Murcia, Spain

The Region of Murcia is in south eastern Spain. The city of Murcia is the capital of the region. Murcia is the seventh largest city in Spain. Cartagena is the second largest city in the region and one of the main Spanish naval bases is located here.

Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC

Arlington Mansion and 200 acres of ground surrounding it were designated officially as a military cemetery June 15, 1864, by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton.  More than 260,000 people are buried at Arlington Cemetery.  Veterans from all the nation's wars are buried in the cemetery, from the American Revolution through the Persian Gulf War and Somalia.  Pre-Civil War dead were reinterred after 1900.

In 1864, Private William Christman, 67th Pennsylvania Infantry, was the first person to be buried on the grounds of the estate. Later that year the cemetery was officially commissioned a military cemetery.

Arizona

Two different views of Saguaro cactus. Saguaro's are the largest cactus in the United States. They need very little water and are very resilient when it comes to heat and cold which makes it perfect for the desert climate. The Saguaro Cactus Blossom is the state flower of Arizona.

Walt Disney World, Florida

Mickey and Minnie Mouse on the Dumbo ride at Walt Disney World. One of my favorite places to vacation in the USA. My older twins have been several times. Bowen and Kayleigh haven't been yet. But Bowen has been begging to go and at almost 4 they are just the right age. It's truly a magical place to share with your kids.  I can't wait to make new Disney memories with these two.

Maria Laach Abbey and Monastery, Germany

Benedictine Abbey located on the southwestern shore of Laacher Sea in Germany.  Founded in 1093 as a priory Laach became independent in 1127.  The abbey became a center of study in the 12th century.  The Maria Laach Abbey has been at the center of a controversy over its relations with the Nazi regime between 1933-1945. 

Triberg Falls, Germany

Triberg Falls is one of the highest waterfalls in Germany.  It is a landmark in the Black Forest region. 

Leeds Castle, Kent, UK

Leeds Castle is set on two islands on the River Len.  The castle dates back to 1119.  In 1278 the castle came into the hands of King Edward I for whom it became a favorite residence. 

The last private owner was Lady Olive Baillie.  Lady Baillie bought the castle in 1926. During the early part of WWII Leeds was used as a hospital.  Upon her death in 1974 she left the castle to the Leeds Castle Foundation, a private charitable trust whose aim is to preserve the castle and grounds for the benefit of the public. 

Adorable Australian stamps on the postcard. Yes, a postcard of a castle in the UK has Australian postcards. This was from a tag/trade in the forums at Postcrossing. The person I traded with had visited Leeds Castle last year.

Jeronimos Monastery, Lisbon, Portugal

The Hieronymites Monastery is located near the shore of the parish of Belem, in the municipality of Lisbon, Portugal. The monastery is one of the most prominent monuments of the Manueline-style architecture in Lisbon, classified in 1983 as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Minnesota Boundary Waters

The one-million acre Boundary Waters Canoe area offers over 1500 miles of canoe routes.  In 1939 the US Forest Service established the Superior Roadless Primitive Area with boundaries similar to the existing BWCAW.  In 1958 the Superior Roadless Area was renamed the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.

Moomin Finland

Moomins are characters in a comic strip and books by Tove Jansson. They are a family of trolls who live in Moominvalley in the forests of Finland.

There have also been Moomin tv series, films and there is even a Moomin theme park in Finland.

The postcard is made even cooler by the matching postage stamp!

New York Harbor

Absolutely stunning painting by Alexander Chen.

Alexander Chen, an ordinary man with an extraordinary vision and talent, was born in Canton China in 1952. Alexander began drawing as a child developing his craft as he moved through the many changes that came into his life. At age 16, he moved to the countryside where for the next four years he worked as a farmer, all the while continuing to record in his art the world as it evolved before him. Then for six years he worked for an on the road theater, painting stage backgrounds.

Rosamond Gifford Zoo, Syracuse, New York

Meerkats

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park has had its own wild adventure of growth and improvements over the last century. Once just a small 4-acre facility, the zoo is now home to approximately 700 animals on 43 acres. Continuous improvements to the zoo's infrastructure and animal exhibits ensure that the Rosamond Gifford Zoo will remain a treasured attraction in Central New York.

South Carolina County Map

A card featuring the counties of South Carolina and the state motto "While I breathe, I hope."

UFO Postcard

An unusual postcard from a Postcrossing forum lottery. Based on a book cover.

Rome, Italy

Beautiful postcard of The Colosseum in Rome sent by Coey from a Facebook trade.

The Colosseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater.  It's construction started in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. Capable of seating 50,000 people the Colosseum was used for Gladiator battles and public spectacles such as mock sea battles, animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles, and dramas based on Classical Mythology.

China Sticker Tag

I received this card from Roly in a sticker tag exchange in the Postcrossing forums.

Sticker tag was a lot of fun and I love seeing all the different stickers. It's a tag I'm going to do again for sure.