Cathedral Seating

Exploring Armstrong Woods State Natural Reserve a few days ago we stumbled across this miracle of a forest theater and its huge cathedral-like seating area. I don't know the history of this theater, but I speculate that it's a produce of the federal Civilian Conservation Corps, active in this park and so many other state parks during their critical development periods of the 1930s and 1940s.

It's a beautiful, reverent setting. But let the the pictures speak for themselves.

Note the pair of big-leafed maples curving over and framing the stage, which is backed by another big-leafed maple. Pictures always come up short in the redwoods. We were there on a moody, rain-sprinkled Monday morning that made the visual design experience even more powerful.

View from the stage! Does St. Peter's in Rome have this much seating?

Best Western in Wine County

Normally, I am not one to fawn over hotel architecture so when my wife booked us for a Best Western (near the freeway) in the Sonoma County wine country last weekend I don't think I had the planet's greatest expectations. But what a lovely surprise to overnight at Healdsburg's BW Dry Creek Inn. (Check out the YouTube video).

I love good outdoor rooms and this hotel had two. We strolled about after breakfast enjoying the ambience as staff set up for a working day's events and conferences. It was just the two of us, but I easily imagined the pleasure of a big family or group of friends drinkingwine by the fireplace in these outdoor rooms, kids running free and laughs all around at familiar family and friend stories. It definitely had a feel-good quality about it - and what better can you ask of thoughtful architecture? 

The atmospherics were Tuscan. In the midst of beautiful California wine country in April we indulged the feeling -in this unexpectedly tasteful Best Western just off the freeway.

Whimsical furniture

Wine themes in the pedestrian walkways

Latin inscription outside, which, if my high school Latin is still reliable, means:

 "There's wine. Drink up."