Happy National Skyscraper Day everyone! In honor of this day, I will be posting some photos from one of my absolute favorite cities of all time that is just covered with skyscrapers: New York City. 

When I think of New York City, I think of freedom. Not the typical freedom you're probably thinking. The first time I went to NYC was back in the Summer of 2013 and it was my very first trip being on my own, without either of my parents. Thankfully it wasn't my last time there. I ended up going back that same year in the Fall (my first experience with Fall, which began my obsession with the season) for a photo conference, and then again in the Summer of 2015. Many of the photos below are scattered throughout these years. 

New York City is the city of skyscrapers not only in buildings but in amazingly beautiful bridges. The obvious and most famous bridge of the city is the Brooklyn Bridge. To finally see it in person was absolutely stunning. The intricate details the architects and engineers did for this bridge back in 1869 is impressive. They opened the bridge to the public in 1883 and now 138 years later it is still standing intact. Truly remarkable. The photo I took looking up at the archway of the bricks is hanging up on my wall and I smile everytime I look at it, knowing I was able to walk on history. 

Before walking the Brooklyn Bridge, I had the honor of visiting the original JW Watchtower headquarters in Brooklyn, NY. I knew someone who worked inside the Brooklyn Bethel facilities and he was able to take me up to the roof of the building. The views were beyond spectacular. You could overlook the East River towards the Financial District of NYC and even see the One World Trade Center. The panorama from the beginning of this post is a photo I captured while on the roof of this historical building. Unfortunately, the buildings have been sold and the headquarters of the Jehovah's Witnesses have since moved upstate, which made this visit extra special. 

While staying in New York in the Summer of 2013, I stayed at the Ravel Hotel in Long Island City right next to another magnificent bridge: the Queensboro Bridge. As beautiful as the Brooklyn Bridge is, the Queensboro Bridge is so intricate in detail that it took my breath away when I saw it. Nothing could compare to the sights I saw from this hotel when sunset came around. If you ever want to see a great sunset view of the city, especially with a backdrop of this bridge, stay at the Ravel Hotel and ask for a balcony room. Even if you don't stay in this hotel, go up to the top floor and admire the view at the rooftop restaurant called Penthouse808 or "The Penthouse." This is what I did one evening and I was beyond thrilled to see this view. 

You will be able to see the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building from the rooftop of this hotel. Again, if you're ever in the city make sure to check out this view one evening. 

When I stayed at the Ravel Hotel they had a shuttle service that would take you to and from the subway station near the hotel. The area is a bit sketchy but with the shuttle service it made it easier and safer. 

One of my favorite architectural buildings of all time will always be the flatiron building. I made it my mission to capture photos of this building and it has forever resided as my background wallpaper on my phone lol. 

While visiting NYC you absolutely must visit Central Park. It wouldn't be called a New York trip without the experience of this beautiful and massive park. This is probably one of my favorite places to be. This is the perfect spot to go when you just need a breather away from the city, despite being in the heart of Manhattan. One of my favorite things about Central Park are the buildings that peak through the foliage and above the lakes to remind you that you're still in New York City. I was able to see quite a few skyscrapers around the edges of Central Park, especially at the Jacqueline Onassis Reservoir (last photo below), and the architecture of these buildings are ones to be admired.

Ever since moving to the Midwest, especially upon moving to Wisconsin, I've had one goal: enjoy the seasons as much as possible. Now that I have a traveling partner by my side, I've been able to take advantage of exploring as much as possible. 

One place that I checked out this winter was Monticello, WI. A small town but it definitely has its charms, especially when it's covered in snow. Snow makes everything look picturesque.

Upon arrival you will see their welcome sign (shown below) and I've always admired the design of the bricks with the typography of their town's sign. Both styles somehow don't belong as if from a different era yet still blend perfectly together.

