Inauguration Day 2025

It’s Inauguration Day in the US!

Once every four years in November, the people of the United States elect a new president, and the next January 20, they are sworn into office.

Today, at noon, Donald J. Trump will take the oath of office and become the 47th President, replacing Joe Biden.

The US Capitol

Since Ronald Reagan was sworn into office in 1981, the inauguration has taken place on the west front of the US Capitol Building in Washington DC.

However, with temperatures well below average, and dangerously cold, President-elect Trump has requested that the ceremony take place inside, in the Rotunda. The event will start at 11:30, but the swearing in takes place at noon, per the instructions for the peaceful transfer of power laid out in the US Constitution.

Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, John Roberts, will swear in Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States of America. His wife, Melania, will hold the Bible on which he swears the oath, and his family will be in attendance.

After the ceremony, the former president and vice president, the new president and vice president, along with other dignitaries and important guests, will have a lunch in the Capitol, before kicking off a series of parties and events throughout Washington DC.

United States Capitol

Donald Trump

Childhood Home, Queens, NY

As we’ve written about before, Donald Trump was born and raised in Queens, New York, where his dad was a successful real estate developer and his mom a stay at home parent to five children. The lovely home where he spent much of his childhood has six bedrooms and a beautifully-landscaped yard, which he called his “oasis.”

Donald Trump's Childhood Home

Trump Tower, NYC, NY

Trump followed in his father’s footsteps, going into New York real estate. One of his most cherished developments is Trump Tower, a mixed-use skyscraper in downtown NYC. He maintains a three-story penthouse at the top, with more than 11,000 square feet of living space! The skyscraper is also the headquarters of his business ventures, where he filmed The Apprentice, and where he’s greeted several foreign dignitaries while serving as the 45th president.

Trump Tower

Mar-A-Lago, Palm Beach, FL

Trump bought the beachside resort property in 1985 from the US government. Originally built by Marjorie Merriweather Post, one of the richest women in America, the house was briefly owned by the US government. But because it was too expensive to maintain, it was put up for sale, and Trump bought it for about $10 million.

These days, the resort is Trump’s main residence, and also a very elite, high-end country club. Memberships run more than $200,000, plus annual dues and fees whenever you attend. When he’s not at the White House, incoming President Trump will certainly spend a lot of time here!

Mar-a-Lago 360° Panorama View

J.D. Vance

Residence in Cincinnati, OH

J.D. Vance rose to prominence first as a successful author, venture capitalist, and then as a Republican senator from the state of Ohio, and then he was selected to be Trump’s running mate. All by the time he was 40! His memoir became a bestselling book in 2016 and then film in 2020. He and his wife have three amazing kids, and even after their dad ran for and won a seat in the US Senate, they maintain their primary residence in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The house is in an old neighborhood, and may have been a part of the Underground Railroad, which helped escaped enslaved people move north to freedom. It has five bedrooms, and set the Vances back about $1.4 million. J.D. and his family will have an official residence in Washington DC, but it’s a likely bet they keep this to come home to whenever their dad leaves office.

J.D. Vance's House

Joe Biden

Home in Wilmington, DE

When he leaves Washington DC today, Joe Biden will come to Wilmington with his wife Jill at his side. Wrapping up a long career in public service, President Joe Biden will likely take a much-deserved break from the public eye. Biden served as a US senator since he was 31, until he resigned to serve as Vice President to President Barack Obama in 2008. He was elected president in 2020, in a response to Trump’s presidency and the frustration with federal COVID policies.

The lakefront property has been his primary residence for nearly 30 years, built by Joe and Jill in 1996. The nearly-7,000 foot home is a beautiful retreat for the family, complete with a pool.

Joe Biden's House

Kamala Harris

House in Los Angeles, CA

Leaving her post as Vice President, Kamala Harris will likely return to her California roots, at least for the time being. She and her husband, successful entertainment attorney Doug Emhoff, have a home in the LA-area, a likely destination for her as she rests from the last four years as VP and the last several grueling months on the campaign trail. Rumor has it she is planning to get back into California politics!

Kamala Harris' House

The White House, Washington DC

One of the most interesting aspects of the inauguration is the transfer of the official residence of the President: The White House. Political and professional staff of both the incoming and outgoing president work for weeks to coordinate the move so that the massive amount of personal and official items for both leaders can be transferred in a matter of minutes and hours! By the time Donald and Melania are done with all the inaugural ceremonies, they will be able to go to their new home, find their clothes put away, favorite foods in the fridge, and a feeling of home already established.

The White House is one of the most enduring symbols of the presidency, and of the United States. It is where the most important person in the US resides, and conducts most of their official business.

White House, The

As you watch the inauguration, or read about it in the news, it’s important to reflect on just how monumental January 20 is in history. The entire inauguration process is a beautiful symbol of the nearly 250 years of peaceful domestic tranquility that was the dream of our founding fathers, who fought for freedom, democracy, and enduring peace. God Bless America!

