Weddings at the Morikami Museum & Gardens

There are a number of attractions in Florida that also serve as a beautiful setting for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, and its tranquil natural setting, has become a premier rental facility in Palm Beach County. Their are 200 acres which include expansive Japanese gardens with strolling paths, a tropical bonsai collection, small lakes, nature trails, pine forests and a variety of wildlife.

A sunset wedding ceremony overlooking the lake provides a one of a kind backdrop for guests and for wedding photos. Those who do get married at Morikami receive a one-year membership, which includes unlimited free admission to the museum and gardens.

Pittock Mansion in Portland, Oregon

It's truly amazing when historic homes are saved from demolition and restored for the public to enjoy. In the case of the Pittock Mansion, located in the West Hills of Portland, the citizens of Portland raised the $225,000 purchase price and the estate was open to the public in 1965 by the Portland Parks & Recreation Department.

When visiting the Pittock Mansion, you get a glimpse of Portland's past. The estate was the home of Oregon trail pioneers Henry and Georgiana Pittock. Henry was the owner of the famous newspaper "The Oregonian," which is still in print today. Henry and Georgiana were married for 58 years and lived in the mansion from 1914 to 1919.

As you explore the grounds of the estate, the manicured lawn features a variety of flowers and guests are welcome to take in this beauty for free. There are actually 46 acres of forest and gardens, as well as miles of hidden hiking trails. Be sure to explore the 30 room mansion (23 rooms are actually open to the public). There is a small admission fee to go inside, but it is definitely well worth it. I was fascinated with the different objects and artifacts found in each room. One of my favorites was the harp located in the music room. There are also several photographs of Henry and Georgiana as well as family portraits.

Pittock descendants were said to be very generous with their donations of original items to the mansion. Some of the original furniture in the house today was purchased by the Pittock Mansion Society.

The mansion is 1,000 feet above the city's skyline and on a clear day, you can see up to five mountains in the Cascade Range, including Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. There are benches where you can sit to enjoy this view and a couple minutes of solitude.

The Pittock Mansion is just one example of an American Treasure that was preserved for many people to enjoy throughout the decades.

Seattle's Space Needle is my Eiffel Tower

It must be something about the dynamics of being 605 ft in the sky, over viewing the entire Seattle skyline, that makes you feel ready to proclaim your inner most feelings to the entire city. I certainly can attest to these emotions and my quiet proclamation that I didn't necessarily want to share. (Just yet!). However, I did and let it be known that the Space Needle will always be considered my Eiffel Tower.

Our entire Seattle mini-vacation was created to visit this landmark place. Our hotel room was nearly two blocks from the Needle. To our disappointment, our hotel room almost had the perfect view from the bedroom, but it was blocked by a covered driveway to protect visitors from the relentless Seattle rain. Yes, we all know Seattle is overcast and dreary and not even the rainiest city in the nation. Luckily for us, we got to see Seattle on a sunny day.

The Space Needle is a cool place with a certain vibe in the air. You can't help but look for it where ever you are. Whether you taking a harbor cruise on Argosy Cruises, at the Farmers Market, buying coffee at the original Starbucks or up the hill at Porter's house, while in Seattle you will be looking for the iconic landmark where ever you visit.

The journey up the Needle only takes 43 seconds and once you get to the top, you will be enamored by the incredible vista. The 360 degree Observation Deck allows you to see Seattle in all its magnificence. You will be able see Mount Rainer just right of the downtown skyline. You will have an aerial view of Elliott Bay, the harbor that Argosy Cruises passes through. Photos are incredible here. The only drawback to taking photos is the wires and the cables that protect lunatics and daredevils from jumping off. If you buy the Space Needle DVD, you will see how visitors had an unobstructed view unlike today.

A great compliment to the incredible views is the interactive and informative displays around the observation deck called the SkyQ. The SkyQ is made up of five kiosks that offer a truly hands-on way to explore Seattle on an entirely new level. One cool interactive display is to see a minute-by-minute, 360 degree panoramic view of Seattle. By merely rotating a dial, you can see the entire city move and function from the Space Needle's vantage point. This definitely is cool for any age group.

Also, along the walls are intriguing facts and old images detailing the Space Needle's history. You can see images of the construction of the Needle. You may also read about its cost, purpose and other important facts. Don't be in a hurry, be ready experience everything on the observation deck. This makes for longer memories and a deeper connection to the landmark itself.

Go ahead and splurge, get the Day/Night pass and see the Space Needle during the day and at night. It is well worth the extra $4 dollars.

Souvenirs are abundant at the SpaceBase. There are hundreds of items to choose from including: Space Needle figurines, pens, magnets, key chains, shirts, hats and hundreds of other items. For us, the DVD was the coolest and must have at the souvenir shop. We enjoyed see the Space Needle circa 1962 and watching it being built.

My favorite souvenir from the Space Needle will always be the memories and the photo taken by Jaime, the coolest dude. He got on the ground to take a picture of us with the Space Needle in the background. Jaime and Porter, you guys rock!