The Georgia Street Bridge, which crosses busy University Avenue between Park Boulevard and Florida Street, has become a key symbol and artery for residents because it links Hillcrest to North Park. Initially constructed in 1914 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1998.

The Georgia Street Bridge, North Park, San Diego, California

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) Arab Street, Kampong Glam, Singapore

Sultan Mosque (Masjid Sultan) Arab Street, Kampong Glam, Singapore, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb

Sultan mosque, also known as Masjid Sultan, located along Arab Street in the Kampong Glam area is the traditional heart of Singaporean Muslim life. The grand Sultan Mosque has the familiar onion dome and Moorish styling of the Arabic Muslim influence.

The street leading up to this impressive view is lined with sidewalk cafes, restaurants, fashionable boutiques and souvenir shops.

Check back for more of my Singapore adventures!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Looking for Sunshine at Sentosa Island - Singapore, Southeast Asia

Sentosa Island

Looking for Sunshine at Sentosa Island - Singapore, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

At my hostel I got to talking to a group of guys and after I found out that they were from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia I mentioned to them that after Singapore I was going to fly into their city.

“Why do you want to go Kuala Lumpur” they asked?

“Well, to see the Petronas Towers, visit the Batu Caves and try out some of the local food” I replied.

“You won’t find our city that interesting,” one of the guys pointed out, “Kuala Lumpur is just like Singapore, but dirtier.”

When I asked what they were doing in Singapore for the weekend they all exclaimed in unison, “Universal Studios!”

Being a native Southern Californian, theme parks is just a part of the California lifestyle and something I was always accustomed to as we would spend our family summer vacations visiting Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, etc. Walt Disney pioneered theme parks (not amusement parks) when he opened the original Disneyland (and the best one in my humble opinion) in Anaheim, California in 1955.

When I told the guys I was from California and I use to visit Universal Studios in Hollywood all the time because I use to be an annual member, their mouths nearly dropped to the floor.

I was immediately elevated to rock star status.

“The original Universal Studios,” they asked?

“Of course” I nonchalantly replied, “everything we do in California is original, those other versions in Florida are just cheap imitations.”

I then told them I use to live in Newport Beach which was minutes away from Disneyland where I was also an annual member to the park. At that point they were ready to get on their knees and worship the ground I walked on.

And walk away I did as I had to leave the hostel that morning to meet fellow Flickr member Charlie Kwan as he graciously took me on a photo tour of Singapore. Charlie was a wonderful host for he arranged for a friend to drive us around so we could get off at various places around the city conveniently and without having to worry about parking. Thank you Charlie! Be sure to check out his photostream Charlie Kwan

The last stop of the photo tour was Sentosa Island where Charlie dropped me off as he had a prior engagement that afternoon. Sentosa Island is located about fifteen minutes from the city center and features beaches, golf courses, resort hotels, spas, a marina and Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park.

It was overcast that day and the sun made an appearance ever so briefly. I did get a glimpse of Universal Studios Singapore from this lookout tower.

I never did go inside the theme park. Why? I have been to the original one in Hollywood, California!

Check back for more of my Singapore adventures!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Feeling uncomfortable in a foreign country - Little India, Singapore

Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali.

Feeling uncomfortable in a foreign country - Little India, Singapore, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” - Clifton Fadiman

Singapore is more than just the Marina Bay Sands Resort. Venture around this compact city-state and you will be amazed by the amount of diversity. On a leisurely walk around the city I would come across a Mosque, Christian church, Buddhist temple and a Hindu temple all in one morning.

Singapore maybe diverse when it comes to its culture, food and religion, but one thing they are uniformly known for is their stifling heat and humidity. Coming from a Mediterranean climate of Southern California it took some time to get use to (it took me over a month to condition my body for the Southeast Asia climate).

In Little India is the Sri Veerama Kaliamman Temple a Hindu temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. I could tell you about how it was built in 1855 by Tamil laborers or that the goddess Kali is the destroyer of evil or that in 1942 the locals took refuge in the temple to protect themselves from the invading Japanese army. All I can remember was that is was a very hot day and even hotter inside the temple.

I stared at amazement at the intricate details of the statues along the walls then my mind would wander off about the dangers of dehydrating.

It started to sizzle in the temple.

I listened to the little bells the devotees would ring as they entered the temple to ask for the God’s mercy upon their prayer requests.

As more devotees entered the temple it now became a sauna. I desperately needed a drink of water otherwise I probably would have passed out on the floor and nobody would assist me since they would probably mistaken me as another local prostrated on the ground deep in prayer.

The heat was now escalating to a point of suffocation.

Fatigue began to set in due to the overbearing heat and carrying my heavy DSLR camera surely didn’t help matters, but the pungent smell of the temple kept me awake.

Did I tell you that it was scorching hot inside the temple?

I wanted to head back to the safety of my air-conditioned room, but I reminded myself I did not come halfway across the world to seek safety and security. If I wanted to be comfortable I would have stayed home driving my own car, eating processed foods and paying for over priced Starbucks coffee.

No, I stayed behind and sweated it out. As a result, I witnessed this Hindu priest blessing the devotees. With my wide angle lens I was merely inches from this ceremony that I can almost say I was a part of it.

Looking back I am glad I chose to be uncomfortable that day.

Check back for more of my Singapore adventures!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Waiting for a soul to drift up into my view at the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque - Little India, Singapore

Waiting for a soul to drift up into my view at the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque - Little India, Singapore, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“A picture can express a universal humanism, or simply reveal a delicate and poignant truth by exposing a slice of life that might otherwise pass unnoticed.” - Steve McCurry

73 Dunlop Street in Little India is the location for The InnCrowd Hostel and my temporary address while I was in Singapore last year.

Just footsteps from the hostel, also on Dunlop Street, is the Masjid Abdul Gaffoor (Malay) for the Abdul Gaffoor Mosque. I would walk by this beautiful mosque everyday to and from the hostel. I would have my camera at my side but never found the perfect moment to make a photograph either because the light was terrible or maybe it was due to my obsession to always look for those “Steve McCurry” moments.

One afternoon I walked by the mosque and the elements of light and composition (I crouched down low to frame the mosque with the footwear in the foreground (when entering a mosque one must be barefooted)) happen to come together. The only thing missing was the human element to portray a “slice of life.”

I remembered a quote from photojournalist Steve McCurry when he learned to watch and wait on life. “If you wait,” he realized, “people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view.”

I waited patiently for a “soul to drift up into my view” and I was rewarded with this storytelling image as this young girl ran across my frame.

Happy Travels!

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I flew over 20 hours from California to Singapore to see the world’s largest surfboard?!

Marina Bay Sands

I flew over 20 hours from California to Singapore to see the world’s largest surfboard?!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

My first night in Singapore and the heat and the humidity became unbearable. The back of my shirt felt like it was superglued to my skin. This was not Southern California with its Mediterranean climate.

My introductory walk around Singapore invariably led me to Marina Bay Sands. I looked up and glimpsed at a gigantic surfboard on top of three hotel towers.

Did jet lag cloud my perception?

Did I just fly for over 20 hours from California to Singapore to see the world’s largest surfboard?

No, it was just the world's largest public cantilevered platform, part of which overhangs the north tower by over 219 feet.

The three 55-story hotel towers of Marina Bay Sands are connected by a 2.47 acre sky terrace on the roof, named Sands SkyPark. The SkyPark is home to the world's longest elevated swimming pool, with a 478 ft vanishing edge.

In California we say, “Surf's up!” What is Singapore’s version of that?

Happy Travels!

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Singapore my gateway to Southeast Asia!

Welcome to Singapore!

Singapore my gateway to Southeast Asia!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Last year I started my six month Southeast Asia journey in the beautiful city-state of Singapore. The moment I landed at their world class airport I fell in love with the city. What’s not to love? The diversity of cultures and religion, the amazing food, clean streets, low crime and the fact they hang (that’s right hang) people who are involved in any drug smuggling crimes. My type of city.

The moment I arrived at my hostel I met John from England. He had been in Singapore for over a week and offered to give me a quick tour of the city. We covered Little India, Burgis Market and the Clarke Quay. We had dinner at a great hawker stall and then headed out to the Marina Bay Sands Resort with billion dollar views and the construction costs to match it.

This is a photograph of the ArtScience Museum (part of the Marina Bay Sands Resort) with the Singapore skyline in the background. The funky frame above is part of an illuminated pedestrian bridge. I shot this with my table top Manfrotto tripod as I didn’t bring my normal Manfrotto tripod for space considerations and for the reason that I wanted to focus more on street photography with an emphasis on portraiture (later on my trip I bought a proper tripod while in Angkor Wat, Cambodia).

I hope my Singapore photographs convey the beauty and splendor of the city-state and that my Flickr friends and Singaporean photographers Rebecca Ang, Charlie Kwan and fiftymm99 find them as an accurate portrayal of their lovely city.

For the next couple of weeks (perhaps months) I will be posting photos from my amazing Southeast Asia journey. I hope you find them amazing and amusing, much like I did when I originally composed them.

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel - San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

I lied.