Many have wondered why I take photos of broken and shattered barns/farms. I've always been fascinated of abandoned barns and usually yell at my husband to pull over quickly so that I can take photos of them. Coming from Miami, FL I was never exposed to the "country life" and never saw many barns until I moved up to the Midwest. Seeing a bright shiny red barn is always exciting and picturesque. However, being able to find the worn-to-the-ground barns makes you appreciate the character of the architecture and the history of the building. Many of these buildings have been passed down for generations and so much work was involved just to get these farms up and running. These buildings have been the livelihood of families for decades, maybe even longer. Such strong history is not very common in Miami. Seeing buildings still holding strong after decades, or even centuries, is admirable. We take history for granted sometimes and even if we move on with our lives to build new fancy homes, we still leave behind old architectures that hold on to the last breath of history left inside of them. 

I've seen so many shattered farms, barns, and homes left destitute for years in Wisconsin and I can't help but wonder who used to live there? What history do these buildings hold? How long have these buildings been around for? What could have caused the families to abandon these homes and let it go to waste? Maybe we'll never know but I can't help but wonder. 🤔

Never forget that even though we all move on to bigger and better things in our life, you always leave behind a memory everywhere you go. Make sure to cherish those memories and preserve them as much as you can. Someone has to. 

Thanks for checking out my blog! I hope you enjoyed all of my winter adventures this season. 

Next up: Spring!

Since I'm originally from Florida, Winter is still a fairly new concept for me that I'm wrapping my head around. Though I've lived in the Midwest (Chicago) for 2 years now, the sights I have been seeing in Wisconsin has blown my mind 🤯. 

Exhibit A: "Freezing Fog" creates "Rime Ice"

Have you ever heard of freezing fog before? Or even Rime Ice? Yeah, neither have I until I moved up to Wisconsin. Apparently this is a real thing. It's a very dense fog that has rolled through for about a week or two and since the temperatures are below freezing, it creates these amazing crystal-like snow from the frost on all of the trees called "Rime Ice". Check out a sample of what I am referring to:

I was amazed at how intricate the details were depending on the tree or branch the frost was occuring on. There was a tree I had been eyeing all week that I wanted to take a photo of near my home. I was fascinated with how white with frost it would get from just this "freezing fog" that would roll through each day. The day before taking these photos, the sun came out and the trees were completely defrosted. The next day, the Rime Ice came back at full force and I had to take advantage of the opportunity to bust out my macro lens to take these photos. I'm glad that I did because a day or two later all of the frost was gone. 

Don't forget to visit the Winter Collection in my shop. Some of these macro photographs can be found in my shop as wall art, mini art prints, or even on home decor items such as pillows, mugs, tech accessories, and more. Click the button below to check out the collection

Even though Fall is my absolute favorite season, Winter definitely has its perks. When you get that first snowfall for the season, everything changes. The landscape, the people, the mood, the views... everything. This will be our first winter here in Wisconsin and when we received our first snowfall for the season, I couldn't have been happier. Most people would look out the window and fall right back into bed. Nope, not me. I was jumping out of bed and rushing to get ready to go take photos. When we first opened our curtains to look out the window, my mouth was to the floor of how much snow we got in one night. We easily got about 7-8 inches of snow and it truly was a Winter Wonderland all across town. 

Here are some photos around the neighborhood:

It snowed for over 24 hours so it kept snowing as I went out photographing around town, including when we went to go explore the downtown square. 

After exploring town, my husband wanted to drive me through some rural areas of Illinois by the border and I'm glad that he did. The beauty that I found was breathtaking. We drove towards the town of Winslow and I immediately told him to pull over when I saw a small creek off the side of the road with trees covered in snow. It was probably one of my favorite winter photos I have taken. It made for an amazing panorama. 

As we continued on, there were open fields of hills covered in snow with the wind turbines still active. Growing up in FL I was never exposed to wind turbines very much but ever since moving to the Midwest I see it often and it always takes my breath away. Something about it just puts me in awe at how massive they are yet graceful with the backdrop of farms and open hills as far as the eye can see towards the horizon. 

As always, most photos are available in my shop. This time I have created a Winter Collection so check it out by clicking the button below and purchase your wall art or home decor items with these very photographs: