tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35674799283037966102024-03-15T12:26:33.706-07:00Annie and Rich's Travel AdventuresUpdates and photos of our various travelsA.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.comBlogger299125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-38141108729962823502023-09-13T19:32:00.000-07:002024-03-06T16:13:38.291-08:00PA & NY 2023: Frank Lloyd Wright - Usonian Homes in Polymath Park<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1vUIitiF8fVGBj-lrFXtcD4KBY1vT0JTqZiA-bbZ3g31MreuuDAlMJgn_Qf74tptaHx-2Uq9kBxT-CX-W2Vd_Vp8WouZ0w2Lc92TfhhFjRGiilD_Vf6tKx2MgvCuCc5DzxJdI6CTXG_E7iUdowBr5JW_ocg0U5F6QfIA02MqVVVhL8gkXpnlHsGD7mc/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic1vUIitiF8fVGBj-lrFXtcD4KBY1vT0JTqZiA-bbZ3g31MreuuDAlMJgn_Qf74tptaHx-2Uq9kBxT-CX-W2Vd_Vp8WouZ0w2Lc92TfhhFjRGiilD_Vf6tKx2MgvCuCc5DzxJdI6CTXG_E7iUdowBr5JW_ocg0U5F6QfIA02MqVVVhL8gkXpnlHsGD7mc/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next leg of our two week road trip through New York State and Pennsylvania would engulf my husband Rich and I within the world of renowned architect <b>Frank Lloyd Wright</b>. We would be visiting five homes designed in his unique organic architectural style including his most famous creation, Fallingwater. Our entire trip was planned around a visit to Polymath Park where we would stay one night in a house designed by a student of Wright.<p></p><p><b>Polymath Park</b> is a resort located in a 125-acre forest in the Allegheny Mountains, about 1.5 hours south of Punxsutawney and an hour south-east of Pittsburgh. It hosts four architectural landmarks that are examples of <b>Usonian homes</b>, which were mass-produced, pre-fabricated dwellings meant to conform with many of Frank Lloyd Wright’s design philosophies while being affordable to the middle class at around $15000 each. In 1956, Wright designed three models of pre-fabricated houses that could be mass-produced in a less expensive manner than his traditional bespoke designs. He partnered with builder Marshall Erdman, who intended to create multiple communities populated by these houses. Usonian homes were relatively small (1800-2400 sq ft), single-story houses designed with simplicity in mind while still integrating with nature by using local materials including wood, stone and glass. They were often L-shaped in configuration, featuring flat roofs, cantilevered overhangs that provide “passive solar heating and natural cooling”, and much use of glass with both large-paned and clerestory (above eyelevel) windows to let in natural lighting.</p><p>To limit costs, Wright used standard sheets of plywood, Masonite and drywall for the walls, and less expensive off-the-shelf windows and doors. Interestingly, the Wikipedia entry about Erdman pre-fab homes indicate that only the major structural components including walls, floors, doors and cabinetry were included. The buyer was responsible for providing the lot of land and the foundation of the property as well as all plumbing and electrical work. By the time the smoke cleared, each Usonian property would probably cost over $30000 or almost double the average home price at the time. To say that these homes were affordable for the middle class might be a stretch—upper middle class might be more like it. The project never fulfilled its lofty goals and only around 60 houses were actually constructed. Of the three pre-fab designs, the third one was never used to build any home.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA9Kevj8_0Gi1BAwsA1ow1u-WkJFZIqUPtlXqzMz42a9iZo-6Gakb6e8K3i0RSzdjE7vf9lqX6x6Y7gLzKfjRejq8MBtfhhgcmQ0XolLif8zeKUp5970zjpJOkYyNy1DIpijk8IAhTZfxh9h2LMbDd2V1KXKH4g3ETFhxuVj6KoRe2ZXtudawouH21rI/s900/Polymath%20Park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="809" data-original-width="900" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeA9Kevj8_0Gi1BAwsA1ow1u-WkJFZIqUPtlXqzMz42a9iZo-6Gakb6e8K3i0RSzdjE7vf9lqX6x6Y7gLzKfjRejq8MBtfhhgcmQ0XolLif8zeKUp5970zjpJOkYyNy1DIpijk8IAhTZfxh9h2LMbDd2V1KXKH4g3ETFhxuVj6KoRe2ZXtudawouH21rI/w300-h270/Polymath%20Park.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>The four houses currently located in <a href="https://www.franklloydwrightovernight.net/" target="_blank">Polymath Park</a> include <b>Duncan House</b> and <b>Mantyla House</b>, which were designed by Wright himself, and the <b>Balter House</b> and <b>Blum House</b>, designed by his <b>apprentice Peter Berndtson</b>. These four homes are available for rent and ever since I learned about this, it has been a dream of mine to stay at one of them. The rates for two Frank Lloyd Wright houses are a whopping $675 and $825 USD per night (plus tax) while the ones designed by Berndston cost relatively less at $475 USD per night. We opted for Berndston’s Balter House, which would expose us to the design philosophies of Frank Lloyd Wright while still giving us the opportunity to tour his two personally designed homes the next day. The Balter House allows a maximum occupancy of four people, so we invited our friends Glen and Christiane to join us in this once-in-a-lifetime experience.<p></p><p>The prosperous Blum and Balter families were friends who wanted summer homes near each other in the Laurel Highlands. They contracted Frank Lloyd Wright to build them but unfortunately, he died before having the chance, so his apprentice Peter Berndston was hired instead. Berndston originally planned for the <b>Balter</b> and <b>Blum</b> houses to be part of a community of 24 Usonian homes. Only these two dwellings were built in 1963 and 1965 respectively. In 2000, entrepreneur Thomas Papinchak purchased the two houses and the property surrounding them which he turned into Polymath Park, restoring the two homes to their original conditions. In 2006 he purchased the <b>Duncan House</b> and relocated it from Illinois, deconstructing it piece by piece and reassembling it in Polymath Park. In 2016, to save it from demolition, the park was donated the Minnesota-based <b>Mantyla House</b> from descendants of the Lindholm family after they could not find a buyer. In 2019, Polymath Park acquired yet another Minnesota-based Frank Lloyd Wright home named “<b>Birdwing</b>” and is currently in the process of reconstruction and restoring it to add to the Polymath collection. These efforts have possibly been delayed by the pandemic and soaring inflation since it has taken significantly longer for the completion of this endeavour than for the previous homes.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNDYMR8ZR_wHlVmNd3p41-j9yhLO3y9iowxcAFwlFe6tDX3gI7QORr_ktaaWghNsvq5UQRqJNi_yaAja2qZF3IIvEcUENKOKLHNCee-sZsatZ0ifcNbMGYekF2gXVDoP32nBW-pjltbCo3d0i1iVvsydY63dkCglqTseY_cUohn_8877ebtoS0nC9i3A/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath2a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqNDYMR8ZR_wHlVmNd3p41-j9yhLO3y9iowxcAFwlFe6tDX3gI7QORr_ktaaWghNsvq5UQRqJNi_yaAja2qZF3IIvEcUENKOKLHNCee-sZsatZ0ifcNbMGYekF2gXVDoP32nBW-pjltbCo3d0i1iVvsydY63dkCglqTseY_cUohn_8877ebtoS0nC9i3A/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to the houses which can be rented for overnight stays or toured during the day, Polymath Park includes the <b>Tree Tops Restaurant </b>which offers unique dining experiences immersed in nature. The main “dining room” is a large, canopied outdoor deck where you can choose from a 3 or 5 course meal that includes a champagne toast and brief talk on the history of the resort. Alternatively, you can dine in a private wooden treehouse accessed by strolling along a planked, tree-lined walkway to enjoy a 4-5 course tasting menu. Blankets and heaters are provided for cooler nights. The dinner options are quite pricey and require several hours to complete. The restaurant was closed when we were there, which made the decision of whether to eat dinner there easy, but we probably would not have anyways. Since we were only staying at our rental for one night, it was preferable to eat a quick meal off the resort so that we could have more time to enjoy our accommodations.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-YqHDFIBbcaDj2c0r-2bjQMVxD4tmxE_StwFCs8nABio20VPMVSBhjwGv8AqmryTGUkDabVOcfYbaL557upS3qkUCQDNUmjFLFQ6m3pOcI7oO0lU2yEbI-sMWm7utUh2qO6B_NTrqgZTugrot0n8O8dYTOctXlMjuCZIZYr66j_NHFKHgTurSQnBU6U/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath2b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN-YqHDFIBbcaDj2c0r-2bjQMVxD4tmxE_StwFCs8nABio20VPMVSBhjwGv8AqmryTGUkDabVOcfYbaL557upS3qkUCQDNUmjFLFQ6m3pOcI7oO0lU2yEbI-sMWm7utUh2qO6B_NTrqgZTugrot0n8O8dYTOctXlMjuCZIZYr66j_NHFKHgTurSQnBU6U/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the base of the restaurant is a small gift shop, café and visitor centre where we checked in and received the pass code that would open the giant gates to access the forested path leading to our rental property. Reflecting the design principles of Wright, the building uses materials from nature including various types of wood and a bathroom sink made out of large stones. The visitor centre was also the location where we would meet the next morning to take our tour of the Frank Lloyd Wright houses. After our tour and before leaving Polymath, Rich and I bought a throw blanket to bring home as a souvenir which now lays prominently on our living room couch.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi01z6GBhPpULMcXc9ou05mlUUhbZPQs-002RjxOdQ55SG-Fg_0p-FTQCHFHTzpXv8wuO0ZrooRXZ05fSuuINi-ucDxvwZCj_aFaMjZlDHY4nAhdsW2kUhYzcX_rptBI9OJH27INACgTOcgEOSuULs30_cGlAtituiHW7ZMFkWAgAYNEheB295xASzR3Y/s1572/D1_FLW_Polymath3a%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1572" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi01z6GBhPpULMcXc9ou05mlUUhbZPQs-002RjxOdQ55SG-Fg_0p-FTQCHFHTzpXv8wuO0ZrooRXZ05fSuuINi-ucDxvwZCj_aFaMjZlDHY4nAhdsW2kUhYzcX_rptBI9OJH27INACgTOcgEOSuULs30_cGlAtituiHW7ZMFkWAgAYNEheB295xASzR3Y/w640-h162/D1_FLW_Polymath3a%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Nestled in a clearing within a forest of mature trees, <b>Balter House</b> is constructed with vertically placed boards of California Redwood and a stone pitched roof that helps with climate control and gives the structure an organic feel. Large windows all around the exterior walls provide maximum natural lighting. Beyond the main living area is a covered, screened-in porch which is cantilevered, extending outward while propped up by stone pillars to account for the sloping ground. A second stone porch can be accessed from the main bedroom and is covered by the sloped roof that extends beyond the main structure.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIG5RHeTSQXCZ99_7m_sdnJfqN0XMO8cCbzCHcPiRJagy92692zeKMTj2PCMoAwcMKJheTNQKgg6fjOuY1I2YZmDeNKrhXHDTojTZj2kfB6QutoK_1GaFyi7LQdI4RwDHloI1CMGHnfdoCSHr8_vNoP8v-yAFVUeGgQuFVZ7hF0h73D9c0u8_Al_g7Gs/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath3b%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJIG5RHeTSQXCZ99_7m_sdnJfqN0XMO8cCbzCHcPiRJagy92692zeKMTj2PCMoAwcMKJheTNQKgg6fjOuY1I2YZmDeNKrhXHDTojTZj2kfB6QutoK_1GaFyi7LQdI4RwDHloI1CMGHnfdoCSHr8_vNoP8v-yAFVUeGgQuFVZ7hF0h73D9c0u8_Al_g7Gs/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath3b%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Walking into Balter House, you immediately see the signature “Cherokee red” tiled floors that are commonly used in homes adhering to Frank Lloyd Wright’s design principles. Also noticeable is Wright’s “compression and release” philosophy that dictates the areas where you shouldn’t want to congregate for long. Areas such as hallways and foyers feel compressed due to narrow passageways, low ceilings and the lack of windows. They then lead into a bigger, open spaces which provides a sense of release and freedom. The long, narrow galley-styled kitchen with built-in counters, cupboards and drawers, as well as appliances on both sides is also typical of Wright’s homes. Back in his day, the idea of the kitchen as a social gathering place was not yet in vogue. Balter House’s kitchen does have a glassed ceiling to let in more light than the cramped entryway. The major appliances all seem retro (circa 1970?) and the stove is probably just for show since cooking is not allowed, although we were permitted to store perishables in the refrigerator. We also had use of a ProKing electric kettle and toaster as well as a Keurig coffee machine.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2YozvMdPwNPCtLd2UYPdDgnprm54ySdc5oqSIFSklOl6pkac63W9DaO-uYEHn-EExTxNkoESv2P5DScsbkl0MMstOGo8IRfuEelMmDwHXljfiXxDo7Q34Jpepf36vyEz9nLTobMNtcSC6mLsttt6e5b_iW6PAfSzoaaV3brxSXIyIaBqQMqNFtU0H84/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath3c%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc2YozvMdPwNPCtLd2UYPdDgnprm54ySdc5oqSIFSklOl6pkac63W9DaO-uYEHn-EExTxNkoESv2P5DScsbkl0MMstOGo8IRfuEelMmDwHXljfiXxDo7Q34Jpepf36vyEz9nLTobMNtcSC6mLsttt6e5b_iW6PAfSzoaaV3brxSXIyIaBqQMqNFtU0H84/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath3c%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we finally emerged into the main living space, the expanse and feeling of openness was magnified when contrasted to the cramped spaces that we just came from. The resulting “release” was breathtaking, just as Wright intended. Peter Berndtson learned his lessons well. While the ceiling in the entry way is less than 7 feet high, the living room rises to 11 feet at the peak of its sloped ceiling with exposed redwood beams which flank two rows of roof-ridge skylights. The glass along the ceiling adds even more natural lighting to an area that is already surrounded by two walls of large, single-paned glass windows which provide an unobstructed panoramic view of the surrounding forest. The gigantic built-in stone fireplace is constructed from sandstone boulders harvested from a quarry on the property. Although all the glass surrounding the space gives plenty of natural light during the day, there is little artificial lighting in terms of lamps or overhead fixtures, so it gets a bit dim at night. While some of the furniture such as the large couch has obviously been replaced since Balter House became available for rent, there are still a few vintage pieces including a beautifully constructed table/chair combination that allows the chair to swivel out for use and swivel back into the table for compactness. The coffee table and some of the armchairs seem vintage as well.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnS_hMWAn5jcMozBZwXISaoTTUpeXxGNeo_Vk-lj46IYHYmmiwKlVf-IUbnnZdbYFPKqaABenvwOqz-3FxWp7xg3b9Bn4ozJcUpQcNTHuHEPbeBgsFsyG6CEjnyTndGppVfU1nEvhBy1dDMCu3yZJkbnY8uPu7yjsgMEnHcJZXsUHQ6lOYfrDktvYRBo/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath3d1%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTnS_hMWAn5jcMozBZwXISaoTTUpeXxGNeo_Vk-lj46IYHYmmiwKlVf-IUbnnZdbYFPKqaABenvwOqz-3FxWp7xg3b9Bn4ozJcUpQcNTHuHEPbeBgsFsyG6CEjnyTndGppVfU1nEvhBy1dDMCu3yZJkbnY8uPu7yjsgMEnHcJZXsUHQ6lOYfrDktvYRBo/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath3d1%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The feeling of being immersed in nature continues in the master bedroom which is oriented so that we could watch the sun rise behind the trees in the morning as we lay in bed. It really was such a special experience to live in this space as opposed to just getting a brief tour of it, as we had in the past with Frank Lloyd Wright houses in other locations. The windows are opened with a quaint system using a single portable crank that can be moved from window to window. Our windows had screens on the outside so that we could get fresh air without allowing bugs in. I’m not sure that Wright would have approved of this since he cared more about esthetics than function or comfort. A desk and chair that is tucked into one corner of the bedroom provided the perfect setting for me to sit with my laptop, jotting down notes about our trip while marveling at my surroundings.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOsf1NO1As6is14fcMR-_QlondIuvG4U2ikeqG0eN6MFZAERhDh2yRR-vHmy-W9-M8xHdLQO_0WXC_hUrGRN7Wky8cVVtQ9DGmixkazPUsuZrivECtOEFE54wlMTxsFFsfRYbFl8emiBQgrTEnfC6kc7Qg0LxH-nDk-4on5zTE37ibD9-SdcMyFzNPp0/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath3d2%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVOsf1NO1As6is14fcMR-_QlondIuvG4U2ikeqG0eN6MFZAERhDh2yRR-vHmy-W9-M8xHdLQO_0WXC_hUrGRN7Wky8cVVtQ9DGmixkazPUsuZrivECtOEFE54wlMTxsFFsfRYbFl8emiBQgrTEnfC6kc7Qg0LxH-nDk-4on5zTE37ibD9-SdcMyFzNPp0/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath3d2%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Table lamps with iconic Frank Lloyd Wright design patterns sit on both end tables and on the desk. A set of glass doors lead from the bedroom out to the covered porch whose pillars and walls are built from stones similar to the ones found in the fireplace. Like the kitchen, the ensuite bathroom has a very retro 1970s feel with its wood paneling and tan-coloured tiles. The theme of the Cherokee red flooring, which is pretty much found throughout the house, carries on through the bedroom and bathroom.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Sldc1BJUgOH74m2GmNnoqZYfpCpSNKr4SnJSobQTEIFOvnct5a32jcKGpAE3AxfZF2eO40LnMULU7r58FHf2RsA4__8ecz53WrNCNB3kZfG49D8gVyTfZuTTiR0oetNgYteULRi9q3hhQbF5JenyMgdjZ_ughwTo42xUtbwxgFjDwbFVEZgTZPX2UFY/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath3e%20-%20Balter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Sldc1BJUgOH74m2GmNnoqZYfpCpSNKr4SnJSobQTEIFOvnct5a32jcKGpAE3AxfZF2eO40LnMULU7r58FHf2RsA4__8ecz53WrNCNB3kZfG49D8gVyTfZuTTiR0oetNgYteULRi9q3hhQbF5JenyMgdjZ_ughwTo42xUtbwxgFjDwbFVEZgTZPX2UFY/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath3e%20-%20Balter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to
the master bedroom, there are three more bedrooms in the Balter House including
another fairly large sized one with a Queen bed, as well as two smaller rooms
with single beds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Regardless of the
size, each bedroom has its own private exit leading outside.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These bedrooms contain intricate built-in
furnishings that connect the floor to ceiling closets to a desk/vanity and
shelving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is interesting that
although there are enough bedrooms and beds for 6 people, the rental agreement
only allows a maximum of 4 people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
is possibly to limit the amount of wear and tear on the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cantilevered screened in porch, with its
slanted roof and windows on three sides, juts out into the forest giving the
room a treehouse feel, albeit a very luxurious treehouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The built-in benches covered with large
cushions provide an excellent space to relax with a book while enjoying the
natural environment around you.</div><div><br /></div><div>It would have been nice to be able to spend another day in this gorgeous home. But even if we had the time and wanted to spend the money, logistically it would have been difficult since renters are required to hide their belongings and vacate the premises during the day to accommodate the guided tours. So we just enjoyed our one evening and left the next morning, returning to the Visitors Centre where we would hop on a small van in order to tour the two Frank Lloyd Wright houses in Polymath Park.<br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI2skS0KsIlTKeXuRRH2wIUr1k3WXlV8ODOC-uOO0KWtKqhfkPz_Xp51ltZ705o3q_SQgLlKP-tCKpCP4gsCy9yH75xCPQuUyCrCNlbepSUVosyrDuxZ1pjYmO2OHNTzHQE9ZoIdG7a04YtZ3Vf7w0-8KbKQshXrbFfq1yHVd0yHqDg-zubf9DXSbaoA/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath4a%20-%20Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxI2skS0KsIlTKeXuRRH2wIUr1k3WXlV8ODOC-uOO0KWtKqhfkPz_Xp51ltZ705o3q_SQgLlKP-tCKpCP4gsCy9yH75xCPQuUyCrCNlbepSUVosyrDuxZ1pjYmO2OHNTzHQE9ZoIdG7a04YtZ3Vf7w0-8KbKQshXrbFfq1yHVd0yHqDg-zubf9DXSbaoA/w640-h170/D1_FLW_Polymath4a%20-%20Duncan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The first stop in our tour was the <b>Duncan house</b>, one of the few Usonian homes constructed. Originally located in a suburb of Chicago, Donald Duncan selected the Prefab design #1, a single-story elongated L-shaped dwelling with a pitched-roof wing containing three bedrooms, a flat-roofed living-dining-kitchen area and a large car port. As one of the later “modified” versions of the first design, Duncan house had a walk-out basement which is very unusual. After Duncan died in 2002, his house was in danger of being torn down by developers when it was purchased by Thomas Papinchak and painstakingly moved to Polymath Park. Frank Lloyd Wright did not approve of garages since he thought cars were noisy, smelly objects that disrupted the natural aesthetics and harmony of his designs. Begrudgingly he added minimalistic covered “carports” (a phrase which he coined) extending from exterior walls of his prefab houses in order to provide rudimentary shelter for vehicles. Arriving at the Duncan House, we entered through a side door accessed under the carport to find the kitchen area.<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUG87TIoTRjX4qlSnBJ0aQqjVCvE9j0c481BY0XPUaPcE9DRr03Nj03QtSv0SbgZYup-NOSqIe7hyphenhyphen5PeE4FLvyhPNf8eOcC3XZGXaZz2dpfvwNe3wPQkZocKx7tqB_uwC1legjBspJdCQOroesAClxljG0HeuoG5tEjPVWy2DPTdRvzT58C5X7VlRj5k/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath4b%20-%20Duncan%20Kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="451" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaUG87TIoTRjX4qlSnBJ0aQqjVCvE9j0c481BY0XPUaPcE9DRr03Nj03QtSv0SbgZYup-NOSqIe7hyphenhyphen5PeE4FLvyhPNf8eOcC3XZGXaZz2dpfvwNe3wPQkZocKx7tqB_uwC1legjBspJdCQOroesAClxljG0HeuoG5tEjPVWy2DPTdRvzT58C5X7VlRj5k/w640-h180/D1_FLW_Polymath4b%20-%20Duncan%20Kitchen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Entering the kitchen area, we were immediately struck by the bold, beautiful colour of the countertops as well as the bright primary colours of the vintage Dansk cookware that hung from a ceiling rack. Unlike the Balter House, the kitchen in the Duncan House is not a long, narrow, galley-styled and the floors are not the iconic “Cherokee red” although the countertops are close to that hue. While the refrigerator and most of the cabinetry are laid out traditionally against two walls, the stovetop is positioned atop a central island that includes a seating nook with two stools underneath an overhang. The oven is even more uniquely positioned as it is imbedded in an adjacent wall that is tiled with long flat stones. Two large windows provide natural light and give the space a cheery, airy feel when the sun is out. The overall result is unique and stunning.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnydWPDHakvTIW1jjjiUF0H7wr1_7iVDx4T1bu0P8lrhBKuV5VK64E6AuHgQtHJ0DhpNqOzpbaW5W_zazqI08jncO4LUUrAmJX89mGStDBF1m3N1mhtjAXGsQykqCHcaAQ8YdyyhcO0Ya6eC7JtJoZZ04eKjWMNBHJnEp_ZKTTKPmlv4jhMbosBHv-KPY/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath4b%20-%20Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnydWPDHakvTIW1jjjiUF0H7wr1_7iVDx4T1bu0P8lrhBKuV5VK64E6AuHgQtHJ0DhpNqOzpbaW5W_zazqI08jncO4LUUrAmJX89mGStDBF1m3N1mhtjAXGsQykqCHcaAQ8YdyyhcO0Ya6eC7JtJoZZ04eKjWMNBHJnEp_ZKTTKPmlv4jhMbosBHv-KPY/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath4b%20-%20Duncan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the other side of the kitchen is a large, windowed area with a small table and four chairs that feel dwarfed relative to the size of the space. This seems like a setup for an informal breakfast area with a toaster oven, kettle, and microwave on the counter and a juice cart off to one side. This room might have been originally designed as the main dining room since it could fit a much larger dining table. Continuing on into the living space, there is found yet another slightly larger table that is more formal, positioned atop an area rug and against a wall with the same stone motif as is found in the kitchen. The stone motif extends across the living room to form a large, masonry fireplace. In this main space, the Cherokee red flooring finally makes its appearance, proving that Wright could not give up his trademark detail, even in less expensive versions of his homes.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxDSl3ElF6mBh9uzTe6JmKBGCezNCvl8Sm3CY_4c6ubus2Uj3UH-uZ4WV7-ThVtR93XDxNTlmiONbNn55T6Vt4RQabgjs7Z37Y33UwifiRwsU9wfncXw8UQFxzOHpIFSDxA2DUImd4kZ5ZsQ82IRsyuSTX9Ie94KVqX5EtwMaRp_lrVjJVyPxeiHFdsk/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath4c%20-%20Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxDSl3ElF6mBh9uzTe6JmKBGCezNCvl8Sm3CY_4c6ubus2Uj3UH-uZ4WV7-ThVtR93XDxNTlmiONbNn55T6Vt4RQabgjs7Z37Y33UwifiRwsU9wfncXw8UQFxzOHpIFSDxA2DUImd4kZ5ZsQ82IRsyuSTX9Ie94KVqX5EtwMaRp_lrVjJVyPxeiHFdsk/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath4c%20-%20Duncan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As is typical of Usonian and Wright-inspired homes in general, Duncan House’s main living space features floor-to-ceiling glass windows, panels and doors. The wall-less “living room” is delineated by a large stylish rug with a pair of what looks like replica Eames chairs and ottomans, since it is unlikely that valuable antique Eames furniture would be provided in a rental property. To complete the living room space, there is also a glass and wood kidney-bean shaped coffee table and a funky bench-seating/end table piece that is so low to the ground that Frank Lloyd Wright would have approved. Two red armchairs are positioned in a corner surrounded by glass, overlooking an outdoor patio furnished with wicker patio furniture. While our tour did not take us into the basement, images on the internet show what it looks like.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqrn0qmmFUXAk7wrnSPYbY-9lvxX5KKu0M1uUomQQVBtDk-EDvogNEVb0h2fLbrELu2Ypgm96Rh8pypd2vBwh3O9IwHRZoHdyZv0C0ceedK2BqZwAqWUeNuZs1T63dFX3F28NyTzx_SBz8wMg823efqTYPF2PDXSTjKN9u0RnXdVoPlnRlZKhoVOJHbg/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath4d%20-%20Duncan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvqrn0qmmFUXAk7wrnSPYbY-9lvxX5KKu0M1uUomQQVBtDk-EDvogNEVb0h2fLbrELu2Ypgm96Rh8pypd2vBwh3O9IwHRZoHdyZv0C0ceedK2BqZwAqWUeNuZs1T63dFX3F28NyTzx_SBz8wMg823efqTYPF2PDXSTjKN9u0RnXdVoPlnRlZKhoVOJHbg/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath4d%20-%20Duncan.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Duncan House upholds Wright’s compress and release strategy with its narrow, windowless hallways leading to bedrooms and bathrooms. The bedrooms all have large windows and often built-in wardrobes, cabinetry and shelving. While we entered Duncan House through the back door from the carport, we exited through the front door and found the continuation of the Cherokee red flooring as well as the lowered ceilings in the entry way.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAlRlc6j-hacLJbm_cVU1tJBJEK7NrGBDLnt_RGcjDd2HUAWQUIy6UI82gXvbzHqxJvikg3sENRrLkDezljIOSzM6x_TOfmXKcsrk-ztKWP5gv59HNwEbjfarF2NXsNhEuZXYdtwaZOV8cu55yoPX_TS362xYu6VfyhNuv50d4vu6WI7MnviyR2MZBDU/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath5a%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAlRlc6j-hacLJbm_cVU1tJBJEK7NrGBDLnt_RGcjDd2HUAWQUIy6UI82gXvbzHqxJvikg3sENRrLkDezljIOSzM6x_TOfmXKcsrk-ztKWP5gv59HNwEbjfarF2NXsNhEuZXYdtwaZOV8cu55yoPX_TS362xYu6VfyhNuv50d4vu6WI7MnviyR2MZBDU/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath5a%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The second Frank Lloyd Wright designed house on our tour was named <b>Mantyla</b>, meaning “House among the pines” in Finnish. It was purchased by the <b>Lindholm family</b> in 1952 and constructed in Northern Minnesota. When the Frank Lloyd Wright Building Conservancy granted permission for the home to be relocated to Polymath Park, efforts were made to recreate the environment and view of the original site including planting more pine trees. One of the larger Usonian homes at 2300 square feet, Mantyla is L-shaped with cantilevered overhangs and a carport like Duncan House. It is constructed with painted concrete blocks and a roof clad with reddish tiles. Upon entry, we see the now expected red floors as well a wall made of similarly looking painted cement blocks with two passthrough openings that expose the small kitchen. As with the Duncan House, the oven is imbedded into the kitchen wall, and the refrigerator and dishwasher are built into the cabinetry, as is the stovetop which sits on top of the red countertops. The ceiling of the kitchen is lowered by a sizable bulkhead where pot lights are inserted. As this seems to be another example of “compression”, I don’t think Frank Lloyd Wright believed much in the art of cooking.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvG-joWrv43wsY6_ioAVML6yXm6saycesHFDwEl_EHHgTtkTXH8VOh3NhD6qrLLzaC9Gc-hDBkQA-om8TWv6yKFhsjMiB3I2AT93wtr2ME8NjqueHJKzdCE6cIHIzV_ot-8UY2TDuEfNkLc5gcCP-biVAuBlDoXJ5Sq2A_b6h12op2jsZHQH8MwBXB8k/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath5b%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="425" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvG-joWrv43wsY6_ioAVML6yXm6saycesHFDwEl_EHHgTtkTXH8VOh3NhD6qrLLzaC9Gc-hDBkQA-om8TWv6yKFhsjMiB3I2AT93wtr2ME8NjqueHJKzdCE6cIHIzV_ot-8UY2TDuEfNkLc5gcCP-biVAuBlDoXJ5Sq2A_b6h12op2jsZHQH8MwBXB8k/w640-h170/D1_FLW_Polymath5b%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The odd-shaped dining table is with built with interesting tilt as if it was crammed into the space that remained after Wright laid out his rooms. One unique aspect about Mäntylä is that the home contains many of its original furnishings, ensuring you are seeing the home as Wright intended it to look, which seems to always favour form and style over function. The living room is massive and stunning with high ceilings, an entire wall of glass panes looking out into the forest, built-in bookshelves and cushioned bench seating with clerestory windows along the top of the wall to let in more light. The coffee table in the centre of the space is extremely low, as are the velour-covered foot stools surrounding it and also placed against the glass wall. You would need very good knees to live in a Frank Lloyd Wright house.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcet6TP9WO35h9zRtF2zkcMYGBl7kCAebz-P52lRcslswOYmHQVMt_uVQAA277oqaMWgyejwTZHqfYbVaDmJtR3-VM6y8BVcDhm4rTKhXhCw10EkAuOVqQqIi0V7zVcdF4KTlZD0VfmhvUwAxk9F_DUANJ1394TK6SE4RrHRxS1e9DEuhfF-HBzTpZQCI/s1600/D1_FLW_Polymath5c%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcet6TP9WO35h9zRtF2zkcMYGBl7kCAebz-P52lRcslswOYmHQVMt_uVQAA277oqaMWgyejwTZHqfYbVaDmJtR3-VM6y8BVcDhm4rTKhXhCw10EkAuOVqQqIi0V7zVcdF4KTlZD0VfmhvUwAxk9F_DUANJ1394TK6SE4RrHRxS1e9DEuhfF-HBzTpZQCI/w640-h160/D1_FLW_Polymath5c%20-%20Mantyla.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The narrow hallways leading to spacious, light-filled bedrooms follow the now familiar pattern of these Usonian homes. From the master bedroom, there is a lovely view of the outdoor patio.</div><div><br /></div><div>It was wonderful to explore and experience the Duncan and Mantyla houses, but we remain happy with our choice to stay at the Balter House. It gave us all of the esthetic feel of being in a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired home but was also much more practical and functional as a place to actually live in, even for just one night. As expected, our visit at Polymath Park and staying overnight was a special and memorable experience.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-64732453015868459192023-09-12T07:31:00.000-07:002024-02-18T19:32:53.853-08:00PA & NY 2023: Bradford, Punxsutawney PA<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEoSH188aQFQCUl6BtjFCjGiqdUbjN-JB99SHlEaz3bzGiXR3Ps-aiANtxOOWK3dDCvniFy6CgyO36slluseqGTVJDxVmqVpPLnhDbv8Gk1H66hqviGk5EYoPyx03Z-Ym9AnibZGrW_yhDmmdJ2Y9d8bcRfqnwrb3rSyhqK5xXJ5fwyndZuwH40gbo08/s1597/IMG_5813a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="444" data-original-width="1597" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHEoSH188aQFQCUl6BtjFCjGiqdUbjN-JB99SHlEaz3bzGiXR3Ps-aiANtxOOWK3dDCvniFy6CgyO36slluseqGTVJDxVmqVpPLnhDbv8Gk1H66hqviGk5EYoPyx03Z-Ym9AnibZGrW_yhDmmdJ2Y9d8bcRfqnwrb3rSyhqK5xXJ5fwyndZuwH40gbo08/w640-h178/IMG_5813a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we were heading towards <a href="https://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2023/09/pa-ny-2023-griffis-sculpture-park-rim.html" target="_blank">Kane, Pennsylvania for our 2-night stay</a>, we passed by the city of <b>Bradford, Pennsylvania</b> and were impressed by the architecture that we could glimpse from the highway. Based on that alone, we had made the mental note that we would like to visit there if we had the time. Then after visiting the Kinzua Bridge State Park and finding out that Bradford was home to the Zippo Lighter Factory and museum, this firmed up our decision to add a visit to our agenda.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVisA91uismo-32O-dfbetV9y8ciZq9STbdnKbxY3mR8Sautk5L7rhfBb43qgXTurFTGkDVPe4i_XrmXdqj1S0UnV-RhdpKl2wsSsxVeZHcIL2eY_qZeTmtAH8RF8F_x35MgyCdUa-x618lecwBrAsb2uYdpFzAX6xmLbLqhBYc9sjKHZkaqZfFEnyRs/s1600/B5_Bradford1a%20-%20Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVisA91uismo-32O-dfbetV9y8ciZq9STbdnKbxY3mR8Sautk5L7rhfBb43qgXTurFTGkDVPe4i_XrmXdqj1S0UnV-RhdpKl2wsSsxVeZHcIL2eY_qZeTmtAH8RF8F_x35MgyCdUa-x618lecwBrAsb2uYdpFzAX6xmLbLqhBYc9sjKHZkaqZfFEnyRs/w640-h156/B5_Bradford1a%20-%20Town.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Back in the late 19th Century, Bradford was a booming oil town. Today, many beautiful buildings remain from that time. At the centre of the main drag is the quaintly named “<b>Main Street Mercantile</b>”, a cooperative retail venture with over 80 vendors selling antiques and décor. Next to the mercantile is the “<b>Tin Ceiling Gift Shoppe</b>” which presumably features a tin ceiling, as did the “<b>Moments to Remember</b>” gift shop where we stopped in and bought several souvenirs. On the sides of some of the buildings are the faint traces of “<b>ghost signs</b>”, which are old hand-painted advertising signs from days gone by. There are also signs of patriotism everywhere including the huge American flag painted on the side of the building that includes the <b>Army Career Centre</b> (or recruiting office) as one of its tenants. The doorway of another storefront has a sign posted that reads “To All the Bradford men and women who have served and are serving to help keep America independent and free .. Thank You!!”. Humorously, and probably unintentionally, written in marker before the thank you is “Please Use the Other Door”, as if this was addressed to all the service men and women. One building on Main Street that is anachronous relative to the others around it is the <b>PNC Bank </b>building which seems to be a Mid-Century Modern building from the 1970s with its low footprint and abundance of glass.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDuI39Wfk1h4AoJseihNyx3dXwWA0iKJK7SAy9YTb-JuS4celhggbRJq1bZGZDugEaZYSZqhOzthDJ9BLBg-fvrrND1PHIybacWtIk6oGcDgKVxnKxxIBKJEmNhklGNTJRP07cc2AQdtselvW60paVGgotrMh2rDRfVyx074x-9HtyqSzuCr_iTo5BWA/s1600/B5_Bradford1b1%20-%20Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDuI39Wfk1h4AoJseihNyx3dXwWA0iKJK7SAy9YTb-JuS4celhggbRJq1bZGZDugEaZYSZqhOzthDJ9BLBg-fvrrND1PHIybacWtIk6oGcDgKVxnKxxIBKJEmNhklGNTJRP07cc2AQdtselvW60paVGgotrMh2rDRfVyx074x-9HtyqSzuCr_iTo5BWA/w640-h168/B5_Bradford1b1%20-%20Town.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The streets of downtown Bradford are full of history, and it is too bad that we did not stumble across a <a href="https://visitanf.com/wp-content/pdf/Bradford%20Walking%20Tour.pdf?pdf=Bradford-Walking-Tour" target="_blank">self-guided walking tour pamphlet</a> until we got home. Most of the other ornate buildings in the area are from the late 1800s to early 1930s and some of them still have the names of the original occupants emblazoned on them. The<b> C.L.Bradburn Building </b>(1890) is a 3-story 7-Bay brick building with a cast iron façade and Corinthian columns separating bay windows on the second floor that was occupied by Bradburn’s wallpaper store. The upper story included lodge rooms and a dining room used by the <b>Knights of Pythias</b>, the Bradford branch of a benevolent and secret society which believed in a Supreme Being and performed charitable acts including aiding victims of National disasters and providing support for youth and the aged. Members of the Knights of Pythias included Bradford himself, as well as jazz musician Louis Armstrong, President Franklin D, Roosevelt and Nelson Rockefeller. The Neo-Classical building that houses <b>Graham Florist</b> was initially designed as a bank by builder Clinton W. Kinsella (1911) whose name is engraved in one of the concrete slabs of the façade. A yellow “ghost sign” from when the shop first opened in 1927 has been restored and brightly advertises “Out of Town Orders Filled Promptly By Me”. The former <b>Hotel Holley,</b> a historic hotel built in 1901 by Frank P. Holley has been taken over by new owners and is now the OYO Hotel with some of the historic elements still in place. An old-fashioned elevator and reception desk are still in use and Joe’s Main Street Steakhouse as well as the Holley Express eatery are still open within the building. An old commercial building with an elaborate façade has the name <b>A.A. Caterina</b> carved in stone at the top and is currently housing United Way offices.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NUYJMhCeRWhi6UTonCrmP3XjbIsaz85DgwjqtOgoUrurOAgNCuL1ChRfyt_3DUqdvzyVH9rOdA63KX1qXd3VC5lISRSAI9_RMHQDEQy8Eya7sUfD9NTLanyxh_oXAfIgHcG-eVJIGjBNcQC4iLoWpKFG98nE_vrxkx4Y1CcOwZpgpv-rjbz_4U_vcb8/s1599/B5_Bradford1b2%20-%20Town.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="1599" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NUYJMhCeRWhi6UTonCrmP3XjbIsaz85DgwjqtOgoUrurOAgNCuL1ChRfyt_3DUqdvzyVH9rOdA63KX1qXd3VC5lISRSAI9_RMHQDEQy8Eya7sUfD9NTLanyxh_oXAfIgHcG-eVJIGjBNcQC4iLoWpKFG98nE_vrxkx4Y1CcOwZpgpv-rjbz_4U_vcb8/w640-h164/B5_Bradford1b2%20-%20Town.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The red-brick, Colonial Revival-styled <b>Bay State Hotel</b> was built in 1897. The 36-room hotel was known for its fine-dining restaurant and had a room rate of $2/day. Today, a clothing shop and Chinese restaurant are the occupants of the ground floor of the building. The gorgeous Art Deco-styled <b>Hooker-Fuller Building</b> is the tallest building in this historic district of Bradford. It was built in 1931 to house offices and the<b> Main Street Movie Theatre</b> which still seems to be running today. Miss America attended the theatre’s opening in 1935. The <b>Old City Hall</b> is a Romanesque Revival building built between 1897 and 1901. It has intricate stonework in its main entrance and a 100-foot tower that houses a 4-dial clock created by Seth Thomas Company, America’s oldest clock maker. The white glazed layers of recessed brick used in the 1930 Art Deco-styled <b>Kubiak building</b> stands out from the other red bricked buildings in the area. It has ribbed corbeling and stylized corner blocks around the doorway flanked by sleek vertical lines on both sides.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nf7WnluK8SN4bRz1VwHSlufJSKc9ZVwI6n4K_1x-5YxcD4FSvDJgw2p7VoAGpTtFlTBj06LJeM9MQ4E3SiYW2faFbK1EdlqbKZ3i-DTgZZmuYhbsf9ro5T_-isIuLyLKETAV899_woRDI7b78Fx-nGamqo8-xrrhT180X3Y8VxcKYQDXQ2NnBQU16Tw/s1600/B5_Bradford1c%20-%20Town%20Restaurant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7nf7WnluK8SN4bRz1VwHSlufJSKc9ZVwI6n4K_1x-5YxcD4FSvDJgw2p7VoAGpTtFlTBj06LJeM9MQ4E3SiYW2faFbK1EdlqbKZ3i-DTgZZmuYhbsf9ro5T_-isIuLyLKETAV899_woRDI7b78Fx-nGamqo8-xrrhT180X3Y8VxcKYQDXQ2NnBQU16Tw/w640-h156/B5_Bradford1c%20-%20Town%20Restaurant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A beautiful four-story, buff brick building called <b>Option House </b>(1903) has three columns of bay windows with a balcony above the first story, intricate stone carvings demarking the second and third stories, a row of lions' heads along the top cornice, foliated limestone trim and other decorations along the sides. The Option House Hotel was equipped with an elevator, spacious dining room and a pub. In 1935, a 62-foot-long oak bar and second floor night club called The <b>Peacock Parlour</b> was added. Today the Mediterranean restaurant <b>Kabob’s At Option House</b> occupies the ground floor and apartments are found on top.<p></p><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtDjumznD3F3mgrk5t9VwBzCdAd3S06FN2g46fZR-dd9VgKR6_kEGXEeDJHqXcBaE-zr9YdupYBBivEDJwuWGrXOsLrT8lo_3HaV0IPsyz2dh9DfW1ZGfy0oLzXvxW0INZ0at7gYC2RgzJDmbxJCj_NbURTJ5nSRDHJfwP1G6QQHk5HpCo26kwKqCIeg/s1600/B5_Bradford2%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPtDjumznD3F3mgrk5t9VwBzCdAd3S06FN2g46fZR-dd9VgKR6_kEGXEeDJHqXcBaE-zr9YdupYBBivEDJwuWGrXOsLrT8lo_3HaV0IPsyz2dh9DfW1ZGfy0oLzXvxW0INZ0at7gYC2RgzJDmbxJCj_NbURTJ5nSRDHJfwP1G6QQHk5HpCo26kwKqCIeg/w640-h164/B5_Bradford2%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Veteran’s Square</b> was first created as a public square by the early settlers of Bradford back in 1837. It was a community gathering place with a gazebo bandstand, park benches and flowers. Starting with the Spanish American War, memorials were added along the walkways to honour Bradford’s fallen soldiers and the area was officially renamed Veteran’s Square in 1954. Overlooking the square is a tall Art Deco building once known as the Seneca Building. It is now the home of the Marilyn Horne Museum, celebrating one of Bradford’s most celebrated citizens, the world-famous opera singer Marilyn Horne.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE0UiStsY39EPGBjxuugsGhxdT3ezoBUDBc4t3HBD1QPYBF-gw4ulecotMbvAm_NslnYAEI8w3Joq4tGy0BONVQe3ib6SJhu1WEvpA16zYDGYgdWKlNeqrS475asB6hE7UER5iGtjyIBXRa5yO-lsSYyLzgnP7p4vFfXoli0NI0xdDSw5II2hhN150aI/s1600/B5_Bradford2b%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtE0UiStsY39EPGBjxuugsGhxdT3ezoBUDBc4t3HBD1QPYBF-gw4ulecotMbvAm_NslnYAEI8w3Joq4tGy0BONVQe3ib6SJhu1WEvpA16zYDGYgdWKlNeqrS475asB6hE7UER5iGtjyIBXRa5yO-lsSYyLzgnP7p4vFfXoli0NI0xdDSw5II2hhN150aI/w640-h158/B5_Bradford2b%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Marilyn Horne Museum</b> was open in 2017 to honour Marilyn Horne for her accomplishments as a Mezzo-Soprano opera singer and is free to visit. The museum displays describe Horne’s life, childhood in Bradford, career, and exhibits that teach visitors about music, singing techniques and opera. Early on in her career, in 1954 she landed the gig to be the singing voice for actress Dorothy Dandridge in the musical <b>Carmen Jones</b>, a modern spin on the iconic opera Carmen. Later on, she also sang in the movie musicals “Flower Drum Song” and “The King and I”. As an opera singer, she performed with many opera companies around the world and performed in the actual opera “Carmen” with the Met in 1972. Her voice is heard throughout the museum as you can put on headphones to hear her singing at various stages of her career. Outside the museum is a bronze bust of Horne with the inscription “Internationally Famous Opera and Concert Singer”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ79K8R7iAPGB2eVCupQB_1YdTRrvtrJXSWfS0rw7m_lpHXkTZGCQij_FRg-zarIwX_y3kzMZc7s4n23yJv6NEPGNaqsAIpeKfIC9uLnlHdJXrp694Nx3fNzXRrqqkr8xDVcwm2gLGC2PRKcI5BjvqQxk1d42ptR7ndJ0YdV_XcLNyOFfXMKO8CcQ4fs/s1600/B5_Bradford2a%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="1600" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoZ79K8R7iAPGB2eVCupQB_1YdTRrvtrJXSWfS0rw7m_lpHXkTZGCQij_FRg-zarIwX_y3kzMZc7s4n23yJv6NEPGNaqsAIpeKfIC9uLnlHdJXrp694Nx3fNzXRrqqkr8xDVcwm2gLGC2PRKcI5BjvqQxk1d42ptR7ndJ0YdV_XcLNyOFfXMKO8CcQ4fs/w640-h216/B5_Bradford2a%20-%20Marilyn%20Horne.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The highlight of the exhibits was seeing the colourful and wonderfully resplendent replica costumes from Marilyn Horne’s various roles including “The Barber of Seville”, “Aida”, “Orfeo ed Euridice”, and “Carmen”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEshkY0hSCIPlQYD75YcvRRl1yCW9f8LMTOn0Oadlye5CV_h27BZqk7nEr8pIOz4vRyICWT5t_qZaRYe9mNiGkJH6VnOcKxHdc8DeSRDvY0JPbMC5JBLY_SxCImjwSxTV6cKAEulmhla54DxJzGRf1t8rkG6wAqxfoCjUwkYxnP_VY1hFQ8twKdQWK15o/s1600/B5_Bradford3%20-%20Houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="485" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEshkY0hSCIPlQYD75YcvRRl1yCW9f8LMTOn0Oadlye5CV_h27BZqk7nEr8pIOz4vRyICWT5t_qZaRYe9mNiGkJH6VnOcKxHdc8DeSRDvY0JPbMC5JBLY_SxCImjwSxTV6cKAEulmhla54DxJzGRf1t8rkG6wAqxfoCjUwkYxnP_VY1hFQ8twKdQWK15o/w640-h194/B5_Bradford3%20-%20Houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to the interesting architecture of the commercial buildings in the historic district, we found some gorgeous houses as well with multiple turrets, decorative pediments, uniquely shaped balconies and even a crenellated tower attached to one house that was being renovated.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH8TnrP3T4b2ZKwErhXSrGgTwTyOwCjn34f_gKSY2uw8-rZkUW9h_-FSn6j34f8Zl69qRwuASSyqPoTaHiI7rfkY1My4BNgZ3Wsmc0jKA92HoYw6fCjsuLuFCB5JM5TDWQooWFiP8_DZinU75HHZBDDGzuX4fNt3qdW2qxdD8RQosQ-3SVihVvWc20Ic/s1600/B5_Bradford4a%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlH8TnrP3T4b2ZKwErhXSrGgTwTyOwCjn34f_gKSY2uw8-rZkUW9h_-FSn6j34f8Zl69qRwuASSyqPoTaHiI7rfkY1My4BNgZ3Wsmc0jKA92HoYw6fCjsuLuFCB5JM5TDWQooWFiP8_DZinU75HHZBDDGzuX4fNt3qdW2qxdD8RQosQ-3SVihVvWc20Ic/w640-h156/B5_Bradford4a%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the main reasons for our adding Bradford, PA to our itinerary was so that we could visit the <b>Zippo Lighter Museum</b>. The <b>Zippo lighter</b> is a small rectangular, reusable meta lighter with a spring-levered hinged top, wick, windscreen chimney, flint wheel and flint that uses petroleum lighter fluid as the fuel. American inventor <b>George Blaisdel</b>l invented the Zippo lighter and founded the Zippo Manufacturing Company in Bradford, PA in 1932. Thousands of different styles and designs have been created over the decades and in 2012, the company produced its 500-millionth unit. The 15,000 square-foot museum and store opened in July 1997. It tells the history of the Zippo lighter and displays a large collection of lighters that were created through the years. Parked in front of the museum is the <b>Zippo Car</b>, a 1947 Chrysler Saratoga that was transformed to feature a giant replica of the Zippo lighter with its lid open, complete with flames. The car would tour around the continent, appear in parades and generally promote the company in a fun and spectacular manner.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A61d60rtJ7vbTZb9Erv4YVfQLwnptSM0QQ0UVBZP19gReZBDeXAKKleGP3Iu9vmIhIOn5BDnSCq6Za5fbP5U0YdHaL2VAw5wBOIqwg2Pj0y2QTL9tFPyMWHRMrYC_LtoTyZnpI553V1nSIvzuVpoN4jwOp7QuL2KuZY_yr0rhAA9aQlhheJd_8UhCjI/s1600/B5_Bradford4b%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_A61d60rtJ7vbTZb9Erv4YVfQLwnptSM0QQ0UVBZP19gReZBDeXAKKleGP3Iu9vmIhIOn5BDnSCq6Za5fbP5U0YdHaL2VAw5wBOIqwg2Pj0y2QTL9tFPyMWHRMrYC_LtoTyZnpI553V1nSIvzuVpoN4jwOp7QuL2KuZY_yr0rhAA9aQlhheJd_8UhCjI/w640-h160/B5_Bradford4b%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the first exhibits encountered in the museum is the large American flag that is 7 feet high and 11 feet wide. On closer inspection, you can see that the flag is created with almost 3400 red, white and blue lighters. The piece is titled “Old Glow’ry” or “Zips and Clicks Forever”. An entire wall is dedicated to the history of the Zippo lighter relative to other historical occurrences that happened around the same time as each milestone. The Zippo lighter differentiated itself from disposable lighters not only with its sturdy construction, refillable fuel cavity and vast choices of designs, but specifically by its unique feature of being a “windproof” lighter that will not extinguish if blown horizontally by wind or any other source of air current. Zippo’s marketing gimmicks to highlight this feature include the “Fan Test” where a portable fan blows at the flame, people blowing at the flame, and flapping their arms. The museum has “fan test” devices that demonstrate the lighter’s windproof capabilities by allowing people to hold their lit lighters in front of a blowing fan. The lighter can be operated with one hand and the proper way to extinguish the flame is to snap the cap of the lighter over it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rT8hpeSu61z-zE8_ZFuF51Ju_MVGR3LdiSkQcCnifuaRIPYC27FAm-8pUFwPwjDg-SL6Y4rN0NChTGzbcjmB4y9R9CwNz_aJ4ZjAWfkt9YNOtYhj5YPcxC1du-1wFk9I5nCL-4EPK8nxHTPIf8iQY0ACPdOasr0y_VVJsvpVvwZBTQ-pKmDJdX8yX1Y/s1392/B5_Bradford4c1%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="1392" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5rT8hpeSu61z-zE8_ZFuF51Ju_MVGR3LdiSkQcCnifuaRIPYC27FAm-8pUFwPwjDg-SL6Y4rN0NChTGzbcjmB4y9R9CwNz_aJ4ZjAWfkt9YNOtYhj5YPcxC1du-1wFk9I5nCL-4EPK8nxHTPIf8iQY0ACPdOasr0y_VVJsvpVvwZBTQ-pKmDJdX8yX1Y/w640-h202/B5_Bradford4c1%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>During World War II, Zippo manufactured special lighters out of steel as opposed to the usual brass material that was required to manufacture arms and ammunition for the war effort. The steel lighters were covered with black paint and a baked crackled finish to prevent premature rusting. Working with war correspondent <b>Ernie Pyle</b> who lived in the trenches with the soldiers during the war, George Blaisdell donated many free zippo lighters to be distributed to among the service men and women. When Pyle was killed in 1945, a special lighter with his name engraved on it was distributed to the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Cabot where Pyle had spent 3 weeks with the crew. Zippo lighters and especially the Pyle memorial lighters were prized possessions of the military personnel and become a symbol of the war experience.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOP5-z-cffTfODcZALJRAS9CDVVJ1q8xEBW6E1X6pvZdfgDaYOr1K5UuoYv4TXCtgooFlJs6vId1yydTu7Iad-FC-phCvJCgXoU9DIs9dXeWFPSfqKVvDa6Knr4LwFROtGd2hiSYpLqGEDfraop94iQbxju3SEypl38udRR05f6GBAoM9eJOlZH8E8RM/s5040/B5_Bradford4c2%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="5040" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxOP5-z-cffTfODcZALJRAS9CDVVJ1q8xEBW6E1X6pvZdfgDaYOr1K5UuoYv4TXCtgooFlJs6vId1yydTu7Iad-FC-phCvJCgXoU9DIs9dXeWFPSfqKVvDa6Knr4LwFROtGd2hiSYpLqGEDfraop94iQbxju3SEypl38udRR05f6GBAoM9eJOlZH8E8RM/w640-h160/B5_Bradford4c2%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Zippo lighters were <b>produced in Canada</b> from 1949 through 2002 and had “Niagara Falls, Canada” stamped at the bottom. About 500,000 units were produced per year, compared to 16.8 million annually in the United States. Many of the Canadian lighters featured Canadian specific images like the Mountie, Canadian Flag, Loonie and iconic attractions from cities including Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Windsor. Zippo’s policy is that their lighters are guaranteed for life and will be repaired/replaced for any reason. A fascinating exhibit in the museum shows a series of mangled, crushed, chewed up or otherwise damaged lighters with the most hilarious causes including “garbage disposal”, “power lawn mower”, “ice crusher” and “6000 ton press”. The one that appeared in the most separate pieces was the encounter with a “box trim shredder”. In addition to the iconic lighters, Zippo also ventured into other products with varying success including the golf ball warmer that was supposed to make golf balls travel farther. In 1993, Zippo merged with <b>W.R.Case & Sons Cutlery Company</b> so the museum also features displays of Case products.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kHjCBAR_Lw9yafmpOjSHZgl_K6smn6MIrBFrKwVeita5IVNKDUg6a3iIJH9Dph9wO4c77qUMaZQdmjSb7LuR5U-RiNrg0_qSv5oY5flj-dWuQrRx9TtLdbXhD32yrKwFGXr2Cgqb-hyrCN1gnzC0nn48erocUaWRpRPi6kZMk_f8er0Ppfl-HCgrbe0/s1600/B5_Bradford4d%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7kHjCBAR_Lw9yafmpOjSHZgl_K6smn6MIrBFrKwVeita5IVNKDUg6a3iIJH9Dph9wO4c77qUMaZQdmjSb7LuR5U-RiNrg0_qSv5oY5flj-dWuQrRx9TtLdbXhD32yrKwFGXr2Cgqb-hyrCN1gnzC0nn48erocUaWRpRPi6kZMk_f8er0Ppfl-HCgrbe0/w640-h160/B5_Bradford4d%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the distinct features of Zippo lighters is the vast variety of designs that can be featured on a lighter. There seems to be something for everyone including images related to politics, pop culture, historically significant events and news, music, movies and more. A special exhibit related to movies shows images and videos of scenes from iconic movies such Die Hard where the character uses a Zippo Lighter either incidentally or as a plot device. Lighters were made in a variety of materials including brass, chrome and the steel versions produced during WWII. A few speciality lighters are decorated with texture print that give it a tactile feel while others may glow in the dark. The permutations were innumerable.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2ZBwuVkjGDX090j8gayZ94sdmKXTGuZoQ-VfJkxApnATk6XpmqvSgaqp5qiD1ZIT71mVBssd_kZIo2NLDKp98cWvVRzvLbT1kvTAWoGPNaSwsSzsgaBCHM9P5fRp1kWRLzF5kKMqi7IQRiyoaehIQvrBl_9u6iCqZyw6oPgF_CF7AsZ1rsvt7aLgfk/s1600/B5_Bradford4e%20-%20Zippo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQo2ZBwuVkjGDX090j8gayZ94sdmKXTGuZoQ-VfJkxApnATk6XpmqvSgaqp5qiD1ZIT71mVBssd_kZIo2NLDKp98cWvVRzvLbT1kvTAWoGPNaSwsSzsgaBCHM9P5fRp1kWRLzF5kKMqi7IQRiyoaehIQvrBl_9u6iCqZyw6oPgF_CF7AsZ1rsvt7aLgfk/w640-h184/B5_Bradford4e%20-%20Zippo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In the nationality section of the museum are examples of lighters representing countries and cities from around the world. Even in the gift shop, there were so many different designs to choose from that Rich had a difficult time picking one to bring home as a souvenir. Some of the finalists included a Roy Lichenstein-esque cartoon bubble with ZIPPO written on it, the vintage image of the wind-test blowing woman, 60’s psychedelic flower power and old 45 records. In the end, he selected an orange Art Deco-styled lighter and bought some lighter fluid to go with it. We had so much fun spending an afternoon touring the Zippo Museum in Bradford.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq4GSFhP01lNp__7l78YekxMVRLYT-eskw3hUqDEAPhw8gyM1XfXyvyXbCbsnLLNQmvr6iARbOjwTtPG84Vq_w8xAKAVHqxZ8NJJvPzuc4UhZKHvbHHyCp8JAaEucjzCAZjhJg1y1kDrkBEXqS1FIG2hEXDnvugwrWhDI7-tJGsMjie_yrAZ_sS94Sl0/s1450/C1_Punxatawney%201a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="1450" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq4GSFhP01lNp__7l78YekxMVRLYT-eskw3hUqDEAPhw8gyM1XfXyvyXbCbsnLLNQmvr6iARbOjwTtPG84Vq_w8xAKAVHqxZ8NJJvPzuc4UhZKHvbHHyCp8JAaEucjzCAZjhJg1y1kDrkBEXqS1FIG2hEXDnvugwrWhDI7-tJGsMjie_yrAZ_sS94Sl0/w640-h168/C1_Punxatawney%201a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After two days touring around the vicinity of Kane, PA, we started our trek south for several days of visiting Frank Lloyd Wright designed or inspired houses including an overnight stay at one in Polymath Park. En route, we made stop in <b>Punxsutawney, PA</b> to visit Phil, the famous groundhog who would predict whether or not we would get an early spring. Phil is on display behind a glassed enclosure at the corner of the public library. As it turns out, there are two groundhogs on display, Phil and his wife Phyliss although it was difficult to differentiate between them from behind the glass. Tongue-in-cheek “facts” about Phil are posted around town and online, including Phil being the only true weather predictor (all others are imposters), that Phil is 100% correct in his predictions and that there is only one Phil who has been making predictions since 1886 when this tradition first started.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHG6UYZONSXl_cOPAlib7krzn1q4ZTkgWkMXyd5tTw6q5EhFC_lXt7J4Zru365eCwTRb5gWGSEgI7uMXtVnsntokFRZGEzMQ3Nyd2HnI-zs3qZ0TLxkgCehqPwNMtpEHNC1RPzDQHQkGdIjNJuga4Vi6Eup-GB8ZoY5mHdRKGYOmpu-kqA_QNAYp6vCo/s1600/C1_Punxatawney%201a1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrHG6UYZONSXl_cOPAlib7krzn1q4ZTkgWkMXyd5tTw6q5EhFC_lXt7J4Zru365eCwTRb5gWGSEgI7uMXtVnsntokFRZGEzMQ3Nyd2HnI-zs3qZ0TLxkgCehqPwNMtpEHNC1RPzDQHQkGdIjNJuga4Vi6Eup-GB8ZoY5mHdRKGYOmpu-kqA_QNAYp6vCo/w640-h156/C1_Punxatawney%201a1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Punxsutawney Phil is obviously the main attraction of the small borough as his image is everywhere, from bronze statues to murals to painted gophers on crosswalks to everything imaginable in the Tourist bureau/souvenir shop/Chamber of Commerce building. Here we found stuffed animals, t-shirts, toques, paper plates and napkins, soda pops, coasters, puzzles and more, all emblazoned with the iconic representation of Phil. As a souvenir, Rich purchased a package of Groundhog Day napkins, so now we have to wait for February 2 to roll around over multiple years before we can use these up!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHTQJYiDEMZfskFSQDTDpbXAVwSICnm9Qx-tdosmdJwnozJ9a1H6cvuxktTWvYvDZH6zUOTSbrMPHDrT4YxYSb2464JZr5F35Z4nUs-jVdt-QBlpxieailUqv3BJ5047eYG5pse2iWCh25ZqBkvdxg1emZiSBIx4FtYlzEXc2-vKpx_c1gbKM7K971Hs/s1600/C1_Punxatawney%201b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHTQJYiDEMZfskFSQDTDpbXAVwSICnm9Qx-tdosmdJwnozJ9a1H6cvuxktTWvYvDZH6zUOTSbrMPHDrT4YxYSb2464JZr5F35Z4nUs-jVdt-QBlpxieailUqv3BJ5047eYG5pse2iWCh25ZqBkvdxg1emZiSBIx4FtYlzEXc2-vKpx_c1gbKM7K971Hs/w640-h156/C1_Punxatawney%201b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The main reason for our visiting the Tourist centre was to get the map that would show us where all the giant Phil sculptures could be found, all around the few streets surrounding the main drag. Each sculpture has a different name and design, often reflecting the business or organization who sponsored it. In front of the Tourist centre, we found “Tourist Phil” wearing a toque and a shirt displaying a map of downtown Punxsutawney, as well as some of the other attractions to be found here. It was a bit of a scavenger hunt following the map to find more Phils. The Police Department, Fire Department and Post Office each had their own appropriately clad Phil sculptures, named “Officer Phil & Fury”, “Phil The Flames” and the punny “Philatelic Phil” respectively, with Fury being Policeman Phil’s canine partner.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtt0qP51UQwqPUmwSFWuTfmdpe7X5Eidn4kUTpGvyMqNFVgn83WMQKhikmW47lGcgeiXIdj-1WYPOqbkEWCfTEAMJg2aJJJbIjp65wnODPOmboAGZgqLDb8R2loVLP4o1dwrL7avNqKLXWj-wSxuw8BipWuKrlRT5Vl-auXhMzYIVhggfSsCHFd0nbQ8/s1573/C1_Punxatawney%201b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1573" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijtt0qP51UQwqPUmwSFWuTfmdpe7X5Eidn4kUTpGvyMqNFVgn83WMQKhikmW47lGcgeiXIdj-1WYPOqbkEWCfTEAMJg2aJJJbIjp65wnODPOmboAGZgqLDb8R2loVLP4o1dwrL7avNqKLXWj-wSxuw8BipWuKrlRT5Vl-auXhMzYIVhggfSsCHFd0nbQ8/w640-h160/C1_Punxatawney%201b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We found “Freedom Phil” dressed as the Statue of Liberty in the main square. Many local shops had sculptures reflecting their businesses including “Breakfast Sounds Good” Phil wearing a chef’s hat and holding eggs, bacon and toast as sponsored by Gimmicks restaurant. The Phil in front of the florist shop was covered with flowers while the one by Wendy’s was dressed like the iconic red-headed girl on the fast food chain’s logo. “There’s Work to be Done” Phil in front of Ragley’s True Value Hardware wore safety googles, overalls, a tool belt and headphones while holding a rake. Scottish bagpiper “Presby MacPhil” stood in front of the Presbyterian Church of Punxsutawney in honor and recognition of the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian Church. We saw countless more wonderfully quirky sculptures, but there were so many Phils and so little time that we sadly were unable to get to them all.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMJYP-f5AiF-YVefYD-2TIwr7mrKw6vIpXaTK1YgfjtaCiHBmmQiRbQKdLeyEQyLGXKcs_dNYvAptpcXYa8DDUUijPmSufiExf5I9vO3DBjpT93TIsDbfMmdAFjOuqqTaCPivefyPxrWQWGgqIDv62_xRxWIV2WGGSPBZE-Dr_jYR7QXTclU2vF0VK4/s1600/C1_Punxatawney%201c%20-%20Houses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHqMJYP-f5AiF-YVefYD-2TIwr7mrKw6vIpXaTK1YgfjtaCiHBmmQiRbQKdLeyEQyLGXKcs_dNYvAptpcXYa8DDUUijPmSufiExf5I9vO3DBjpT93TIsDbfMmdAFjOuqqTaCPivefyPxrWQWGgqIDv62_xRxWIV2WGGSPBZE-Dr_jYR7QXTclU2vF0VK4/w640-h156/C1_Punxatawney%201c%20-%20Houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While searching for the Phil sculptures, we passed by some beautiful old mansions with Doric and Ionic columns, multiple levels of verandas and balconies, turrets of varying shapes and lovely decorative features. Some of them were a bit run down but you could see that there used to be money in this area.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0oDeE5Npcszh2zznmQ9X2TOGWFenyTXAuKCFLUsclHCDKmSl35iPwezo8C1l9iT03wUU3q7_6fuZ0h227mgjOusYUwb5eXvJIWihYd_Cl_3mxgXmp-Bdg1mzDHzLQO9YAagHsat1GmJ_6odaYahsiHnT0lfzoo_y0gJyxKqaWMiy3rLk_NBPzD9QC4s/s1600/C1_Punxatawney%201d%20-%20Churches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp0oDeE5Npcszh2zznmQ9X2TOGWFenyTXAuKCFLUsclHCDKmSl35iPwezo8C1l9iT03wUU3q7_6fuZ0h227mgjOusYUwb5eXvJIWihYd_Cl_3mxgXmp-Bdg1mzDHzLQO9YAagHsat1GmJ_6odaYahsiHnT0lfzoo_y0gJyxKqaWMiy3rLk_NBPzD9QC4s/w640-h158/C1_Punxatawney%201d%20-%20Churches.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We also saw some interesting churches including the <b>First Baptist Church</b> and the tiny <b>Christ Episcopal Church</b> whose façade was covered with field stones and seemed more like a house than a church. These two churches did not seem to be open to the public, but the <b>Journey Church</b> was, so we wandered in to get a look at the giant stained glass windows from the inside.</div><div><br /></div><div>Punxsutawney was a fun stop enroute to Polymath Park where we would start our two day immersion into the world of architect Frank Lloyd Wright.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-15579827575846462302023-09-11T05:00:00.000-07:002024-01-26T07:32:34.091-08:00PA & NY 2023: Griffis Sculpture Park, Rim Rock Trail, Kane, PA<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_oEGkYJMu4VVQtH-26pYeJqhi19P_ya8ybQjaPDIUeQUTWPY1rjJyBm3guUxD8G58UxcJa6zuOM3xIyqHVEKe7jfLdAgbLlVeGA7u7KZpOYz97gVOHCOdM3aSrN6dnxcz5FIdPQOCPmn132p1xHJn0s0KcMztj4MebUa7Os0sz7UVPs8EXaG_sYyVO8/s1600/Drive%20Aurora%20to%20Kane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="849" data-original-width="1600" height="340" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_oEGkYJMu4VVQtH-26pYeJqhi19P_ya8ybQjaPDIUeQUTWPY1rjJyBm3guUxD8G58UxcJa6zuOM3xIyqHVEKe7jfLdAgbLlVeGA7u7KZpOYz97gVOHCOdM3aSrN6dnxcz5FIdPQOCPmn132p1xHJn0s0KcMztj4MebUa7Os0sz7UVPs8EXaG_sYyVO8/w640-h340/Drive%20Aurora%20to%20Kane.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Moving on from East Aurora, the next destination on our New York State/Pennsylvania road trip was a two-night stay in<b> Kane, Pennsylvania</b>. Our plan was to make two stops enroute to Kane including the Griffis Sculpture Park in New York State and the Rimrock hiking trail in the Allegany Forest in Pennsylvania. We ended up making a couple of extra impromptu stops along the way and spied another location to return to the next day.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Cr-A6aZfBcmbhyDaUnG5u3NHzaCIdNAGDoYpsqQJ5bkY9GmyBWdif-zhLNAqtq9BrRiB_QFzHo0199Zx6ON_7kOc7DNeV_XM-FOTvjdgA1bEbuHgxPIYSNGExENqw68BTkGnAKSdjm45t9QTR94bY8I2KhrS3TciHP_JhNMCUBNVyBS0ZwLgWOSGJA/s1600/B0_Sculptures%20in%20Irving%20NY.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj4Cr-A6aZfBcmbhyDaUnG5u3NHzaCIdNAGDoYpsqQJ5bkY9GmyBWdif-zhLNAqtq9BrRiB_QFzHo0199Zx6ON_7kOc7DNeV_XM-FOTvjdgA1bEbuHgxPIYSNGExENqw68BTkGnAKSdjm45t9QTR94bY8I2KhrS3TciHP_JhNMCUBNVyBS0ZwLgWOSGJA/w640-h156/B0_Sculptures%20in%20Irving%20NY.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we were driving south towards Pennsylvania, we unexpectedly came across a collection of quirky sculptures at the front of a rural property in New York State. I wasn’t sure exactly where we were, but a sign next to the property indicated that Big Buffalo Vapors (“Home of Your Tax Free Vapor Supplies”) in Irving NY, was just a short distance away. The outdoor pieces included what looked like a giant metal dragon, Sponge Bob Square pants next to multi-coloured metal aliens and more. The loud sounds of barking dogs kept us in our car, so I just took some photos from the car as we drove by.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq3hIgiScuLufUxorgzmUw7QvuzpYWgEvSN7IoVp69wYywUq0ZuEk8rNNerbtYHiL40_rojquCvKyfxDKO5ZOnn3MqAhHVA_nNfzukYbCbGAWACObyRc-IW1hibFadAUPz3-yy9pUyKs4a3xQB2ZxNawyIHodMjclSgJ0l0Uq_UTX804vx9NcLY6HKeg/s1600/B0b_Ellicottville.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeq3hIgiScuLufUxorgzmUw7QvuzpYWgEvSN7IoVp69wYywUq0ZuEk8rNNerbtYHiL40_rojquCvKyfxDKO5ZOnn3MqAhHVA_nNfzukYbCbGAWACObyRc-IW1hibFadAUPz3-yy9pUyKs4a3xQB2ZxNawyIHodMjclSgJ0l0Uq_UTX804vx9NcLY6HKeg/w640-h160/B0b_Ellicottville.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A bit further south, we came across the village of <b>Ellicottville, NY</b>, known for its proximity to ski resorts including Happy Valley. The first indication of this was the Christmas tree made from the tips of downhill skis that sat prominently in the main square. This seemed like such a quaint and sweet little village that we decided to park our car for a quick walk around the main drag. We saw a sign for the first frame house, dating back to 1817 which was once used as the county courthouse. Next to it is the picturesque St. John’s Episcopal Church and nearby, we spotted a community gazebo that seemed right out of the musical “The Music Man”. Some of the shops on the main street including The Old West Co. are covered with wooden verandas that reminded me of storefronts in Scottsdale, Arizona.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNkyjTLQmMGH9FpOGK6lxWKHhm-VMLysIKv0bRFWZvO78v1qFrw4gh8upg8qG4wtN2tlRZAM6hjUH5HV3qywyVCXn96USMAK3AQXLCrrJcr_lrf4NMwU7-LQZPofnB9dsp-cuun46GWIFTargiJCFAbh1Hywe42T-JYVH40G5BtD-2L2Of8iU48miGl0/s1599/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1599" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBNkyjTLQmMGH9FpOGK6lxWKHhm-VMLysIKv0bRFWZvO78v1qFrw4gh8upg8qG4wtN2tlRZAM6hjUH5HV3qywyVCXn96USMAK3AQXLCrrJcr_lrf4NMwU7-LQZPofnB9dsp-cuun46GWIFTargiJCFAbh1Hywe42T-JYVH40G5BtD-2L2Of8iU48miGl0/w640-h158/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Finally we arrived at our first planned stop, which was<b> Griffis Sculpture Park</b>, a 425 acres outdoor art museum situated on a huge property that includes open fields, wetlands, alpine meadows, ponds, valleys, tree-lined woods, hiking trails, wildflowers and other flora. The park consists of two parcels of land between Rohr Hill Road and Mill Valley Road, divided by a private roadway. It was created by artist <b>Larry Griffis Jr.,</b> who filled the Rohr Hill Road site with huge 25ft-tall sculptures made from welded steel. He gave the mostly humanoid figures names such as Oracle, Flat Man, Round Man, etc. They stood looming into the sky and could be spotted from a distance as we approached. There also seemed to be a giant goose or some sort of bird. We stopped quickly to look at some of these works before heading to the larger section of the park which contained the bulk of the sculptures as well as a parking lot, toilets, and gift shop (open only on the weekends).<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoFOJymw4zch-r9LuAUH6s4E8VbuE6gpwBp3haNhoXdyUEXPbkdX2lWpmGcT9jPBzLFlG1QLP0ayIG7-A5jba4GENb-tUIdOJoH4IAnvZYXSt2OdFdVUigU1CUV7xM0mnY6IPzwWvUFP7UD2gZk7wf38mo78r4yH2yjPsuOS00h-Ofl2agYb463W5prw/s1600/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSoFOJymw4zch-r9LuAUH6s4E8VbuE6gpwBp3haNhoXdyUEXPbkdX2lWpmGcT9jPBzLFlG1QLP0ayIG7-A5jba4GENb-tUIdOJoH4IAnvZYXSt2OdFdVUigU1CUV7xM0mnY6IPzwWvUFP7UD2gZk7wf38mo78r4yH2yjPsuOS00h-Ofl2agYb463W5prw/w640-h164/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the edge of an open field next to the parking lot of the Mill Valley Road section sits a series of three ultra-lifelike bronze sculptures paying tribute to a trio of extraordinary women. <b>Tracy Caldwell Dyson</b> is an American chemist and astronaut who flew in Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2007 and is one of the most prominent women in NASA. There is also sculptures of 3-time Olympic gold medalist <b>Gabby Douglas </b>and novelist/feminist activist <b>Cheryl Strayed</b> who chronicled her 1,100-mile solo hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. The three sculptures are by the Australian artist collective duo Gillie and Marc Schattner and are part of a larger public exhibit called <b>#StatuesForEquality</b> that consisted of 10 sculptures displayed near Rockefeller Centre in 2019, each depicting an iconic female figure. The purpose of the exhibit was to address in gender inequality of sculptures commemorating nonfictional figures in New York City. Other sculptures in the collection include Oprah Winfrey, Nicole Kidman and Jane Goodall. After that exhibition ended, these three works were donated to Griffis Sculpture Park. The team of <a href="https://gillieandmarc.com/collections/sculptures" target="_blank"><b>Gillie and Marc</b> </a> is known for their “Dogman and Rabbitgirl” sculptures including one found in the Yorkville area in Toronto.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTV1hV6toV6fuRvHckpyiupTvzMi9tJepVpfIUWSdqx0mg1e0VEd79qdFOy4WZhg9hVfT_nH3ozJh-i6XgDWIg9tsoGTynxW4FkcycBU6ml4XpQutsoY8XG_2GI1CB60jaNt0XWfzt18jjIsE4Z8iDoDZWG98H7b3Kh0514FHlCFN4eBW-Uv9q86Ccwk/s1600/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTV1hV6toV6fuRvHckpyiupTvzMi9tJepVpfIUWSdqx0mg1e0VEd79qdFOy4WZhg9hVfT_nH3ozJh-i6XgDWIg9tsoGTynxW4FkcycBU6ml4XpQutsoY8XG_2GI1CB60jaNt0XWfzt18jjIsE4Z8iDoDZWG98H7b3Kh0514FHlCFN4eBW-Uv9q86Ccwk/w640-h164/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Starting at the Trailhead that would lead us deeper into a wooded area, we found a few more of the over 250 sculptures that are scattered throughout the property, each placed with the setting in mind so that the work blends in with its natural surroundings. The sculptures vary in material, size, colours and subject matter. It was too bad we could not find a map that listed their descriptions and creators. There was just a small map that roughly indicated their locations, so it was a bit of a treasure hunt to find them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKkMO_W_ZTerKPfeN1pMZah2VO_-y4w8v_fZ1FNGlfljHg2tDm9rpV39HnTSXl19HechhmfQeMiuwNpcKjhdhvdvgu4-edNYXnce0CFWdsnUK17I0JPafY-AoxrZwJmebH7tVVjHpBf1wTwbUCOpmQGuY4DWGmkNKDLlFPX2R_cIWm2C7Y-c3kkEMEt0/s1600/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPKkMO_W_ZTerKPfeN1pMZah2VO_-y4w8v_fZ1FNGlfljHg2tDm9rpV39HnTSXl19HechhmfQeMiuwNpcKjhdhvdvgu4-edNYXnce0CFWdsnUK17I0JPafY-AoxrZwJmebH7tVVjHpBf1wTwbUCOpmQGuY4DWGmkNKDLlFPX2R_cIWm2C7Y-c3kkEMEt0/w640-h156/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Emerging from the woods into an open clearing, we found<b> ten aluminum bathers</b> situated around a small pond. Five of them are lying prone on the grass while five more are perched at the edge of the pond in various poses as if ready to dive in. A sign indicates that these are also the works of Larry Griffis Jr. who was obviously very talented and worked with multiple styles and materials. I later read online that originally all ten sculptures were positioned upright around the pond, but some deteriorated over time and so the broken ones are left lying on the field. This actually provided a more interesting overall perspective and was reminiscent of ancient ruins.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSquvPjbF98vM_yhix9pMdkvbXCmlt6p4BD33gYO1GxxvrpYi0Uj7BDpw3pH1hjrKLOUGxG5K0Psmm6DRUAUnq05jxoGFKBGR3PuJ5PEakqGQiIGuWysY12s9wOqqTbNffW3Juj4BV6FL7wWxRVEKtxbeoFJSxkT1IH5uabnNUEKReQf3KiL9bfFt2uE/s1600/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiSquvPjbF98vM_yhix9pMdkvbXCmlt6p4BD33gYO1GxxvrpYi0Uj7BDpw3pH1hjrKLOUGxG5K0Psmm6DRUAUnq05jxoGFKBGR3PuJ5PEakqGQiIGuWysY12s9wOqqTbNffW3Juj4BV6FL7wWxRVEKtxbeoFJSxkT1IH5uabnNUEKReQf3KiL9bfFt2uE/w640-h174/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing on, we found sculptures of giant insects and large Adonis-like male figures in various poses, mushrooms, strange hollow pod-like shapes that you can enter, and a fun metal sculpture of a Crusader holding a shield and flag while riding a red horse. Wandering into another wooded area, we came across what one website designated as the “Griffis Family Heads”. These seemed to be busts of females wearing strange alien-like headdresses, but the facial features were quite specific, so it is possible they are based on real family members. Then we discovered the Castle Tower, a spiral structure with ladders allowing you to climb to the top observation deck. The ramps were slanted and slippery, so I had to traverse up the various levels with care.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6t2ZadpxZwFogRPj0o3nQ9uorzb10rcS5ySXMmKaPJ3XQuFp4kH8Hq6hGtnN53hOS1qmULav0R-epWgIxRjCQA5cxz1w8DDpNKDmOaVYaJbO9a0PrpK_TExZ4rzMjTNhfcvbSUtquLhtmWlc-kz8ZFAvdhYhmG30S70cvcBgD5hIqGGKM2JQ4U_iFSw/s4744/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1247" data-original-width="4744" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS6t2ZadpxZwFogRPj0o3nQ9uorzb10rcS5ySXMmKaPJ3XQuFp4kH8Hq6hGtnN53hOS1qmULav0R-epWgIxRjCQA5cxz1w8DDpNKDmOaVYaJbO9a0PrpK_TExZ4rzMjTNhfcvbSUtquLhtmWlc-kz8ZFAvdhYhmG30S70cvcBgD5hIqGGKM2JQ4U_iFSw/w640-h168/B1_Griffis%20Sculpture%20Garden5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We saw so many wonderful sculptures as we made our way to the far end of the park. There was the colourful yellow and red metal maze made out of found objects, a hooded figure that seemed to be from a Fantasy novel, a creepy giant claw reaching out from the ground by a pond and a couple of glamorously dressed female sculptures that contrasted with the many nudes that we passed by earlier. Three new sculptures of silvery, long-haired hippy-ish male figures created by New York City artist Trevor King were installed late spring 2023, set in a meadow of yellow wildflowers at the top of a hill. There was so much to see at the sculpture park that we were not able to get to all the works, especially in the first section near Rohr Hill. I would love to return for another look if we are ever in the area again.<p></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n2gBL4BOz91_ZPb4_XgCczrqV_AOq0RzTgX2Qx3-35JvEoDqRX7-A26ib3Kbo3Ow-crS4Hi80DISCcVVHsHtoEuDocaH2NSp2NRoAEvufWLS9XTmcJokN3ZXlqtTk7Nxs10BihXsw_RtuwUL2jC-FzdznyKrB3nbDSz4gbYT44bx2ZyVeoBbxO9fPf8/s1600/B2_RimRock1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n2gBL4BOz91_ZPb4_XgCczrqV_AOq0RzTgX2Qx3-35JvEoDqRX7-A26ib3Kbo3Ow-crS4Hi80DISCcVVHsHtoEuDocaH2NSp2NRoAEvufWLS9XTmcJokN3ZXlqtTk7Nxs10BihXsw_RtuwUL2jC-FzdznyKrB3nbDSz4gbYT44bx2ZyVeoBbxO9fPf8/w640-h160/B2_RimRock1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After leaving Griffis Sculpture Park, we moved on to our next adventure in the <b>Allegheny Forest</b> where Rich had planned a short but strenuous hike for us at the <b>Rimrock Hiking Trail</b>. The trail started up on a ridge just above Kinzua Beach. From the base, we had a scenic view of the Allegheny River and the Kinzua Beach Bridge.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA4NC0OCoqPjnNrn7yWtssug9yab0BkCdLDiE1eKOGfZzBu4iBKZ_P3qaA6AD2gYdhF70QICCbVluuCCAktsSKZ_EAk6ernLFM2pg953X5AN2p20Tyo0NcyFhPBlbAh2W-BdZ00Xw7Dk_Orf03b3h-WcISibDWTp9DIgaKKGjId1AxERBXTnZ-BRpnBw/s1600/B2_RimRock2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyA4NC0OCoqPjnNrn7yWtssug9yab0BkCdLDiE1eKOGfZzBu4iBKZ_P3qaA6AD2gYdhF70QICCbVluuCCAktsSKZ_EAk6ernLFM2pg953X5AN2p20Tyo0NcyFhPBlbAh2W-BdZ00Xw7Dk_Orf03b3h-WcISibDWTp9DIgaKKGjId1AxERBXTnZ-BRpnBw/w640-h166/B2_RimRock2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Rimrock trail consists of a steady uphill climb for 1.3 miles along a forested path surrounded by mature oak trees. The 1.3 mile ascent is only moderately steep but unrelenting as we marched upwards for over an hour. We were thankful for the bench that we found just past the halfway mark and for the fact that it would be downhill all the way on our return trip. The goal at the end of the trail was to get to the Rimrock Overlook, which is reached by climbing up a series of stone steps.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2sRltG3yfkH3Y3hieqAzpEfW3obLl_TloNXvuseUqj_U-qcopuJ6p6sl4if8Yxo0nbXSrsxOoF0rXe2m5enY8zovwFNBT7axgL5NJg4MviVYEggN3KZg0n3KXjmdt-Z2Cd6nIgKdtW5qLx1QZ68jGbaJVnIpHQXRmqXsTwWJBMiG0VPiVjTltWzawSc/s1600/B2_RimRock3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH2sRltG3yfkH3Y3hieqAzpEfW3obLl_TloNXvuseUqj_U-qcopuJ6p6sl4if8Yxo0nbXSrsxOoF0rXe2m5enY8zovwFNBT7axgL5NJg4MviVYEggN3KZg0n3KXjmdt-Z2Cd6nIgKdtW5qLx1QZ68jGbaJVnIpHQXRmqXsTwWJBMiG0VPiVjTltWzawSc/w640-h156/B2_RimRock3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The final portion of the stone staircase runs through an extremely narrow crevasse that actually cuts right through the middle of the giant sandstone boulders. Once we reached the top, we emerged onto a platform with a gorgeous lookout with views of the Allegheny River, Reservoir and surrounding hillsides. Looking over the edge of the outlook, we saw the steep cliffs, rock outcrops and the trail below. The unique access to the outlook made this one of the most unique hikes that we have taken.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1aVlI0C7oMSTFlRVXcn_STIkz4LLXnOkeLJt3U6XhQN-Dqwr6tjNhHraxYalICKGq2dAtTQ9yFoFWLgFCNHUZEhMxKgwrjdb6-jx67Dzd4EpPkZJ9PxcnErdUEaCgmM2oeFgsbTpd1Pvkbu62ir1QyKJhuc0Xjb8SXu7nls2XXMagZ6tfI-52j31oc8/s1600/B3a_KaneManor1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_1aVlI0C7oMSTFlRVXcn_STIkz4LLXnOkeLJt3U6XhQN-Dqwr6tjNhHraxYalICKGq2dAtTQ9yFoFWLgFCNHUZEhMxKgwrjdb6-jx67Dzd4EpPkZJ9PxcnErdUEaCgmM2oeFgsbTpd1Pvkbu62ir1QyKJhuc0Xjb8SXu7nls2XXMagZ6tfI-52j31oc8/w640-h162/B3a_KaneManor1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Following our hike, we made our final trek to<b> Kane, Pennsylvania</b>, where we had booked a two-night stay at the <b>Kane Manor Inn</b> with our friends Glen and Christiane who we would meet there. Dating back to 1896 and called Anoatok (Inuit for “the wind-loved spot”) at the time, the manor is now named after the American Civil War general <b>Thomas Kane</b> who served as “Peacemaker with the Mormons” during the Utah War of 1857-58 and played a large role in the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and founded the eponymous community of Kane. Built in 1896, the mansion was commissioned by his widow Elizabeth Kane, who was one of the first women in Pennsylvania to attend medical school. Their son Evan was a pioneer of local anesthesia, so great achievements run in the family. Kane Manor Inn is a three-storied Georgian Colonial Revival-styled, 18,000 square foot brick-framed residence erected on a sandstone foundation with at least four chimneys that we could see as we approached.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our timing was good since we met our friends in the parking lot, as they had finished their morning mountain-bike ride just as we finished our hike. Accessing the manor through the first entrance that we found after parking our vehicles, we picked up our keys and instructions at the desk for how to find our rooms. Rich and my instructions indicated to go up the stairs and go to the “Blue Room” which would be the first room on the right of the stairs. We missed a crucial word in the steps which was to take the “main staircase”. We had ascended the first staircase that we encountered (noting how narrow it was for such a big house) and then could not find our room.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GXr1nw71mdzkYxqFfZ1xu5-qMaHo61v9q0ICTVjJuP1GtM7QA6OvbLF_6uy0YtY0FiigLq7NMtwYUQtzmr_GMB50BazhzU0JhGe84wmF41WhkMX1W-kD9EdYU2oA0i9S6A6u-lkCWDZljOuRCushkbzGEtzo0Xi633BQ-aEICfmsQTp_CJH0OVHiaEU/s1600/B3a_KaneManor2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6GXr1nw71mdzkYxqFfZ1xu5-qMaHo61v9q0ICTVjJuP1GtM7QA6OvbLF_6uy0YtY0FiigLq7NMtwYUQtzmr_GMB50BazhzU0JhGe84wmF41WhkMX1W-kD9EdYU2oA0i9S6A6u-lkCWDZljOuRCushkbzGEtzo0Xi633BQ-aEICfmsQTp_CJH0OVHiaEU/w640-h166/B3a_KaneManor2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>All the rooms had cute little cartoonish signs on them and the first room on the right of the stairs seemed to be a locked closet that did not fit our key. The one next to it indicated a bathtub (??). It took us several minutes of walking along the hallway to realize that we had taken the servants’ staircase. The grand “main” staircase was further along and once we came across that, our Blue Room was exactly where it was supposed to be. The room was huge with a four-post bed, a large wooden wardrobe, an armchair and bench-seating along the window and a non-functioning fireplace with a plant placed in the hearth (so that no one would try to use it?). The "Blue Room was aptly named as it was definitely was blue, from the wallpaper to the armchair, the cushions and the tiles in the bathroom. There was even a little “call-bell” on the wall underneath a wall sconce, but we did not try to push it.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn19r79iqzDr93e-kBOac_zhUASJc8AFpZXhTR8Y-uWrVKbLaX0h-mETz61xFpHoDCky8QLC7nC3Chjyyelq4q9CDpEJpLCLW-Q5SEy2vaNhGaBnLjjE0sC0JpVy7gA2lFhcweNqUc2Ul2HTOn1vQORWw26AaE_grOnKrkLb7dTJkApPCMQk2flLzWqY/s1600/B3a_KaneManor3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcn19r79iqzDr93e-kBOac_zhUASJc8AFpZXhTR8Y-uWrVKbLaX0h-mETz61xFpHoDCky8QLC7nC3Chjyyelq4q9CDpEJpLCLW-Q5SEy2vaNhGaBnLjjE0sC0JpVy7gA2lFhcweNqUc2Ul2HTOn1vQORWw26AaE_grOnKrkLb7dTJkApPCMQk2flLzWqY/w640-h160/B3a_KaneManor3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Descending the main staircase on our way to dinner, we found the pretty “half-landing” with the Gothic-styled window and the large portraits on General and Elizabeth Kane facing one another on the two walls of the enclosure. Continuing down to the ground floor where we first entered, we found a ground foyer and a 19th Century parlour where we could sit and read the books or play board games that were provided.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh809dtWzhD_92tCAxWn21DNmHt8cFeSbrI7cHaAGi3VzprAvvAJdSVccVlJTuPzwJ_aEOEhR2dbJBnPj3lBa460MJonTaECnhyphenhyphenz3ncIWbh3n8uKpTltQpqWuZSYGPlKWg6EHfmA4agvhlkaV1PBg2p0yd911Jw8MWRxJztQDjkGv0FFEozmHu9T-UEPIY/s1600/B3a_KaneManor3a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh809dtWzhD_92tCAxWn21DNmHt8cFeSbrI7cHaAGi3VzprAvvAJdSVccVlJTuPzwJ_aEOEhR2dbJBnPj3lBa460MJonTaECnhyphenhyphenz3ncIWbh3n8uKpTltQpqWuZSYGPlKWg6EHfmA4agvhlkaV1PBg2p0yd911Jw8MWRxJztQDjkGv0FFEozmHu9T-UEPIY/w640-h160/B3a_KaneManor3a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Many of the rooms have fireplaces which was apparent by the number of chimneys that we saw emanating from the house. It is unclear how many are still in use. I was fascinated by all the beautiful table and floor of various shapes and design. There was an enclosed porch that acts as a bar and an outdoor terrace that would have been nice to spend time on had it been a bit warmer.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbOPryQF3uWHeEeik0VmTM6KNnayVYvoVSDnNYtBCm_f-nHWCf2-QxCLnwhb8nBPI3gNz5f3819FxsQ2L-5PthIAoLCeq0z3srvnLo0tj8J181jUojyMKjnBkCgj4kLuusc6kB2tE4TK885VDCW6PaY7mHx3Do4uDAFg20oXCKE5r4VF_4dMfhug20Hg/s1600/B3a_KaneManor4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbOPryQF3uWHeEeik0VmTM6KNnayVYvoVSDnNYtBCm_f-nHWCf2-QxCLnwhb8nBPI3gNz5f3819FxsQ2L-5PthIAoLCeq0z3srvnLo0tj8J181jUojyMKjnBkCgj4kLuusc6kB2tE4TK885VDCW6PaY7mHx3Do4uDAFg20oXCKE5r4VF_4dMfhug20Hg/w640-h156/B3a_KaneManor4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had access to a community kitchen where the guests could get tea, coffee or hot chocolate at any time and share in the use of a common refrigerator. There was a cool antique Hotpoint Automatic Electric Stove (circa 1920s) that was probably mostly for show. The actual kitchen where our daily breakfasts were prepared was in a second sealed off area. We could choose from two different dining areas to have our meals before starting off each day. I presume that in the summer months, the terrace would be an option as well. Staying at the manor for two nights, we had breakfast in each of the areas. One was bright and cherry and we scored a table right by large bay windows with a view of the terrace and grounds. The other was a bit more formal. On the wall
next to a photograph of a younger General Kane than we saw on the stairwell was a coat of arms with 3 fish pointing up ward
and the words “Fide et Animo” (loyalty and affection) written underneath. </div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBfxQpV1Lj1iQIoA7O7I2jAJkK5gTZSMmEBF5cbrPIIjejGvQAorPsuBond0t0Exhi0672U-c53Uy9_2KSgu7hc6GUjzdHnyKWNeWHApeubTqJHahr2p9LTW5Gjz0iTj3xYq4wylFe73mBN8xYmoN8sXrfy0VHvDZLMYTo7j7RyqM1XoG4gdrP9KvSsM/s1600/B3a_KaneManor5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBfxQpV1Lj1iQIoA7O7I2jAJkK5gTZSMmEBF5cbrPIIjejGvQAorPsuBond0t0Exhi0672U-c53Uy9_2KSgu7hc6GUjzdHnyKWNeWHApeubTqJHahr2p9LTW5Gjz0iTj3xYq4wylFe73mBN8xYmoN8sXrfy0VHvDZLMYTo7j7RyqM1XoG4gdrP9KvSsM/w640-h156/B3a_KaneManor5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our breakfast on the first day included French toast with a home made strawberry compote, sausages, home-fried potatoes and a fruit salad served with juice and coffee. The next morning we had a delicious berry yogurt, waffles, eggs and bacon. Our meals were served on dinnerware with a Kane Manor logo emblazed on the dishes and bowls. Once again, the crest with the 3 fishes were printed on these wares. It is unclear if the fish are part of the Kane coat of arms but the fish icon is said to represent “Generous mind, virtuous for himself - symbol of Christ and spiritual nourishment.” We really enjoyed our stay at Kane Manor, reveling in the history of the place.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTkLkULy_drWPcr2_A2TKaGw18oNIbFV0N_6Bb4W8zS6lkwm0xJX9Z-oYAqZJ_bMNbVs3PNmXEG8kOdNcj7PJ_AGr27NVltXs0p6QbzuG_T1kePwOqKuLmFBMqr0MwvRWq-sns9GGa96U4h0tAT_l4iZ2HLWVHykL4-xXKCxVa4GMdbiDR-AUMR6WuoI/s1600/B3b_Kane1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioTkLkULy_drWPcr2_A2TKaGw18oNIbFV0N_6Bb4W8zS6lkwm0xJX9Z-oYAqZJ_bMNbVs3PNmXEG8kOdNcj7PJ_AGr27NVltXs0p6QbzuG_T1kePwOqKuLmFBMqr0MwvRWq-sns9GGa96U4h0tAT_l4iZ2HLWVHykL4-xXKCxVa4GMdbiDR-AUMR6WuoI/w640-h164/B3b_Kane1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While the main attraction of Kane, PA is its proximity to the Allegany Forest and the trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling, there is not much to see or do on the actual main drag of Kane. This wasn’t the place to go for shopping or fine dining but it made a good base to access several areas of interest within a short drive. On our way out of Kane, we spotted a small drive-in with a small spaceship sitting on top of the sign announcing the movies, dates and times available. The featured movies were quite recent including Grand Turismo and Equalizer 3, both released in 2023.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjkOXKWsrTeqTbsxNnZ51v1OdGlTySmXP3Pr1hqKlP2migb_ooFRHt-iAbZQesMfF-RUxSN7OMDb8eyNRPL1NcoqlH93CJmVB0T7gOgOWcZfwPJfvNmO1Ot8VhiB_yoqN-snbIr58oy4hqwa4pYEI7mtSyZnx0kOdrC6Jw2dxhyHQbRQw3uFxXgekEzM/s5064/B4_Kinzua1a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="5064" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjkOXKWsrTeqTbsxNnZ51v1OdGlTySmXP3Pr1hqKlP2migb_ooFRHt-iAbZQesMfF-RUxSN7OMDb8eyNRPL1NcoqlH93CJmVB0T7gOgOWcZfwPJfvNmO1Ot8VhiB_yoqN-snbIr58oy4hqwa4pYEI7mtSyZnx0kOdrC6Jw2dxhyHQbRQw3uFxXgekEzM/w640-h160/B4_Kinzua1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Less than 30 minutes drive from Kane is the <b>Kinzua Bridge State Park</b>, which is a 339-acre park with hiking trails and a tourist attraction that has an interesting history. Found in the park is the <b>Kinzua Bridge </b>or Viaduct, once a 2052 feet-long, 301-feet high railway bridge that spanned <b>Kinzua Creek</b>. Originally built in 1882 by the New York, Lake Erie and Western Railway’s president Thomas Kane, it was used by trains to ship coal, lumber and oil. It was the world’s tallest and longest bridge at the time.</div><div><br /></div><div>By 1900, the original bridge could no longer withstand the weight of newer, heavier locomotives, so it was rebuilt with stronger materials, only reusing the original bolts. By the late 1950s, the bridge became part of the route for tourist sightseeing trains which ran from Kane through the Allegheny National Forest. These excursions continued until 2002 when the bridge was closed for restoration after it was determined that high winds made the structure unsafe. On July 21, 2003, when construction was well underway, a freak storm with winds of almost 100 miles per hour, classified as an “F1 Tornado”, touched down and caused 11 of the 20 towers to collapse in less than a minute. Miraculously there were no injuries or deaths. Imagine if the tourist trains were still running when this happened?!? It was determined that those old bolts holding the bases of the tower together were the weak links that caused the bridge to give way.</div><div><br /></div><div>Costing too much to rebuild the bridge after its collapse, the state decided to turn it into a tourist attraction to show the force and power of nature. In 2011, the <b>Kinzua Bridge Skywalk </b>was unveiled, allowing tourists to walk out onto the 600 feet of remaining bridge up to the point of collapse. At the end is a large platform that is partially made of frosted glass. From there, you can look out onto the wreckage or peer down below from the glass portion if you are brave enough.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u2oVmV8MCsvBv_gCtYgXsCkDcHSoJx6syuWbc9QRMeBSH90C_1XBNN-7imK7_-6drtRePqWqIiWX1bu82SX7eh665IwjAv7dfJlPcqR0xOV3VGxlQuDJ9ASu7PSYtUWplHhF0fIVnfHDb47_ZlB_IZdFQLhZdsdCiIw9kizF-nBgQ4KRNMgzx33d4G0/s5130/B4_Kinzua1b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="5130" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4u2oVmV8MCsvBv_gCtYgXsCkDcHSoJx6syuWbc9QRMeBSH90C_1XBNN-7imK7_-6drtRePqWqIiWX1bu82SX7eh665IwjAv7dfJlPcqR0xOV3VGxlQuDJ9ASu7PSYtUWplHhF0fIVnfHDb47_ZlB_IZdFQLhZdsdCiIw9kizF-nBgQ4KRNMgzx33d4G0/w640-h158/B4_Kinzua1b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was quite windy as we strolled on the Skywalk but when we returned to the gift shop and commented on this, the clerk said that this was actually a “mild day” relatively speaking and that once on a really windy day, she saw a small dog on a leash be blown into the air! From the edge of the platform, we had an excellent view of the damage of the storm and the debris left in its wake. Returning to the base of the bridge, there is a second observation deck with a telescope to look through to survey the wreckage from a different angle. Next to the Kinzua Bridge Skywalk is the entry point to the <b>Kinzua Creek Hiking Trail</b> which is 1.2 miles return, marked as steep and difficult in parts, and leads to the bottom of Kinzua Gorge with stunning views of the collapsed bridge. The trail continues uphill to provide a view of the rest of the gorge and valley. Unfortunately we did not have the time to do this hike as we had other destinations on our agenda to explore.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l4pnpIxTWZMFbOEpE50XPLeppBrOhMCbcfH89T6eiKmw9KoA0tEhGBw_2tFvquGXZ66LfONA2Pyd2aJdpXaJ1j9Sw2-d6NALfJWCKYmGVtnpgCbwEd46AKNrBuSuUSgn4U2bdPfrAMCJcdkAGaM-o2h8NaLJ6x7sIIajXETnaa0G2UC0hIX8i1Rlmrw/s5130/B4_Kinzua1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="5130" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l4pnpIxTWZMFbOEpE50XPLeppBrOhMCbcfH89T6eiKmw9KoA0tEhGBw_2tFvquGXZ66LfONA2Pyd2aJdpXaJ1j9Sw2-d6NALfJWCKYmGVtnpgCbwEd46AKNrBuSuUSgn4U2bdPfrAMCJcdkAGaM-o2h8NaLJ6x7sIIajXETnaa0G2UC0hIX8i1Rlmrw/w640-h158/B4_Kinzua1c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to the gift shop, the tourist site also features a visitor’s centre that acts as a small museum with family friendly, hands-on exhibits that showcase the flora and fauna of the area. One machine illustrates the change of the forest over time while another features the call of wild animals including a porcupine, bobcat and more. The centre describes the history of the construction of the Kinzua Bridge including some of the components such as a roller bearing to relieve impact of the westly winds, couplings that connect the footprint of the viaduct, and rivet drivers for pounding in rivets that joined the iron and steel. Another exhibit highlights the region’s logging and railway legacy. A large plaque describes local innovations including the Zippo Lighter, whose factory we would visit on our side trip to <b>Bradford, PA</b>. That will be a topic for the next blog.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-74495564250660561722023-09-10T06:00:00.000-07:002023-11-18T11:50:18.420-08:00PA & NY 2023: East Aurora, NY<p> The first stop in our road trip through New York State and Pennsylvania was <b>East Aurora, New York</b> which was once a mecca for the <b>Arts and Crafts Movement</b>, an international trend in design and fine arts that was popular from 1880-1920. A precursor to the Art Nouveau style, the Arts and Crafts style promoted traditional, high-quality, handmade work that emphasized the inherent beauty of natural materials, harmony with nature, utility and craftsmanship. It was a reaction against the rise of industrial, machine-made, cookie-cutter mass manufactured goods. Many of the motifs referenced medieval, romantic, and folk styles of decoration.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eOA7MOuuw4Bd6B_iAG8VVWzsOHNElurv80NVRfbs9PYrj5LdOyG92ZxWMgGKCFDP0-IZsdqLN_H9a5DgiJRLYhrRsO43Sr7kRgPYn8cwdToqxOJkPxKa2B0556KNY0MwAbGcy2xyHtOMnBaehcEjDewCwBp_Hy_NnhbR5_i7pDhrd5bApimFOeK2_70/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2a%20-%20Roycroft-Hubbard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0eOA7MOuuw4Bd6B_iAG8VVWzsOHNElurv80NVRfbs9PYrj5LdOyG92ZxWMgGKCFDP0-IZsdqLN_H9a5DgiJRLYhrRsO43Sr7kRgPYn8cwdToqxOJkPxKa2B0556KNY0MwAbGcy2xyHtOMnBaehcEjDewCwBp_Hy_NnhbR5_i7pDhrd5bApimFOeK2_70/w640-h168/A1_East%20Aurora2a%20-%20Roycroft-Hubbard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>An influential advocate of the Arts and Crafts movement in East Aurora was <b>Elbert Hubbard</b>, an American writer, publisher and entrepreneur who founded the <b>Roycroft </b>community in 1895. This group of artisans and craftspeople who followed the principles of the movement included printmakers, book binders, metal-smiths, leather-smiths, furniture makers, and eventually creators of decorative arts including woodworking, copper-smithing, lighting, stained glass, pottery and jewelry. Hubbard established the <b>Roycroft Campus</b>, consisting of a series of “guild” buildings and shops where the Roycrofters could ply their crafts. The first building was the Roycroft Print Shop which Hubbard use used to publish ornate, hand-crafted books, including his own writings. Hit by the Great Depression and changing fashion styles, Roycroft declared bankruptcy in 1938 but was revived in the 1970s when a new group called “<b>Roycrofters at Large Association</b>” formed to revive the movement, restore the buildings and have the Roycroft Campus designated with National Historic Landmark status. Throughout the campus, you can see the original <b>Roycroft logo </b>of a double cross-topped orb with a single “R” adorning original works created between 1895 to 1938. Today, new works by the Roycrofters at Large use a “double R” logo, representing “Roycroft Renaissance. A sculpture of Elbert Hubbard sits in front of the East Aurora Middle School on Main Street with a sculpture of Michelangelo (commissioned by Hubbard who greatly admired the artist) situated a few feet away. We would learn more about the fate of Elbert Hubbard when we took a guided tour of the campus and visited the museum on the campus.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5-_lHJlEBkZBLHuwQNZ9W9FlKr15WSNI8Ylf_EaUvb1XbsSLtX30yD9dgGqZ7pspOwWFrtc4WqsRNjA9J_MnqRuHj8utwQBbNQZTvPWnbqSPYPyqHD8A258K0RpyMjbvlIKCxKE42EMaAQmMMyjNoen2t_0zdxNoXoKpTHnJIGYZPtKqggXr7FBSxyc/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5-_lHJlEBkZBLHuwQNZ9W9FlKr15WSNI8Ylf_EaUvb1XbsSLtX30yD9dgGqZ7pspOwWFrtc4WqsRNjA9J_MnqRuHj8utwQBbNQZTvPWnbqSPYPyqHD8A258K0RpyMjbvlIKCxKE42EMaAQmMMyjNoen2t_0zdxNoXoKpTHnJIGYZPtKqggXr7FBSxyc/w640-h174/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>To immerse ourselves in the Roycroft experience, we stayed at <b>Roycroft Inn</b>, a hub of activity for Roycroft artisans and visitors when it first opened in 1905. Influenced by Hubbard’s interactions with Frank Lloyd Wright, the inn melds Wright’s Prairie School style architecture with Arts and Crafts ornamentations. Following a 9-year, $8 million dollar restoration, the inn reopened in 1995, now featuring 22 suites, a restaurant, lobby bar and covered outdoor patio. Carved into the heavy wood doors with ornate latches and handles are inspirational quotes such as “Produce great people – the rest follows”.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fkyaxKIryC43TNnzpy-Z3-NKXYawVzyNnff0ztLtFJ9KD7cHCFHGXO_r783zPq2FiB2zBfZRMB_0ZtthH-zetQxL572E9X7EibBdDsLf5sToNhi7lBSByryhtShxewjzLHL3wcKO0VrGymCs_02uHoqy79S1gxsOevkKVN6xPh8C7MnJZJK1o2F9lDI/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-fkyaxKIryC43TNnzpy-Z3-NKXYawVzyNnff0ztLtFJ9KD7cHCFHGXO_r783zPq2FiB2zBfZRMB_0ZtthH-zetQxL572E9X7EibBdDsLf5sToNhi7lBSByryhtShxewjzLHL3wcKO0VrGymCs_02uHoqy79S1gxsOevkKVN6xPh8C7MnJZJK1o2F9lDI/w640-h156/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>main salon</b> is breathtaking with Arts and Crafts styled furnishings including original furniture that feature the signature “single R” logo. The walls of the salon are covered with 12 restored<b> murals</b> by Roycroft artist <b>Alexis Jean Fournier</b> depicting important cities and sites of the world. A new foyer boasts 4 more paintings depicting the times of day from morning to night. The door leading from the reception area to the suites displays one of the Roycroft’s main mottos—"Head, Heart, Hand”, which Hubbard carved into the door when the inn first opened. The motto reflects the Arts and Crafts principle of manually creating individual objects rather than using machinery for mass production.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEvMUYNiaMBz40WoyUibkgHMaD8ukWYZCDKgi2U5owaDz5TUS8tQsPmQnwfsiq3EFGrAhvEQobAani7JViNUoaE3Cbcb_Coz-Dn9R-2yljaBMB_uLO6lN_ShgLp0WZp6fjqn1Wc0NwBjK5ygZ5_BWrnHiAEqCPAcdvTo75ZIYRyvkxQSgvCLhKm10Lvk/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn3%20-%20Room.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisEvMUYNiaMBz40WoyUibkgHMaD8ukWYZCDKgi2U5owaDz5TUS8tQsPmQnwfsiq3EFGrAhvEQobAani7JViNUoaE3Cbcb_Coz-Dn9R-2yljaBMB_uLO6lN_ShgLp0WZp6fjqn1Wc0NwBjK5ygZ5_BWrnHiAEqCPAcdvTo75ZIYRyvkxQSgvCLhKm10Lvk/w640-h158/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn3%20-%20Room.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When I made the booking at Roycroft Inn, I was merely looking for a room with a King sized bed and the accommodations that I chose did not seem that expensive, given that we were staying in a historic establishment. We did not realize until we walked through the door that we had secured an entire suite where the entry “hallway” was bigger than many hotel rooms that we had stayed at in the past. Walking through the hallway, we entered a large sitting area with two wicker chairs and ottoman, a desk and chair plus two side tables. Once again this room was enormous whereas by contrast, the bedroom was a relatively smaller (but by no means small) separate room, fitting just the King-sized bed and two nightstands. The bedroom connected to a large bathroom with double sinks in the vanity and a jacuzzi tub. Although we did not get any original furnishings, the rooms were beautifully decorated in the Arts and Crafts style with the wardrobe, dresser, bed frame, desk, and chair all made from solid wood. The throw on the bed reminded me of patterns by Frank Lloyd Wright.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnUaAhXPJkP4wQIo7EgvUc9uDhL4O2P9g5MODPBlfPLk9o60NbmTsMZLJuooizIvjLZInuQyI4eqnxicTgWq-9QMg_8w5B_tZMmimB29RrJetUrmUMpua8JFly3g0FMwmrGuSGzNPYZeormpSseDt5K-yT25MQyKJ8LcN8KXvpdKdzXV-jaCODRpNLAE/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn4a%20-%20Dinner.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="410" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnUaAhXPJkP4wQIo7EgvUc9uDhL4O2P9g5MODPBlfPLk9o60NbmTsMZLJuooizIvjLZInuQyI4eqnxicTgWq-9QMg_8w5B_tZMmimB29RrJetUrmUMpua8JFly3g0FMwmrGuSGzNPYZeormpSseDt5K-yT25MQyKJ8LcN8KXvpdKdzXV-jaCODRpNLAE/w640-h164/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn4a%20-%20Dinner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we went downstairs for dinner, we walked through another stunning <b>lounge and bar </b>area with high beamed ceilings, stained glass windows, a fireplace, and lamps and chandeliers with patterns that again reminded me of Frank Lloyd Wright. The <b>dining room</b> was equally beautiful as we were seated under a stained glass Gothic arched window that made me feel like we were dining in a church.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hVMgev8XDM2vdi-lJVLWtMJyJw8sS9G6mEZoroW_jXEBpWovFNyNMh4yCA-VUOjxJMbgJeq2A13RcAeo5wvFbuB93Wc36paAjlud30G5v23DSm0LvHmVmpKsUUAFxAKL1DLcvDwl1Ivp5F5KLXbFUgvoQJq2KkiKlMg_IhU8Ud10Gg-SEcjlUfTYGvs/s1600/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn4b%20-%20Meals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hVMgev8XDM2vdi-lJVLWtMJyJw8sS9G6mEZoroW_jXEBpWovFNyNMh4yCA-VUOjxJMbgJeq2A13RcAeo5wvFbuB93Wc36paAjlud30G5v23DSm0LvHmVmpKsUUAFxAKL1DLcvDwl1Ivp5F5KLXbFUgvoQJq2KkiKlMg_IhU8Ud10Gg-SEcjlUfTYGvs/w640-h156/A1_East%20Aurora2e-%20RoycroftInn4b%20-%20Meals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For dinner, we had a wonderful meal starting with a tomato/bell pepper salsa and homemade bread with churned butter and pesto, followed by appetizers of truffled chips with smoked gorgonzola and black truffle oil, and lobster tostadas in a tortilla cup with cucumber pico de gallo and avocado cream. The plate of chips was so large that we had to pack some of it to go so that we could save room for the main courses. But it looked so good when we spotted it at another table that we couldn’t resist ordering it. For our mains, I picked the blackened swordfish with chili seasoning over basmati rice, seasonal vegetables, and mango compote while Rich had the filet of beef tenderloin with whipped potatoes and seasoned vegetables. The next morning, we had a lovely complimentary breakfast with a window seat overlooking the garden. On the last day of our road trip, we passed through East Aurora once again and had lunch on the outdoor patio, thus experiencing all the different dining areas. There was a bit of a nip in the air, so I was given a blanket to keep warm with during the meal. At that lunch, we both had the shrimp and lobster bisque followed by a burger and fries for Rich and a grilled pesto chicken sandwich with prosciutto, heirloom tomato, mozzarella and arugula with fries for me. We really loved staying and dining at the Roycroft Inn and would do it again.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtw36yycs6DXCU-XZJ32Z6KswR6DplheBVQxdIbkds_fR8BDrTJ_uNLK6XauVKlus3435s9cPfIswRCUACHOlBxcNf3keWOaofQGYp-91oY3xyvlZeHbyfmdgRspl863VfPbkAOti3N216NNddjZTRR3bXzvBQ_q_gu60y5N0qcR1FpNfwT9oswo50m0/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2a%20-%20Roycroft-Hubbard2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVtw36yycs6DXCU-XZJ32Z6KswR6DplheBVQxdIbkds_fR8BDrTJ_uNLK6XauVKlus3435s9cPfIswRCUACHOlBxcNf3keWOaofQGYp-91oY3xyvlZeHbyfmdgRspl863VfPbkAOti3N216NNddjZTRR3bXzvBQ_q_gu60y5N0qcR1FpNfwT9oswo50m0/w640-h156/A2_East%20Aurora2a%20-%20Roycroft-Hubbard2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While in East Aurora, we explored the buildings that still exist in the <b>Roycroft Campu</b>s. Most of them we could visit on our own but some we could only access with a guided tour. We started by crossing the street from Roycroft Inn and traversing a pretty path known as “<b>Appian Way</b>”, named after the ancient Roman highway. The pedestrian avenue made of paving bricks and granite blocks originally served as a thoroughfare to access seven buildings in the Roycroft Campus. The Roycrofters-At-Large Association has restored the 260-foot walkway and a paving stone at one end marks the “rededication” of the path in 1999, “in honour of those who have kept the spirit and ideals of Roycroft alive”. Both the original and new Roycroft logos are carved into the stone. For a tax deductible donation, you can purchase and have your name engraved on individual bricks as well as benches on the Appian Way. At one point, the sculptures of Elbert Hubbard and Michelangelo flanked either side of the path. Today, the walkway is lined with bronze and copper sculptures by artist Timothy Schmalz, each depicting a visual representation of a saying attributed to Hubbard. The Appian way leads directly to the old <b>Power House</b>, built in 1910 to provide electricity and heat to the campus through an underground piping system. Today it is the <b>Visitors Centre</b> where the guided tours start. Inside are murals of the original coal boilers, images of architecture, posters, and magazines, and examples of printing equipment.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JJsReipbZmKfx9d2-aUwbUU00iqFea9d4BeIQfVOgdtLVcITDTtyR0H66yobiFfya9t_yJz5oxSHmUthqspFsccrxntcN7OGRPbghTSwsmyZmT4IBAhOkr_WEjQgRQepabiQ2TmzhDgSWc0WjkBF3D4rzMnYw-C8V_x17n90ZdRIvp6fKpe-JfxFBh8/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Antiques.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JJsReipbZmKfx9d2-aUwbUU00iqFea9d4BeIQfVOgdtLVcITDTtyR0H66yobiFfya9t_yJz5oxSHmUthqspFsccrxntcN7OGRPbghTSwsmyZmT4IBAhOkr_WEjQgRQepabiQ2TmzhDgSWc0WjkBF3D4rzMnYw-C8V_x17n90ZdRIvp6fKpe-JfxFBh8/w640-h156/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Antiques.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Behind the Power House/Visitor Centre is the old <b>Furniture Shop</b> where custom hand-made furniture was constructed to furnish the Inn, offices and shops, as well as briefly being sold to Sears and Roebuck. Leather bookbinding also took place on the property. Today, the building houses Blackbird Pottery, several antique shops, and art gallery and a framing store.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T5JxGoVQUEipacSpLWBTtaD6GcYfv591nPTZ-RMEGkDtaYIG3kbcnIMSyBS9H74QzdfckbK15ZAKI5VySnul5blaGM9Dq6xr3fcjrvpGrMb-7EU5wL26SSUQg_IiBDD-49n5gO5HALsThUtsyjZ3HSIDIVn3lYpc7eza_6qe2JbQwvVon8lK6Hhifj0/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Shop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2T5JxGoVQUEipacSpLWBTtaD6GcYfv591nPTZ-RMEGkDtaYIG3kbcnIMSyBS9H74QzdfckbK15ZAKI5VySnul5blaGM9Dq6xr3fcjrvpGrMb-7EU5wL26SSUQg_IiBDD-49n5gO5HALsThUtsyjZ3HSIDIVn3lYpc7eza_6qe2JbQwvVon8lK6Hhifj0/w640-h156/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Shop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Roycroft
Copper Shop</b> was constructed in 1902 of stone and timber, stuccoed in the
English cottage style. It was initially
a blacksmith shop before being converted into a shop that manufactured hammered
copper products. Following the
bankruptcy of Roycroft, the building was also used to bottle maple syrup and as
the Roycroft Bank. Today the “<b>Copper
Shop Gallery</b>” is a gift shop where over 100 local and international
artisans sell their work as gifts, souvenirs and art pieces. We saw much pottery, metal work, jewelry,
carvings and more. We were taken with a
ceramic soup tureen and ladle by Martha Van Vlack as well as some art tile
carvings by Motawi Tileworks.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe0SiaMakmOexxpqItAI1UU6GGTpiBkuynZiPOu4B9t-CRq_YG8-kb_2gnmGKXoExUM_QB-scK6odZNw03h9ANZB75Tbq4Vu7Fhz9_k5wHeNbZmX5zIUf2679ETAxqhzu7xwdvweBvzYIHabK-ijcdQ1sFnLfvcpKcBk9vwmSw5UoIogzfFJY7qybmTw/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Shop1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqe0SiaMakmOexxpqItAI1UU6GGTpiBkuynZiPOu4B9t-CRq_YG8-kb_2gnmGKXoExUM_QB-scK6odZNw03h9ANZB75Tbq4Vu7Fhz9_k5wHeNbZmX5zIUf2679ETAxqhzu7xwdvweBvzYIHabK-ijcdQ1sFnLfvcpKcBk9vwmSw5UoIogzfFJY7qybmTw/w640-h156/A2_East%20Aurora2b%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Shop1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the second floor of the shop, rotating artists are featured with temporary exhibitions. When we were there, the artist in question was <b>Jessica Gadra</b>, a pen, ink and watercolour artist who interprets well-known stories, fairytales, folklore and mythology in her pieces. Rich admired a print depicting the wolf stalking Little Red Riding Hood and purchased it to be framed and hung in our bathroom.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN51dZzuNFDXOAplkmXccjYuhHdI5w_2b5BYp7hHnfOBs_Yig2_9GtWFEMJG5KF0jyasDjtsVOnKOO_6vy3RtcTK0P-3vOC83B5WWqSbmZ0Qe-jGIIVItkp6XAVATL3MCicdXPMWYrRc-y5uhzwgxPPBuQi6NzrvhXK3BvAT90zJSzIJk49CTYSEGDVUY/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2d1%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20PrintShop-Museum1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN51dZzuNFDXOAplkmXccjYuhHdI5w_2b5BYp7hHnfOBs_Yig2_9GtWFEMJG5KF0jyasDjtsVOnKOO_6vy3RtcTK0P-3vOC83B5WWqSbmZ0Qe-jGIIVItkp6XAVATL3MCicdXPMWYrRc-y5uhzwgxPPBuQi6NzrvhXK3BvAT90zJSzIJk49CTYSEGDVUY/w640-h156/A2_East%20Aurora2d1%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20PrintShop-Museum1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>During our guided tour of the Roycroft Campus, in addition to hearing about the other buildings that we previously visited on our own, we were brought into the building that used to be the <b>Roycroft Printing Shop</b> where Elbert Hubbard ran his <b>Roycroft Press</b>. Hubbard was influenced by the beautifully bound books produced by Kelmscott Press, the publishing company started by William Morris, who was known as the “Father of Arts & Crafts”. As Hubbard was unable to convince anyone to publish his writings, he decided to start his own printing press shop. Hubbard’s most known works included “<b>The Little Journeys to Homes of the Great</b>”, a collection of 14 semi-biographical essays that he published monthly, spinning tales about historical personalities, authors, artists, famous women, reformers, businessmen, musicians and more. His most famous work is “<b>A Message to Garcia</b>”, a fictionalized version of a daring escapade performed by First Lieutenant Andrew Rowan before the Spanish-American War, where he carried a missive from President McKinley to Cuban General Calixto Garcia. The essay expressed the value of individual initiative and conscientiousness in work, which paralleled ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement. By one account, over 225 million copies of the essay were published and for a while, the term “to carry a message to Garcia” became synonymous with carrying out a difficult assignment.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, a smaller version of the print shop is still active in the basement of the building and uses the old printing press technology to create flyers and advertisements that include the Roycroft logo. There are hopes that one day, they can reprint A Message to Garcia. Next we were brought upstairs to a small <b>Roycroft museum</b> that displays historical documents and photos, furniture, artwork and personal items belonging to Elbert Hubbard and his second wife Alice. Here we saw multiple versions of the Little Journey books (although “little” must be a euphemism since the books are huge) as well as a copy of A Message to Garcia. There were examples of furniture with the original Roycroft logo, copper goods, lamps, an ornate leather billfold (circa 1919), a baseball from the Roycroft baseball team, a cigar box with Hubbard’s image on the lid, as well as busts of Hubbard and Alice, letters written by or to him and more. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP8DfWFeamgfSEWIErfeDzZjBuRNw81yS_yoMfhEHZUv2oMVAolS25rPCrW5M9kzc3ici0bgPwEjGi41GjPF1uamJsgTy3Han120ly5ONbjJBLrXM3NdZUeNMhm_FAi8zUlOsHReFedaokoqwqT053siP4QcBpxm0WsuX6iEz0s0Z7GuNisWaaCiGrd8/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora2d2%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Museum2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTP8DfWFeamgfSEWIErfeDzZjBuRNw81yS_yoMfhEHZUv2oMVAolS25rPCrW5M9kzc3ici0bgPwEjGi41GjPF1uamJsgTy3Han120ly5ONbjJBLrXM3NdZUeNMhm_FAi8zUlOsHReFedaokoqwqT053siP4QcBpxm0WsuX6iEz0s0Z7GuNisWaaCiGrd8/w640-h162/A2_East%20Aurora2d2%20-%20RoycroftCampus%20-%20Museum2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>We saw the original versions of the Roycroft China set and tableware whose patterns are still used in the restaurants and bar of the Roycroft Inn. Most sobering were the displays that detailed Elbert and Alice’s unfortunate demise during the<b> sinking of the Lusitania</b> in 1915. At the other end of the Appian Way is another stone plaque dedicated to the Hubbards and “All Who Perished Aboard the Steamship”. Hubbard’s death was terrible blow and probably contributed to the eventual folding of the Roycroft community.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dI8Oc57s51uiXtrX3JGEIT_PXQEka2EZ_d8pXvp6VNYG-yxP2RdfR7Lgk5N0rHzDt67h2Cia5DDmgq2c9qZJZrkrdHFYUI4G_3WUXBCa1CSg4Jg_Pv9aJ8NjYYgwRs3v97_-v4gklVFULSc3qfL0BHcWJiUFtOCkqprKTDNEUCJARel-VSFEh_XlNDM/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20Churches1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dI8Oc57s51uiXtrX3JGEIT_PXQEka2EZ_d8pXvp6VNYG-yxP2RdfR7Lgk5N0rHzDt67h2Cia5DDmgq2c9qZJZrkrdHFYUI4G_3WUXBCa1CSg4Jg_Pv9aJ8NjYYgwRs3v97_-v4gklVFULSc3qfL0BHcWJiUFtOCkqprKTDNEUCJARel-VSFEh_XlNDM/w640-h178/A2_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20Churches1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We passed by the medieval-inspired, Gothic-styled <b>Roycroft Chapel </b>which was built with fieldstone boulders and included a crenelated turret. To get enough boulders, Hubbard advertised in the village newspaper that he would pay a silver dollar for each load of stones from a farmer’s field. Despite its name, the building did not seem to have ever been used as a chapel. Rather it was a centre for book illuminating (decorating text with illustrated flourishes), lectures, event space and eventually an art gallery and sales room. In recent years, the chapel was the used as East Aurora city government office space. A copper plaque on a stone in front of the Chapel indicates that it was erected in 1916 in memory of Elbert and Alice Hubbard who were “lost in the Irish Sea .. They lived and died fearlessly”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ljzHcEZ1BjlKeH9zC98pMirwd7Jxrt_GY-O50nB8tpkdUZuYBjBMUiD60FIlmscFk6oGspmLL4cAuDFDd_gkFmmK0Avns9PQ1Za6dcFdVjj3UAhqtCSN3Ijq8Xu30p6imiuUi2W9WCEkBUR5rlMe1WN0KX3e1NDHncZYksWBDSTCkSxn0hTNnwRBBo/s1600/A2_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20Churches2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0ljzHcEZ1BjlKeH9zC98pMirwd7Jxrt_GY-O50nB8tpkdUZuYBjBMUiD60FIlmscFk6oGspmLL4cAuDFDd_gkFmmK0Avns9PQ1Za6dcFdVjj3UAhqtCSN3Ijq8Xu30p6imiuUi2W9WCEkBUR5rlMe1WN0KX3e1NDHncZYksWBDSTCkSxn0hTNnwRBBo/w640-h168/A2_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20Churches2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Although Roycroft Chapel was not an actual church, there was one situated just a few blocks from the campus that was built in 1906 in the Roycroft style. The <b>Christ Science Church</b> boasts Arts and Crafts features and details in the design and woodwork, as well as the distinctive Arts and Crafts font in the signage. Several members of the Church were famed Roycroft craftsmen. Several other pretty churches can be found nearby including the <b>Revive Wesleya</b>n and the <b>East Aurora Christian Church</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92jIDHpnikyY7_CBjexH3UQAFGZhdxT_6wenPJ2HrAnogyEJN7zxLOdIkj0s3-3kMRLAaJ7SvuW5aF5qOLPeRoN9yn5ic7jLmWgV8sMWQwkbh4cB5VftRGfmrBb69xV77rheaR8CUe3gf8fylcFOz4GCFal9Qe69sjAX-ZqQD_1iViFDDmJMInG9s5nM/s1600/A3_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20ArtsCrafts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="467" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92jIDHpnikyY7_CBjexH3UQAFGZhdxT_6wenPJ2HrAnogyEJN7zxLOdIkj0s3-3kMRLAaJ7SvuW5aF5qOLPeRoN9yn5ic7jLmWgV8sMWQwkbh4cB5VftRGfmrBb69xV77rheaR8CUe3gf8fylcFOz4GCFal9Qe69sjAX-ZqQD_1iViFDDmJMInG9s5nM/w640-h186/A3_East%20Aurora3a%20-%20ArtsCrafts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As seen on the sign for the Christian Science Church, the <b>“Arts and Crafts” font</b> often consists all capital letters that are slightly slanted and based on Roycroft artist William “Dard“ Hunter’s Viennese style lettering. This distinctive font is found throughout East Aurora, from the writing on railway overpasses to signs on buildings, churches, shops and the local Aurora movie theatre. Going all in with the Arts and Crafts theme, even the public garbage receptacles are decorated with pithy or philosophical sayings from famous people whose names are written in the signature font. Elbert Hubbard is represented with several sayings including “A good laugh is sunshine in a house”. Other quotes include ones from Plato, Bette Davis, and Winston Churchill.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRi6lVfGjKEhTUjgZSu5oMVswst3Yr5EVvgyKkApQz-H2u2BZMtFhi5iFfvHMIjqAwFLQ9nsAuh0OiXzzNpxjAfWBNfBa3_feMsKUTxIhyphenhyphena-IGz-zby5MukxU1Xq_rXTSeLhWf8tRAW4Mh3VeOlL2ZKnsUL4GvNsefogGZO5dc2rTgpvf3Re2wXZ-Mkg/s1599/A3_East%20Aurora3b1%20-%20Houses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1599" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipRi6lVfGjKEhTUjgZSu5oMVswst3Yr5EVvgyKkApQz-H2u2BZMtFhi5iFfvHMIjqAwFLQ9nsAuh0OiXzzNpxjAfWBNfBa3_feMsKUTxIhyphenhyphena-IGz-zby5MukxU1Xq_rXTSeLhWf8tRAW4Mh3VeOlL2ZKnsUL4GvNsefogGZO5dc2rTgpvf3Re2wXZ-Mkg/w640-h156/A3_East%20Aurora3b1%20-%20Houses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Exploring East Aurora beyond the Roycroft campus, we saw some gorgeous Arts and Crafts styled houses on the residential streets including Oakwood Ave. The homes made from natural materials with hand-crafted details were decorative without being overly ostentatious. On Main Street, the architectural design and colour scheme of <b>Bruce’s Automotive </b>matches the house next to it, possibly the home of the repair shop’s owner at one point? Whether this is currently the case or not, the two matching buildings are very striking.</div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjSMM05G_rYA_J8iOCeJsGOkK0KdzjM0AF6hH87x20h3AvgY-IHtHhnoxJUsyBnN7BHPiPfBPcnAmcWmMyKPh69hiQYa1h_3B2cJt_2SvNh0Te-3TgPTV-6xqjEHzABw6isLlEiH9zQcXnPyXdTNHXKlIzVLJpjin5McbOR-q5GWa_NbEX5jEwumWI8o/s1599/A3_East%20Aurora3b2%20-%20Town.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1599" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsjSMM05G_rYA_J8iOCeJsGOkK0KdzjM0AF6hH87x20h3AvgY-IHtHhnoxJUsyBnN7BHPiPfBPcnAmcWmMyKPh69hiQYa1h_3B2cJt_2SvNh0Te-3TgPTV-6xqjEHzABw6isLlEiH9zQcXnPyXdTNHXKlIzVLJpjin5McbOR-q5GWa_NbEX5jEwumWI8o/w640-h156/A3_East%20Aurora3b2%20-%20Town.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There were many
fun shops and eateries to check out along East Aurora’s Main Street. Near Roycroft Campus was <b>Rosie’s
Handcrafted Ice Cream</b> which offered flavours such as Bada Bing Bada Bourbon
(caramel ice cream with salted caramel swirl, chocolate and bourbon toffee
covered pretzels), Cold Brew (coffee grounds steeped overnight in a sweet cream
base and paired with chocolate), or Yabba Dabba Doo (fruity pebbles cereal
steeped in a cream base). There were
great murals in an alley named “<b>Ray’s Way</b>” which featured Andy Warhol-like
depictions of artists including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, Charlie Chaplin,
Elvis and more. I posed next to the bronze
sculpture of a guitar-playing street artist on a bench in front of the <b>Aurora
Theatre</b> beside two wooden “popcorn” containers which were possibly garbage bins? I watched steam rise out of the giant coffee
cup attached to <b>Taste Bistro</b> and wondered about “<b>The Bank</b>”,
thinking how quaint it was to only have one bank that did not need to be named,
before realizing that this was an old bank building that was now an event
