Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 14h

In Albuquerque, New Mexico's Old Town walls and fences become sculpture. #photography #travel #tourism #albuquerque #oldtownabuquerque #nm #adobe #sculpture

1 6

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 1d

This Romanesque gateway leads from Washington D.C.'s National Cathedral into the lush garden Bishop's Garden on the south side - a lovely detour and respite for those visiting this great hilltop edifice. #travel #tourism #photography #washingtondc #washingtonnationalcathedral #garden #architecture

7

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 2d

Albuquerque, New Mexico's 2025 International Balloon Fiesta - the 53rd - wrapped up its ninth and final day this morning. Over 500 balloons ascended during the mass ascensions with pilots from 41 states and 12 countries. #photography #travel #tourism #albuquerque #nm #internationalballoonfiesta

1 3 63

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 3d

Houston, Texas' largest annual gathering of the population for a free event is its Art Car Parade. Over 250 entries display creativity, persistence, skill, sense of humor, mechanical dexterity, and design chops in front of nearly 300,000 fans. #photography #travel #tourism #houston #texas #artcar

3

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 4d

Reigning over the southern entry to York Minster is this statue of Constantine the Great. It was near this spot that he was proclaimed as Roman Emperor in 306 at the death of his emperor father. In 312 he converted to Christianity. #photography #travel #history #york #england #constitinethegreat

5

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 5d

York Minster Cathedral has been the center of Christianity in northern England since the 627. Most of the current structure dates between 1220 and 1472. The west front window features a distinctive heart-shaped pattern. #photography #travel #tourism #york #england #church #yorkminster #heartofyork

1 7

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 6d

Train Ridge Road climbs along numerous high ridges in Colorado's Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park, most of it above tree line. This view across the tundra reveals a number of bighorn sheep doing their part to keep the turf well-tended. #photography #travel #tourism #rockymountainnationalpark #colorado #nps

9

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 7d

Below Rocky Mountain National Park's Otis Peak, the retreating Andrews Glacier tops out at nearly 12,000' feeding Andrews Tarn, a small proglacial lake at its base. The trail to this point is 9.2 miles, climbing nearly 2,300'. #photography #travel #tourism #rmnp #colorado #rockymountainnationalpark

8

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 8d

Palladio's Villa la Rotonda is seen as among the most influential designs ever. Examples: Jefferson's Monticello, the White House, English architect Inigo Jones' work, (& that leading to) many English manor houses. #photography #travel #tourism #palladio #villalarotonda #architecture #vicenza #italy

10

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 9d

Architect Palladio's most famous villa, just south of Vicenza, is Villa la Rotonda. Its famous four matching exterior elevations reference Rome's Pantheon. Likewise, the interior features a dome with an originally open oculus. #photography #travel #palladio #villalarotonda #vicenza #arxhitecture

7

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 10d

Monroeville, Alabama's population is below 6,000, but the time that Truman Capote spent here with his aunts and the girl next door left an impression. The girl next door was Harper Lee. She wrote a couple of books as well. #photography #travel #tourism #alabama #monroeville #trumancapote #harperlee

1 4

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 11d

Vaux le Vicomte, SE of Paris, is France's largest privately-owned chateau. Its original owner Fouquet assembled the team of architect, landscape architect and artist that would be relocated to transform Versailles from a hunting lodge. #travel #tourism #photography #france #vauxlevicomte #chateau

4

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 12d

This view from the Venice's St. Mark's Campanile is little changed since the tower was erected between the 10th and 15th centuries (though this replicating iteration was finished in 1912). The viewpoint helped Galileo market his telescope. #travel #tourism #photography #venice #italy #tower #history

5

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 13d

The Orto Botanico di Padova lies on the southeast side of the historic area of Padua, in exactly the same location (though expanded) since 1545. This makes it the world's oldest botanical garden retaining its original location and layout. #photography #travel #tourism #padua #padova #garden #history

5

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 14d

Route 66 (AKA "The Mother Road") celebrates her 99th birthday on Nov. 11th. 63 miles west of Rt 66's midpoint (Adrian, TX) lies Tucumcary, NM where the historic vibe is thick with rehabbed motor courts and souvenir shops. #photography #travel #tourism #tucumcari #nm #route66 #motherroad #history

4

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 16d

In Padova, Italy via Beato Luca Belludi connects Piazza Prato della Valle - a massive public park with a central green area featuring over 70 statues - and the Basilica of St. Anthony - an edifice containing the saint's relics and great art. #photography #travel #tourism #padova #italy #stanthony

1

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 16d

Venice's Ca' d'Oro (House of Gold) is the best known example of residential Venetian Gothic architecture (1420). The courtyard and ground-level atrium (waterfront entry space) is paved with mosaics of Grecian marble and red Verona marble. #photography #travel #tourism #venice #italy #cadoro #pattern

6

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 17d

Gardens at the Chateau du Versailles are expansive - 2,000 acres. Much of it is structured in a formal French garden style with manicured lawns, sculpture, elaborate fountains, etc. though there are also quieter, less rigid corners. #photography #travel #tourism #versailes #garden #france #chateau

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 18d

Paris' Pere Lachaise Cemetery is the most visited graveyard in the world. It was founded in 1804, stretches over 110 rolling acres, and holds 70,000+ tombs including Edith Piaf, Frederic Chopin, Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, and Moliere. #photography #travel #tourism #paris #france #perelachaise #tombs

4

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 19d

FLORENCE, ITALY: This wrap-around fresco in the Chapel of the Magi (circa 1460) in Palazzo Medici-Riccardi is THE highlight. The private space poses family members and friends in an exceptionally lavish parade to attend to the newborn Christ. #history #travel #fresco #florence #italy #art #medici

8

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 21d

SAN ANTONIO, TX - 1840s: German mason began to quarry limestone blocks here. 1901: The area was adopted into the city's Brackenridge Park. 1919: The "sunken gardens" opened. 1984: Renamed "Japanese Tea Gardens." Since: A great stop! #photography #travel #tourism #sanantonio #tx #japaneseteagardens

2 1 8

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 22d

I'm honored to have some of my Italy-inspired paintings on display (along with other fantastic exhibitions in the main gallery) at Houston's Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts. I am also grateful for today's posting on IG by the museum. #painting #travel #tourism #houston #tx #pearlfinchermfa #italy

2

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 22d

Also the name: Chevaline = horse.

1 2

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 22d

The red horse head over the storefront is a clue.

2 1

Barry A Parks @barryaparks.bsky.social · 22d

I stayed in a lovely hotel near the Palais Royal my first visit to Paris. Across the street, this horsemeat butcher's storefront caught my attention. Popularity of the protein has declined to less than 1% of France's butchers selling it now. #photography #travel #tourism #paris #france #butcher

1 1 4