I said in my last post I was going to start sharing photos from my Southeast Asia journey I embarked on last year.

Lying maybe too strong of a word. Let’s just say I embellished the truth.

Here is a blue hour photograph from my trek to Mexico last year after I came back from Southeast Asia. This will be my last photograph (I promise) and from now on I’ll be updating you guys with photos from my Southeast Asia trip.

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If colonial architecture and cobblestone streets sound very appealing then the beautiful Spanish colonial town of San Miguel de Allende fits the bill to be your home away from home (many Americans do). San Miguel de Allende has one of the largest American communities in Mexico with over 7000 residents. It is large enough to warrant its own U.S. consulate.

The ‘wedding cake’ towers of Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel dominates the perfectly manicured main plaza, El Jardin, in the old historic center. I spent many evenings sitting on a bench in the plaza admiring the gorgeous architecture and striking light, all the while consuming my favorite Mexican meal Tacos Al Pastor!

Happy Travels!

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Come join me on my Southeast Asia photo tour!

Come join me on my Southeast Asia photo tour!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Okay...this isn’t Southeast Asia and I do not lead photo tours in that part of the world (for the moment, but I am looking to do so in the future).

This is the Bartholdi Fountain in Washington, DC that was designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. Does that name ring a bell? No, he did not design the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, but rather the Statue of Liberty in New York City. C’mon, who can forget that memorable ending scene from Titanic when Kate Winslet looks up at the Statue of Liberty as she starts her new life in America. American cinema at its finest (excuse me, I think I just threw up in my mouth)!

I have been busy...wait for it...post-processing photos! The last couple of months, due to my nomadic lifestyle, I have not had the quality time to properly process my photos with my Apple MacBook Pro and external monitor (my desktop computer is in storage somewhere in Illinois). I now have a workstation setup with my external monitor in place and the last couple of days I have been feverishly processing my photos from when I was in Southeast Asia last year (I have over 700 gigabytes of photos). So for the next couple of weeks be prepared to journey with me as I traverse through Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia.

Back to the 15 ton and 30 foot tall Bartholdi Fountain. Fatigue started to set in after photographing the memorials and monuments in Washington, DC, so I sought out lesser known sites and hidden gems around the city. The blue hour sky was not the greatest that evening as it was spoiled by overcast, rainy weather and light pollution. Perhaps it was a result of the political demagoguery pollution coming from nearby Capitol Hill!

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Reach out and touch someone!

Hello and goodbye to the new Flickr!? Or will Flickr take a Tumble(r)!?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Gravelly Point provides a close up experience as you stand in the flight path of giant commercial aircraft as they land at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in the nation’s capitol

The best part of photographing at Gravelly Point is the absence of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The only touchy-feely going on here is reaching for the skies!

Notes:
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 17-40 f/4 L lens
ISO: 1600
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/400

Happy Travels!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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Korean War Veterans Memorial - Washington, DC

Korean War Veterans Memorial - Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” - General Douglas MacArthur, Commander-in-Chief of the United Nations Command in Korea

For me personally I have always found the Korean War Veterans Memorial one of the most profound and at the same time saddest memorials on the National Mall in Washington, DC. It may have to do with the fact that it is often overlooked by the nearby memorials of the ever so popular Lincoln Memorial and emotional Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The Korean War has been nicknamed, “The Forgotten War” since it has been overshadowed by World War II and the Vietnam War. It is unfortunate that most Americans still overlook this period of our history.

The memorial consists of nineteen stainless-steel soldiers on combat patrol marching through rough terrain. It was dedicated in 1995 to honor the nearly 37,000 Americans who gave their lives in the 1950-1953 war (or conflict as some may call it).

As a photographer I have alway found it difficult to photograph the Korean War Veterans Memorial from an artistic point of view. It doesn’t have the grand Parthenon-inspired architecture like the Lincoln Memorial nor does it have the majesty of the World War II Memorial. Also, the lighting on the statues can be very contrasty and not consistent from statue to statue. I have been at this memorial many times and I have always had a hard time looking for a creative angle. One morning I walked down to the memorial before sunrise and circled around the soldiers before I eyed this composition.

I was playing around with Nik HDR Efex Pro 2 and I came up with this unique color scheme. It reminded me of those old Korean War film footage that were shot in black and white and later converted to color.

2013 marks the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Korean War. In light of the Memorial Day holiday, which in the United States is a day to honor and remember the fallen who have given their lives in service to their country, I wanted to pay tribute to these soldiers and let them know they have not been forgotten.

Honor the Fallen!

