Prometheus Statue at Rockfeller Plaza

Outgoing postcard US-3169529 to Russia was a vintage card showing Paul Manship's majestic bronze gilded statue of the Greek legend of the Titan Prometheus recumbent, bringing fire to mankind from the sun. Built in 1934, the 5.5-meter or 18-foot tall and 8-ton statue is a focal point of the fountain in the sunken gardens, which are noted for their trees and shrubs and flowers, at the front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza. The model for Prometheus was Leonardo (Leon) Nole. The inscription on the granite wall behind was a paraphrase from Aeschylus that reads: "Prometheus, teacher in every art, brought the fire that hath proved to mortals a means to mighty ends."

Built by the Rockefeller family, Rockefeller Center is a complex of 19 commercial buildings covering 22 acres or 89,000 square meters panning the area from Fifth Avenue to Sixth Avenue and between 48th and 51st streets in the center of Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1987.

New Year's Fireworks in Las Vegas

Watching fireworks shot from rooftops at multiple casinos and hotels is an annual tradition of celebrating New Year in Las Vegas. However, during 2008 and 2009, fireworks were banned from rooftops because of a rooftop fire caused by a welding accident at the Monte Carlo on January 25, 2008. As a result, 2009 New Year's Fireworks were set off at ground level on January 1, 2009. After poor reviews from visitors, fireworks returned to rooftops on January 1, 2010 with increased safety precautions.

Postcard US-2133896 to Germany shows the 2013 fireworks at Stratosphere on New Year's Day. This morning I was at Mirage where fireworks from Treasure Island and The Venetian could be seen at the same time. I will see whether I got some good pictures to make postcards.

Mount Charleston Fire

Baby Coyote 

I bought my postcard to Finland, US-2219302, at the Mount Charleston's Visitor Center on April 28, 2013.  The snow capped the mountain, 37.8 miles or 60 kilometers from my home, is a getaway for ski in the winter and for hiking and camping in the spring, summer and fall. It is also a good place to see plants and animals.

However, the mountain has been on fire for the past 10 days since it was started by thunder strikes on July 1, 2010. The fire is not expected to be under control until July 19.

Mount Charleston Fire Map on July 10, 2013

The smoke from the fire can be seen from my home. The wildfire burned down six structures for the first time   Tuesday night on July 9, 2013. People in the nearby communities are already under evacuation order. Hope those wild animals will have good instinct to escape as well.

Smoke from Mount Charleston Fire on July 9, 2013