In my travels over the last two decades I’ve taken hundreds of thousands of pictures, the majority within the United States. In honor of America’s 250th birthday, I’m publishing a photo essay featuring some of my favorite photos I’ve taken over the years.
The United States Celebrates 250 Years – A Photo Essay
Of course there will be pictures from Washington, DC:
But my favorite place is the beauty of California, ranging from Carmel:
To Highway 1:
To Big Sur:
Down to Lake Hollywood:
The nation is full of parks:
…and nature:
…and animals:
The past lives on in some places:
New York City is a sight to behold:
And of course what makes America great is not just the beauty of the land, but the people:
Happy Independence Day.
“The United States Celebrates 250 Years – A Photo Essay”
So enjoyed looking at every photo and reading your beautiful words.
Thank you Matthew for sharing this wonderful tribute for our country’s 250th birthday.
On social media, some people (@thetransitguy on Instagram is only one of them) believe that America is terrible because all of these photos, like Highway 1, lacks high speed rail and a subway through them. Cars are considered evil and not necessary.
What makes America great is its people, honest and smart, as well as natural resources and not excessive red tape. What makes America terrible are lapses in these same area. People with no respect for others’ property and spray graffiti to robbery and burglary to homeless fentanyl lovers destroying others’ property. Also lazy government bureaucrats that drive up costs (sometimes, sometimes not) and lawyers which create a drag on the economy. One drag is they sue doctors and hospitals for millions, causing a lot of MRIs to be done. Military spending is absolutely necessary but is a drag on the economy. High school counselors are also inadvertently anti-American because they give terrible advice (“do what you like, even be a fine arts or sociology major”, “just go to college!”).
America has a health crisis in the form of Trump having early dementia versus mild cognitive impairment. One of the first effects is lack of judgment and inhibitions. This is clearly worse in his second term. He has a family history of dementia, which makes him a greater risk. The solution is a mandatory retirement age. That would have also caught Biden, who clearly has dementia. However, youth does not guarantee competence as evidenced by AOC. She lacks life experience except hate and desire to weaponize taxation. Tax those who you hate.
Maybe, much of social media is just algorithms micro-targeting whatever will keep you engaged. So, if you’re triggered by anyone expressing any criticism of the USA, especially under Trump, then, yeah, you’re gonna see that. Yes, much of that criticism is valid, but that doesn’t mean the nation, its ideals, and its people aren’t still worth celebrating together. Happy 250th!
Thank you for a beautiful piece celebrating this country. How kind of you, Matthew.
Beautiful pictures! Also living in Los Angeles I have been lucky to visit many cities due to two boards I sat on during my working years. Love especially Charleston and Savannah. “The Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil” tour in Savannah was especially memorable. So much to see in this big beautiful country.
Thank you Matthew. Everyone stay cool and safe. May we have 250 years more
You forgot the native people who where here first.
Show them some respect!
America. A Hell of a place! May we continue, every single day, to continue creating a more perfect union.
Matthew, what/is the white building with the arcs? Is it IAD?
That’s the World Trade Center Transportation Hub (The Oculus) in Lower Manhattan, NYC.
A stylish visual feast… Greetings to America The Beautiful!
Greetings to the great City of Carmel-By-The-Sea and its great resident, Clint Eastwood!
And in the name of railfanning, greetings to Amtrak and its Empire Builder train! All aboard!