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Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery - Washington, DC

Changing of the Guard at Arlington National Cemetery - Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Changing of the Guard Ritual (from the Official Website of Arlington National Cemetery):

The guard is changed every hour on the hour Oct. 1 to March 31 in an elaborate ritual. From April 1 through September 30, there are more than double the opportunities to view the change because another change is added on the half hour and the cemetery closing time moves from 5 to 7 p.m.

An impeccably uniformed relief commander appears on the plaza to announce the Changing of the Guard. Soon the new sentinel leaves the Quarters and unlocks the bolt of his or her M-14 rifle to signal to the relief commander to start the ceremony. The relief commander walks out to the Tomb and salutes, then faces the spectators and asks them to stand and stay silent during the ceremony.

The relief commander conducts a detailed white-glove inspection of the weapon, checking each part of the rifle once. Then, the relief commander and the relieving sentinel meet the retiring sentinel at the center of the matted path in front of the Tomb. All three salute the Unknowns who have been symbolically given the Medal of Honor. Then the relief commander orders the relieved sentinel, "Pass on your orders." The current sentinel commands, "Post and orders, remain as directed." The newly posted sentinel replies, "Orders acknowledged," and steps into position on the black mat. When the relief commander passes by, the new sentinel begins walking at a cadence of 90 steps per minute.

The Tomb Guard marches 21 steps down the black mat behind the Tomb, turns, faces east for 21 seconds, turns and faces north for 21 seconds, then takes 21 steps down the mat and repeats the process. After the turn, the sentinel executes a sharp "shoulder-arms" movement to place the weapon on the shoulder closest to the visitors to signify that the sentinel stands between the Tomb and any possible threat. Twenty-one was chosen because it symbolizes the highest military honor that can be bestowed -- the 21-gun salute.

Duty time when not "walking" is spent in the Tomb Guard Quarters below the Memorial Display Room of the Memorial Amphitheater where they study Cemetery "knowledge," clean their weapons and help the rest of their relief prepare for the Changing of the Guard. The guards also train on their days off.

The Guards of Honor at the Tomb of the Unknowns are highly motivated and are proud to honor all American service members who are "Known But to God."

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Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for about 400,000 military service members and their families. It is a wonderful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served.

Here in the United States the final Monday in May is a federal holiday known as Memorial Day. It is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Honor the Fallen!

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Arlington National Cemetery - To Honor, Remember & Explore

Arlington National Cemetery - To Honor, Remember & Explore, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worst.” -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003)

I had the great opportunity to partake in a moving and patriotic experience last year while I was in Washington, DC. Every December an organization called Wreaths Across America coordinates a wreath laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. It is a wonderful way to remember, honor and teach our youth about our fallen veterans.

Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for about 400,000 military service members and their families. It is a wonderful tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who have served.

Here in the United States the final Monday in May is a federal holiday known as Memorial Day. It is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.

Honor the Fallen!

Text and photo copyright by ©Sam Antonio Photography

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"Blue Mass" Honors Police Killed In The Line Of Duty - Washington, D.C.

"Blue Mass" Honors Police Killed In The Line Of Duty - Washington, D.C., a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Members of the D.C. Police Department Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Band play their instruments outside of St. Patrick Church after the 'Blue Mass' to mark the beginning of National Police Week in Washington, D.C. The name of the Mass comes from the "blue" color of their uniforms. I attended this special Mass where police officers prayed for their fallen comrades and for their own safety in the line of duty.

The week of May 15 transforms Washington, D.C. into one of the safest cities in the world. Why? Because National Police Week, which occurs each year during the week in which May 15 falls, recognizes the service and sacrifice of U.S. law enforcement. Established by a joint resolution of Congress in 1962, National Police Week pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on the nation's capitol to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice.

Happy Travels!

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Political Storms bursts over Washington, DC

Political Storms bursts over Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

People accuse me of “Photoshopping” my photographs. That’s crazy! All my photographs are SOOAA, that is “straight out of Apple Aperture.”

I was walking in Lafayette Square, a public park located directly north of the White House, in Washington, DC last week. I noticed these cumulus clouds and composed a couple of photographs. I know this is Washington, DC where everything is an illusion, but I pulled no magic tricks in post-production. I simply increased the contrast and bumped up the vibrancy. Mother nature gets all the credit for this one.

It has been a roller coaster week here in the nation’s capitol. Scandals have burst over the political weather front from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) limiting free speech to the Justice Department spying on reporter’s phone records.

I guess my “Photoshopping,” I mean my SOOAA skills, aren’t the only scandals brewing in Washington, DC.

Happy Travels!

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Good Morning Vietnam!