space.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTOmkT7ZP67UO0O-jwttjWzAJU9tYSPWuMH6KzgkZZLd6xIWd8ZrRouYKydBbbQlF_9YHDYIoo6xP9DrCuZTTnH-HQ0w53nwBtOX32zpCUlzA3kkFk07Zmgm2Ue9_C4OPWPErs538Ib2Og6BdsBIqgFcZGxeOF13boGw9hAAELNS3Dbs7SBLwfH-D1j4/s1600/A3_East%20Aurora5%20-%20Villiers1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiTOmkT7ZP67UO0O-jwttjWzAJU9tYSPWuMH6KzgkZZLd6xIWd8ZrRouYKydBbbQlF_9YHDYIoo6xP9DrCuZTTnH-HQ0w53nwBtOX32zpCUlzA3kkFk07Zmgm2Ue9_C4OPWPErs538Ib2Og6BdsBIqgFcZGxeOF13boGw9hAAELNS3Dbs7SBLwfH-D1j4/w640-h160/A3_East%20Aurora5%20-%20Villiers1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The most interesting store in East Aurora is <b>Vidlers 5&10 Store</b>, touted as the world’s largest five and dime variety store. Open in 1930 by Robert S. Vidler as a single building of 900 square feet, Robert and later his sons Bob and Ed continued to expand the store so that by 1999, Vidlers spanned 4 connected buildings for a total of 20,000 square feet. In 2009, the large sculpture of a seated Ed Vidler (dubbed “Vidler on the Roof”) was installed. The store has been featured on TV commercials, as the backdrop for Christmas movies, and on magazines including Business Week and Martha Stewart Living. The gigantic store sells everything from items for the household, kitchen and barbeque, souvenirs, novelty, retro and nostalgia goods, candy, chips, beverages and other food items as well as an entire basement full of toys and games both new and classic. Their goofy array of specialty flavoured “soda pops” include mustard, pickle, buffalo wing and more. I didn’t want to find out whether the labels were just gimmicky, or the sodas actually tasted like the flavours that they advertised!<p></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvurm-f6myJEw4-o4SSknibenfFayeImzWuaCmvVAQUEdjwb9i_54wRbylOSYBPrAHesfjMl64bKYk7CPpq57belE0CqP9N2A0FjkXBtdOSsy4rycFFAnBWpYX3gculFxoa-wxbesJ34QZc91nZ0JaaoCAYIyvfwO4mRykh2IgyZloDxQmDpg6zHKY9Y/s1600/A3_East%20Aurora5%20-%20Villiers2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpvurm-f6myJEw4-o4SSknibenfFayeImzWuaCmvVAQUEdjwb9i_54wRbylOSYBPrAHesfjMl64bKYk7CPpq57belE0CqP9N2A0FjkXBtdOSsy4rycFFAnBWpYX3gculFxoa-wxbesJ34QZc91nZ0JaaoCAYIyvfwO4mRykh2IgyZloDxQmDpg6zHKY9Y/w640-h164/A3_East%20Aurora5%20-%20Villiers2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>We had so much fun wandering around the various departments within Vidler’s, finding kitschy gems such as Mama Zuma’s Hot Habanero Chips, Arnold Palmer branded Iced Tea, scantily leather-clad Biker Babe Gnomes, boxer shorts labeled "Trophy Husband" that I tried to convince Rich to buy, giant rubber chickens that I could have added to my collection, and aerosol spray duck fat, just to name a few. Rich was tempted by the Duck Fat but the high cost plus saner heads (mine) prevailed and we left empty-handed. The wide range of eclectic items at bargain basement prices sadly reminded me of the now defunct Honest Ed’s Emporium that used to reign in downtown Toronto. That was an institution that is sadly missed. </div><div><p></p><div>We really enjoyed East Aurora and given that it is only 30 minutes from Buffalo, I’m sure we will return for another visit.</div></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-47788928076680488992023-09-09T05:00:00.002-07:002023-11-17T04:04:03.398-08:00Pennsylvania & New York State Road Trip 2023<p>Facing a 3-month renovation of our 20-year-old condo, my husband Rich and I had to find other accommodations during this period. For the most part, we needed to be in town in order to answer questions and deal with any issues that might arise during a large renovation. But we also decided that this would be a great time to get away for a couple of weeks and thus planned a road trip in September that would take us through New York State and Pennsylvania. The route of this trip revolved around a long-time dream of mine, which was to rent and stay overnight at one of the Frank Lloyd Wright designed or inspired properties in <b>Polymath Park, PA</b>.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pHePKL82FLpI0SBSP5kYeEd7B5Ow-W2jCZwat4NNa8t-hxrABssheHE1Sp7_A_T0j8SUJKZy_IQw4zT373CGRt76d8HtxdckHkXErJfzTxcgRCfEYW4i3ljYNy5X1gAq36MVRiXy8g8Tn3murdY9EJ6Ifu3AvdnqnALaCzM7-iaAv5gXr5uZMR1pfnw/s1684/A0_RoadTrip.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1684" height="332" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3pHePKL82FLpI0SBSP5kYeEd7B5Ow-W2jCZwat4NNa8t-hxrABssheHE1Sp7_A_T0j8SUJKZy_IQw4zT373CGRt76d8HtxdckHkXErJfzTxcgRCfEYW4i3ljYNy5X1gAq36MVRiXy8g8Tn3murdY9EJ6Ifu3AvdnqnALaCzM7-iaAv5gXr5uZMR1pfnw/w640-h332/A0_RoadTrip.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The two-week trip that we planned turned into a bit of an architectural tour where we booked interesting accommodations of different design styles for each of our major stopping points. In <b>East Aurora, NY</b>, we would be staying at the <b>Roycroft Inn</b>, an<b> Arts and Crafts</b> styled hotel. In <b>Kane, PA</b>, we would spend two nights in the <b>Georgian</b>-styled <b>Kane Manor </b>once owned by a Civil War general. Our one night in <b>Polymath Park, PA</b> would be in the <b>Balter House</b>, a <b>Prairie-styled </b>house designed by Peter Berndtson, a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. The two houses actually designed by Wright himself were significantly more expensive to rent, but we could tour them the next morning. Moving on to <b>Pittsburgh</b> where we would stay 5 nights, we found the <b>Mansions on Fifth</b> which consisted of the main <b>McCook Mansion</b> in the <b>Elizabethan Revisionist</b> style owned by John McCook, attorney to Henry Clay Frick, as well as a smaller manor named <b>Amberson House</b> that McCook built for his daughter in the <b>Tudor </b>style. We ended up staying the Amberson House but still had access to the lobby and bar of the McCook Mansion, so it was the best of both worlds. Then finally on our last stop in <b>Buffalo</b>, we chose the <b>Richardson Hotel</b> which was once part of the Buffalo State Asylum for the Insane. It has since been renovated but still features immensely high ceilings and ridiculously long corridors. Originally designed by architect H.H.Richardson, the hotel is of course in the eponymous “<b>Richardsonian Romenesque</b>” architectural style, which was also used by architect E.J.Lennox to design the Old City Hall in Toronto.<p></p><p>In addition to admiring architectural design including tours of multiple Frank Lloyd Wright homes, our trip would also involve visits to art galleries in Pittsburgh and Buffalo, hiking in the <b>Allegheny National Forest</b>, exploring a sculpture garden and searching for “Phil” sculptures in <b>Punxsutawney</b>. We saw same fabulous sights of both man-made and natural beauty and had some amazing adventures on this trip. Details to follow...</p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-53603548484763540042023-05-13T05:38:00.163-07:002023-10-09T07:15:06.140-07:00New York 2023: Harlem Renaissance Tour<p>As part of our exploration of the upper west side of Manhattan, my husband Rich and I looked into the possibility of getting a tour of Harlem, which runs from 110th street north to 155th Street between 5th Avenue and the Hudson River. On our first visit together to New York City in 1999, we took a hop-on, hop-off bus tour around the city to get a feel for what was available to see. As the bus passed through Harlem, the bus driver warned the passengers that we could get off if we wanted to, but he advised against it. Between the 1960s to the end of the 20th century, the area was rife with drugs, crime and poverty. Since then, large parts of this area have been cleaned up and gentrified significantly. Harlem is now a thriving community that is safe to visit. It also boasts a fascinating cultural history that we were interested in learning more about.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOatdKfRaz-wexCHTbEOX6FaKzo6-kqylE0kkJRWplZFGtHsB9gowNmwreIqA9kpmRckNMmh5GUlOv4Zr3qrSfl2X2bf0SNRvzYzy0qUkXvxNFLgA5OLAwo6pH_yrCI2EexyL9ZdTvqwagmFXiU8eJUcoItXkF5wajPV4YU1-DNsvgvllrmmPgreKY10/s1600/D1_Harlem1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSOatdKfRaz-wexCHTbEOX6FaKzo6-kqylE0kkJRWplZFGtHsB9gowNmwreIqA9kpmRckNMmh5GUlOv4Zr3qrSfl2X2bf0SNRvzYzy0qUkXvxNFLgA5OLAwo6pH_yrCI2EexyL9ZdTvqwagmFXiU8eJUcoItXkF5wajPV4YU1-DNsvgvllrmmPgreKY10/w640-h162/D1_Harlem1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>During the pandemic, my friends and I entertained ourselves by researching and giving weekly art talks on Zoom. One of my topics focused on<b> Jacob Lawrence,</b> an African-American painter associated with the “Harlem Renaissance”. This was period in US history spanning 1918-mid 1930s that saw a burst of creativity from the African American community especially in New York’s Harlem district in the areas of art (e.g. Jacob Lawrence, Aaron Douglas, Augusta Savage), music (e.g. Duke Ellington, Fats Waller) and literature (e.g.Langston Hughes). Thus we were delighted when we found a walking tour of Harlem that was titled “<b><a href="https://welcometoharlem.com/tour/harlem-renaissance-walking-tour-with-lunch/" target="_blank">Harlem Renaissance plus Lunch</a></b>” and quickly signed up for this. We took the subway to the West 125th station, then walked back to 122nd St. where our tour would start, taking note of the vibrant street art on the bustling streets along the way.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJYsoxBUdkeI9r6e0evEY1X5PyZnPoe734x7UPUHBPy4mdVa0gN2xsvkJr8H_9v9LcRTITWTZfdy1h4JVLMt4bLbT0xwwSID0rVQbN1kjmrvqCm6K_JqzPUT4A2MsNi00sWJSSM56QehR4bEInj-amEn7VnOneJhhDdXIx34By-uKhLOgm6emrP_sPrY/s1552/D1_Harlem1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="377" data-original-width="1552" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJYsoxBUdkeI9r6e0evEY1X5PyZnPoe734x7UPUHBPy4mdVa0gN2xsvkJr8H_9v9LcRTITWTZfdy1h4JVLMt4bLbT0xwwSID0rVQbN1kjmrvqCm6K_JqzPUT4A2MsNi00sWJSSM56QehR4bEInj-amEn7VnOneJhhDdXIx34By-uKhLOgm6emrP_sPrY/w640-h156/D1_Harlem1a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While walking east on West 125th Street to the starting point of the tour, we crossed two major boulevards named after important figures in African American history. The first boulevard is named after abolitionist and statesman <b>Frederick Douglass</b> whose sculpture we encountered at the<a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2023/05/new-york-2023-museums-in-west-manhattan.html" target="_blank"> New York Historical Society</a>. The second is <b>Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard</b>, named in honour of the American Baptist pastor who served as a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives for almost 3 decades and acted as a powerful national spokesperson on civil rights. His statue stands in front of the <b>Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office</b> where the boulevard intersects West 125th Street. We would pass by this building again on our tour. We also took notice of the elegant sign for the old <b>Victoria Theatre </b>which has been converted into a restaurant, bar, ballroom, event space, hotel and eventually, spaces for live theatre. Images of the restaurant show a staircase that honours the old jazz greats including Louis, Ella, Billie, Duke, etc. (no last names required). We also went by the striking building of the “<b>Greater Refuge Temple</b>” founded in 1919 and moved to its current location (formerly a dance hall known as the Harlem Casino) in 1945. The colourful façade consisting of multi-hued elongated vertical panels were added in the late 1960s.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo72vfOp_WX_gxoaxOm5r2X8PLYoJCUNLdlrK9T1flphInMp7SuUtvwQgDC0sZ8t0q-ci5aT6vWCJB_xBuiANPfCqKNW_JgZ97w6N6HvG8p7Hq9UxmYtMX7YsGk1E3QdVulQDO8i1Din5urpEyDg79faHvH4QfRV5y0mF5sOuE9_0Rk0tRQMflBiwaMc/s1597/D1_Harlem2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="1597" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijo72vfOp_WX_gxoaxOm5r2X8PLYoJCUNLdlrK9T1flphInMp7SuUtvwQgDC0sZ8t0q-ci5aT6vWCJB_xBuiANPfCqKNW_JgZ97w6N6HvG8p7Hq9UxmYtMX7YsGk1E3QdVulQDO8i1Din5urpEyDg79faHvH4QfRV5y0mF5sOuE9_0Rk0tRQMflBiwaMc/w640-h166/D1_Harlem2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we finally reached the house where the tour would start, we were amazed by the <b>gorgeous brownstone buildings</b> in the area. We still had our 1999 impressions of a Harlem that had rundown buildings in desperate need of repair. This might still be the state in different parts of Harlem but certainly not in this neighbourhood where the beautifully restored buildings featured intricate, ornate designs carved in red sandstone. Today many of these buildings would be subdivided into multiple apartment units. We entered the apartment that was the meeting point for the tour and found the interior also renovated with a brick wall covered with African masks and a cool spiral staircase leading to a second floor. On the coffee table was a <b>Harlem version of Monopoly</b> where the squares represent important historical sites relating to the Harlem Renaissance period. Our tour guide Doris had lived in the neighbourhood her entire life and pointed to the steps or stoop where she would play double-dutch (a skipping game) as a child and have her hair braided.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcmno0dLeSqqJwFd8b6iZ4_OeqeLIDKbhyh6Q8JsLd53Cq5KvIa-jecc_L4tLMHNIvb197SJJvst35_mt8DP2OldPHZ8XSoJyuvre_eSfNjxCDutmCPaWnts-lr9C0Ydjulz0cHHyOB1GejI7jLHZ0aMCpeAlNO2Qdmi_RvvbUinuTiOC8OTWdRdHEME/s1600/D1_Harlem3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="445" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcmno0dLeSqqJwFd8b6iZ4_OeqeLIDKbhyh6Q8JsLd53Cq5KvIa-jecc_L4tLMHNIvb197SJJvst35_mt8DP2OldPHZ8XSoJyuvre_eSfNjxCDutmCPaWnts-lr9C0Ydjulz0cHHyOB1GejI7jLHZ0aMCpeAlNO2Qdmi_RvvbUinuTiOC8OTWdRdHEME/w640-h178/D1_Harlem3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Across the street from our starting point was a sculpture of “<b>Mother” Clara Hall</b>, a humanitarian who founded Hale House Centre, a home for disadvantaged children including those born addicted to drugs due to drug use by their mothers. From there, we were off on our walking tour which would take us from West 116th north to West 135th Street between Frederick Douglass Boulevard to the west and Lenox Avenue, which was co-named<b> Malcolm X Boulevard </b>in 1987, to the east. Since 1984, West 125th Street was also co-named <b>Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard</b> so that the major roads in Harlem honour significant Black figures from American history. At West 123rd St is the <b>Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church</b> which poignantly has a sign saying “This Church is not affiliated with the church on the corner. WE support President Barack Obama”, distancing themselves from the adjacent Atlah World Ministry Church which displayed hateful signs railing against both Obama and homosexuals. Continuing on, we reached <b>Marcus Garvey Park</b> which is named after a publisher and activist for black nationalism. It is also known as the Mount Morris Park after the historical district that was first settled by the Dutch in 1658 in the area they called Nieuw Haerlem. That would explain the Dutch architecture in the surrounding homes. Doris pointed out the field in the park where Prince Harry played baseball with a group of children in 2013. As we walked by, she also showed us the former house of poet and civil right activist <b>Maya Angelou</b> on West 120th Street and the bakery that <b>Oprah</b> frequents when in the area.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKU0IrONClp1nHdEq0DwpNya4zJZv4AA1LluZydDPobqhsNTdOauCpAIzfQz3B0LpIbnUkLbSLRt8yc3osconAQL_MDaQFtuQ-CeFl_1NSQRJMkszo1G12AoZalG523ElnV-zCtETyaOdRqFEmMlPgIaLVU7J-NK9Z8pusOrv0ops3J84R9HJvlO3VIM/s1600/D1_Harlem4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbKU0IrONClp1nHdEq0DwpNya4zJZv4AA1LluZydDPobqhsNTdOauCpAIzfQz3B0LpIbnUkLbSLRt8yc3osconAQL_MDaQFtuQ-CeFl_1NSQRJMkszo1G12AoZalG523ElnV-zCtETyaOdRqFEmMlPgIaLVU7J-NK9Z8pusOrv0ops3J84R9HJvlO3VIM/w640-h164/D1_Harlem4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We next saw the <b>Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Mosque,</b> a Sunni Muslim mosque also known as Mosque #7. It was renamed in 1976 to honour the memory and contributions of <b>Malcolm X</b>. We actually spotted the unique green dome from afar and wondered what it was. There are so many buildings of worship in Harlem that represent different religions and denominations. It is fascinating to see the different architectural styles of each of them. We had already passed the colourful Greater Refuge Temple and the Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church which happens to be on an intersection (23rd and Malcolm X Blvd) where the <b>Ephesus Seventh-Day Adventurist Church </b>and the <b>St. Marks Holy Tabernacle</b> can also be found. On our tour, we also passed by the <b>First Corinthian Baptist Church</b> and the <b>Mount Morris Ascension Presbyterian Church</b>, each beautiful in its own right. We actually didn’t make it as far north as the Abyssinian Baptist Church where both Adam Clayton Powell Sr. and Jr. were ministers.<p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywbElo_RSRgGpB0Y35zBWaQ5lH-p-2LONWOn0Qeexilc7pBWgsiy3D2Lh7Q8frgBCyD0qndY3eCWR9cqC5TAOSDkHAmRxneS_zC9eagtYV_4kiiMx7K_F9GdWqKCcQ1_SssMQCpl4xIj4DsFzcIBDjKRcN8Dwfdur3lqohbGMjFlOg_cev7EgdNKCpQI/s1600/D1_Harlem5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiywbElo_RSRgGpB0Y35zBWaQ5lH-p-2LONWOn0Qeexilc7pBWgsiy3D2Lh7Q8frgBCyD0qndY3eCWR9cqC5TAOSDkHAmRxneS_zC9eagtYV_4kiiMx7K_F9GdWqKCcQ1_SssMQCpl4xIj4DsFzcIBDjKRcN8Dwfdur3lqohbGMjFlOg_cev7EgdNKCpQI/w640-h154/D1_Harlem5.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b>Minton’s Playhouse</b> is a jazz club and bar located at the corner of West 118th Street and St. Nicholas Ave., inside the Cecil Hotel. Founded by saxophonist <b>Henry Minton</b> in 1938, it is known as the place where the jazz style <b>bebop</b> was developed. Artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk held jam sessions there. To commemorate the importance of this location, a special street sign designates this corner “<b>Bebop Blvd</b>”. At West 122nd St. and Frederick Douglass Blvd can be found the memorial to abolitionist and Underground Railroad leader <b>Harriet Tubman</b>, a slave in the South who not only escaped herself but returned multiple times at great personal risk to lead other friends and family to freedom in the North. The large-scale 13-foot-tall bronze sculpture, known as “<b>Swing Low</b>”, depicts Tubman as a metaphorical freight train barreling forward despite the roots of slavery at her back trying to hold her down. Imprinted on her skirt are the faces of former slaves who Tubman helped to escape while plaques at the base of the sculpture depict events from Tubman’s life. A few streets north at the corner of West 125th street is a beautiful mosaic by Louis Del Sarte titled “<b>Spirit of Harlem</b>”, commissioned in 2005. For a brief period of time, the mural was bricked over by Foot Locker who took over the building whose wall it was on, but public protest quickly led to a reversal of this undertaking. What a great example of the spirit of the people of Harlem in action!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW70sXn40Xj3UJLcVepCPWrlvGvo55mjb1jbPNfAv8gA0hVzUp1SCkkEpmMaYUN3sb_rQot2zeNf2u2WMU1pTcKiFGqDV2mpG__iZxlVbl9PVg6uITohNG3CBsLbhLRn7YTwSeLiEMDxDuj21L585Yzp8ajFCrMm3m2lO0eyTSOQdDNLYJ9bjNrMOHFI/s1600/D1_Harlem6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeW70sXn40Xj3UJLcVepCPWrlvGvo55mjb1jbPNfAv8gA0hVzUp1SCkkEpmMaYUN3sb_rQot2zeNf2u2WMU1pTcKiFGqDV2mpG__iZxlVbl9PVg6uITohNG3CBsLbhLRn7YTwSeLiEMDxDuj21L585Yzp8ajFCrMm3m2lO0eyTSOQdDNLYJ9bjNrMOHFI/w640-h156/D1_Harlem6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading east on West 125th St., we finally reached the <b>Apollo Theatre,</b> arguably the most famous cultural landmark in Harlem. Open since 1914, the Apollo played an important role in promoting jazz, swing, bebop, rhythm and blues, gospel, blues and soul music. Plaques on the sidewalk in front of the theatre boasts some of the more famous performers including Aretha Franklin, Ella Fitzgerald, Little Richard, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie and more. Continuing down the street, we passed the <b>Hotel Teresa</b>, a historical landmark that was a vibrant centre of African American life in the mid-20th Century. As one of the few prestigious hotels to accept black guests, famous musicians, athletes, performers and businessmen stayed here including Malcolm X, Louis Armstrong, Josephine Baker, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mohammed Ali, Jimi Hendrix, Dorothy Dandridge and Ray Charles. Even Fidel Castrol stayed at Hotel Teresa during his visit in 1960. Passing by the Adam Clayton Powell Jr. State Office for the second time, we next stopped at a large mural spanning the side wall of the <b>Corner Social Restaurant. </b>The original work was a result of a<b> mural contest in 2012 </b>that was won by artist Paul Deo. His mural, painted to resemble a collage, depicted Harlem’s history, culture and landmarks. It featured famous and inspirational figures such as Josephine Baker, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou and more. The Apollo Theatre was highlighted as a hotspot for Harlem night life. The mural seems to have been updated since then, but the overall themes remain the same. From this vantage point, we could see the building where after his presidency, Bill Clinton kept an office from 2001 through 2011.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9DLwxpeaD1j3xZ9jNnJyiPs70yMho49CwAkYQ3UFFaCS568NGDSLjHqWsCldJKVra-75iqSckV6bUUHY_pJHBFDDRIuQ1shygTnavZOJqiqYriSf714f2CZ7WG2paGWmDjeyaH5hm56teZHqerEA3xgOBw4tBaFtsKKaXm3-Fc5ldHzDELZovvbk26U/s1600/D1_Harlem7%20-%20Food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm9DLwxpeaD1j3xZ9jNnJyiPs70yMho49CwAkYQ3UFFaCS568NGDSLjHqWsCldJKVra-75iqSckV6bUUHY_pJHBFDDRIuQ1shygTnavZOJqiqYriSf714f2CZ7WG2paGWmDjeyaH5hm56teZHqerEA3xgOBw4tBaFtsKKaXm3-Fc5ldHzDELZovvbk26U/w640-h186/D1_Harlem7%20-%20Food.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were promised lunch as part of this Harlem Renaissance tour, but we actually had a couple of eating experiences before that official meal. Walking along Malcolm X Blvd., our tour guide Doris bragged about <b>Mo’s Famous Burgers food truck </b>which offered the cheapest hot dog in Manhattan. This was a Harlem culinary experience that we needed to participate in, so our tour group lined up for a hot dog and large drink, which came to $4 including a small tip. Next Doris brought us to <b>Lee Lee’s Bakery</b> where she bought us each a delicious handmade rugelach, a Jewish treat of a croissant shaped pastry filled with chocolate or apricot (Rich and I shared one of each). Owner Alvin Lee Smalls has been running the shop since 1988. Then after walking all over Harlem for a few hours, we finally stopped for lunch at<b> Jacob’s Soul Food Restaurant</b>. Each person was given a box to fill with options from a large buffet that included fried chicken, oxtail, candied yams, collard greens, fresh salads and fruit and more. We had a lovely meal on the outdoor patio and thought that this was the end of the tour. Rich and I gave Doris a tip, thanked her for a wonderful tour and prepared to leave when she asked whether we were staying for the rest of the tour? There was more to come after lunch!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQMh9VY7jfhF_hmIoWx9PNEy0eySVFooWmzRqlVHcr-5t2EMj3REn3x_I53TXlOD0mADrq7pXOoLCPs_m4w4u8GoOsSFckrIRHwRWE3A812KC7ORrvkQAAFcJRqJkyUrrPF_ROUXEx2VyokctbccUoD7RKq9QgUJVAjxujhItwvJA0Kr4mCZ0A_eheY/s1600/D1_Harlem8%20-%20Jazz.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNQMh9VY7jfhF_hmIoWx9PNEy0eySVFooWmzRqlVHcr-5t2EMj3REn3x_I53TXlOD0mADrq7pXOoLCPs_m4w4u8GoOsSFckrIRHwRWE3A812KC7ORrvkQAAFcJRqJkyUrrPF_ROUXEx2VyokctbccUoD7RKq9QgUJVAjxujhItwvJA0Kr4mCZ0A_eheY/w640-h166/D1_Harlem8%20-%20Jazz.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Soldiering on, we next visited the <b>National Museum of Jazz</b>, which is a not-for-profit museum aimed at honouring the Jazz greats of the past who frequented Harlem including Duke Ellington, Benny Carter, Thelonious Monk, Charlie Parker, Charles Mingus, Count Basie, John Coltrane, and Billie Holiday. Its mission was also to continue fostering interest in jazz music in the current day by holding regular concerts as well as educational events and lecture series. One of the prized possessions of the museum is a piano once owned by Duke Ellington while the tenor saxophone of Eddie “Jawlock” Davis is also prominently featured. A large poster titled “Sounds of Harlem” illustrates a map of all the night clubs that used to be popular including “The Cotton Club” starring Cab Calloway’s Band, La Fayette Theatre, Club Hot-Cha and more. Photos and posters of jazz greats such as Billie “Lady Day” Holiday are on display as well as books, recordings and documentaries. Several displays reference the recent Pixar animated movie Soul about a piano teacher who dreams of playing Jazz professionally.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNE4oBJX33HXEeMAyrgVz30XQ3Clvj1YkxUW5X4sHuYSe2OFgEOKk5kSMwvSdAHRYHfXEjoW38zs8c-52h1BDaj1Un7tR3mi-dyySQC5nBN_7jjy4i1ZvUOPLxMFqGKRlKD-AyJmM-jyj5OAV1tRXU3dk3ssQWXQLTMvCxUQp50EWJhBj1XHURfkUkPA/s1600/D1_Harlem9a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNE4oBJX33HXEeMAyrgVz30XQ3Clvj1YkxUW5X4sHuYSe2OFgEOKk5kSMwvSdAHRYHfXEjoW38zs8c-52h1BDaj1Un7tR3mi-dyySQC5nBN_7jjy4i1ZvUOPLxMFqGKRlKD-AyJmM-jyj5OAV1tRXU3dk3ssQWXQLTMvCxUQp50EWJhBj1XHURfkUkPA/w640-h162/D1_Harlem9a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our final stop was at the <b>Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture</b> which is a division of the New York Public Library system that focuses on research, preservation and exhibition of materials related to African American experiences. It features a large collection of artifacts and diverse programming promoting Black history, arts and culture. A portrait of scholar, historian and collector <b>Arturo Schomburg</b> is hung in the lobby of the centre. The donation of his personal collection formed the basis of the institution that was named in his honour. The “<b>Langston Hughes Lobby</b>” is named after the American writer, activist and innovator of the literary art form “jazz poetry”. A steel book-like container containing his ashes are buried underneath the lobby floor, which is decorated with an art piece called “<b>Rivers</b>” that contains text from Hughes’ poem “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. The<b> Aaron Douglas Reading Room</b> is dedicated to the American painter and visual arts educator who was a major figure in the Harlem Renaissance. Four panels of his murals titled “Aspects of Negro Life” are hung in various spaces throughout the building including in this reading room.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX580czE7p4XwcNzFsd874LvinGHbELAhFTyt2chcHE3u4CtV3J7ywdix7jcSROpEcGp-GduspWTj28yXNd_uIRJlqW41mqrLXOdkszEyjME11RKTuJQHGJSZ_UDK4-z-0nvbaRurzBslmtA1wXBUUu_hP24lzp-0_lNB53Pc_lXqrQg_GPPRxQ5KC-So/s1600/D1_Harlem9b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX580czE7p4XwcNzFsd874LvinGHbELAhFTyt2chcHE3u4CtV3J7ywdix7jcSROpEcGp-GduspWTj28yXNd_uIRJlqW41mqrLXOdkszEyjME11RKTuJQHGJSZ_UDK4-z-0nvbaRurzBslmtA1wXBUUu_hP24lzp-0_lNB53Pc_lXqrQg_GPPRxQ5KC-So/w640-h170/D1_Harlem9b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The major exhibition on display during our visit was titled “<b>Marking Time: Art in the Age of Mass Incarceration</b>” which explores the impact of the U.S. prison system on contemporary art including pieces created by prisoners during their incarceration, as well as artists who reference the penal system in their works. Between 2014-2022, Prisoner Mark Loughney created a series of over 700 portraits of other inmates which he drew using graphite and ink on paper. In contrast to the mug shots taken at their time of arrest, these beautifully drawn and personal portraits humanize the inmates. Gilberto Rivera created a collage made of prison clothing, prison reports, newspapers, floor wax and acrylic paint which he titled “An Institutional Nightmare” to protest the dehumanization he felt during his imprisonment. Also in the exhibition was a sculpture made from prison cafeteria trays. Another sculpture created to resemble the tables and stools found in prisoner visiting rooms was created by Sable Elyse Smith based on her experiences as a child visiting her father while he was in jail. The work is created in blue as a reference to “prison blues”, blues music as well as the colour of her father’s prison garb.</div><div><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewPrqkCnJk-lpC_TMIibq-c-vQRV80FKvxKVjjr6vK7eMcPkPA2SPYr3t-Q-R1pLZTFPJoLzg7IgguQ86VZLZGP16Odz9R0srraRnicKh_VoROc44yOrClUGg_c9vTfVaHEbpPppBs-uOVir9bTHaT_XUzbZzivgUFMArrGxX_0aWbtqK5ljq6ErHrKg/s1600/D1_Harlem9c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewPrqkCnJk-lpC_TMIibq-c-vQRV80FKvxKVjjr6vK7eMcPkPA2SPYr3t-Q-R1pLZTFPJoLzg7IgguQ86VZLZGP16Odz9R0srraRnicKh_VoROc44yOrClUGg_c9vTfVaHEbpPppBs-uOVir9bTHaT_XUzbZzivgUFMArrGxX_0aWbtqK5ljq6ErHrKg/w640-h162/D1_Harlem9c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There were many very impressive paintings in this exhibition that depicted prison life. The use of different media was interesting. Following his incarnation, Henry Frank created a Lego sculpture titled “Mind Prison” showing the different experiences of prisoners who received visitors versus those who did not. While in his cell at night, Dean Gillispie created a series of amazing miniatures that reflected his memories of his rural youth including a 1960s Airstream diner, ice cream parlor and gas station, all made from materials he could find in prison such as cigarette wrappers and tea bags, plus any contraband materials that he could procure. Another inmate created images using quilting techniques that reflected his heritage in Pennsylvania where generations of his family were quilters.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9ZNSHwixaeNwTh0XcqGjatqezAmyceD-fgMS0T62eOMpY3ZicGPrQGOuRfnvwFjWzX1tegPCeiirBelsThEmFpAJDHdtn390GBgsRL-71q-I_qIqK3Z2mzMKL22c3x5tv6sCEmQpLEKfWAPfqDe3zgUX489oReer_sola0KbahmxwhtY9poovTjL0fI/s1600/IMG_9999_229%20W135th%20St%20(2).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9ZNSHwixaeNwTh0XcqGjatqezAmyceD-fgMS0T62eOMpY3ZicGPrQGOuRfnvwFjWzX1tegPCeiirBelsThEmFpAJDHdtn390GBgsRL-71q-I_qIqK3Z2mzMKL22c3x5tv6sCEmQpLEKfWAPfqDe3zgUX489oReer_sola0KbahmxwhtY9poovTjL0fI/w400-h300/IMG_9999_229%20W135th%20St%20(2).JPG" width="400" /></a></div>After touring the Schomburg Centre, our lengthy tour was finally over. Exhausted but chastened by the fact that our tour guide who probably had 3 decades on us did not seem the least bit tired, we made the trek across West 135th Street back to the subway. Along the way, we passed one last reminder of the Harlem Renaissance—two gigantic street art murals of <b>Dizzy Gillespie</b> in honour of what would have been his 100th birthday. We want to return to New York next year for the upcoming exhibition on the at the MET titled “Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism” to learn more about this thrilling and culturally invigorating time.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-82853132349299431502023-05-12T06:43:00.000-07:002023-09-15T04:29:08.365-07:00New York 2023: Dining in Hell's Kitchen and around Manhattan<p>There were so many good restaurants in the <b>Hell’s Kitchen</b> area where my husband Rich and I were staying, and they were not as touristy as the eateries located in the Broadway district. We selected an eclectic group of restaurants that gave us a variety of tastes and dining experiences. New York is one of the few cities that rival Toronto in terms of the range and variety of ethnic restaurants to choose from. I wrote in a <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2023/05/new-york-city-2023-remembering-how-to.html" target="_blank">previous blog post</a> about all the different ways that various restaurants processed credit cards. It still boggles the mind that a cosmopolitan city like New York cannot create a standardized payment system.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRLY4HXFSejB57mL9NZfUmfRTIH7T4Nd3m-5C9v9XOWGvAyPm1rAwHzi5t1-kce058aA-H9WNGXV9AianURV8VdGe-Y0LI9Al2aHj31hexxJ8wLw8myz6mmrCroz2v6n-U7oJBoe3Tl1nbYtaxPZToVmJ1ixWO-uoNf0BbJqpZuXWGHaonRj12ZDZSVw/s1600/E1_44X.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhRLY4HXFSejB57mL9NZfUmfRTIH7T4Nd3m-5C9v9XOWGvAyPm1rAwHzi5t1-kce058aA-H9WNGXV9AianURV8VdGe-Y0LI9Al2aHj31hexxJ8wLw8myz6mmrCroz2v6n-U7oJBoe3Tl1nbYtaxPZToVmJ1ixWO-uoNf0BbJqpZuXWGHaonRj12ZDZSVw/w640-h162/E1_44X.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first dinner on this Manhattan trip was at <b>44 and X,</b> a great <b>continental restauran</b>t located at the corner of West 44th Street and 10th Avenue (thus the name of the restaurant) that offers meats and seafood entrees with interesting sides. We started off with a cocktail and loved the selections which were all cleverly named after the current slate of shows on Broadway. These included &Mule-iet, Rum Like it Hot, Tequila Mockingbird (very punny), Bad Ginger-ella and Camel-latte (after Camelot). We selected a <b>Ginberly Akimbo</b> (gin with rosemary syrup, grapefruit juice and prosecco) in honour of the first Broadway show that we would watch and wondered whether the same drinks get renamed as shows change or if this restaurant comes up with new recipes repeatedly? There were so many starters to choose from that it was hard to decide, but we eventually picked the pan seared diver sea scallops with roasted celery root purée with grilled sweet Italian sausage and a sherry port wine reduction, as well as the ravioli stuffed with lobster, lump crab, baby spinach, roasted wild mushroom, melted Manchego cheese, and ancho chili and coconut broth. For my main course, I chose the pan roasted mahi-mahi with wild mushrooms, baby spinach and goat cheese risotto, topped with a bourbon chipotle barbeque glaze while rich had breaded black cod with seasonal vegetables. The food was excellent, but the most memorable part of this meal was the <b>hilarious drink menu.