Northwestern

Northwestern is such a beautiful community-it reminds me a little of the campus at William and Mary with a more urban feel and a slightly larger lake! We arrived just as a major rainstorm was subsiding and everything was soggy but sparkling.

A church in the middle of campus. Not technically part of the University but still part of the landscape. There was a wedding reception taking place here-we listened to some celebratory bag-piping before continuing on our way!

                                An ancient oak standing guard over hidden pathways.

      A field of white snowball hydrangeas waved merrily to us as we entered the campus!

                                                      Tudor-style architecture.

                                      A cairn,the beach, and a mother-daughter duo.

Baha'i Temple

I finally made the journey north of the city to visit the Baha'i Temple, renowned for its unique beauty and message. We were allowed inside, but could not take pictures-a practice I find peaceful in a holy space. Consequently, I can only share the exterior of this magnificent structure and the surrounding rose gardens. The Baha'i faith is so beautiful-among their tenants included an emphasis on the equality of men and women, harmony between science and religion, and humanity being one family.

 

 Gardens and fountains surround the Temple on all of its nine sides.

     The Temple is made of beautifully wrought, blindingly white concrete.

 Baha'is believe that throughout history, God has revealed Himself to humanity  through a series of divine messengers, each of whom founded a major world religion. If you look carefully, you can see symbols from Christianity, Judaism, and Islam worked into the design details.

                                                                 The dome.

                                                           In the rose garden!