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025

Palisades Fires – A Word from VirtualGlobetrotting

Here at VGT, we have been following the events of the past few days very closely. As of this publication, the Palisades, Eaton, and Hurst fires continue to to burn, causing massive destruction to the Los Angeles area, erasing thousands of homes. The situation is ongoing, and the extent of the devastation may not be known for several more days.

As VGT’s Content Editor, my work often consists of making small updates to the values and features of celebrity homes. Today, I have made one edit, several times, “This home was destroyed in the 2025 Palisades Fire.” The square footage no longer matters; the gyms, saunas, and theatres are all gone. The homes have been destroyed.

VGT was founded twenty years ago as it is now, “a place to share amazing, beautiful, and interesting locations”. A great many of these are people’s homes. It is usually fun to click around the magnificent neighborhoods, daydreaming of wealth. Admittedly, our site is often used for gawking and gossip. But thousands of you have have come here for the first time today, perhaps for morbid curiosity, but we think mostly to try to better understand the extent of this tragedy. Many of the victims are wealthy, many are public figures, but every one of them has been forced to flee as their homes vanish. It’s heartbreaking.

Our site, at least for now, shows the affected houses as they were–amazing, beautiful, and interesting. In time, the satellite images will show desolate, debris-filled hills. In even more time, new amazing, beautiful, and interesting structures will emerge and we hope that you will join us again then.

If you have been affected by the fires and you need help, or are looking for ways that you can help those in need, ABC 7 in Los Angeles has put together a better list of resources than we could. Please consider donating money or time, if you are able.

December 31, 2024

Farewell, 2024!

As we wind down 2024 and look to 2025, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the last 12 months, to remember where we’ve been and where we’re going.

Join us in a review of some of the most interesting and most impactful events of the year.

Attempted Assassination of Donald Trump

Donald Trump was elected for a second term as president of the United States, and the campaign was the craziest, most eventful in living memory.

Of all the things that happened, perhaps the most outrageous event was the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally in Butler, PA on July 13, 2024. A 20-year old man shot several rounds at the former president, hitting him once and killing an unfortunate bystander before being taken out by Secret Service agents on the scene.

Donald Trump - Shooting Location

Francis Scott Key Bridge Collapses

Early on the morning of March 26, a massive container ship lost control and crashed into a pier of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. What seemed like an unfortunate accident quickly turned into a tragedy, as the center portion of the bridge collapsed into the water below, killing six construction workers who were unable to evacuate the bridge in time.

The bridge was the second-largest truss bridge in the US, and spanned the entry into the Port of Baltimore, which is one of the largest and busiest ports in the United States. Shipped into and out of the port was brought to a near standstill for several weeks. It will take at least four years to rebuild the bridge, at a cost of nearly $2 billion!

Francis Scott Key Bridge

Hurricane Helene Devastates North Carolina

There were two major hurricanes to hit the eastern seaboard of the United States in 2024, and both caused significant destruction in their wake. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on September 27, and moved inland through Georgia, South Carolina, and into North Carolina and Tennessee, where it dumped up to two feet of rain on already-saturated ground.

Rains overwhelmed creeks and rivers, creating floods, mudslides, and washouts as the water covered the entire region. At least 225 people were killed, more than $125 billion in damages were sustained, and countless lives were changed completely.

Asheville’s beautiful Biltmore Estate, was not spared flood damage, and its iconic gate showed a water line of at least 15 feet above ground! The property, built by the wealthy Vanderbilt family as a “little summer retreat” is now a major tourist attraction. After much effort, the residence is now open for visitors again.

Biltmore Estate

The town of Chimney Rock was one of many small enclaves in the Appalachian mountains that suffered near-total destruction when the nearby river flooded catastrophically. To this day, much of the damage is still visible. The area will never be the same, but the people of western North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee are resilient and will find a way forward.

Chimney Rock

Princess Kate’s Health Concerns

Royal watchers started the year with sad news, when Princess Kate of the UK stepped away from public life for a few weeks for “abdominal surgery.” After weeks without any update, the public grew suspicious, and the situation quickly got out of control. Eventually, the Palace announced she was getting treatment for cancer, and was recovering in private with William and the children at their home, Adalaide Cottage, on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The four-bedroom residence was once a royal retreat for Queen Victoria, and is now where the future king and queen work to raise their kids in a predictable and stable environment.

Prince William & Princess Kate's House (Adelaide Cottage)

At the same time, King Charles too had a battle with cancer. But both stories have happy endings, as both royals have made a healthy recovery. They were seen participating in their usual Christmas procession at the Sandringham estate, where the royals have spent Christmas for decades. Kate mingled among the crowd of well-wishers for so long, she actually had to rush to catch up with her family. What a wonderful way to end a turbulent year for the family!

The Sandringham estate has been part of the royal property since the late 1800s, and quickly become a most beloved retreat for the family. Elizabeth II spent at least two months there every year, and when she died, the property was passed directly to her son Charles.