</b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgNk4f65cpdYX4EmbUGHxcRcVtAeUT6sMlmoFQY0gQ6zMlQ4C0N8ZPn1dfHWRAs3xaFN-iOJPV6D3tr4RiNRiQCClrnZm-LxZnNz7LTUzc7ityrIZ4KQeVRJFXyRfLosx4QR3oDg9jFFeEWQUz2JEQo54D6It_how9AS1-oZA5z0WsA9gI07805l1RYk/s1600/E2_Lumlum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgNk4f65cpdYX4EmbUGHxcRcVtAeUT6sMlmoFQY0gQ6zMlQ4C0N8ZPn1dfHWRAs3xaFN-iOJPV6D3tr4RiNRiQCClrnZm-LxZnNz7LTUzc7ityrIZ4KQeVRJFXyRfLosx4QR3oDg9jFFeEWQUz2JEQo54D6It_how9AS1-oZA5z0WsA9gI07805l1RYk/w640-h160/E2_Lumlum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our favourite meal of the trip was at<b> Lumlum</b> (49th St. and 9th Ave.), an <b>authentic Thai</b> restaurant in a small, intimate setting with fun, kitschy décor and fabulous dishes that were unique and bursting with flavour. The walls were covered with bamboo sticks, the seats were made of wicker and the light fixtures were covered with woven straw that gave the place a tiki-bar feel. We only allocated 1.5 hours to have our meal and get to our Broadway show so initially we just ordered main courses. These included Crying Tiger, consisting of Thai-styled spiced ribeye steak cooked medium rare with garlic fried rice, fried shallots and a marinated raw egg, stir-fried morning glory (a Chinese water spinach) covered with fried shallots, and the highlight of the meal, a crispy roasted duck in green curry sauce with Thai eggplant and basil. We were busy feasting on these dishes when we saw the crispy fried chive dumplings with chili sauce go by en route to another table. They looked so good that we could not resist ordering some for ourselves. Luckily the appetizer came quickly and was definitely worth the wait. The dumplings were crispy on the outside but chewy on the inside and so good! This restaurant should be “YumYum”. We want to come back here on our next trip to try some more dishes. We did not order a cocktail (Rich ordered a lager beer) but we spotted a cool drink at another table. Reading the menu, we think it was the Siam Smiles, made with vodka, lychee, and yuzu (citrus fruit mix between lemon, bitter grapefruit and sweet orange). I’m not sure I would want to drink it, but it certainly looked fascinating with the large pieces of lychee around the rim.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOQVOhM-hKxRg2rQpMC27jExNUwjwDRZvEvtoflERqAuwaLX65t4lPmmkf464iW0bNHpRzcPk9b78uj8ABzt1NilO3T4STuCUQaxfdllJ5y8bcFyu_r4Tf-8I6SQlOi7j7bfjqxyB4n3_MhymIMjkMeQQK4JXkWK7ZpxcjfcxzPE1JB0aXQmbOvtxifs/s1600/E3_Bouqueria1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoOQVOhM-hKxRg2rQpMC27jExNUwjwDRZvEvtoflERqAuwaLX65t4lPmmkf464iW0bNHpRzcPk9b78uj8ABzt1NilO3T4STuCUQaxfdllJ5y8bcFyu_r4Tf-8I6SQlOi7j7bfjqxyB4n3_MhymIMjkMeQQK4JXkWK7ZpxcjfcxzPE1JB0aXQmbOvtxifs/w640-h162/E3_Bouqueria1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next evening, we had <b>Spanish tapas</b> at <b>Bouqueria West 40</b> (40th St. and 8th Ave.), a lively, Barcelona-inspired tapas bar serving Spanish classics and seasonal specials. I love tapas (as well as dim sum) since you get to sample a small amount of a lot of different foods. We allocated two hours for this meal so that we could savour the many dishes before heading out to our next show. We started with seasonal Sangria which was mixed with pineapple juice before settling into our variety of dishes. We had Escalavida (roasted eggplant, red pepper, onion, yogurt, herbs and olive oil served with Foccacia bread), Ensalada de Alcachofa (crispy artichokes, arugula, Mahón cheese, lemon zest and garlic dressing), Croquetas de Setas (mushroom croquettes with truffle aioli), Esparragos con Romesco (grilled asparagus, grilled hazelnuts, romesco cheese, lemon zest and Manchego cheese), Gambas al Ajillo (shrimp, garlic, brandy, lobster reduction, Guindilla pepper in olive oil), and Iberico con Salbitxada (premium Iberico pork seared medium-rare, Marcona almond, Salbitxada sauce, sherry, vinegar, fried egg). This last dish was about four times more expensive than any other dish because of the special pork featured in it. The pork comes from “Spain’s prized pure-bred black Iberian pigs allowed to roam the hills of Andalusia eating grass, roots and acorns resulting in rich nutty flavours and distinct marbling”. I think these pigs had lifestyles that rivaled the Japanese Kobi beef cows until their time was up! We finished off our meal with Buñuelos Dulces (anise fritters with lemon curd and sugar) and cafes con leche.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghllsSwewo1Adxa4dXblr9ZB-mXL_8445-IcZQV-zx4GaYRX__KwvGfS_Fhu7LbwuZsj5QfiHjZywkq2AKLMqszHwNmIc3lkoOMFlBDsbwJypzsvzpehO3d4X2sywYSCrZLkBfZhabYrDm2xnJkZQQtt6F03fnZwgVWurDYGeuLdQj2ExjnMCj0p149YE/s1600/E4_Chai.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghllsSwewo1Adxa4dXblr9ZB-mXL_8445-IcZQV-zx4GaYRX__KwvGfS_Fhu7LbwuZsj5QfiHjZywkq2AKLMqszHwNmIc3lkoOMFlBDsbwJypzsvzpehO3d4X2sywYSCrZLkBfZhabYrDm2xnJkZQQtt6F03fnZwgVWurDYGeuLdQj2ExjnMCj0p149YE/w640-h156/E4_Chai.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On our fourth night, we went to a <b>high-end Chinese </b>restaurant named <b>Chai </b>(46th St. between 8th and 9th Aves.) and once again we only allocated 1.5 hours before our show since for some reason, Rich decided that Asian restaurants took less time. Perhaps he was thinking of the Chinese restaurants back in Toronto, but this was not the case for the ones in Manhattan. The meal started off well enough with our appetizer order of crispy duck spring rolls arriving almost immediately. But then we waited and waited for the rest of our order, chatting to pass the time. After 30 minutes while watching others who came in after us get their food, we repeatedly tried to flag down a waiter, but it did not help that there was no specific waiter assigned to our table. They all seemed to float around interchangeably. In the meantime we had noticed another table being served a vial of reddish-purple juice that turned out to be homemade plum juice osmanthus, which is a flowering plant. Finally getting the attention of a waiter, we asked to check on our meal and also ordered a vial of the plum juice. Another 15 minutes went by without food and by now it was too late for us to eat it and still make our show. We flagged down yet another waiter, who admitted that the first waiter had forgotten to place our order and now the kitchen was backlogged. Quite annoyed but now late, we asked to be billed for the food and drink that we did get and to cancel the rest of the order. This brought out a really apologetic manager who told us to forget about the bill and to please come back another time. This was a wise gesture that tempered our opinion of the restaurant. Despite the poor service that we received, the one dish that we got to eat was actually really good and the rest of the food on the menu looks great. So we may try it once more on our next trip, but maybe not when we are rushing to see a show.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIALOvejlqbevRseOnhGs6Bu3H8wQP5ZlSwNdGJ7Urg8maWzzAwcber4h_5oDwljKe5rZG4Nb6MOZlWJ1zoOjOhkC1aUsWMo5Ui184W__23v2SdfgBArY60rEGr3C7X9W9O5m5IM-7bcEFy24Q3gExFxheCjCopaOVlF1-M8HX-B_oGgLKNqy036w5MA/s1600/E5_Sardis1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLIALOvejlqbevRseOnhGs6Bu3H8wQP5ZlSwNdGJ7Urg8maWzzAwcber4h_5oDwljKe5rZG4Nb6MOZlWJ1zoOjOhkC1aUsWMo5Ui184W__23v2SdfgBArY60rEGr3C7X9W9O5m5IM-7bcEFy24Q3gExFxheCjCopaOVlF1-M8HX-B_oGgLKNqy036w5MA/w640-h156/E5_Sardis1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our dinner at <b>Sardi’s</b> (8th Ave. and West 44th St.) in the heart of Broadway was not as memorable for the food as for the over 1000 <b>iconic caricatures</b> which are hung in multiple rows on every wall of the two-storied restaurant. It was so much fun scanning the restaurant to see whose portraits we could identify. Many of them were actors and actresses from before our times and unrecognizable by us. But we did see ones that we knew, although some likenesses were a bit more nebulous than others. In some cases, it helped when some of the drawings were autographed by the subject. Right above our heads at the table where we were seated, we spotted Carol Burnett, David Hyde Pierce, Chita Rivera, John Lithgow, John Goodman, and Kathleen Turner. Wandering around the ground and second floors (enroute to the washroom, but really to see more images), I found Bob Hope, Barbara Streisand, Shirley Jones, Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, Alan Cummings, Josh Groban and more.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Inw8YLdxZC42vuxTpBStZrr81UXC0-oLuzyS-u_zwY3xbwkr4G6MUuUMcSEzKTAxO2uOVTPnyfCADj5hOWmJM2WszW03d516OHh6B88wXjYM5lt6oJx4vYprvztzBoqMJ4AFdm8pXcihPSwj6fY8AaOPc1pynxxxTxhVyONW5PbfClhySGLeJageG7k/s867/E5_Sardis3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="867" height="245" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Inw8YLdxZC42vuxTpBStZrr81UXC0-oLuzyS-u_zwY3xbwkr4G6MUuUMcSEzKTAxO2uOVTPnyfCADj5hOWmJM2WszW03d516OHh6B88wXjYM5lt6oJx4vYprvztzBoqMJ4AFdm8pXcihPSwj6fY8AaOPc1pynxxxTxhVyONW5PbfClhySGLeJageG7k/s320/E5_Sardis3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>In one of the few caricatures that depict multiple images, the recently deceased comedian and satirist <b>Barry Humphries</b> was drawn along with his famous persona <b>Dame Edna</b>. This was so entertaining that the meal became almost incidental.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnj1_sFXDmb1rJRYCh8StUjzzJoHW9TogrS2g2OAMhWK-VYwQHWgi8uJ1zonzRYkrwFMNk8uByBAbha42soHIFDtQolAKP3YMFfRv5ZwhqioxDiUAStfwl3kZo5wllogER3ghA4rn0RCPmvFDjW8H8-nM8fADD2VrEkdV1nRs987NvZNKE-cIga5hy-4/s1600/E5_Sardis2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnj1_sFXDmb1rJRYCh8StUjzzJoHW9TogrS2g2OAMhWK-VYwQHWgi8uJ1zonzRYkrwFMNk8uByBAbha42soHIFDtQolAKP3YMFfRv5ZwhqioxDiUAStfwl3kZo5wllogER3ghA4rn0RCPmvFDjW8H8-nM8fADD2VrEkdV1nRs987NvZNKE-cIga5hy-4/w640-h166/E5_Sardis2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>However, in addition to all the second-hand star-gazing, we did actually eat at Sardi’s and surprisingly, for a place that has the term “tourist trap” written all over it, the food was not that bad and was not that expensive relatively speaking. Rich started off with a Sidecar (cognac, triple sec, lemon juice) which seemed fitting in with old fashioned feel of the restaurant which dates back to 1927. For appetizers, ordered the Sardi’s sampler plate which consisted of tomato bruschetta, prosciutto and melon, asparagus rolled in smoked salmon, roasted bell peppers, mozzarella and capers; truffled chicken liver pate; grilled shrimp with green olive tapenade. We both ordered pastas for our main courses. Rich had the Ragu Bolognese Lasagna made with veal, beef, pork and bechamel sauce while I had the Cannelloni au Gratin which was a combination of beef veal and pork flavored with porcini mushrooms rolled in a French crepe with supreme sauce (white sauce with chicken stock and cream). For dessert, I had the Espresso chocolate mousse with raspberry coulis while Rich got the crème brûlée cheesecake.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemDaKHyrI56rVMnmnFnZBYYbVZ17a2VHE542qJsRYXUh_AOY1T_6ikzEwYgTS0FHzQrgu5jB4kNP7AFLsyxuPqhHIHoRWKMm8xC38iVo-icwEplCRL9zqQX7Sq3CiHOAvJwQD0MS_DoaA7LvX9jrQfy1F69cJYcm1Vp15yMFEKOVqTv4ibpSdog_AdbQ/s1600/E6_Marshals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemDaKHyrI56rVMnmnFnZBYYbVZ17a2VHE542qJsRYXUh_AOY1T_6ikzEwYgTS0FHzQrgu5jB4kNP7AFLsyxuPqhHIHoRWKMm8xC38iVo-icwEplCRL9zqQX7Sq3CiHOAvJwQD0MS_DoaA7LvX9jrQfy1F69cJYcm1Vp15yMFEKOVqTv4ibpSdog_AdbQ/w640-h172/E6_Marshals.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our final dinner was at <b>The Marshal</b> (West 45th St. and 10th Ave.) which describes itself as a “cozy, rustic-chic spot with a wood oven firing<b> farm-to-table New American dishes</b>”. Rich started with a Manhattan cocktail (whiskey, vermouth, bitters and a cherry) to celebrate our last night in the city. Our appetizers included deviled with yolks infused with basil pesto and garlic, then garnished with duck prosciutto and drizzled with walnut pesto, along with the local Burrata served with herbed breadsticks, peso, aged balsamic and cherry tomatoes. For the main course, I had the wood roasted Icelandic Cod (not quite local?) served with local mushroom and cherry tomato ragout with more cherry tomatoes and herbed butter. Rich went for the “Marshal’s Famous Wood Fired Meatloaf” consisting of beef stuffed with kale, root vegetables and local blue cheese, served with onion gravy”. Rich always goes for the “specialty” of a new restaurant. It is interesting the menu items stress how local the products come from by naming the farm or ranch that the vegetables or meats are sourced from (e.g. Veritas Farms, Happy Valley Ranch, Blackhorse Farm, etc.)<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsx2QqG-niqZrLBJriRXf-6-Wd90elalG7WAmykKXMFREzHf33butoXGhCgf86X_CzfevRRK-JvmaSNbnKyIRXzw06eWsSqDiENGrDU6bK7DpzfhhECFhGNGfGP-S7Lf6ARNWF_mS6C-Pu20VJQ4A0O3Wtsl4t0sq2apGUk24AQZukprTuW_885-I940/s1600/E7_Blue%20Dog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsx2QqG-niqZrLBJriRXf-6-Wd90elalG7WAmykKXMFREzHf33butoXGhCgf86X_CzfevRRK-JvmaSNbnKyIRXzw06eWsSqDiENGrDU6bK7DpzfhhECFhGNGfGP-S7Lf6ARNWF_mS6C-Pu20VJQ4A0O3Wtsl4t0sq2apGUk24AQZukprTuW_885-I940/w640-h156/E7_Blue%20Dog1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were looking for a <b>hipster breakfast spot</b> that would serve us something more interesting than just the traditional bacon and eggs, and we found one just down the street from our hotel. The <b>Blue Dog</b> (West 50th St. and 8th Ave.) had so many interesting items on their breakfast menu and was such a fun place to eat at that we went there two mornings in a row, including our last breakfast before heading to the airport. On our first visit, we were seated immediately in front of a screen that was showing old black and white TV shows and movies. In this case, we watched an episode of The Addams Family while we ate. The freshly squeezed orange juice that we each ordered came in mason jars so large that we could easily have shared one (which we did the next day). I ordered the <b>pumpkin-stuffed French toast</b> which came as a sweet brioche bread which is stuffed with pumpkin cream cheese puree and covered with a fruit compote and a fried orange slice. This was the most unique version of French toast that I ever saw, and it was delicious. As a side, I also ordered strips of fried shitake mushroom “bacon”. Rich had the Croque Madam with honey ham, melted cheese, béchamel sauce and two sunny side eggs on sour dough bread, served with a mixed green salad.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrLPalWj7ZB_wYz8dTBrNcT-dj7uWIOKeKB_q22oKG_J_wQS4B5ZLCCGvlvyY9Lg4dDPkPHijWi07L79CxV3SWnKofnbEam-5XlqRM_yAE6qCAWXm8sTOJwsjdngzHjdwLG-jzrfXJwV7bLRqdhszobn-d3uz7YRu-azVWyyghS5AQN4lcFED0M4fyEc/s1600/E7_Blue%20Dog2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrLPalWj7ZB_wYz8dTBrNcT-dj7uWIOKeKB_q22oKG_J_wQS4B5ZLCCGvlvyY9Lg4dDPkPHijWi07L79CxV3SWnKofnbEam-5XlqRM_yAE6qCAWXm8sTOJwsjdngzHjdwLG-jzrfXJwV7bLRqdhszobn-d3uz7YRu-azVWyyghS5AQN4lcFED0M4fyEc/w640-h170/E7_Blue%20Dog2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we returned to the Blue Dog the next morning, Laurel & Hardy were up to shenanigans on the viewing screen. This time Rich went for the Crunchy French toast, made from pullman bread with rum-flambéed bananas while I chose the Crab Cake Benedict consisting of two poached eggs topping home made crab cakes sitting on English muffins, smothered with Hollandaise sauce and served with roasted potatoes and mixed greens.<br /><p></p><p>All in all, we dined very well on this trip to New York City and did not really have a bad meal. There were some memorable dining experiences and places that we would not only recommend to others but would like to go to again on a future trip. And we would definitely stay again in the Hell’s Kitchen area which has no shortage of great restaurants to try.</p></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-8177007917008524372023-05-11T06:30:00.001-07:002023-09-13T04:48:23.376-07:00New York City 2023: Broadway Shows - Kimberly Akimbo, Bad Cinderella, Shucked, Some Like It Hot, Fat Ham<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G4yRRt6s4UJTJcjxmaegB4kfcuoegOVtMMgjGku0IZV0GQ_1ZYuQHdK96HX4GkD4c7mOc2sNXN_gVKMmJJAwSYZ5qfjOwkm6gcAlS_S9MUuF0LIa35aDEFxtq8_YvrnL3U7tsNsmnC8h8wG8Um1zLKB2jM7lTngL_ObNbsBmFy7QRBhfbsnHiTnq2AU/s1600/C0_Broadway.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8G4yRRt6s4UJTJcjxmaegB4kfcuoegOVtMMgjGku0IZV0GQ_1ZYuQHdK96HX4GkD4c7mOc2sNXN_gVKMmJJAwSYZ5qfjOwkm6gcAlS_S9MUuF0LIa35aDEFxtq8_YvrnL3U7tsNsmnC8h8wG8Um1zLKB2jM7lTngL_ObNbsBmFy7QRBhfbsnHiTnq2AU/w640-h156/C0_Broadway.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My husband Rich and I love live theatre and especially musicals, so a trip to Manhattan would not be complete without going to at least 2-3 <b>Broadway Shows</b>. To make up for the COVID years when we could not travel, we decided to splurge on this first post-pandemic visit and watch four of them, one for each night in the city other than the first (in case of flight delays) and last nights. Because we were traveling in early May when many of the new plays and musicals were just opening up, we did not have the luxury of waiting for reviews. We picked our shows based on the current buzz and past reputation of the composer or writer, then secured good seats for each one using the website <b><a href="http://telecharge.com">telecharge.com</a></b>, which offers the best service charge rates. Unfortunately, by the time reviews came out just before our trip, it became clear that we had picked three Tony-nominated winners but one dud! In a last spur-of-the-moment decision, we decided to re-jig our plans and add a fifth show to our lineup, slotting in a Wednesday matinee which would make that day a “double-feature” in terms of theatre-going.<p></p><p>The musical that we added at the last minute was <b>Kimberly Akimbo</b>, which actually ended up winning the Tony award for <b>best new musical</b>. We had not selected it initially because its subject matter seemed both daunting and potentially depressing(?). Kimberly Levaco is a 15-year-old girl with a rare disease that causes her body to age four times faster than normal. Moving to a new school for reasons revealed later, Kimberly befriends a new group of kids including Seth who is passionate about creating anagrams out of people’s names. He figures out that the letters of “Kimberly Levaco” can be rearranged to spell “Cleverly Akimbo”, thus explaining the musical’s title. Akimbo is an interesting adjective for Kimberly since it literally means standing with hands on hips. In slang, the akimbo stance has come to represent fierce defiance, which is how Kimberly deals with to her condition, facing it head-on and not letting it get her down. With a life expectancy of 16 and her birthday approaching, Kimberly is determined to make the most of her remaining days and live “in the moment” despite the insensitivity and lack of emotional or financial support from her selfish parents.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr407XQh58tCod3YvC4MLuaZtVyhpN1R4nk7wFzuO75ywVZZsm5enT3rt5Q8clxin1Uys04BwGzIDjIN49yJrw3_i9ssk4g2EVEod5wvir4cZg-6iIoAGqb23AOZqMEc-bFurDo6bs31jO_QYmLc-22tUCTcRHLpZ7bMp6pts8BbuC1BgX2ACp40SHpg/s508/Kimberly3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="264" data-original-width="508" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIr407XQh58tCod3YvC4MLuaZtVyhpN1R4nk7wFzuO75ywVZZsm5enT3rt5Q8clxin1Uys04BwGzIDjIN49yJrw3_i9ssk4g2EVEod5wvir4cZg-6iIoAGqb23AOZqMEc-bFurDo6bs31jO_QYmLc-22tUCTcRHLpZ7bMp6pts8BbuC1BgX2ACp40SHpg/w400-h208/Kimberly3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Kimberly dreams of a family trip to Disneyland. When told the family can’t afford it, she and her friends succumb to her larcenous aunt Debra’s plan to steal cheques from a postal box and “wash” them. This leads to the best number in the musical, a jazzy, hilarious number called “How to Wash a Cheque”. Debra’s instructions to the clueless and clumsy kids include “Tie a fish line, open the mailbox, drop the glue trap, get a bite …”. Joining Kimberly and Seth in this potential caper are Delia, Martin, Teresa and Aaron who form a sweet teenaged circle of unrequited love for one another—Teresa likes Martin who in turn likes Aaron, but Aaron who likes Delia who only has eyes for Teresa. Brash and insensitively direct as always, Debra cuts to the chase of the situation by pointing at them and saying “Straight, Gay, Straight, Gay .. Get it??”.<p></p><p>This show would not work without the stellar acting job of 63-year-old actress Victoria Clark who plays Kimberly with long awkward limbs, quirky movements, a sparkle in her eye and a mischievous grin that totally sells the allusion of a teenager with a rare aging disease. Rather than depressing, the story is told in a touching, sensitive and at times, even humorous manner. Each of the parents gets a song that shows pathos and gives their characters depth despite their severe character flaws. In their own ways, they love Kimberly but are scared for her and don’t know how to handle her impending death. Kimberly Akimbo ends on a positive note with Kimberly and Seth taking off on a “Great Adventure” to help her fulfill her dreams while she still can. The message is clear and echoes Jonathan Larson’s prophetic theme in Rent--“No Day But Today”. For Kimberly, it’s “Live for the Now”.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtc1eGxzP-XXX62Gx-m23dfmzwkp5TcvcsfQVXD1alx78fK6p1xsUxLwUJHzogbkb1s9P1U7HPUdWMYDWZaEfKhRDfS3eI2SBPh7f9DRbndMnjhDRidTI55vuwntPV-qr-SSq2LhzF3vlOEzuDX3T0zj7aenVxbCVp0GdOAwUUgYTFWIc6jpn2W3T174/s1600/C2_Broadway_BadCinderella1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBtc1eGxzP-XXX62Gx-m23dfmzwkp5TcvcsfQVXD1alx78fK6p1xsUxLwUJHzogbkb1s9P1U7HPUdWMYDWZaEfKhRDfS3eI2SBPh7f9DRbndMnjhDRidTI55vuwntPV-qr-SSq2LhzF3vlOEzuDX3T0zj7aenVxbCVp0GdOAwUUgYTFWIc6jpn2W3T174/w640-h156/C2_Broadway_BadCinderella1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The show that ended up being a dud was Andrew Lloyd Webber’s latest offering, an updated take on the age-old fairytale <b>Cinderell</b>a. The musical originally played in London’s West End before coming to Broadway with a revamped script and retitled as Bad Cinderella after one of the songs. Enjoying past musicals by this prolific composer, we bought our tickets without waiting to hear reviews. Unlike the late Stephen Sondheim who tried so hard to be innovative and unrepetitive that half his catalog was not commercially successful, Andrew Lloyd Webber usually stays with a tried and true formula, resulting in crowd pleasing but derivative works that often even have a similar sound to them. So I thought “How bad could it be?” As it turns out, the reviews were scathing, admonishing us that we were forewarned by the title itself that the show would be “Bad”! Writers take note.. do not use the word “Bad” in the title of your show unless you are sure you have a winner. Otherwise you make the job of the critic way too easy!<p></p><p>As with many contemporary adaptations of past works, the trend these days is to inject either gay characters or female empowerment into old stories as a way to modernize them. In its own clumsy way, Bad Cinderella tries to do both. Instead of the helpless damsel of the traditional tale, this Cinderella is spunky, defiant and considered “bad” (as opposed to badass?) by the townspeople for her non-confirming appearance and rebellious actions including defacing the memorial statue of Prince Charming, the missing-in-action heir to the throne. Cinderella’s romantic interest is instead her childhood best friend Prince Sebastian, who is Charming’s low-key younger brother who has become the heir-apparent. Other than this new spin, the rest of the story falls in line with the wicked stepmother and two selfish stepsisters vying for Sebastian’s attention, the ball where he must choose a bride, the fairy godmother and the slipper until a twist ending (mild spoiler) sees the return of Charming.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLCwh3oZ54XqzjXrRF5Bqg1benBPeiZAtOdfwkpjjPtU2mKGJsKCuyyDaP7_rCjdHP3cLlg9XA1BWyNPk4u31mJIOZVEjwfJMJkL2IMvdPALF8gbGsDp5Pqv_YP2pp_lskeQ1SBqKDV9MEq8VUsBGy8ASZTo3Z9CttvsRn_xzW6RDchg6vGeDOXI8MPk/s1599/C2_Broadway_BadCinderella2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="1599" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrLCwh3oZ54XqzjXrRF5Bqg1benBPeiZAtOdfwkpjjPtU2mKGJsKCuyyDaP7_rCjdHP3cLlg9XA1BWyNPk4u31mJIOZVEjwfJMJkL2IMvdPALF8gbGsDp5Pqv_YP2pp_lskeQ1SBqKDV9MEq8VUsBGy8ASZTo3Z9CttvsRn_xzW6RDchg6vGeDOXI8MPk/w640-h154/C2_Broadway_BadCinderella2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>To be fair, there were a few catchy tunes that I liked including the titular song in Bad Cinderella although the music that Andrew Lloyd Webber wrote for it reminded me of melodies from Song and Dance and Evita. I firmly believe that he plagiarizes from his old work when writing new ones. My issues lay mostly in the storyline which did little to improve upon the original classic, as well as the cheesy spoken dialogue and song lyrics, and most of all the over-the-top acting that led to much emoting and shrieking by the main characters, and cringe-inducing primping and over-sexualized posturing by both the female and male background dancers. The costumes selected for the Broadway version did not help with the female villagers in low cut dresses, short shorts, and plunging necklines to accentuate their pushed-up bosoms, while the male villagers/guardsmen were inexplicably bare-chested in many scenes. Worst of all, Cinderella herself was anachronistically dressed like a grunge-punk version of Neo from the Matrix with her long coat, tight pants and high boots. Actually no, worst of all was when Prince Charming finally showed up with his bare chest exposed and flexed until his chest muscles popped. On top of all of this, there was no chemistry between Cinderella and Sebastian, so it was difficult to root for them. Overall, this was not a good show and I think the changes made between the UK and the USA versions were not for the better. However this was not the worse show that I’ve ever watched, and I found the music more appealing than the musical New York, New York which was nominated for a Tony but closed after only a few months just like Bad Cinderella.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoakmk8HPRu5L5qbB6K7VLk1WqZ_XhBlI4TN86xrSO9lIuq6YNpg5xNBtOhzRRyRVSgB-uaC-cMDMB4qnVafMxlk7b0CVoa7rCQ8gy2htsT2d8nF3qvDfw9x2SHGCpjzvoHjzbh6gM_TI9eiBGLUU6MKMW4IMWE6viw0kFWzwX54Ng3ZhPEMU4GaeCGs/s1600/C3_Broadway_Shucked1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoakmk8HPRu5L5qbB6K7VLk1WqZ_XhBlI4TN86xrSO9lIuq6YNpg5xNBtOhzRRyRVSgB-uaC-cMDMB4qnVafMxlk7b0CVoa7rCQ8gy2htsT2d8nF3qvDfw9x2SHGCpjzvoHjzbh6gM_TI9eiBGLUU6MKMW4IMWE6viw0kFWzwX54Ng3ZhPEMU4GaeCGs/w640-h156/C3_Broadway_Shucked1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While we liked Kimberly Akimbo and admired its lofty theme, the show that we had the most fun watching was <b>Shucked</b>, a musical comedy about corn. The isolated residents of the tiny fictional village of “Cob County” face a crisis when the corn crop which sustains their livelihood starts to fail. Farmgirl Maizy decides to head to the “big city” of Tampa for the first time to find help, much to the dismay of her fiancé Beau who thinks they can fix things on their own. In Tampa, Maizy encounters a sleezy podiatrist (corn doctor, pun intended) who pretends he can heal the corn crop in order to get access to precious minerals that he mistakenly believes are found in the village. This is an ultra-charming, laugh-out-loud tour-de-force with groan-inducing dad jokes zipping around a mile a minute as well as a few pearls of wisdom that you almost miss due to the uproarious laughter. Some of my favourite lines include “If life were fair, mosquitos would suck fat instead of blood”, “You don’t realize how many people you hate until you try to name a child”, and “Family is telling somebody to go to hell, then worrying that they get there safely”. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW0kirgodZG7ReUiTXKEqQjXX-WUYx7WBdOEFZeY9-MNj14Q2GBkEX1HekDV24zyz7wsbayKhi7cBKJk7jEfw75gGOQaLA3ajp4eeaBMZONY-n130DHtusFk-luyIK_AYjn2C3bgf6rBJR7sl2NOxhUigK4MKwXsYBg-RWud5x3FsN3LU6a8h8tIZsUM/s1600/C3_Broadway_Shucked2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW0kirgodZG7ReUiTXKEqQjXX-WUYx7WBdOEFZeY9-MNj14Q2GBkEX1HekDV24zyz7wsbayKhi7cBKJk7jEfw75gGOQaLA3ajp4eeaBMZONY-n130DHtusFk-luyIK_AYjn2C3bgf6rBJR7sl2NOxhUigK4MKwXsYBg-RWud5x3FsN3LU6a8h8tIZsUM/w640-h158/C3_Broadway_Shucked2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The theatre term “11 O’Clock Number” refers to a big show-stopping number that occurs late in the second act of a two-act musical, where a major character has an important realization. Some iconic songs that meet this definition include “Rose’s Turn” from Gypsy or “Being Alive” from Company. In Shucked, the extremely talented non-binary actor Alex Newell brought down the house and prompted a standing ovation with the character Lulu’s song “Independent Woman”. The only thing is that the song was sung about 2/3 of the way through Act 1, making it an unusual “9:15” number? Shuck also had a very uniquely choreographed “dance” number involving a corn-cob Chorus Line. Shucked is such joy that you leave the theatre on a high that lasts for days.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jd9yNmYWTTZfNH_uc2IE5X17Q7wrVWAZwlJSmSyvDGGG3TG9-rAmG6o8ZAxh5q6rgmzlFaBOUZi7SQa8qqFeuFzeb4CUASexnfqUezDOwpL_bC0tqrRGO_Y1bmRjZYzC5GsS98NSp-yipT7izAv16oFG_1y2cIK7EDF8wgHrla6pcYyQPpztsWWE8o4/s1600/C4_Broadway_SLIH1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2jd9yNmYWTTZfNH_uc2IE5X17Q7wrVWAZwlJSmSyvDGGG3TG9-rAmG6o8ZAxh5q6rgmzlFaBOUZi7SQa8qqFeuFzeb4CUASexnfqUezDOwpL_bC0tqrRGO_Y1bmRjZYzC5GsS98NSp-yipT7izAv16oFG_1y2cIK7EDF8wgHrla6pcYyQPpztsWWE8o4/w640-h156/C4_Broadway_SLIH1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rich and I agreed that the favourite of the five shows we watched on this trip was the jazzy musical <b>Some Like It Hot</b>, adapted from the iconic 1959 film of the same name starring Jack Lemon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe. But before talking about the musical, I want to gush about the beauty of the <b>Shubert Theatre</b>. Built in 1913 in the Italian Renaissance style, the 1502 seat theatre is decorated with elaborate plasterwork and theatrically themed murals on the ceiling surrounded by floral designs. A plaque declared A Chorus Line the “Longest Running Show in Broadway History” which it was at the time with 6137 performances between 1975-1990. The record has since been eclipsed by six other shows including the current record holder The Phantom of the Opera which ran on Broadway for over 14,000 performances before finally closing in 2023.