The World's Most Beautiful Places
Sunrise on the banks of the Ohio River near Louisville, Kentucky. Shot from the Second Street Bridge, the rising sun is reflected in the waters of the Ohio River as it rises above the John F Kennedy Memorial, and Abraham Lincoln Bridges of I-65. On the other side of the river is Jeffersonville, and Clarksville, Indiana.
Country Road – Shakertown – Northern Kentucky
Pleasant Hill, Kentucky also known as Shakertown, was a Shaker (the United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing) religious community from 1805 to 1910. With many well-preserved buildings, the village was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1971.
The Kentucky Shaker village was founded by three New England Shaker missionaries, John Meacham, Benjamin Seth Youngs, and Issachar Bates. They founded the community around the teachings of Mother Ann Lee who believed in celibacy. Kentucky’s Shaker community ultimately died out, in part because of their beliefs in celibacy, problems encountered during and after the Civil War, and a declining interest in their way of life by potential converts . But their legacy of hard work, and fine craftsmanship lives on at Pleasant Hill.
A view of Japanese cherry trees in bloom during April at the Utah State Capitol Building in Salt Lake City. The original trees were sent by Japan after World War II as a symbol of reconciliation and friendship.