Sandringham House

Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg Host the 2024 Summer Olympics

Perhaps the coolest news story of the year was the summer Olympics hosted in Paris, France, and the media buzz surrounding the Games.

The first city to host the Games three times, Paris went all out to ensure the competition was memorable, safe, and enjoyable. Many of the outdoor events were held at the Stade de France, the country’s national stadium and site of the national soccer team’s victory over Brazil to win the 1998 World Cup! It was also one of the sites of coordinated terrorist attacks in 2015, where 130 people were killed in attacks across metropolitan Paris.

Stade de France

One of the most entertaining aspects of the Games was the inclusion of two celebrity hosts, Snoop Dogg, and Martha Stewart. The two are fast friends in spite of their remarkable differences in backgrounds, personalities, and paths to success. Neither has any experience with competitive sport, but their banter and ability to explain events to viewers in a fun and engaging way quickly made them a highlight of the whole event.

Snoop lives in sunny California in a house he bought nearly 30 years ago for $720,000! The man worth more than $160 million seems to prefer spending his money on luxury threads, cars, and activities, rather than on a massive and expensive home.

Snoop Dogg's House

Martha lives on the other side of the country in the historic and classy town of Katonah, in Westchester County, NY. The entertainment mogul worth $400 million lives on an estate with several houses, multiple gardens, farm animals, and everything America’s number one hostess could require. There’s even a house just for her basket collection!

Martha Stewart's House (Cantitoe Corners)

These days, things move so fast, it’s hard to remember what happened last month, let alone in the last year. It’s good to have a refresher and catch up on the year’s events as we say farewell to 2024, and look forward to whatever 2025 has in store!

July 1, 2024September 6, 2023

American Revolutionary War Sites

Independence Day is just around the corner, with fireworks and parades and celebrations in every town and city across the United States.

Amid all the hot dogs and hamburgers and apple pie, it’s important to remember why we can celebrate the Fourth of July.

Here are some sights from America’s fight for independence to remind us that Independence Day is about more than food and family and fireworks–it’s about freedom.

Boston, Massachusetts

Much of the early actions of the American Revolution began in Boston, including the riot of the Boston Tea Party and other uprisings that stirred the hearts of freedom lovers across the colonies.

Faneuil Hall was an indoor market in Boston that was also used as a location for meetings in the lead up to the Revolution. It was here that the plan for the Boston Tea Party was hatched, and where several revolutionary leaders gave rousing speeches to unite the city against the British.

Faneuil Hall

The Battle of Bunker Hill, fought in 1775, was one of the early battles of the war, and while it’s outcome was largely considered a British victory, it was important for the Americans to see they were capable of standing up to the British in battle.

Bunker Hill Monument

There’s even a museum for visitors walking the Freedom Trail through the city.

Bunker Hill Museum

Every kid learns in history about Paul Revere’s night ride and the code “one if by land and two if by sea” to alert the towns around Boston of the British troop movements. It was at the Old North Church that the signal was sent starting Revere on his midnight ride.

Old North Church Boston

Philadelphia

Philadelphia was the nation’s first capital, and home of the Continental Congresses that directed much of the politics of the war as well as maintained support among the citizens of the colonies for the war.

Independence Hall is where the Continental Congresses met, and where both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were drafted. It is one of the most important buildings in America’s history, and is an awesome place to visit to learn more of how our country was established.

Independence Hall

The Liberty Bell has a great sentimental meaning to Americans as a symbol of freedom and announcing the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It is still on display and draws a great deal of attention from visitors to the city.

Liberty Bell Center

Betsy Ross has become an icon in American history for designing and making the first American flags. While she did indeed convince George Washington to modify the design and sewed many flags for Pennsylvania, it cannot be proved that she made the very first flag. Nonetheless, her story is important to highlight the role of women and show how the entire community was involved in the Revolution.

Betsy Ross House

Just outside Philadelphia lies Valley Forge, one of the most important and memorable encampments, where the soldiers suffered as they regrouped and trained during the winter and while waiting for decisions on where to move to next. The memory of the suffering and struggle of the soldiers at Valley Forge help us better appreciate our freedoms as Americans today.

Valley Forge

Washington, D.C.

While Washington, D.C. is now the nation’s capital, it wasn’t founded until after the Revolution. But those interested in Revolutionary War history will not be disappointed if they make a stop here. The Declaration of Independence and Constitution, as well as other important founding documents, are on display in the National Archives in downtown Washington, D.C.

National Archives

Just a few hours south of Washington, D.C. is the most important battle site of the war: Yorktown. It was here in southern Virginia where General George Washington accepted the surrender of Lieutenant General Charles Cornwallis and his troops, effectively ending the war and leading to the founding of the United States.

Yorktown Surrender Field

There are battlefields, encampments and other important sites from the Revolutionary War up and down the East Coast. Visiting them can be an educational and interesting experience even if history is not your thing, so make sure you take a look if you find yourself nearby!