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z1FDXRKjNqzz2PuHZihfvibmlljQ5Ly547trsfb9qv2DIHrjydZf7Tpv4YZ0RSsESu2yB63zJPi1Z0-MVRFJAyCvrzIKnFp9LVJodO9AXpLv0qAXoHDAmmiBz4bqI0oIs2EaSrm57ZWMFhsv7-Mb1aQIUYiWUraac8zqvnh9C9hfG7mbBSaaCAvtjUE/s1600/C4_Broadway_SLIH2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z1FDXRKjNqzz2PuHZihfvibmlljQ5Ly547trsfb9qv2DIHrjydZf7Tpv4YZ0RSsESu2yB63zJPi1Z0-MVRFJAyCvrzIKnFp9LVJodO9AXpLv0qAXoHDAmmiBz4bqI0oIs2EaSrm57ZWMFhsv7-Mb1aQIUYiWUraac8zqvnh9C9hfG7mbBSaaCAvtjUE/w640-h156/C4_Broadway_SLIH2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Following relatively closely to its source material, the musical <b>Some Like it Hot</b> begins with musicians Joe and Jerry, who witness a mob hit and need to go into hiding. They do so by dressing up as women to join an all female band who are traveling across the country by train. Joe falls in love with Sugar, the lead singer of the band, but cannot express his feelings while dressed as “Josephine”. Meanwhile Jerry, aka Daphne, is wooed by eccentric millionaire Osgood Fielding III. In the movie, Joe and Sugar’s pairing provides the romance while Jerry and Osgood are played for laughs. The musical version modernizes the story by having Daphne come out as a transgendered character who finally feels whole and right for the first time in her female persona. The show ups the ante by casting non-binary actor J.Harrison Ghee in the role.<p></p><p>Some Like It Hot brings us back to the golden age of musicals where it is enough to enjoy singing and dancing and to just have fun watching a show without having a serious message bludgeoned into your head. Everything about this show was sumptuously wonderful, from the beautiful Art Deco set design to the gorgeous costumes of the era, to stellar singing, dancing and acting by all the main performers. The final “chase” scene between the gangsters and our protagonists involves a lengthy farce-like tap dance number where the characters repeatedly go in and out of hotel doors and weave around one another as the doors themselves spin in and out of place. The choreography of this sequence has to be seen to be believed.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-IZscufABdzQwjbp0iNN5Mxrxjf2i1yt76OxF7HKqFuBXoHhTaDhlNZ684aOTXxUPZK9FVRG1TBiBID9vO3ah9aaFVIyXablczVYaRoyFHoWOGSV2VYPFRZWihpUG4RfHwoTujtf6v9LXcQbco2nfe72ayngE23b86cYBYA1L5r7VQIWZmEV12fDRGM/s1525/C5_Broadway_BadHam1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1525" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio-IZscufABdzQwjbp0iNN5Mxrxjf2i1yt76OxF7HKqFuBXoHhTaDhlNZ684aOTXxUPZK9FVRG1TBiBID9vO3ah9aaFVIyXablczVYaRoyFHoWOGSV2VYPFRZWihpUG4RfHwoTujtf6v9LXcQbco2nfe72ayngE23b86cYBYA1L5r7VQIWZmEV12fDRGM/w640-h164/C5_Broadway_BadHam1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our final show, <b>Fat Ham</b>, was a dramedy based on William Shakespeare’s Hamlet. But instead of a Danish prince, we have a fat, black, gay young man named Juicy who lives in somewhere in America, probably North Carolina (the playwright's home town). Fat Ham initially follows the storyline of Hamlet, although the setting is at a backyard barbeque to celebrate the wedding of Juicy’s mother Tedra to his uncle Rev, a mean bully who denigrates Juicy for his sexuality and “soft” emotional nature. Juicy’s father Pap was a violent man in jail for murder where he himself was stabbed and murdered. Pap comes back as a ghost to inform Juicy that Rev had him killed and wants his son to seek vengeance. Adding a bit of humour to the play, at one point the ghost of Pap appears by popping up out of the barbeque. That Pap and Rev are two sides of the same coin in terms of masculine toxicity and brutality is accentuated by having the same actor play both roles. Both characters act as a foil for Juicy who is gentle, rational and intellectual.<p></p><p>The other main characters in Hamlet are represented in Fat Ham. Juicy’s cousin Tio represents the Hora<b>tio</b> character and is the first to see Pap’s ghost. Siblings Ophelia and Laertes and their father Polonius appear in the form of family friends <b>Op</b>al, <b>La</b>rry and mother (not father!) Rabby. Opal, who is rebellious and independent, and Larry, a marine with PTSD and a secret crush on Juicy, are both closeted gays who hide their natures from their church-going mother. Larry also acts as a foil for Juicy since he outwardly portrays himself as a tough, masculine military man but his façade falls when he lets his guard down and kisses Juicy.</p><p>Juicy quotes directly from Hamlet throughout the play, sometimes out of context and sometimes verbatim in asides to the audience. When Rev waxes poetically about his marvelous barbeque rub, Juicy hilariously interjects with “Ah there’s the rub”. When Tedra wants to talk to Juicy about his deceased father, Juicy throws in the line “The King, my queen, is dead” to which she responds, “You watch too much PBS!”. Later Juicy turns to the audience and quotes Hamlet’s “What a piece of work is man” speech to highlight the craziness in the family dynamics around him. And like Hamlet, Juicy tries to trap Rev into admitting his guilt by watching it be acted out, but in this case, in a round of charades as opposed to a play. Here he quotes “guilty creatures sitting at a play have .. proclaimed their malefactions.”</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcvqW5qwlWAE6p3ZYvUMreVMB83IUI7c-enTkdP3Vwg3SFalcxhdOfhk54Ir44eHV4P4uqcXG9HGYS9xaLbU99X-y6X0KzrckMUTSdZ7hN37Pzgw33Z6VHvo0LvVNFS_ddFtg2flm64PZ1YLFMJ3rs1fYVoSDxb02xZTX-HNr1EvJNikaim5GIKL1jE8/s1600/C5_Broadway_BadHam2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitcvqW5qwlWAE6p3ZYvUMreVMB83IUI7c-enTkdP3Vwg3SFalcxhdOfhk54Ir44eHV4P4uqcXG9HGYS9xaLbU99X-y6X0KzrckMUTSdZ7hN37Pzgw33Z6VHvo0LvVNFS_ddFtg2flm64PZ1YLFMJ3rs1fYVoSDxb02xZTX-HNr1EvJNikaim5GIKL1jE8/w640-h170/C5_Broadway_BadHam2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We reach the end of the play, when if following Hamlet, all hell would break loose, and everyone dies. In Fat Ham, this is represented symbolically in a moment of frenzy where the entire stage is lit in blood red hues and Juicy states that this is when the killing happens ..isn’t it? When asked why, he replies “Cause this is a tragedy. We tragic”, alluding to the cycle of “generational violence and trauma” that plagues black men from poor families. Instead, taking a page from Tio’s drug-infused dream about choosing “pleasure over harm”, Juicy chooses a different path of acceptance and joy, breaking the cycle. Opal and Larry embrace their identities and come out to their mother while Rev accidentally gets his just desserts. Larry’s emergence is big, bold, joyous and unexpected, resulting in a fitting finale. James Ijames won the Pulitzer prize for drama for Fat Ham and there was a post show talk about his writing journey and what it meant for the actors to participate in this play..<p></p><p>It is interesting to note that every one of the five Broadway shows that we watched had some sort of connection to the LGBTQ community, whether it was having one or more gay characters in the show, or having a role that was played by a non-CIS actor in real life. Three of the shows (Kimberly, Cinderella, Shucked) involve some declaration of female power and independence. Every one of the shows included at least one person of colour, not just in the background but as one of the main characters. At least on stage, it seems like parts of America are getting more “woke” and inclusive.</p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-34882820016010507942023-05-10T05:29:00.000-07:002023-09-10T05:30:12.369-07:00New York City 2023: West End Museums - Arts & Design /Posters / Fashion / Folk Art<p>Continuing our exploration of smaller museums in West Manhattan that we had not visited before, my husband Rich and I realized that these galleries either had sparse or in some cases no permanent collections to speak of. It was therefore more important than ever to ensure that the current rotating exhibitions were of interest to us. We got lucky in a some of the museums that we selected as the current exhibitions were fabulous. We were disappointed in some of the others but made note that upcoming exhibitions or even ones from the past would have been right up our alley, so we will consider revisiting these places another time if the right shows were being presented.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjarD4sF-okKUjJ-pS3XXkd3dcYWj8dj7Bc2biCRTet5o4458XGil_z-yLvkkeY2Wk2Z26osCjgL8mSrcll0yL6Ml05K4ra_VyT8INFkoWepVpLb2dHlInR_O8KtMEPxOEjSLpTDHtGhr5A0l54p-hYh7eEQS5kgeA4faSDY5DSveCi_XUqn0vY-HoOwI/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign1%20-%20MuseumShop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjarD4sF-okKUjJ-pS3XXkd3dcYWj8dj7Bc2biCRTet5o4458XGil_z-yLvkkeY2Wk2Z26osCjgL8mSrcll0yL6Ml05K4ra_VyT8INFkoWepVpLb2dHlInR_O8KtMEPxOEjSLpTDHtGhr5A0l54p-hYh7eEQS5kgeA4faSDY5DSveCi_XUqn0vY-HoOwI/w640-h158/F3_ArtsDesign1%20-%20MuseumShop.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our favourite of these museums was the <b>Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) </b>at the south-east side of Columbus Circle and 8th Street. Here we were able to tour not one but two excellent exhibitions, plus an interesting permanent collection. The items in the gift shop were fun as well with some funky ceramics of a chained up diet coke bottle and a Hello Kitty purse, as well as some 60s styled paper dresses that referenced the exhibitions that we were about to see.<p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-cuZSMpJTn9INJWRIhByzFFDgg4sJv2OKdhWz-QLsXlMN22lpcJtJJFGw-yC3ABco_gb76BX0I93aFOuV5kNsb0PDjywkBhSqs3MhXj5jO4KchiqvY5K06WHewIvkjTaM9A7crc6GHWc2U2hrzT_xZwiWr1WS4zljBpqz5uUSEPxPmibRMxe4RtAxso/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign2a%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL-cuZSMpJTn9INJWRIhByzFFDgg4sJv2OKdhWz-QLsXlMN22lpcJtJJFGw-yC3ABco_gb76BX0I93aFOuV5kNsb0PDjywkBhSqs3MhXj5jO4KchiqvY5K06WHewIvkjTaM9A7crc6GHWc2U2hrzT_xZwiWr1WS4zljBpqz5uUSEPxPmibRMxe4RtAxso/w640-h156/F3_ArtsDesign2a%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The first
exhibition cheekily titled “<b>Funk You Too!”</b> explores humour and satire in
ceramic sculptures that were created starting in the 1960s as part of the West Coast “Funk
Ceramics” movement, which in itself was a subset of the “Funk Art” movement. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funk Art was an anti-establishment reaction against
Abstract Expressionism, bringing figuration or representation of concrete objects
back into art forms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceramics arm of
this movement produced purposely functionless clay sculptures that were irreverent,
absurd, and often lewd or otherwise inappropriate. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Funk Ceramics movement was led by American
sculptor <b>Robert Arneson </b>who contributed many hilarious and shocking pieces in
this style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His “Self-Portrait of the
Artist Losing His Marbles” (1965) was created by accident when his conventional
portrait bust of himself cracked down the middle while being fired in his kiln.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather than discarding the damaged work, he
glued marbles inside the crevice and created a satirical masterpiece.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In another self-deprecating piece that he
titled “Klown” (1978), Arneson depicts himself with one gigantic red ear and a
goofy expression on his face. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His motto
was “If you’re going to abuse someone, it better be yourself.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of his most hilarious self portraits and
the centerpiece of the exhibition is titled "Portrait of an Artist as a Clever Old Dog". It depicts himself as a dog smoking a cigar surrounded
by brightly coloured turds with a dog bowl engraved with the words “Bob –
Portrait of the Artist”.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu04olECzHe5Qum_13-ApeVppBRjr2GiBNqi27K6Nz-Edsd2N1ZsfTJif-Vj9M3yJq4scNqCgeMWSnTtHcWouPaToNg12f0uLWxpQ0Afg5Aaj95H682aORV_pM6YpMaX-GL4C35DNhkFKSQEqPcBioN5LBNGBA5U9hr1iRTpnjW_VRQzNCIZWEHHowb2E/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign2b%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu04olECzHe5Qum_13-ApeVppBRjr2GiBNqi27K6Nz-Edsd2N1ZsfTJif-Vj9M3yJq4scNqCgeMWSnTtHcWouPaToNg12f0uLWxpQ0Afg5Aaj95H682aORV_pM6YpMaX-GL4C35DNhkFKSQEqPcBioN5LBNGBA5U9hr1iRTpnjW_VRQzNCIZWEHHowb2E/w640-h166/F3_ArtsDesign2b%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Arneson’s “Ronny Portable” (1986) depicts President Ronald Reagan’s face inside a TV set, referring to Reagan’s former career as an actor. The piece acts as an expression of disdain for the president and is an anti-war stance. His sexually explicit work “Call Me Lover “(1965) transforms a rotary dial telephone by shaping the handle as a penis, spelling “Lover” in the dial and adding a vulva in the middle. The work alludes to phone sex while commenting on human dependence on technology for communication. His message is more relevant than ever in today. <b>David Gilhooly</b> majored in biology and anthropology before becoming an artist and thus animals and specifically frogs feature prominently in his works. His quirky “Bread Frog as a Coffee Break” (1981) shows a frog balancing bagels, donuts and a coffee cup on his head while “Cowpachino” (1993) puts the frog on top of a cow who is in the coffee cup. <b>Peter VandenBerge</b> anthropomorphized vegetables to put them in humorous scenes such as his “Carrot on Divan” (1971) depicting the voluptuous root vegetable lounging seductively on a sofabed. <b>Patti Warashina</b>’s “Pitter-Podder” (1968) grotesquely deconstructs the female form in her two-sided piece.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qbna6qbycIc1duj6kklEG0DHLbpD1_veRrXixo8Qn5cSV0899rXzh8pZQ7TGmCX4Kh9OWBlzzsWZyndC015lvAkghWxC8E4KShL3q_bmom8s2jDmkwilJ_oK7nUWq-r-dyaPmdDyjRm-w6X4332DmGP8XV2VojWPISY4aYWKaoIeLFw76Gf1IrU-XnQ/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign2c%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9qbna6qbycIc1duj6kklEG0DHLbpD1_veRrXixo8Qn5cSV0899rXzh8pZQ7TGmCX4Kh9OWBlzzsWZyndC015lvAkghWxC8E4KShL3q_bmom8s2jDmkwilJ_oK7nUWq-r-dyaPmdDyjRm-w6X4332DmGP8XV2VojWPISY4aYWKaoIeLFw76Gf1IrU-XnQ/w640-h166/F3_ArtsDesign2c%20-%20Funk%20Ceramics.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This would have been a great exhibit even if it only showed the historic works of the original Funk Ceramics artists. Giving more context to these works, the show illustrates how the movement is carried on today by juxtapositioning works by contemporary artists who similarly use ceramics in subversive and humorous ways. But this new generation often stress more serious social and political issues. <b>Woody de Othello</b>’s “Still on Hold” (2021) consists of a mirror wrapped with a heavy chain that sits on a stool next to a telephone handset. The piece represents the frustration of being put on hold by customer service, an experience that we have all encountered, but the open lock on the chain represents hope. <b>Yvette Mayorga</b>’s “Alligator Boots” (2018) depicts a brown-skinned woman with an American flag draped over her as she oversees Latino immigrants crossing the US-Mexican border. The bright colours found in the sculpture mocks the concept of the American Dream which belies the reality of the hardships these immigrants will face. At one corner, you can barely see the words “No Wall” written on a plaque. <b>Sharif Farraq</b>’s “Bouquet” (2020) similarly deconstructs the American Flag at the base of the vase while a pair of black hands reach out from the wildflowers trying to break free. This work was created at the height of Black Lives Matters protests. <b>Genesis Belanger</b>’s “You Never Know What You are Gonna Get” is a twist on the famous Forrest Gump line “Life is Like a Box of Chocolate”. Instead the work comments on the inadequate ways that people show sympathy to others in times of grief with commercial items such as flowers or chocolates as tokens of sympathy. The standard box of chocolates is replaced with deconstructed parts of a grieving face. <b>Alex Anderson</b>, who is a Black and Japanese American gay man uses humour to describe a touchy subject (pun intended). His sculpture “Don’t Touch My Hare” (2019) is a play on the title of Solange Knowles song “Don’t Touch My Hair” which talks about Black women being disrespected and having their personal spaces invaded by this action. The piece shows a disembodied hand patting the head of a hare while it sticks its tongue out in distress. “Troubled Waters”, the title of <b>Sally Soul</b>’s piece says it all as she describes the turbulent times that we currently live in.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu04yHlJuv36PbmVkol7VIA2_WR3lMx3knGMsd3YGTm32bqjatBUwFfg2iJqzKW60R33Q5vPzT2SmxeaFfR41ZWyAOQI-_WTCHqjf5HKpj3xp3BJpGIoXd4Vt9-2eyjYEvCInncvP8mSZG8D7wM4UPcU8oaBFtm1J02TdIhN4jhQ0Jg2yf-KVl-obe4s/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign3a%20-%20Paper%20Dresses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvu04yHlJuv36PbmVkol7VIA2_WR3lMx3knGMsd3YGTm32bqjatBUwFfg2iJqzKW60R33Q5vPzT2SmxeaFfR41ZWyAOQI-_WTCHqjf5HKpj3xp3BJpGIoXd4Vt9-2eyjYEvCInncvP8mSZG8D7wM4UPcU8oaBFtm1J02TdIhN4jhQ0Jg2yf-KVl-obe4s/w640-h164/F3_ArtsDesign3a%20-%20Paper%20Dresses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The second exhibition at MAD titled “<b>Generational Paper: A Fashion Phenom of the 1960s</b>” explores a fad introduced by the Scott Paper Company in 1966 when they offered disposable paper dresses with bright, bold, colourful patterns printed on them as a promotional campaign to advertise their products. The dresses became a viral sensation and the company sales topped $3.5 million by the end of the year. The dresses were made from a cellulose material called Dura-Weave that was water and fire resistant to some degree. When this led to a shortage of paper supplies, other synthetic materials including rayon and Reemay (made by Dupont) were used. The first dresses were in the style of mini dresses called shifts and sported graphic designs including polka dots, checkerboard, diamond, and floral patterns. As popularity grew, other companies wanted to get into the action and dresses were printed with advertisements for candy bars, soft drinks, newspapers, the yellow pages, Andy Warhol’s soup cans, movies from 20th Century Fox, images of Bob Dylan and more. Expanding from the original shift dress, paper clothing for women came in all styles including wrap dresses with belts, pant suits, robes, sundresses, evening gowns, and even beachwear with swimsuits, bikinis, hats and totes although I doubt you could swim in the paper bathing suits. For a dinner party, a woman could have her dress, earrings, apron, tablecloth and napkins all matching with the same patterns. Wanting to expand the market further, paper clothing was made for children and although not shown in this exhibit, men’s wear made out of paper was produced as well, including vests, tunic shirts and bell-bottom pants. Then just as quickly as the fad started, by 1970 it was over due to changes in style as well as environmental concerns since the dresses were not easily recyclable.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDXTb4lEBx0we-8SpUhnsQ7J9o-0ob5C3oioPdIdoKwYhobqqybCTPinSOsJ02VOZE1_aBtOjYTKkz-rARig4XdXtKlBmYbZBIdPhWklNPrg17-u8Gj0uscr1Zaexb3uT7W66fTmJrCYTjOTQ616Khwfa3GOwhRvmdf2Gdhc3cHi1rEQR_6oRbaEDh8Q/s1600/F3_ArtsDesign4%20-%20PermanentCollection.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvDXTb4lEBx0we-8SpUhnsQ7J9o-0ob5C3oioPdIdoKwYhobqqybCTPinSOsJ02VOZE1_aBtOjYTKkz-rARig4XdXtKlBmYbZBIdPhWklNPrg17-u8Gj0uscr1Zaexb3uT7W66fTmJrCYTjOTQ616Khwfa3GOwhRvmdf2Gdhc3cHi1rEQR_6oRbaEDh8Q/w640-h160/F3_ArtsDesign4%20-%20PermanentCollection.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Objects from MAD’s growing <b>permanent collectio</b>n are displayed on a rotating basis. The current exhibit titled "<b>Craft Front and Centre</b>" represent 60 works dating from the American Craft movement up until present day and reflect a wide range of materials and art forms created by artists from around the world. German artist Anna Mlasowsky created a suit of “body armor” using sheets of shatter-resistant “glass ceramic” cut into 175 thin strips and sewn together to form a <b>cloak-like, sound-producing sculpture</b> that acts like the protective scales of an armadillo. A video shows a dancer wearing the armour while performing choreography that triggered movement and sound from the scales. Brazilian artist Amarinhos Teixeira created a<b> polyester textile to mimic the cytoskeleton of a jelly fish</b> although to me, from afar it looked like a large mass of ginger-coloured hair. There was some pretty<b> beadwork</b> from Kiowa/Italian artist Teri Greeves who added images of Kiowa women and a red hand representing battle to a pair of Converse sneakers and Choctow Nation/Irish artist Marcus Amerman who creates pop references to confront Native American stereotypes including a bracelet depicting the Lone Ranger standing in front of Tonto. American artist Bisa Butler creates <b>quilts</b> based on portraits, layering fabrics from Africa to reflect her father and grandmother’s Ghanaian heritage. In a section of the exhibit dedicated to wood carving, I especially liked the shape and design of the beautiful <b>white pine mosaic bowl</b> carved by American woodturner Philip Moulthrop.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAGpzfDjnFmjV9o8BNuGRBPqp_YKss3DXQSJBa0MiDmXh5SDRw8YaevgHxHP5CdwbBGTO1joO6R5n-MUF1qaysa5LiaUpOJsW_s-bWNposBg81gULGVbhukDJ9_QiUzrY4kxukdrHblgAuv8nUkRPXth2zR7v7AqvEtGzfHCA9BEBGfYhVOIqPT4sKiA/s1600/F5_Fashion0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPAGpzfDjnFmjV9o8BNuGRBPqp_YKss3DXQSJBa0MiDmXh5SDRw8YaevgHxHP5CdwbBGTO1joO6R5n-MUF1qaysa5LiaUpOJsW_s-bWNposBg81gULGVbhukDJ9_QiUzrY4kxukdrHblgAuv8nUkRPXth2zR7v7AqvEtGzfHCA9BEBGfYhVOIqPT4sKiA/w640-h162/F5_Fashion0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Founded in 1944, the <b>Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) Museum</b> is associated with a state university that focuses on design, as well as business, technology and mass media in relation to the fashion industry. It is one of the museums that doesn’t really have a “permanent” collection, so you are coming to see the special exhibits. We were not that excited about the current exhibit that was being held during our visit which is too bad because I would have loved to see an upcoming exhibit titled “<b>Fashion and Food</b>” where food items are represented in patterns and design for clothing and accessories. The kitschiness of such an exhibit would have really appealed to me. Even the next exhibit on the schedule titled "Moda Hoy" (Spanish for Fashion Today) sounded more interesting as it featured designs from Latin America.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAldT5HcX4XE98WvUsM54oWfVHPKceGz7K7KZMH2ulI2-vm7BV5DHtKjaUNUbarAahX0PX150QeH7iLuAHvaTydQcF3-FPFSIbazWmOgtw-omozOun2hh_ov3B7mRrOugyZqt0HsowpjI6gCoOd0DBzNFCrDe0ZzBcbIq51sjK1YZj4Cs6jeBPnETMCE/s1428/F5_Fashion1%20-%20Designing%20Women.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="1428" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAldT5HcX4XE98WvUsM54oWfVHPKceGz7K7KZMH2ulI2-vm7BV5DHtKjaUNUbarAahX0PX150QeH7iLuAHvaTydQcF3-FPFSIbazWmOgtw-omozOun2hh_ov3B7mRrOugyZqt0HsowpjI6gCoOd0DBzNFCrDe0ZzBcbIq51sjK1YZj4Cs6jeBPnETMCE/w640-h218/F5_Fashion1%20-%20Designing%20Women.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The exhibit we did see was “<b>Female Designers and Interior Design</b>” which displayed a parade of ladies’ fashion created by female designers from the 19th through 21st centuries, and where possible, showed examples of the interior design of their homes, offices or as commissions for other companies. Since I have seen previous exhibitions of clothing through the centuries, this was not as interesting to me. The spin of showing the corresponding interior design of the designers would have been better if we could actually see live examples of interior design or furniture pieces. Instead we saw a display of pretty dresses and robes over the years, accompanied by a writeup about the designer and occasionally a small photograph of décor that she either designed or had designed for her. I did like the femininity of some of the <b>older dresses</b> including a yellow-toned floral-printed chiffon “tea gown” (ca.1900) by Fernande Burel and the pink silk chiffon evening cape with ruffles and embroidered metal sequins (1897) by Jeanne Paquin. My favourite dress was the aqua satin “afternoon dress” with velvet black trim and ecru cotton floral embroidery at the hem (1910) by Madame Percy. In terms of décor, I liked Jeanne Lanvin’s home which was decorated with rich blue silk inspired by cobalt glass (thus named Lanvin blue). Her bedroom was reconstructed in Paris’ Decorative Arts Museum which we visited in 2016 and saw it up close through glass windows. This was much more exciting and satisfying than looking at the small images in this exhibit.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc1D9dJqwJcR-7u9FIZrUjhe_qGeKWWcxeH_yVv8G6msLAKBcO49gRoJtuIwzbRscnZH7X8sWTromZ5qncAFTF7_5Mb0O6RWGQB_lhOycZmGNbw40N1QH8T7mVuCAIL-fKLuNi6vqEGGkRbULrGR-7sqZDdx_qd3G-cHmW0ikHIMTOzobp69M7FcEgUM/s1600/F5_Fashion1b%20-%20Designing%20Women.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitc1D9dJqwJcR-7u9FIZrUjhe_qGeKWWcxeH_yVv8G6msLAKBcO49gRoJtuIwzbRscnZH7X8sWTromZ5qncAFTF7_5Mb0O6RWGQB_lhOycZmGNbw40N1QH8T7mVuCAIL-fKLuNi6vqEGGkRbULrGR-7sqZDdx_qd3G-cHmW0ikHIMTOzobp69M7FcEgUM/w640-h162/F5_Fashion1b%20-%20Designing%20Women.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Looking at some of the more <b>recent pieces </b>in this exhibit, the material used in Pauline Trigère’s green and orange double-faced silk stain evening dress and matching cape (1968) seemed to match the coverings on some ottomans in her home. Barbara Hulanicki designed a printed cotton voile mini-day dress (circa 1970) patterned with psychedelic “mod squad” swirls popular in that era, but her Biba boutique in London was decorated in Art Deco style, as shown in this image depicting model Twiggy sitting on a suede sofa. Anna Sui’s designs were represented by a black wool dress embroidered with armoires and clocks accessorized with a necklace made of metal, glass and plastic (1997), and a red and gold embroidered polyester tunic with red cotton velvet pants (2012). Her apartment in Greenwich Village includes stained glass windows, curved doors, hidden rooms, Venetian mirrors and Chinoiserie wallpaper. This all sounds great. Too bad we couldn’t see any physical examples of this.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWFG7O0tBs8L3DMZ9G7oKr9tMZ9Dk4_zFMfgT0ZRbzMcl-IAg8wCRuoUWa165VmNWLnlIYqOzvvX-Y3RcNlq3YuM1-aATfoqkkNL5fIO_YaeD5qXWdKJx3nXa7B4f1OJAmzejynSu8zkRxESwJmCUV1M0PvkY7fS1lOOPbFg7gsrl0KDBr7iDQrNhDgg/s1600/F5_Fashion3%20-%20Students%20Work.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXWFG7O0tBs8L3DMZ9G7oKr9tMZ9Dk4_zFMfgT0ZRbzMcl-IAg8wCRuoUWa165VmNWLnlIYqOzvvX-Y3RcNlq3YuM1-aATfoqkkNL5fIO_YaeD5qXWdKJx3nXa7B4f1OJAmzejynSu8zkRxESwJmCUV1M0PvkY7fS1lOOPbFg7gsrl0KDBr7iDQrNhDgg/w640-h162/F5_Fashion3%20-%20Students%20Work.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>Perhaps because of the time of year that we visited (early May) but there were multiple displays of the works of graduating students of FIT in the front lobby. We saw some of the designs in men’s and ladies couture that were created by the University’s graduating class of 2023. The menswear was fairly tame, and mostly in blacks, whites and beiges. The most adventurous outfit consisted of a maroon buttoned shirt topped with a V-neck black and white sweater that came up to the mid-drift and completed with a matching tartaned skirt and trousers. The women’s outfits were more varied in colour, style and material ranging from evening gowns to sportswear to peasant-chic? I thought the designs for jewelry and accessories were more interesting and avant-garde. Some of the more unique items that we saw included a couple of decorative face masks, one which covered the eyes and mouth, while there other one looked like something Cat-woman would wear. There was some mouth grillz jewelry displayed on a plaster set of teeth, and a necklace whose pendant was shaped like a bejeweled red car.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_WMfbRVftA3Kmc3lbfKHBnIr8oKZHfMX3ao_7gWE7MJDVwBI3fRk4i2qj9W7ur-0OO-lcM0uKDOhPpQQgLVXxIj3-aqRRlLDGLUclABzZ7MskZisewBiMHu3YSIl86bvVgPGGA8d-2WDZoYhPZQptm9pZ2Zyd25QfbHFiP3XVFYGAlZWOd1gj5I_A5w/s1600/F5_Fashion2%20-%20Branding.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ_WMfbRVftA3Kmc3lbfKHBnIr8oKZHfMX3ao_7gWE7MJDVwBI3fRk4i2qj9W7ur-0OO-lcM0uKDOhPpQQgLVXxIj3-aqRRlLDGLUclABzZ7MskZisewBiMHu3YSIl86bvVgPGGA8d-2WDZoYhPZQptm9pZ2Zyd25QfbHFiP3XVFYGAlZWOd1gj5I_A5w/w640-h188/F5_Fashion2%20-%20Branding.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another student exhibition presented the works of 2023 graduating seniors from the Packaging Design Bachelor of Fine Arts program at FIT. Students created branding and packaging designs for fictious products including beers, alcohol, fruit drinks, food products, multi vitamins and more. I liked the Art Noveau-like floral design for Pistil Gin and being a tennis player, the “Racket” brand that includes a tennis racquet, t-shirt and water bottle in matching bright red and pink hues really appealed to me. The students did an excellent job as the brand designs were bright, attractive and eye-catching.</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqasCUTLmyDZBaL0LJmNayuZ8HWmO12grUpW2rvU_yutXL7im-RDY4OhKy9YEFyU5b1TFz_YBt4eWaesOXvGYHrEfRniHk425ga48EB6RPWwMdhqWGIpuvwFOOwCkpAvJEaO8U8ZsuNCHbftOR4rxhhHk32EMA2POXXu7I87VCknLrh1IN6g2AeMWbq8/s1600/F4_Poster1%20-%20Museum.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkqasCUTLmyDZBaL0LJmNayuZ8HWmO12grUpW2rvU_yutXL7im-RDY4OhKy9YEFyU5b1TFz_YBt4eWaesOXvGYHrEfRniHk425ga48EB6RPWwMdhqWGIpuvwFOOwCkpAvJEaO8U8ZsuNCHbftOR4rxhhHk32EMA2POXXu7I87VCknLrh1IN6g2AeMWbq8/w640-h156/F4_Poster1%20-%20Museum.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Open in 2015, the <b>Poster House</b>’s mission is to
present both historical and current posters as a vehicle of mass visual
communication and persuasion, while demonstrating their impact on art, culture,
commerce and social attitudes. By their
definition, a poster is a “public-facing printed notice meant to persuade,
entertain or influence, whose artwork is created specifically for the poster”.
Unfortunately the permanent collection on display is extremely small although
the museum is working on creating an online catalogue of over 10,000 works that
they own, dating back to the late 1800s.
