Tag: Great Vistas

The Aqueduct of Queretaro, Mexico

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While the city of Queretaro is known for many historical buildings perhaps the one that holds the true key to its citizens hearts is it’s infamous and monumental aqueduct. Best of all, this massive Roman-style stone behemoth is not located in some obscure out of the way site but instead graces the city as it rides across the skyline. In fact, on one of Queretaro’s main freeways through the city you drive right under the spans! Interesting facts: Standing 93 ft tall at its highest point this ancient waterway is comprised of 74 towering arches that stretch an almost 4200 feet across Queretaro; making it one of the city’s easiest historical treasures to find.

Construction commenced around 1732 and work was completed on October 17, 1738. Legend says that the Marquis, Juan Antonio, had this constructed at the request of a Capuchin nun, with whom he was in love. She stressed that the nuns and the surrounding community needed clean water to be able to fulfill their duties. While a testament for the love of a woman makes for a wonderful story, it is more likely that Juan Antonio, funded the aqueduct to increase his personal net worth and to create a lasting legacy.

If you want to have a birdseye view of the entire aqueduct head to the observation point located across from the Pantheon of the Illustrious Queretarians. This area has several local vendors ready to sell you local souvenirs and a quick walk down the street will deliver you many small restaurants. But the main attraction to to view the aqueduct.

After this vantage point turn around and you will find the Pantheon De Los Queretanos Illustres. Built in 1847 for the Santa Cruz convent; it is now a cemetery filled with the bones and statues of some of the areas greatest leaders who fought for Mexican Independence. The Chapel of the Virgin of Sorrows stands tall within these gates and is known as the patron saint of the cemetery.

Both of these famous monuments of Queretaro should be a first stop when exploring a city rich in history, museums and lovely old churches but don’t stop there. Spend a few days here and immerse yourself. Eat the food. Enjoy the people and find out what Mexico really has to offer.

Oybin Castle and Monastery

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By Cheryl L. Hosman Dieter

I have been extremely fortunate to have had many ethereal experiences during my lifetime. The “best” ones arrive as a complete and utter surprise, a supreme blessing if you will. This is exactly what happened when Mark and I visited Oybin Castle and Monastery this past August. This stunning complex is located in the state of Saxony in Germany just a short distance from the boarder of the Czech Republic.

Mark straddling the border

The town of Oybin is charming and one of its claims to fame is that Napoleon stopped in the town.

The castle itself sits atop a huge sandstone cliff and was thought to have been established in the 13th century as a way station. It grew under the auspices of George of Lipe’ during the 14th century. Sometime in the middle of that century, Charles IV, King of Bohemia, expanded the castle and established the Celestine Monastery. The castle was struck by lightening in 1577 and fell into disarray until 1990 when the entire complex underwent extensive rennovation.

To get to the romantic ruin you can either take a high steep trail or a small pull along train that can be caught in the parking lots below the castle. It costs a few bucks for both the parking and the train. There is also a small entrance fee at when you reach the castle gate of 5-8 euros.

Views of the castle

The Gothic monastery is a few steps from the castle. It is a masterpiece with soaring “windows” which frame the “far-as-the-eye-can-see” vistas surrounding it. It is thought that a small number of very forward thinking monks lived in monastery at a time who installed under floor heating during the construction of their home.

View of the Monastery

While we were strolling through the back of the Monastery (as pictured above) we began to hear the soft and lovely strains of a violin. Upon climbing the stairs we were drawn deeper into the ruins and the beautiful acoustics that can only be heard in a building such as this. And so I leave you will a video of the magnificent surprise that greeted us that day and which we hold as a sacred memory in our hearts.

Video by Mark Boys

Best Zoo With A View

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This summer we traveled to Colorado Springs to visit with our eldest son and our granddaughter.  Colorado Springs is a fascinating place …the counterculture mixing with the nouve rich. It is a place with Jamba Juice and Starbucks on every corner battling it out for the oh-so-mighty dollar.

But it is also a amazing place full of wild untamed beauty and scenic vistas that stretch as far as the eye can see. So image my surprise when we ventured forth to the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo when we were able to combine two favorites into one…views for mom and cute cuddly animals for the kids. We hit the jackpot!

Of course, for a kid there is nothing to be beat when feeding a giraffe. Lettuce leaves are the food of choice as the long silky purple tongues reach out to take their favorite treats from your hands. Meeting a giraffe up close and personal is something that you never forget.

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The zoo also has a unique exhibit which showcases animals from the area in a natural setting. Here you will find grizzly bears, moose, mountain lions and many other animals that you might meet if you were hiking in the surrounding mountains. Yes, sometimes you have to look to find these magnificent creatures but that is part of the charm of the place.

Encounter Africa was another favorite giving the kids a chance to see elephants, rhino, and meerkats and a gigantic living termite mound. UGH! That left me itching all over for a few nights after that! The kids also loved the wind tunnel which demonstrated the strength of the winds as they cross the savannah.

For an extra cost you can also take the Mountaineer Sky ride which is essentially a ski-lift chair that rides to the top of the mountain as your travel over the animal exhibits.

This zoo was a big hit for all involved no matter what their age. While admission prices are a little steep it is worth it if you make a day of it. FYI-take along your own bottled water.

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The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with the last admission at 4 p.m. Hours vary during holidays.