June 25, 2024July 29, 2024

Battle of Little Bighorn June 25

On the afternoon of June 25, 1876, General George Armstrong Custer, along with more than 200 of his men, was killed at a battle later called Little Bighorn, after the river that flowed near the bloody site. While it was a temporary victory for the Lakota, Cheyenne, and other Native people fighting for the preservation of their way of life and land, in the end, it hastened the end of the nomadic lifestyle available to the Native people of the plains and mountains of the United States.

Let’s take a look at the battle where Custer made his “last stand” and see some of the memorials, monuments, and important sites associated with the battle.

Military Academy at West Point, New York

George Armstrong Custer, somewhat on a whim, ended up at the US’s premier military academy, known as West Point. He graduated in 1861, 34th of 34 students in his class. He went on to serve in the Union Army in the Civil War, even witnessing Lee’s surrender to Grant, which effectively ended the war.

In order to attend West Point, a student must be nominated by their member of Congress, and attend the university to receive a well-rounded and well-regarded education. It has turned out several well-regarded individuals, including both Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee, Douglas MacArthur, George S. Patton, and David Petraeus.

United States Military Academy - West Point

General Custer’s remains were interred here in 1877.

Gen. George Armstrong Custer's Grave

Fort Abraham Lincoln, North Dakota

General Custer was a military man through and through, and continued in service after the Civil War. He was stationed in the western territories to fight what was known as the “Indian Wars” where US troops fought against Native warriors, eventually pushing the Native people onto reservations or to less desirable land.

In 1876, Custer was stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln in present-day North Dakota. He and his wife lived in a house here, where he served as Commander of the fort. It was from this fort that Custer and his troops left on May 17, and his wife repeatedly remarked that a mirage appeared and covered half of the departing soldiers from view. Six weeks later, her mirage became a sad reality.

The fort has since been dissolved and turned into Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park. Several important sites from the times of the Indian Wars, as well as of Native heritage, are preserved in the park.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park

Battle of Little Bighorn

With the help of Native scouts, Custer and two groups converged on a large gathering of Native people, including men, women, and children, gathering at the Little Bighorn River in present-day Montana.

Coming close to the encampment, Custer was convinced he needed to attack quickly on June 25, rather than wait a day for reinforcements and additional supplies. Therefore, he ordered his subordinates to attack from different angles.

Miscalculations about the size of the encampment and who was at the camp led to a rout, where the American soldiers were quickly outnumbered and overwhelmed.

While other divisions suffered significant losses but were able to eventually retreat, Custer and the men with him became surrounded on their bluff, and slaughtered. Not one of the 210 or so men survived.

Little Big Horn - Custer's Last Stand

Little Bighorn National Monument

The battle, where about 300 US troops and 60 Native warriors were killed, quickly became a rallying cry in the states to finish the job of containing the “savage” nomadic people. While today people understand the atrocities inflicted upon the Native American people, both as a people and as individuals, that was not the case in 1876.

The site of the battle became first an informal memorial and then eventually a national monument. The monument also includes locations where other battles that day were fought, to better tell the entire story.

Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Sitting Bull’s Grave

One of the Native Lakota warrior leaders, Sitting Bull, was at the battle, and helped lead his people to victory that day. Sitting Bull had a well-deserved reputation as an incredibly brave warrior, but also as a man with visionary powers. In fact, legend says he foretold the battle of Little Bighorn.

Sadly, US military leaders saw Sitting Bull as a direct threat to taking the territory of the Native people, and eventually he was taken prisoner, forced to live on reservations, and prevented from participating in his traditional nomadic lifestyle.

He was killed in an intentional and tragic gunfight in 1890. His remains were taken to Fort Yates in North Dakota. However, tradition holds that his remains were later secretly dug up, and he was reinterred in South Dakota. A memorial now marks the spot where his body is said to have been buried.

Sitting Bulls grave

Crazy Horse Memorial

Another brave fighter at the battle that day was Crazy Horse, a Lakota warrior known for his bravery, confidence, and desire to live in the traditional ways of his people. According to accounts of the battle, he and his soldiers fought and slaughtered Custer and his men. Crazy Horse was killed at Fort Robinson in Nebraska. The manner of his death was intentional and intentionally lacking in dignity for a Lakota warrior, but his stoicism in death impressed, and somewhat frightened, the soldiers who executed him.

His final resting place is unknown. However, in 1948, a massive memorial to him was undertaken in the Black Hills of South Dakota. The area is considered holy to the Lakota. The statue of his face and shoulders will be the largest face, and largest statue, in the world, much larger than the faces of the four presidents at nearby Mount Rushmore. However, work is slow as all funds for the project are raised privately.

Crazy Horse Memorial up close

While the battle Little Bighorn and Custer’s Last Stand were a victory for the Native people, the success was short-lived. It convinced the US people that the territory must be taken and settled, and the original inhabitants moved out of the way. It was really the beginning of the end for these people, and the tragedy of that day cannot be overstated. So, on this day, take a moment to reflect on the loss of life, and the loss of the way of life, of the original settlers of the land we call the United States.