Good Morning Vietnam!, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Or should I say good morning Washington, DC! Actually, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is only about 1,000 feet from where I photographed this so I wasn’t too far from a “Vietnam” theme.

The ugly looking obelisk with the scaffolding is the Washington Monument which has been under construction since the August 2011 earthquake. If you are planning a trip to the Nation’s capitol soon, be warned that construction will not be completed until sometime in 2014. That’s really a bummer because everywhere you take a photograph in Washington, DC it seems the Washington Monument is always in the background.

I got up early this particular morning because in the spring and summer the sunrise runs parallel to the Lincoln Memorial (rising near the Washington Monument) and bathes the statue of Mr. Lincoln in warm, soft light. As you can see from my photograph that didn’t happen, so I had to settle for this lonely jogger running along the Reflecting Pool.

Happy Travels!

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Painting the renewal of spring and the ephemeral nature of life -cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC

Painting the renewal of spring and the ephemeral nature of life - cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

"The only thing that could spoil a day was people. People were always the limiters of happiness except for the very few that were as good as spring itself.”
Ernest Hemingway, A Moveable Feast

“No man can taste the fruits of autumn while he is delighting his scent with the flowers of spring.”
Samuel Johnson

"I had always planned to make a large painting of the early spring, when the first leaves are at the bottom of the trees, and they seem to float in space in a wonderful way. But the arrival of spring can't be done in one picture."
David Hockney

“Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's party!'”
Robin Williams

A local artist paints the arrival of spring of the pale-pink cherry blossoms in bloom along the Tidal Basin in the nation’s capitol of Washington, DC.

Spring is here and it is time to party!

Happy Travels!

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Rite of Spring - Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC

Rite of Spring - Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

Walk, run, or bike to see the annual cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC.

The cherry trees were a gift from Japan in 1912 as a commemoration for the 1854 Treaty of Peace and Amity which officially established formal relations between the two countries.

The Yoshino Cherry Blossoms in Washington, DC only bloom in the spring and the window of opportunity is very small. I photographed this on a Monday when the cherry blossoms were beginning to peak and by that Friday night strong winds blew most of them off the trees. As with any once-a-year photographic opportunity, it can be very crowded with people, especially at sunrise.

The most photogenic groups of cherry blossoms are located around the Tidal Basin which is a man-made inlet adjacent to the Potomac River. That morning hordes of photographers, tourists and fitness enthusiasts were jockeying for position to get a view of the pink cherry blossoms.

It took me over 1,000 hours in Photoshop to clone out all the pesky people in the background to get this lone biker in the scene, or actually, I secured a presidential order to keep everybody back at least 500 feet from my shot or I simply waited until this lone biker walked under this cherry blossom branch where I was camping out with my Canon 5D Mark II.

What story do you believe?

Happy Travels!

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Congress is Crooked or the Blue Hour Tilt?

Congress is Crooked or the Blue Hour Tilt?, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

I can’t decide which title is better so I will leave it up to you guys. Which title do you prefer?

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Mark Twain once opined, “Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” Those are the culprits that lollygag in the Capitol Building so there is no need to waste my time talking about them. So let’s talk about the geometric “H” shaped building you see on the top right hand side of the frame.

The East Building of the National Gallery of Art was designed by famed architect I.M. Pei. Inside is one of my favorite paintings, Salvador Dali’s “Sacrament of the Last Supper.” Dali was an eccentric guy so I thought of him when I composed this photograph. No, I was not on drugs when I composed this shot. To quote Salvador Dali, “I don’t do drugs. I am drugs.”

Happy Travels!

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Major General Gouverneur Kemble Warren - "Hero of Little Round Top" andthe Guardian of the Gettysburg Sunset

Major General Gouverneur Kemble Warren - "Hero of Little Round Top" and the Guardian of the Gettysburg Sunset, a photo by Sam Antonio Photography on Flickr.

On the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, General Gouverneur Warren realized the importance that a position known as Little Round Top would be during the battle and...blah, blah, blah!

If you want to learn about some not so boring history you can read his Wikipedia entry. I am not diminishing the importance of the battle of Gettysburg nor the brave men who fought and died in the largest battle ever fought in North America. I have been to Gettysburg Military Park many times and love learning about this period of American history. Heck, I am the type of guy that watches “Gettysburg” just for fun and that movie runs over four hours! Come to think about, if not for General Warren’s initiative at Little Round Top the Union Army would have lost that battle and perhaps the entire war. Maybe you should read more about him.

General Gouverneur Warren is a very dedicated soldier because every time I come to Gettysburg he is always there defending Little Round Top or perhaps he just loves watching those spectacular Pennsylvania sunsets.

Happy Travels!

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