April 15, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 15) By Simon J. Lau This morning, we visited Wormsloe Historic Site, a former plantation. It traces its origins back to the early 1730s when Noble Jones, an English settler, established Wormsloe Plantation on the Isle of Hope. Over time, the plantation grew to over 1,000 acres and became one of the most prosperous in the region. During the Revolutionary War, Wormsloe played a strategic role in the defense of Savannah […]

April 14, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 14) By Simon J. Lau Today, we made it to Savannah! Established in 1733, it holds a distinguished position in American history. As one of the earliest colonial settlements in the Thirteen Colonies, Savannah played crucial roles during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Its strategic location as a port city made it a coveted prize for both British and American forces. The Siege of Savannah in 1779, during the […]

April 13, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 13) By Simon J. Lau St. Augustine, the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the United States, dating back to its founding by Spanish explorers in 1565. Its well-preserved architecture, cobblestone streets, and historic sites offer a glimpse into its fascinating past. I arrived here yesterday and plan to stay another night. Despite not knowing much about this town until recently, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by its allure. Arguably the most […]

April 12, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 12) By Simon J. Lau This morning we visited the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. It boasts a diverse collection of vintage cars, motorcycles, and other classic vehicles spanning several decades. Visitors can explore exhibits featuring rare automobiles, including famous models, and unique prototypes. One section even showcases a variety of Batmobiles! They were also dog-friendly, so Bruno got to enjoy this museum with me. My favorite vehicle in this collection was the […]

April 11, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 11) By Simon J. Lau Bruno and I had quite a day! This morning, we explored downtown Mobile. Founded by the French in 1702, the city was shaped by Europeans, Native Americans, and the slave trade. Remarkably, Mobile has seen six sovereign flags fly over its skies: French, English, Spanish, American, Republic of Alabama (a short-lived independent state declared in 1861 during the American Civil War), Confederate, and a return to […]

April 10, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 10) By Simon J. Lau This morning, we visited the Louisiana State Capitol building in Baton Rouge. Notable for its towering height, it stands as the tallest capitol building in the United States. The structure’s striking design features an Art Deco style, highlighted by a distinctive 27-story tower crowned with a lantern and cupola. Soon after, I visited Louisiana’s Old State Capitol, a historic Gothic Revival-style building that functioned as the […]

April 9, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 9) By Simon J. Lau This morning, I visited Galveston’s East End Historic District and known for its Victorian-era architecture. Primarily residential, it boasts grand mansions, ornate homes, and elegant churches. For instance, Bishop’s Palace, also known as the Gresham House, is the most famous home in this neighborhood. It’s a Victorian mansion built between 1887 and 1893 for lawyer and politician Walter Gresham. Later purchased by the Roman Catholic Diocese of […]

April 8, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 8) By Simon J. Lau Experiencing a total eclipse today was incredible. Initially discouraged by intense cloud cover, I decided to stay in San Antonio through totality just to experience the total darkness. Instead of watching the eclipse from the my hotel’s parking lot, as I had planned yesterday, I opted to drive to a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio. Surprisingly, they offered me eclipse glasses without me even asking. I had […]

April 7, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 7) By Simon J. Lau This morning, I visited the Alamo. It’s an iconic symbol of Texas independence. This historic mission-turned-fortress was the site of the famous Battle of the Alamo in 1836, during the Texas Revolution. Despite being vastly outnumbered, a small group of Texan defenders held off Mexican forces for 13 days before ultimately being defeated. The bravery displayed at the Alamo became a rallying cry for Texas independence […]

April 6, 2024 Coast-to-coast: San Francisco to Savannah (Part 6) By Simon J. Lau This morning, we visited Big Bend National Park, situated in southwest Texas along the Mexico border. It’s known for its rugged beauty and vast wilderness. The park features diverse landscapes, from desert terrain to towering mountains, offering breathtaking vistas, winding river canyons, and abundant wildlife. Although we could only spend an hour inside the park due to another long drive ahead, it was enough to leave […]