April 20, 2024April 10, 2024

Viva Las Vegas! A Great Spring Break Destination

Whether you’re young and looking for an adventure, or traveling with a family, Las Vegas is a great Spring Break destination.

Let’s take a look at some of the places everyone should have on their list to see when they make a trip to Sin City.

Welcome to Last Vegas Sign

Perhaps the most recognized feature of Las Vegas, the flashing sign welcoming visitors to Las Vegas was funded in 1959, at perhaps the heyday of Vegas glamor and glitz. These days, it’s a familiar, retro greeting for everyone who tour the Strip, the area jam packed with casinos, restaurants, party venues, and entertainment for all ages. Day or night, the party’s going on, and it’s the perfect photo op to announce your arrival!

Las Vegas: The Strip - Google Earth

The Venetian Casino and Resort

If you want to see a great music concert, check out the Venetian! Christina Aguilera will be there for two weeks in April, followed by Kylie Minogue, who regularly performs at the resort.

The hotel and casino is just as amazing, often making lists of best resorts and casinos in the US. Its theme hearkens back to the height of the Venetian empire, with a recreation of the Rialto Bridge, the Doge’s Palace, and other famous landmarks from the powerful empire of the Middle Ages.

Doge's Palace at the Venetian Casino and Resort

The Bellagio

The Bellagio is one of Vegas’s most famous luxury resorts, created in the style of an Italian village, complete with classical-styled sculpture and design, high-end art galleries, breathtaking botanical gardens, and more.

Bellagio Hotel & Casino

Perhaps the most famous attraction at the Bellagio are the impressive fountains, which perform free water shows choreographed with music and lighting to entertain the crowds. Designed as the focal point in an 8.5 acre man-made lake in the center of the Las Vegas desert, they are certainly impressive. In fact, they are considered one of the most talked-about attractions in the city by people around the world!

Bellagio Fountains

Eiffel Tower and Paris Hotel

The Paris Hotel is an awesome spectacle, and a lot more affordable! It was designed with the average, not high-end, visitor, in mind. But they did not skimp on awesome Parisian features. The biggest draw is the replica Eiffel Tower, which rises about 550 feet in the air. Only 1/3 as big as the original, it’s still impressive against the Las Vegas skyline.

Eiffel Tower in Paris Hotel

Other replicas on the site include the Arc de Triomphe, Louvre museum, and Paris Opera House. It’s “almost” like going to France, without crossing an ocean or needing a passport.

'Arc de Triumph'

Luxor Las Vegas

The Luxor Hotel goes all the way to another famous desert for its theme: the deserts of ancient Egypt, and the pyramids of Giza. Some years, the hotel hosts more visitors than the city on which it’s modeled! Its centerpiece is a massive pyramid, which is the actual hotel. At the top of the pyramid is a giant light called the Luxor Sky Beam, the most powerful man-made light in the world.

Like other hotels, it also has lots of entertainment, beyond cool hotel rooms and casinos. It is also known for the expansive and educational Titanic exhibit, that still impresses visitors with artifacts and historical details in a museum dedicated to the ocean, that seems a little out of place in the desert.

Luxor

The Mob Museum

Branching out a bit from the Strip and resorts, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, better known as the Mob Museum, is a really cool museum dedicated to telling the story of organized crime, and the law enforcement agents who fight that crime.

Some people don’t know this, but Las Vegas has deep ties to organized crime and mob bosses, which makes sense with all the gambling and other activities you can do there. While the connections have eased up considerably over the years, the history is colorful, and the museum is a great place to learn about law enforcement over the years in the US, and see some really cool exhibits about the most famous, and notorious, characters, in organized crime.

National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement

Hoover Dam

If you’re looking to spend some time enjoying the region’s climate and scenery, you should check out Hoover Dam. The dam, blocking the Colorado River on the border between Las Vegas and Arizona, generates power for California, Nevada, and Arizona, for more than 1.25 million people.

It also generates water for crops and cities and towns in the area, coming off of Lake Mead, the man-made lake created as a result of the dam. Tourists can tour different parts of the dam, can check out the structure from the bridge at the top of the dam, or participate in water activities on Lake Mead. It’s less than an hour away from Sin City, but it feels like a completely different world.

Hoover Dam

If you have the chance to tour Las Vegas, springtime is a great time to go; it’s not too hot, and there’s so much going on to keep you entertained. And if you can’t make it, this list will keep you almost as entertained.

March 17, 2024March 5, 2024

Famous Irish-Americans

Today is St. Patrick’s Day, when everyone is Irish! While the holiday is celebrated around the world, people in the US take the holiday, and perhaps the excuse to drink a little extra beer, to the next level.

In honor of the day, let’s take a look at some famous Irish-Americans.

John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy might be one of the most famous Irish-Americans. In fact, at the time of his campaign for president in 1960, some people hesitated to vote for him due to ethnic and religious discrimination against Irish-Americans.

However, Kennedy never shied away from his heritage. In fact, when he was president, he took a historic trip to Ireland and visited several places, including his ancestral home in Dunganstown, in Wexford. His great-great-great grandfather was born here, and the Kennedy family still owns the property.

