter, anything even remotely law school related. Old Rag is considered to be the most spectacular mountain the northern Virginia Blue Ridge, and it certainly didn't disappoint. The hike was 7 miles, with a 1 mile rock scramble near the summit.
Old Rag Mountain - looks better up close...
The crew - Dan, Brett, Nathan, Lauren, Susan, and Kent - looks better from afar...just kidding, of course.
The leaves were turning, which made for a colorfully vivid visual experience.
Kodak moment at one of the many false summits.
The highlight was a 1 mile rock scramble to the summit.
The local hawks found the strong winds ideal for soaring - it was very reminiscent of Cruz del Condor in Colca Canyon, Peru.
John, whoever you are, you are an idiot.
Dan brought his bagpipes along and played a few tunes at the summit. He had an especially avid fanbase at the base of his rock...
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