The Kennedy Homestead, ancestral home of the Kennedy clan

Taking his Irish heritage seriously, Kennedy and his wife Jackie named their beautiful Virginia estate Wexford, after his ancestral home. Sadly, the home on the 166-acre farm outside Washington, DC was completed only a few weeks before he was assassinated in November 1963.

The home, with five bedrooms and five bathrooms, had been designed by Jackie herself as a retreat for the family, and was a perfect getaway for the talented equestrian. Ronald and Nancy Reagan rented the home during their presidential transition in late 1980. It sold a few years ago for just under $3 million, well below the $4+million asking price.

John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy's House (Former)

Barack Obama

You might not realize it, but Barack Obama has Irish heritage! A true American in the sense that his heritage includes many waves of immigrants, his great-great-great-grandfather came the US in 1850, one of millions who fled economic hardship and chased the hope of a better life across the ocean.

Obama and his wife Michelle own several homes across the US, but after they left the White House in 2017, they took up residence just a few miles away, in the tony Kalorama neighborhood of DC. They first rented, then bought, this gorgeous brick mansion, for about $8 million. Jeff Bezos lives in the neighborhood, along with several diplomats, the Kushners, and more. The house has more than 8,000 square feet; plenty of room to enjoy their privacy after eight years in the limelight of the presidency.

Barack & Michelle Obama's Post-White House House

Alec Baldwin

A man who has reigned in Hollywood for decades, and even portrayed a president on television, Alec Baldwin is one of the most famous Irish-Americans. He’s spoken several times about how his Irish Catholic upbringing influences him now, and even named his daughter Ireland!

Alec and his wife Hilaria live with their seven kids in Vermont, having moved here in 2022, leaving behind the Hamptons in New York, and taking up a more rural, family-centered life up north. The 55-acre estate has a main house listed as having three bedrooms, but there’s got to be plenty of space for seven kids among the 3,600 square feet of living space. And if it’s not enough, there’s an 1,800 square foot guest house!

Alec Baldwin's House

Zooey Deschanel

Zooey (just like her big sister Emily) is another famous Irish-American actor. She grew up in Los Angeles, with a director dad an actress mother; her career choice is basically a family business.

In 2019, she started dating another famous sibling, Jonathan Scott, who works with his identical twin brother Drew in the property business. The two, along with Zooey’s kids from a previous marriage, bought a gorgeous home in the Brentwood area of Los Angeles in 2020. They dropped a stunning $9.5 million for the 6,500 square-foot home on a one-acre lot. It’s in a great location, has an amazing yard that includes a pool and tennis court, and gorgeous, spunky interior that perfectly fits the couple’s personalities.

Zooey Deschanel & Jonathan Scott's House

Michael Flatley

While everyone knows Michael Flatley, the famous Irish dancer, what may be a surprise is that he was actually born in the US, not the Emerald Isle! His parents both emigrated to the US, where they met at an Irish dance hall (of course) and got married. They passed their love of Irish dance to their son, and the rest is history.

He got his break on the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest, and created a dance troupe that toured the world for decades. He set a Guinness World Record (fitting for an Irishman) for the fastest feet, tapping 32 times per second!

With a remarkable estimated net worth of more than $350 million, he retired to an impressive Irish mansion called Castlehyde house. It’s reported to be more than 50,000 square feet, and has a long and storied history. While he’s tried to sell it from time to time, and can’t live there right now due to poor repairs after a fire, he’s committed to keeping it and getting it fixed.

Michael Flatley’s House

The Irish have a strong heritage in the US, and they have done so much to make the country a wonderful melting pot of culture, tradition, and experiences. On St. Patrick’s Day, have a drink to celebrate the Irish in all of us, and may the Irish blessing prove true for you:

May your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow, and may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

September 20, 2023September 6, 2023

San Francisco

San Francisco is a great American city, with unique history, architecture and culture, from the Golden Gate Bridge to Chinatown, from the Fisherman’s Wharf to the great redwood trees.

Here are just a few of the sites everyone needs to see.

Downtown San Francisco viewed from Twin Peaks

Alcatraz

One of the most famous landmarks in the city, Alcatraz Island has a history that goes back long before the city was founded. The island has a long history with the native people who lived around the Bay area.

Alcatraz

A little more than a mile offshore, the island was once used as a military prison but is most famous for being the federal prison that handled the worst of the worst criminals, including Al Capone, George “Machine Gun” Kelly and other gangsters, before it was shut down in 1963. Tourists can visit the National Park and learn about the history, even beyond the stories of prison fights, attempted escapes and the like.

Prison cells in Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary

Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most iconic bridges in the world, and probably the most famous site in San Francisco. The one mile suspension bridge connects the city with Marin County, and has both pedestrian and vehicle access.

Golden Gate Bridge

When construction of the bridge began, the city set aside 1,000 acres for a public space for the fast-growing community, and named it Golden Gate Park, even though the bridge is not visible from the park. Visitors can spend a peaceful afternoon in the park, enjoying lakes, botanical gardens, a conservatory of flowers, exhibits and museums, all in the midst of a great urban center.

Golden Gate Park

One of the most unique aspects of the park is the bison paddock, which has been a part of the park since the 1890s. It is currently home to about a dozen bison, or buffalo, and the public are able to view the animals.

Herd of Bison in Golden Gate Park

Fisherman’s Wharf

Fisherman’s Wharf is a neighborhood on the north end of San Francisco that is a popular tourist destination, with Ghiradelli Square, Ripley’s Believe it or Not, the Wax Museum, and plenty of seafood restaurants. It was established by Italian immigrants after the gold rush, some of whom became fish mongers and restaurant owners.

Fisherman's Wharf Sign

Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is an educational museum that focuses on human behavior, physics and science, living systems and focuses on weather, environment and landscape.

Exploratorium

It is incredibly hands-on and dynamic, providing new and interactive exhibits and activities all the time.

Exploratorium

Wave Organ

Exhibits from the Exploratorium are spread throughout the city, including the Wage Organ. The Wage Organ is a permanent exhibit built on the bay made of granite and marble, PVC and concrete. The musical instrument is played by the water, as the tide comes in it “plays” the organ, pushing air through the pipes and making unique sounds for the audience.

Wave Organ

Muir Woods

Muir Woods is a national monument, part of the National Park Service about ten miles north of the city. The park is full of old growth redwood trees, some of the oldest and largest living organisms on earth. The trees can be up to 1,800 years old, and grow to nearly 400 feet high. The area was set aside by President Theodore Roosevelt and named after John Muir, who helped to create the National Park system.

Muir Woods National Monument

Ferry Building

For decades in the early years, the only way to reach the city was by ferry, so the Ferry Building became the main transportation point for nearly all those entering the city. After increased bridge traffic reduced the need for ferries, the building has been adapted to other uses, including a large and popular marketplace on the first floor. The marketplace has produce, bread and pastries, restaurants and coffee shops, as well as arts and crafts stores. It’s a wonderful place for locals and tourists to spend a Saturday morning.

San Francisco Ferry Building

Presidio Park

Presidio Park was originally a Spanish fort, and then Army base, until 1994, when it was turned into a National Park. It is a great natural space in the city, with dirt trails, wooded areas, educational centers and places for performing arts and historical preservation.

Presidio Park

Coit Tower

Lilian Hitchcock Coit was a benefactor of the city, donating a portion of her estate to beautify the city. Lilian Coit was a big personality in the early days of the city, including fighting fires before the city had a fire department, smoking cigars and wearing pants long before it was socially acceptable for women. The tower was constructed on the top of Telegraph Hill in Pioneer Park in her honor, in the Art Deco style, and includes a famous mural by the artist Diego Rivera. It has since become a local favorite landmark, providing a great view of Lombard Street, Nob Hill and other city sites.

Coit Tower

Lombard Street

Lombard Street is famous for its eight hairpin turns within one extremely steep block. The entire city is built on hills, and this hill was too steep for vehicle traffic, so it was designed with switchbacks to make it easier to traverse. Tourists love to see the hill, and drive down the one way street at the recommended 5 miles per hour.

Lombard Street - crookedest street in the US

These are just a few of the many fun, interesting and unique things to do and see in San Francisco. Anyone visiting the city won’t have time to see everything from Alcatraz to Ghiradelli Square, from Muir Woods to the Presidio, but that’s just an excuse to come back for a second visit, or a third…

August 25, 2023April 18, 2023

National Parks

August 25th is the National Parks Service’s birthday! Let’s take a look at some of the beautiful places maintained by the NPS!

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Among the most famous national parks, Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks are side by side in the California Sierra Nevada mountain range.

Sequoia National Park is named after the famous “giant” trees that are among the largest and oldest trees in the world. They reach over 200 feet, can be 25 feet in diameter, and some are estimated to be as much as 3,500-4,000 years old!

These trees are truly something to behold, but the two national parks also boast some excellent hiking, beautiful vistas, and wonderful opportunities to commune with nature.

Sequoia National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Bryce Canyon in Utah is a unique canyon full of beautiful and breathtaking outcroppings, shaped rocks and valleys. Most unique are the “hoodoos”, colorful limestone rocks that are shaped by wind, rain, snow melt and erosion over thousands of years. These rock formations, ranging from a few feet to several stories tall, can be viewed on various hikes, ranger tours, scenic drives and even overnight backpacking excursions.

Be prepared for any weather–even in the summer the nights at the high elevation of Bryce Canyon can be frigid and even dangerous if you’re not dressed right!

Bryce Canyon

Assateague Island National Seashore

Assateague Island, a lesser-known park located in Maryland and Virginia, is full of beautiful seascapes, ocean views and most famously, wild horses that roam the island.

Visitors are able to bike, hike, camp, canoe and even drive on the beach in permitted areas.

Assateague Island National Seashore

Dry Tortugas National Park

One of the most remote parks in the National Park system, Dry Tortugas National Park is a series of islands off the coast of Key West, Florida accessible only by boat or seaplane.

It includes fun activities for everyone, including touring a lighthouse and an old military fort, camping, canoeing, snorkeling, hiking and relaxing on the beach. Keep in mind that since it is a remote national park, you’ll need to bring everything you need for your stay, including water, food, sunscreen and anything else for your stay on this remote island paradise park!

Dry Tortugas National Park

Wherever you are, from the west to the east coast, from north to south across the United States, you are never far from one of the 58 national parks and 2017 is a great year to start visiting these national treasures!

August 17, 2023July 29, 2024

Deep Dive in History: Woodstock Music Festival

The rainy, wet weekend of August 15-18, 1969 has become one of the most memorable, and idealized, events in music and cultural history.

In honor of the crazy, groundbreaking, legendary weekend, let’s look back on that weekend, and some of the people who performed at Woodstock.

Max Yasger’s Farm

About 100 miles outside of New York City is Max Yasger’s farm, the site of the music festival billed as “3 days of peace & music” with headliners Joan Baez, the Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and more.

Max was a dairy farmer who accepted the offer to rent his land to host a large music festival. It was not without opposition, or problems. His neighbors largely did not support his decisions, and the event itself caused considerable damage to his property.

No one anticipated that the concert would turn into the chaotic event it did. About 50,000 people were expected to attend, but at its peak, there were at least 400,000 young adults who wanted to listen to music, protest the Vietnam War, and celebrate the counterculture of the era. And no one was ready for that many people. There was insufficient food, shelter, and hygiene facilities for the festival, and the festival caused significant damage to Max’s farm, and to neighboring properties.

In spite of the problems, Max never regretted his decision. He sold the farm a year later and retired to Florida, and died not long after that.

Site of Woodstock Festival

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

In 1996, New York billionaire Alan Gery bought the site of the 1969 festival and turned it into a performing arts center and amphitheater. It opened in 2006, and later that year, Crosby, Stills, Nash, & Young performed at the same place they performed 37 years earlier.

The center has three main performance areas, an event area, an educational area, museum, and more. It has been an important contributor to the regional economy, bringing much-needed revenue to the area.

Bethel Woods Center for the Arts

Jimi Hendrix

Of the many performers at the three-day concert, perhaps the most famous performer, and performance, is that of Jimi Hendrix. He headlined the event, playing the last set on Monday morning. By that time, the peak crowds of 400,000 had dwindled to 30,000, but the moment was no less iconic.

The set included a rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” that is often cited as the “greatest performance of all time”. His ripping chords are famous even today, instantly recognizable to millions of music fans.

Sadly, Jimi passed away about a year later of a drug overdose at the Samarkand Hotel in London, UK. The hotel is still open, and provides both hotel rooms to travelers, and long-term apartment rentals.

Samarkand Hotel

Janis Joplin

Janis Joplin was a young, extremely talented singer on the rise when she performed at Woodstock. For various reasons, her performance was significantly delayed, and by the time she took the stage, she didn’t give the performance she wanted.

Just like Jimi, Janis’s life was plagued by illicit drugs, and on October 4, 1970, she was found dead at the Landmark Motor Hotel in Los Angeles.

Landmark Motor Hotel - Janis Joplin Death Site

Joan Baez

Joan Baez was another headliner at the festival, known for her beautiful voice, amazing guitar skills, and strong counterculture activism. In fact, when she performed at 1 am the first night, she was six months pregnant with her first child, and her husband was in prison for refusing to fight in Vietnam.

Joan has since had an amazing career as a singer and performer, and has dedicated so much of her time to causes she supports. She still speaks out about important issues whenever and wherever she performs.

For many years, she has maintained a beautiful and private residence in Woodside, California. She raised her son, dated several famous people (including Steve Jobs) but always said she was meant to be alone.

Joan Baez's House

Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia

Not all performances were mind-blowing like Jimi Hendrix. The Grateful Dead, who performed hours late and in wet conditions, gave a notoriously poor performance. They blew their amps and delayed their concert for hours. When they did play, they were shocked and electrocuted, making everything even crazier! They did play a very long and epic version of “Turn Your Love Light On” which will be remembered forever by fans.

Fortunately for millions of Dead Heads around the world, the bad gig didn’t ruin their careers, and the Grateful Dead are one of the most successful and famous bands of all time.

Lead guitarist Jerry Garcia stayed with the band for 30 years, until he passed away in 1995 in a drug-related death. He was living with his third wife Deborah Koons in Nicasio, California at the time.

Jerry Garcia's House (former)

More than half a century later, the weekend music festival in Woodstock, New York, remains one of the most enduring and influential events in music history. Millions who weren’t even born then can recognize the Jimi Hendrix guitar riff, or sing along to Grateful Dead tunes, and mourn the early passing of Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix.

Long will the music and memory of the weekend live on.