We saw an interesting demonstration of how <b>Jules Chéret</b>, known as
the “Father of the Poster” developed a large-format color printing process that
allowed him to mass-produce coloured images by applying each colour
separately on top of each other. There were examples of the
iconic Belle Epoque posters by <b>Leonetto Cappiello</b> (Father of Modern
Advertising) that hawked everything from chocolate to alcohol, as well as multiple
examples of the <b>psychedelic style concert posters</b> of the 1960s that
advertised the times and locations of a band’s next performance. We were particularly delighted to see a
poster for the <b>Yardbirds</b> since we know one of the original members. We also saw examples of Letterpress posters
which use artistically arranged letters and words to convey their
messages. This small selection from the
permanent collection gave a quick run-through of some key milestones in the
history of posters.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkIWPeoPvuSxejgXDPLgk3bCH0S3OE1duutXkUh5Y50A8WW1QCh0lXqe0JGfkk-_3DKqBFvS9SWQKmZb_acIrnTXyjIYK70cbKbpO0KlqF9Mj8WdWEb-rSJlHN3ndvWNgGmPnspBk2k3oqCVdjDgokuqDVKtZOk6w6S1MC6wlwarCN8V3LhtxpDzmNPg/s1600/F4_Poster1a-Future.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="471" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPkIWPeoPvuSxejgXDPLgk3bCH0S3OE1duutXkUh5Y50A8WW1QCh0lXqe0JGfkk-_3DKqBFvS9SWQKmZb_acIrnTXyjIYK70cbKbpO0KlqF9Mj8WdWEb-rSJlHN3ndvWNgGmPnspBk2k3oqCVdjDgokuqDVKtZOk6w6S1MC6wlwarCN8V3LhtxpDzmNPg/w640-h188/F4_Poster1a-Future.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Given what a small amount of the permanent collection is on display, the Poster House is one of those museums where the main attractions are the temporary exhibits. Just like at FIT, it is too bad that our timing was such that we missed the next exhibit titled “<b>Art Deco: Commercializing the Avant Garde</b>”, since we love the Art Deco style so this would have been right in our wheelhouse. The future exhibit titled “<b>We Tried to Warn You! Environmental Crisis Posters, 1970–2020</b>” looked fun as well, if the poster of Porky Pig wearing a gas mask is indicative of what we would see.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;">Unfortunately we were less interested in the two major exhibitions currently on display during our visit. The first was “<b>Made in Japan: 20th Century Poster Ar</b>t” which illustrates the country’s print making traditions and styles that reflected the country’s culture and political ideology following the second World War. Japan’s image needed a makeover and one of the tools they used to do it both domestically and internationally was through posters. Like all other countries during the war, posters of that time reflected patriotism, propaganda, and the need to support the war effort. Post-war, priorities shifted towards industrialization, commercialization and globalization which was reflected in the posters on display in this exhibition. For the most part, the posters were bright, colourful and alluring, catching your attention from afar and some interesting ones were on display that highlighted Japan's unique culture and marketing strategies.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTgZK-Bb3U4mqiiARcVB7OQ9W438TOS8EE3njrkaKzmQCsa7UrXp8JZtzCJnLPpRZDunO8oC2OiekZisQi5jp9R5HNp08GDSDJt1OIbhoztMvOJ75CQ3S_cnmF9cKPTl0tVfuHV2QIkCYHLv5dM7rO9uTWo-YLi00XHP3UwGCwNJSNHv4J0NZrQ23Om4/s1600/F4_Poster2a%20-%20Japanese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaTgZK-Bb3U4mqiiARcVB7OQ9W438TOS8EE3njrkaKzmQCsa7UrXp8JZtzCJnLPpRZDunO8oC2OiekZisQi5jp9R5HNp08GDSDJt1OIbhoztMvOJ75CQ3S_cnmF9cKPTl0tVfuHV2QIkCYHLv5dM7rO9uTWo-YLi00XHP3UwGCwNJSNHv4J0NZrQ23Om4/w640-h168/F4_Poster2a%20-%20Japanese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In 1967, a poster meant to promote a play, which includes an image of the playwright in the top left corner, was not completed until after the day of the performance. It therefore failed in its purpose as advertisement and even contains an apology by the artist in the lower right corner. But this piece by Yokoo Tadanori is still considered a work of art on its own merit. <b>Sugoroku</b> is a Japanese board game with a pictorial version similar to Chutes and Ladders. A poster of “<b>Shopping Sugoroku</b>” (1914) was used as advertisement for the opening of a modern department store and added as a pull-out supplement in popular women’s magazines. The board allows the players to make their way through different sections of the store. Another version of the Sugoroku game was developed for the Japanese version of Playboy magazine and involves trying to reach a well-known female adult film star pictured nude in the centre of the poster. At each numbered position, players are instructed to perform humorous acts including “remove your belly-button lint”. In posters advertising Shiseido’s bronze suntan oil, it is interesting to note that the actual product only appears as a small image within the brand’s logo. It was a practice in Japanese ad campaigns of the time to focus not on the product but on the lifestyle or identity that can be established through the use of the product. Japanese designed posters were also created for American brands including record album cover art for groups like the Monkees and the Beatles. The poster “<b>Trees”</b> (1955) is a clever example of typographical graphic design, repeating the Japanese Kanji character for tree to visually create a forest of trees. The very meta poster was used for tree-planting and Forest Protection campaigns.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMfi1Xz9sAEu4KEFdGVoxQiMdr_cKLhg3EeoZXbLR2qNpQxlqudPYQlsecX_U0xus8zBfWDGtbPEjC_-Xea70LJrZ4pW77gxddJ9xuYJ0YFMGtFgtFjK4sDWfUbuGNoB-BUZTTDPRAHDix8RrKoslGRt9LtNkUcQRNmDXZnvYpcnzx_RRH9YYopp-Q9c/s1600/F4_Poster2b%20-%20Japanese.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbMfi1Xz9sAEu4KEFdGVoxQiMdr_cKLhg3EeoZXbLR2qNpQxlqudPYQlsecX_U0xus8zBfWDGtbPEjC_-Xea70LJrZ4pW77gxddJ9xuYJ0YFMGtFgtFjK4sDWfUbuGNoB-BUZTTDPRAHDix8RrKoslGRt9LtNkUcQRNmDXZnvYpcnzx_RRH9YYopp-Q9c/w640-h164/F4_Poster2b%20-%20Japanese.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By the 1980s through to current day, the focus of Japanese posters shifted again, now adding <b>social conscious messaging</b> to the previous function of commercialization and hawking of products. Posters now discussed social issues such as the environment, pollution, climate change, sustainability as well as global peace and reconciliation and nuclear disarmament. The posters in the “Save me, please. I’m here” (1993) series were created for the 1993 Peace and environment exhibition. Each depict the grey silhouette of an single animal against a black background, as it if it is fading into the background and possibly into extinction if action is not taken. Several posters in the “<b>Hiroshima Appeals</b>” series by various Japanese artists remind us of that horrific event and advocates for peace in the future. In 2014, Clothing designer Issey Miyake created a line of clothing based on a series of images by Nagai Kazumasa titled “Life”. Playing on that title, Miyake wanted to “instill life” into Kazumasa’s static drawings through the movement of people wearing the clothes.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BEyqaUDuuLhpBrBnhS7joiF0ETccIKTItK7sUtnE5_H328adw6f_W7vv1Bq82G5UWG0zQGsGJ3iiie8mTzAdjJ2zps6KcB2J35q5DuWETw90Ksby3NKitz3_YuVR2vZ1QCxeI32MyqfwnQNZm-lQdVlYZBDuD-cSmreXP5b4B1_Va1RG4b1sToNd_Fs/s1600/F4_Poster3%20-%20Black%20Power.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4BEyqaUDuuLhpBrBnhS7joiF0ETccIKTItK7sUtnE5_H328adw6f_W7vv1Bq82G5UWG0zQGsGJ3iiie8mTzAdjJ2zps6KcB2J35q5DuWETw90Ksby3NKitz3_YuVR2vZ1QCxeI32MyqfwnQNZm-lQdVlYZBDuD-cSmreXP5b4B1_Va1RG4b1sToNd_Fs/w640-h158/F4_Poster3%20-%20Black%20Power.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The second exhibition was titled “<b>Branding the Black Panther Party</b>”. Where the Japanese posters were primarily for commercialization, the Black Panther group used the poster format as a means of propaganda, spreading their message through a cheap form of mass communication. Not having much funding, many of the posters were printed in black and white which was significantly less expensive than colour, and wheat-pasted on walls throughout Black communities. The posters attempted to rally support for their cause and sway public opinion to see this group as defenders of Black rights and seekers of justice as opposed to aggressors.<p></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sSo3zmQM8zyQEIIq6wL7TwyGrvfbvCqjXhoTBI8ubWUG7hL7lMvDONxOin2jCHGXixr-nTlWxTzSVt3_NV-MITABg4O8pHTCFBgYdtR1qmin5FNdANtwh2IOMAI0xuOGGuDv7nPrd2jBZfwrapcJ8G5OWYAbR0x7H4asta-ZV8peSzMH396sNYf2gaY/s1600/F4_Poster4_MakeYourOwn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_sSo3zmQM8zyQEIIq6wL7TwyGrvfbvCqjXhoTBI8ubWUG7hL7lMvDONxOin2jCHGXixr-nTlWxTzSVt3_NV-MITABg4O8pHTCFBgYdtR1qmin5FNdANtwh2IOMAI0xuOGGuDv7nPrd2jBZfwrapcJ8G5OWYAbR0x7H4asta-ZV8peSzMH396sNYf2gaY/w640-h164/F4_Poster4_MakeYourOwn.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A fun activity that you can do while at the Poster House is to insert yourself into an iconic poster and have an image of it sent to your email. The <b>photo booth</b> lets you scan through and choose from a large collection of posters, takes a photo of yourself and then lets you move/resize your image to fit into your selected poster. I chose the Rosie the Riveter “Yes You Can” poster as well as the movie poster for Attack of the 50 foot woman. Unfortunately I didn’t know how to resize myself properly, so I was even larger (the 200 foot woman)? and my legs were cut off from the result. Rich selected the Uncle Sam “I Want You for the US Army” poster and pointed out towards the viewer.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04v5IkYiQKyxkNwqV8hyNQ7mRitzVemm9rqYO-wb9NAH2CokwZH54tJ31EbkXtGGAEbcGpxgqHwIKtShz1HexFy8Eaarr_Kpl0MXnZBWps5Y0fQdPrP9G5t130ZC30_0H2XCa5bQIbKo5iN9Y5bDYZPeMQRw_AK3MQN4u8v5Q6fgVdcUxiDuHbfOT8Y/s1600/F6_AmericanFolkArt0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO04v5IkYiQKyxkNwqV8hyNQ7mRitzVemm9rqYO-wb9NAH2CokwZH54tJ31EbkXtGGAEbcGpxgqHwIKtShz1HexFy8Eaarr_Kpl0MXnZBWps5Y0fQdPrP9G5t130ZC30_0H2XCa5bQIbKo5iN9Y5bDYZPeMQRw_AK3MQN4u8v5Q6fgVdcUxiDuHbfOT8Y/w640-h158/F6_AmericanFolkArt0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Of all the museums that we visited on this trip, we were the most disappointed with the <b>American Folk Art Museum</b>, since we were only mildly interested in the two special exhibits that were being shown. The first was called <b>Material Witness: Folk and Self-Taught Artists</b> which explores the use of regionally sourced materials to create art. I found the examples to be drab and muted in tones as opposed to bright, colourful and quirky which is what we think of when we consider the term “folk art”. We saw many great examples of folk art in our East Coast trip to Nova Scotia in 2022 including <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-eastern-shore-drive.html" target="_blank">Barry Colpitt's Folk Art </a>on the Eastern shore of Nova Scotia, which rightly or wrongly, set our expectations of what we hoped to see.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk59vrF9fsEbU8dwj_PtlHJgZVhci_dDkE9AIaeixR5FogTC8NZTYSww8H3vnzk1TdW4qAtwFtxHzRP3onHs4cMxtNQyff11tfPZ7JKztNfEYr8l38qTXSbBT1B0oUFhe-t3kiWLo50OF1H4IXa6x7F9mJsZYiC8l3dz2bmfE43ox9VY87avbyZt-wdp8/s1600/F6_FolkArt1%20-%20Quilts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk59vrF9fsEbU8dwj_PtlHJgZVhci_dDkE9AIaeixR5FogTC8NZTYSww8H3vnzk1TdW4qAtwFtxHzRP3onHs4cMxtNQyff11tfPZ7JKztNfEYr8l38qTXSbBT1B0oUFhe-t3kiWLo50OF1H4IXa6x7F9mJsZYiC8l3dz2bmfE43ox9VY87avbyZt-wdp8/w640-h158/F6_FolkArt1%20-%20Quilts.jpg" width="640" /></a>We were more interested in the second exhibit. Titled “<b>What That Quilt Knows About Me</b>”. The exhibition explores the personal and emotional sentiments and stories that are conveyed through quilts with many dating back to the<b> 19th Century</b>. There was a fundraising <b>“Signature”</b> quilt comprised of squares with the names of those who made a donation. The more you donated, the more squares were embroidered with your name on it. The <b>“Piety Quilt”</b> includes squares indicating the creator, Maria Cadman Hubbard Age 79, and that it was made in 1848. Other squares had pious quotes include “Kind Words Never Die”, “Thy Will Be Done”, and “Peace be Still”. A “<b>Noah’s Ark”</b> quilt created circa (1890-1910) shows pairs of many types of animals that are embroidered onto cotton and silk. The pair of sheep are actually made of wool, the animals are disproportionately sized (insects are shown as the same size as penguins) and Noah’s entire family is depicted. Sarah Anne Garges made an <b>appliqué bedspread </b>(where figures are cut out and sewn onto the base) to mark her engagement to be married. The work depicts traditional farm life with a house, barn, animals and activities including hunting, plowing and chopping of wood.</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv4lzePfhp6A7FvecF3loiOFZFzA0BtO7z-m2AmoXFEoeiY5s0K1OHbX8awhMgGxzOpd0yG8GvNKM-MJI9HN-IDNkUSKq3mPRS4sdKBBmZ2YjESxR-vvHHflSyUUvi0PcPr_Xis_XWnBHJHDB4ggHX-6N62IHMw8PUFt9oHvl0aNO85NYBvH3s4tOdnQ/s1600/F6_FolkArt2%20-%20Quilts%20-%20Contemporary.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJv4lzePfhp6A7FvecF3loiOFZFzA0BtO7z-m2AmoXFEoeiY5s0K1OHbX8awhMgGxzOpd0yG8GvNKM-MJI9HN-IDNkUSKq3mPRS4sdKBBmZ2YjESxR-vvHHflSyUUvi0PcPr_Xis_XWnBHJHDB4ggHX-6N62IHMw8PUFt9oHvl0aNO85NYBvH3s4tOdnQ/w640-h156/F6_FolkArt2%20-%20Quilts%20-%20Contemporary.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Especially fascinating were the <b>20th-21st Century riffs</b> on the quilting tradition. Titled “<b>Vieques</b>” which is a Puerto Rican island, Druenell Levinson’s late 20th Century “quilt” looks like the Puerto Rican flag from afar but up close, you can see that it is comprised of wrapped Durex Gold Coin condoms sewn together and painted to create the image. Levinson juxtapositions the traditionally female craft of quilting with male-based objects to question gender assumptions. Geri Forkner created her “<b>365 Days of the Year</b>” quilt (2015) by weaving together everyday trash into strips, creating a record of daily activities including correspondence, ticket stubs, menus, French fry containers, holiday cards, advertisements, and other found objects. Dindga McCannon designed a<b> tribute to Jazz pianist Mary Lou Williams</b> (2017) combining found objects, photographs, paint and fibers to tell the story of the “greatest woman jazz pianist in the world” who played in Harlem’s nightclubs and composed songs for Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman during the Harlem Renaissance. At the bottom right corner is a portrait of the pianist while the adjacent strips are meant to resemble piano keys. Each patch of the humorous “<b>Greek Myths</b>” quilt (circa 1955-63) by Raymond Bellamy depicts a deity or figure from Greek mythology along with a pithy saying. For example, a hand-holding pair of male and female cyclops is captioned by “Making Eyes Cyclops Style”, although “Making Eye…” might have been more appropriate. Pandora and her box are captioned with “Pandora, what have you done?”</div><div><br /></div><div>All in all, we enjoyed the six new museums on the west side of New York City that we visited on this trip (including the two that I wrote about in the <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2023/05/new-york-2023-museums-in-west-manhattan.html" target="_blank">previous blog</a>). For the ones where we were less keen about the current special exhibition, we could see the potential for coming back another time when an exhibit more in line with our interests would be on display. So we will definitely keep these museums on our radar for future trips. And the extra benefit is that since they are not as well-known or popular as some of Manhattan’s big hitters, it is usually less crowded and you can spend more time up close and personal with the art works.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-31893450460444757952023-05-09T20:46:00.042-07:002023-09-03T10:52:22.864-07:00New York 2023: Museums in West Manhattan - New York Historical Society/Natural History Museum<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaWJRiio0ouJfl3GKDWbiwV6U7DZY9XJ9CW3pZ_bj0cP7S4EstsBIuCZBL2RBLP9xhivvsZQ-DtRkxFQBsZpp77GSGYJoE76Yb5Z23KfGyoZfzaXIyOrYejvJ5wDaDtWo4esBn2fHvv7ny0dI_0gf9fI2DxY25u3VcayNfYK48PKkuWJCK-U1pgVzsyM/s1574/F0_Museums.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="767" data-original-width="1574" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGaWJRiio0ouJfl3GKDWbiwV6U7DZY9XJ9CW3pZ_bj0cP7S4EstsBIuCZBL2RBLP9xhivvsZQ-DtRkxFQBsZpp77GSGYJoE76Yb5Z23KfGyoZfzaXIyOrYejvJ5wDaDtWo4esBn2fHvv7ny0dI_0gf9fI2DxY25u3VcayNfYK48PKkuWJCK-U1pgVzsyM/w640-h312/F0_Museums.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In our previous trips to Manhattan, for the most part my husband Rich and I explored museums situated east of Central Park including the Guggenheim, Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design, Neue Gallery, Metropolitan Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met), The Frick Collection and even the rotating exhibits at the beautiful Morgan Library. The one exception has been the Whitney Museum located in the Meatpacking district in the Lower West Side. When planning this trip, we reviewed the current exhibitions on display at these museums but there was nothing that excited us. So in keeping with the main theme of this visit to New York City, we decided to check out museums in the west end of the city which we had never been to before.<p></p><p>When Rich first suggested that we visit the <b>New York Historical Society Museum and Librar</b>y, I was not that enthused. While I love art galleries, I generally don’t like historical museums which I envisioned would display shards of old pottery and other boring artifacts. Begrudgingly I agreed to go since I know that as a history major, the “History of New York” would be of greater interest to him. As it turns out, I absolutely loved this hidden gem of a museum which is full of art, extremely cool artifacts in its permanent collection and really interesting special exhibits. Unfortunately, I will be listening to Rich say “I told you so” for a very long time.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNa7u6u8w41349HX9UNBYepuYoTavQnSXqexJLtRSoOw7XOz8wULZSbgMbxfiUyp5zjtSRFvWnMI62Jqtse0Pj5Ng57uRNsQeBcHHbPGFnAsqu2xPzOZEqed1ITBddeYfJuxpM5dN-h_8nE9_K1gmwjV8Npci628MmakkcB5nsy8HxfOxuDIQ0QGdUVg/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety1%20-%20Clock-Library.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNa7u6u8w41349HX9UNBYepuYoTavQnSXqexJLtRSoOw7XOz8wULZSbgMbxfiUyp5zjtSRFvWnMI62Jqtse0Pj5Ng57uRNsQeBcHHbPGFnAsqu2xPzOZEqed1ITBddeYfJuxpM5dN-h_8nE9_K1gmwjV8Npci628MmakkcB5nsy8HxfOxuDIQ0QGdUVg/w640-h162/F1_HistoricalSociety1%20-%20Clock-Library.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Founded in 1804, the <b>New York Historical Society</b> is New York City’s oldest museum focusing on the history of America and more specifically Manhattan with extensive historical artifacts and over 1.6 million works of art. Located on Central Park West between 76th and 77th Streets, the museum features a sculpture of <b>Abraham Lincoln</b> on the steps of its Central Park West entrance and one of former slave turned abolitionist and statesman <b>Fredrick Douglass</b> at the entrance on 77th Street. The two sculptures reflect the museum’s dedication to presenting the history of slavery in New York with a permanent exhibition on the topic. One of the highlights located by the gift shop is the magnificent 1893 <b>Waldorf Astoria lobby clock</b> made of marble, brass, walnut, mahogany, brass and plated silver and topped by the gilded figure of the Statue of Liberty. On loan from the famous hotel while it is being renovated, the clock first appeared at the 1893 World Expo in Chicago and once told the time in New York, Paris, Madrid and Greenwich England on its 4 faces. On the ceiling above the museum’s admissions desk is the former ceiling from pop artist <b>Keith Haring</b>’s original Pop Shop on Soho Street which closed in 2005. A subway sign from the Bowery station featuring Haring’s signature crawling baby and barking dog images was also featured in one of the current exhibitions. The museum houses <b>Patricia D. Klingenstein Library</b>, one of the oldest, most distinguished research libraries in the United States.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_KsemfoHn4s0x3Ivdyr1BsXeiw51zfpe20BifGu6ZJh307gyOjR8mMkDB9N-NpdZDDxjSK8vsgd1QAzU-Ryp6_fGUDBXOHSYRdBwSf_yT8cpRgmVQ-02kI4CMFrEE0CoQa0FgUBU--qzCGAir5LhC6eLe4QrSEkhIE_EjWRRZfO5_Gl3ITEcIDp4ASE/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety2%20-%20Permanent.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf_KsemfoHn4s0x3Ivdyr1BsXeiw51zfpe20BifGu6ZJh307gyOjR8mMkDB9N-NpdZDDxjSK8vsgd1QAzU-Ryp6_fGUDBXOHSYRdBwSf_yT8cpRgmVQ-02kI4CMFrEE0CoQa0FgUBU--qzCGAir5LhC6eLe4QrSEkhIE_EjWRRZfO5_Gl3ITEcIDp4ASE/w640-h156/F1_HistoricalSociety2%20-%20Permanent.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The museum’s main <b>permanent collection</b> is displayed in an exhibit titled “<b>Object Tell Stories</b>” and indeed there are some very interesting objects found here. The full-sized model of Abraham Lincoln’s head that would be used to create the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. towers over the Henry Luce III Centre for the Study of American Culture where rotating treasures from the permanent collection are displayed. A drum-shaped draft wheel, circa 1863, was used in the nation’s first conscription act to secure men to fight in the Civil War. The swirling snakes encircling “Snake Jug” (1871) represent the corrupt members of the Tammany Hall political organization who used bribes and illegal dealings to secure political power. The heads of the snakes depict ringleader William “Boss” Tweed and his cronies. A prototype for a “Workbox School Desk” was created in the 2000s to be used for elementary students to address social issues of the time. It includes a side blackboard for sanctioned graffiti and a private locker to stow clothes in order to prevent the spread of lice. The desk did not make it past the evaluation stage. Cast iron painted mechanical “Novelty Banks” designed by C.C. Johnson (circa 1873) were on display including ones where the doors of a bank swings open to reveal a teller who accepts your coin and deposits it.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGKfeMm_WEpGVEYRggdsEjoIo-pHXNeHk46QoUBCTXXW-5GLzOSSR2XGTd8Yf6pyT6Itj83B4R5yKm4LCuDRvMBb0vXGU_xJpUBN-FLn3HWuMFuZOO2m5Ohn-rHsDMbeZQ4C8TAkuOrhC_ZG9h94QpjcHzPy25QLb3nlY4ZHvrD7iHK9MYc_7mOeOgHI/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvGKfeMm_WEpGVEYRggdsEjoIo-pHXNeHk46QoUBCTXXW-5GLzOSSR2XGTd8Yf6pyT6Itj83B4R5yKm4LCuDRvMBb0vXGU_xJpUBN-FLn3HWuMFuZOO2m5Ohn-rHsDMbeZQ4C8TAkuOrhC_ZG9h94QpjcHzPy25QLb3nlY4ZHvrD7iHK9MYc_7mOeOgHI/w640-h160/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of the highlights of this museum is the impressive collection of over 100 stunning, illuminated <b>Tiffany Lamps</b> that span two floors of a large gallery. The colourful leaded glass lamp shades include the iconic dragonfly motif, as well as wisteria, poppy, daffodils, peonies and other floral designs. Mostly of the items on display were table lamps although there were a few floor lamps as well. While the Tiffany lamps are renowned for their beautiful stained-glass shades, I was particularly impressed by the gorgeous and eclectic bronze bases. Many of them are designed to look like rooted tree trunks. There is also one with a “blooming cereus oil base”, and others with pieces of blown glass inserted in them. The “Trumpet Creeper” lamp has a second light source inside the base which illuminates the eight ruby-red pieces of pressed glass called “turtlebacks” because of their shapes and curved arms reaching out towards the shade.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja41472WNquXyZX9DxaCGTWvCkyUtOzFMqG5HTZUr3vY07xEEH6fV56srDL-h0xpvZRecpCzbTx0sf9YSXRhXEY7uxshaaKYqwmVXhddBZPeH1TalnLbICFIECc78FnP74WpqgDbVTXdEhPytOJuoWtjI7clyKbzv9b5PuxH8vBky3niHsJGbjlbDCQ6Q/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja41472WNquXyZX9DxaCGTWvCkyUtOzFMqG5HTZUr3vY07xEEH6fV56srDL-h0xpvZRecpCzbTx0sf9YSXRhXEY7uxshaaKYqwmVXhddBZPeH1TalnLbICFIECc78FnP74WpqgDbVTXdEhPytOJuoWtjI7clyKbzv9b5PuxH8vBky3niHsJGbjlbDCQ6Q/w640-h156/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tiffany lamps were invented by <b>Louis Comfort Tiffany</b>, son of jewelry retailer Charles Tiffany who founded Tiffany & Co. However, many of the more iconic lamps were designed by <b>Clara Wolcott Driscoll</b> and created anonymously by her team of “Women’s Glass Cutting Department”, dubbed “The Tiffany Girls”. When we took a guided tour of this collection, our guide told us that the more decorative pieces such as the dragonfly and flower designs were usually created by women, while the geometrically shaped and tiled pieces were generally designed and created by men. Louis Tiffany wanted to present the illusion that he was the mastermind behind all the designs, which explained the need for anonymity, even though some of the most prestigious works were actually created by Driscoll and crew. While this may have been par for the course given the male dominated, misogynistic times of the early 20th Century, it seems strange that even today, the informational sign in the exhibition describing Louis C. Tiffany and Clara Driscoll only shows a photo of Tiffany. I had to search the Internet to find one of Driscoll. One unique piece on display was a jewel-studded “Crown Shade” with a bronze tripod base depicting sphinxes that was a specialty order, circa 1900.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5cO32DPeq8ZPrUKRh0A9BrKE0PWnUlYUKBzFrj5EByCnuTRMBh2cd2wu5hZwDj907KXHwQ0_wUK_XJCvh5z788ZWimf7vqNnK-p3UJ02-VecR_ergqCHjAQV4NMql1VB5TAdygmqJUmFwJh_btBK5E9yUXa1U76dBDgC8pkEOBUzLS5JkzvgSEJRNa0/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf5cO32DPeq8ZPrUKRh0A9BrKE0PWnUlYUKBzFrj5EByCnuTRMBh2cd2wu5hZwDj907KXHwQ0_wUK_XJCvh5z788ZWimf7vqNnK-p3UJ02-VecR_ergqCHjAQV4NMql1VB5TAdygmqJUmFwJh_btBK5E9yUXa1U76dBDgC8pkEOBUzLS5JkzvgSEJRNa0/w640-h178/F1_HistoricalSociety3%20-%20Tiffany3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The upper floor of the gallery provided interesting facts and displays explaining the various components that went into designing and creating a Tiffany lamp shade. This included selecting the colours, tones and textures of glass fragments and jewels made from pressed glass, the technique of using a metal filigree (ornamental work of fine wire) to provide detailing, tracing out patterns on a wooden lamp shade-shaped mold, pinning together glass segments separated with thin copper foil and soldering them together to form the delicate patterns. One of the most interesting displays was the one asking you to decide which of two similar lamps was a fake. I correctly guessed that it was the one with the brighter (gaudier?) colours with larger jewels for the eyes of the dragon flies and less refined detailing on the wings. The original had a subtle elegance that the fake lacked.<br /><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrMzw8MdDtewtGcUdcl-oAqfBbQsl33JOOiHnb03296ZIyqEdWKZuN-Lnc466dlbV_7WxX3Y0An7-m__CiNrOH038sz_hIxr8nTYwzBlJRSbeERg0v3ryVDHjz2hBVNX97_YyvRC6Blv0edqWZbmI1xHbIerWEATDR_jeO3wdPC3nWipGpfPxR6wO6q0/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety4%20-%20OvalOffice.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJrMzw8MdDtewtGcUdcl-oAqfBbQsl33JOOiHnb03296ZIyqEdWKZuN-Lnc466dlbV_7WxX3Y0An7-m__CiNrOH038sz_hIxr8nTYwzBlJRSbeERg0v3ryVDHjz2hBVNX97_YyvRC6Blv0edqWZbmI1xHbIerWEATDR_jeO3wdPC3nWipGpfPxR6wO6q0/w640-h160/F1_HistoricalSociety4%20-%20OvalOffice.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The other permanent exhibition that is a major attraction at the New York Historical Society is “<b>Meet the Presidents and the Oval Office</b>” which focuses on the seat of power where presidents have executed their duties since 1909. It starts with a model of the White House along with figurines of all the Presidents of the United States from George Washington through to Joe Biden. There is also a portrait gallery with paintings or photographs of each President. But the highlight is the recreation of the Oval Office as decorated for Ronald Reagan’s second term (1985-1989) and features his signature jar of jellybeans on the “Resolute Desk” that was originally a present from Queen Victoria to President Hayes in 1880 and continues to be recreated and used by each president since. Visitors are invited to sit at the desk for a photo opportunity. There are artworks and artifacts scattered throughout the room that reference other presidents, including the bible used at George Washington’s inauguration and a student’s 1962 scrapbook that described JFK’s actions during the Cuban Missile Crisis. There are also audio recordings of past presidents’ thoughts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMv7OIPo4DfS-dn2Z-54Is_lTd33XDUs10PYjEHX4rbZ_ZF5TZfWV7NCLwR3RAs5jIk2XmSHOmA5j4uoijtduK2oJMDipXW4EHfVxh5l5UM0onJA25i4mQ8I334murgHHXHT2THZVmh2nk89T8SbItrA5zOIB2cNmaju3p0yy24BZbH8dsWtrRjq8_n8/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety5%20-%20Other%20Permanent%20Works.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBMv7OIPo4DfS-dn2Z-54Is_lTd33XDUs10PYjEHX4rbZ_ZF5TZfWV7NCLwR3RAs5jIk2XmSHOmA5j4uoijtduK2oJMDipXW4EHfVxh5l5UM0onJA25i4mQ8I334murgHHXHT2THZVmh2nk89T8SbItrA5zOIB2cNmaju3p0yy24BZbH8dsWtrRjq8_n8/w640-h174/F1_HistoricalSociety5%20-%20Other%20Permanent%20Works.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Other interesting items from the permanent collection are scattered throughout the museum. On a landing of the main stairwell can be found Greek “tanagara” or terracotta figures representing the <b>Four Season</b>s, created by sculptor and folk art collector Elie Nadelman (ca 1912). Augusta Savage created a magnificent sculpture titled<b> Lift Every Voice and Sing (The Harp)</b> for the 1939 World’s Fair. Its overall shape is a harp with 12 young black singers of varying heights forming the strings, a boy kneeling in front with a rectangular plate as the foot pedal and at the back of the harp is the hand of God, acting as the sounding board, implying that the singers are instruments of God. The original 16-foot sculpture was destroyed once the fair was over so only small models like this one made from white metal cast with a black patina remain. <b>Extreme Times Call for Extreme Heroines</b> (2017) is created by contemporary mixed media artist Betye Saar. It is part of her series of washboards honouring the labour of washwomen who worked 16+ hours a day in hot, steamy conditions. Saar adorns the washboard with the stereotypical Aunt Jemima figure but reclaims and subverts the racist image by arming her with a semi-automatic machine gun. A vintage clock stopped in time represents the lack of social progress since the abolition days. In 2021 during the height of the pandemic, artist Tim Okamura painted <b>Nurse Tracey-Ann Knight </b>masked and posing in the iconic “Rosie the Riveter We can Do It” stance. The museum has a fine collection of silverware including a pair of beautiful silver <b>Torah finials (Rimonim ca.1765)</b> used for adorning the ends of a Torah scroll. They were created by silversmith Myer Meyers for the first synagogue to be established in North America.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfx4BXpI6jHgq_fSao4VBeZ6GLf4xmGbY9pvx-2W84bM6g2nm5S2IoxMxDCjkjJug2jnKPwk6TeB9H8N6JhEK98F4XqseIeeyDBgYYeS7eQt3rjd0yjgrFF9-6_Gci6U48bqHtk3gBJuVNGrHVsNxZIJgth05lfPFOOaYFJ0uNB8IADho60RNTj5i5f4/s390/F1_HistoricalSociety7a-%20Picasso%20le%20Tricorne.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="306" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdfx4BXpI6jHgq_fSao4VBeZ6GLf4xmGbY9pvx-2W84bM6g2nm5S2IoxMxDCjkjJug2jnKPwk6TeB9H8N6JhEK98F4XqseIeeyDBgYYeS7eQt3rjd0yjgrFF9-6_Gci6U48bqHtk3gBJuVNGrHVsNxZIJgth05lfPFOOaYFJ0uNB8IADho60RNTj5i5f4/w314-h400/F1_HistoricalSociety7a-%20Picasso%20le%20Tricorne.jpg" width="314" /></a></div>We visited the grand <b>Dexter Hall</b> on the second level, where a<b> rare and treasured theatre curtain that was painted by Picas</b>so is hung. The tempera on canvas curtain was commissioned by the famed Ballets Russes company in 1919 for its <b>ballet Le Tricorne</b> and features the aftermath of a bull fight where the bull is being dragged away by a team of horses. Interestingly, this happens in the background, and you have to look closely to even see the bull as only his horns are depicted. In the foreground are a seated couple who are staring out towards the viewer as opposed to watching the spectacle in the arena. To the right of them is a young boy holding a pomegranate (the symbol of death) and three females who could represent the Three Fates. The curtain was purchased by the Four Seasons Hotel in 1959 and was on display there until 2014. In looking for a new home for the masterpiece, the stipulation was that it had to be permanently displayed in its own space, and the New York Historical Society was able to meet the requirements.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdqjluFjFKC_C8W80SmIBK-5IOoTF4lUSlikYfkP5H7bnd2zCOqEeo7VKEG-MUo88WIoTeenhpY3wIzlcCrU9te1jVOtfpn1iKL-6POl7uqcT9sn8_2O4IJ23Fn2tqWChGThEVBQsCjMqa4Sf9RTKHSmmOFzGp2md2jnXScCcCmXMh0TU5dyYjyWUDOY/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety6b%20-%20New%20York%20Scenes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdqjluFjFKC_C8W80SmIBK-5IOoTF4lUSlikYfkP5H7bnd2zCOqEeo7VKEG-MUo88WIoTeenhpY3wIzlcCrU9te1jVOtfpn1iKL-6POl7uqcT9sn8_2O4IJ23Fn2tqWChGThEVBQsCjMqa4Sf9RTKHSmmOFzGp2md2jnXScCcCmXMh0TU5dyYjyWUDOY/w640-h164/F1_HistoricalSociety6b%20-%20New%20York%20Scenes.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Also on display in the Dexter Hall was the exhibit <b>Scenes of New York City</b>, which showed a subset of works owned by the art collectors and philanthropists <b>Elie and Sarah Hirschfeld</b>, who have promised to donate their collection to the museum. As described by the exhibition’s title, the works provide a survey of New York over the years, depicting harbours, skyscrapers, subways, restaurants and streetscapes. To complement the display of the art, the museum asked for commentary about each work, providing a different perspective when viewing them. Leon Kroll’s Broadway Looking South (1919) was painted by the artist looking out from the window of his studio on 80th Street, highlighting buildings in his sightline including the famous Ansonia Hotel which we saw on our<a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2023/05/new-york-city-2023-exploring.html" target="_blank"> self-guided architectural tour of the Upper West Side</a>. Novelist Lorraine Merkl was a former resident of the Ansonia and recalled that it was the closest she came to experiencing the city’s “good old-fashioned glamour”. In 1937 before he started his abstract colour-field paintings, Mark Rothko painted an untitled depiction of a subway scene although the colour palettes in this painting foreshadow his future endeavours. Elia Hirschfeld conveyed his delight in coming across this work that was “a harbinger of things to come”. A depiction of West 58th Street (ca 1935-45) by Henry Schnakenberg shows a bustling scene dated by the neon sign of Regal Shoes, a traffic signal that only has red and green lights and the clothes of the women crossing the street. The painting Central Park Hack depicting a horse-drawn buggy is commented on by a horse carriage driver as it invokes for him the pleasure of a sunny Central Park in springtime. The 1964 painting of Mickey Mantle in his prime is commented on by a Yankees fan who appreciates remembering Mantle at the height of his power.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO9LqYEZ5Z-JE-QZ_NJ6wFuVw59U7SwfuLEOXbSKgm9gcZo5toEIOypYi8iCMRcladfCOEa_PgeQPGmMh6I3GZJvS-J5qU1vyx9MRUnx6oEwWx3NZucVyXCGfc6nKafsWxnC1ATMygdo7xU4cWvVY2DOlfO5wiwtw0Ku2Lbgoa_QlX2xAteDVUhdAFkw/s1140/F1_HistoricalSociety7a%20-L.C.%20Leyendecker1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1140" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihO9LqYEZ5Z-JE-QZ_NJ6wFuVw59U7SwfuLEOXbSKgm9gcZo5toEIOypYi8iCMRcladfCOEa_PgeQPGmMh6I3GZJvS-J5qU1vyx9MRUnx6oEwWx3NZucVyXCGfc6nKafsWxnC1ATMygdo7xU4cWvVY2DOlfO5wiwtw0Ku2Lbgoa_QlX2xAteDVUhdAFkw/w640-h228/F1_HistoricalSociety7a%20-L.C.%20Leyendecker1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The exhibit titled “<b>Under Cover – J.C. Leyendecker and American Masculinity</b>” explores the works of <b>Joseph Christian Leyendecker</b>, a prominent and successful gay commercial artist and illustrator who was distinguished for his iconic advertising campaigns between 1898-1930 including illustrations for Arrow Shirts and Collars, Gillette Razors, Interwoven socks, Cooper Underwear, B. Kuppenheimer men’s clothing, Williams Shaving Cream, Ivory Soap and more. He created over 322 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, which was one of the most influential magazines within middle class America from the 1920s-60s. Leyendecker selected beautiful young white male models for his ads to sell products and posed them in manners that, under the 21st century gaze, look totally homoerotic including potentially gay narratives where two men are seated closely and looking intensely at one another. Even the men who appear solo in the ads seem unusually effeminate with their well-coifed hair and stylish poses. It is interesting that none of this seemed to be a problem in Leyendecker’s time. In fact, Leyendecker was declared the “champion of men in art” and President Theodore Roosevelt advocated his illustrations as being “a superb example of the common man”.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXdZrFAvUKh6LG7x63t6r4QnNlJ59NmRA1xX4IKy4JlcJLW2N-ONfMV_oZzziCCXsyrob3bp6ZLDR5ui1tyMtc90AD7YgUXkXSfNjGvu3CFddMPotfivrPVAic7pupNJXIsUXXiybSrT64IpNX8jlsATyJXcg_WqqMPHSFYaECO4LEDFIp3Mr-H368yk/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety7b%20-L.C.%20Leyendecker2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXdZrFAvUKh6LG7x63t6r4QnNlJ59NmRA1xX4IKy4JlcJLW2N-ONfMV_oZzziCCXsyrob3bp6ZLDR5ui1tyMtc90AD7YgUXkXSfNjGvu3CFddMPotfivrPVAic7pupNJXIsUXXiybSrT64IpNX8jlsATyJXcg_WqqMPHSFYaECO4LEDFIp3Mr-H368yk/w640-h162/F1_HistoricalSociety7b%20-L.C.%20Leyendecker2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Whether this meant that the views towards male sexuality were different in those times is unclear. Was the latent sexuality in Leyendecker’s work tolerated and accepted, or just not recognized? In fact, other advertisements of the same time were even more blatantly homoerotic, as can be seen in comparing “It Floats” ads for Ivory Soap. Leyendecker’s ad depicts a man in a full length flowery robe who (according to the curator notes) appears to be sexually aroused as he gazes at his bar of soap. Compare this to another advertisement that depicts naked men in a YMCA shower being literally ogled by other men. During the first and second World Wars, Leyendecker painted military recruitment and war bond posters for the US Government but even in these situations, the sailors and soldiers still give off a feminine or homoerotic air. Yet once again, another Ivory Soap add espousing patriotism and praising the war effort inexplicably depicts fully naked men being by a swimming hole being casually watched by other soldiers. This must prove that the attitudes towards homosexuality or at least affection and attraction between men were laxer in the early 20th Century?<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-eVo8zrqs88Q4Wt0W6ghtC7TzgCpfZUhp0gqQXQTax5a9ASw2iiHb_tEjOUt9FR9nZvItZvcnxEAL8QAAuqbm1Br-8bswiA69ja9wGDj1NmKmRzeGJcmGHvh3i3mEtM8DoXnjAmPTzg0riLIbFHA6PdDf4n8owIjOb_3DJK64FJPPd6IldBYOxKMbYI/s1600/F1_HistoricalSociety8%20-%20Kara%20Walker.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-eVo8zrqs88Q4Wt0W6ghtC7TzgCpfZUhp0gqQXQTax5a9ASw2iiHb_tEjOUt9FR9nZvItZvcnxEAL8QAAuqbm1Br-8bswiA69ja9wGDj1NmKmRzeGJcmGHvh3i3mEtM8DoXnjAmPTzg0riLIbFHA6PdDf4n8owIjOb_3DJK64FJPPd6IldBYOxKMbYI/w640-h158/F1_HistoricalSociety8%20-%20Kara%20Walker.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A final exhibition that I enjoyed was <b>Kara Walker’</b>s reinterpretation of the <b>Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War</b>, a book that consists of articles, engravings, and maps from Harper Magazine issues which are meant to provide a profile of the American Civil War that lasted from 1861-1865, “from the firing on Fort Sumter to Lincoln’s assassination”. Kara’s versions comment on the fact that the plight of the African Americans of the time were omitted from this narrative. She does this in her “<b>Annointed</b>” versions by taking images from the original anthology and overlaying them with silhouetted cutouts of stenciled figures depicting stereotypically exaggerated and derogatory depictions of black slaves. I found these works to be extremely powerful and effective in its commentary on the brutality of slavery and the persistence of racist imagery.</div><div><br /></div><div>We ended up spending much more time in this wonderful museum than I anticipated. I enjoyed it so much that we will need to return on a future trip to devote more time to some exhibits that we rushed through, even though I will have to admit to Rich once again that “he was right and I was wrong”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju91TSdu68vFde-ja0Iiml9SkJhUJLWYz7nfe49QGmPsrV_UWA0pxi5fYlA16Q7pJiXqokuKCjMeQX4-NqIt9sRxDfiwp0r3Zqb1IYQuVE8xPxNyVXXDH9HFeE1ckuHSeHQWS7A7AfcfqDhi8ZdTMM9UkxFh_RyktME2239t1gAmu-ZfX8NbFmgLpPsdY/s1600/F2_NaturalHistory1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju91TSdu68vFde-ja0Iiml9SkJhUJLWYz7nfe49QGmPsrV_UWA0pxi5fYlA16Q7pJiXqokuKCjMeQX4-NqIt9sRxDfiwp0r3Zqb1IYQuVE8xPxNyVXXDH9HFeE1ckuHSeHQWS7A7AfcfqDhi8ZdTMM9UkxFh_RyktME2239t1gAmu-ZfX8NbFmgLpPsdY/w640-h156/F2_NaturalHistory1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As it was situated right next to the New York Historical Society, we planned to go look at the new addition to the<b> American Museum of Natural History</b> which was just completed this year. Designed by the architectural team headed by Jeanne Gang, the Richard Gilder Centre for Science is reminiscent of Antonio Gaudi’s Casa Mila in Barcelona. Concrete and cavernous, the building feels organic like it is made from the bones of some large animal. We had planned to sneak a peek at the inside by claiming we wanted to go to the gift shop. But as it turns out, admission to the building is free in its last half hour before closing so I was able to quickly race up and down the various floors to get a feel for the exhibits. It was fun seeing the display cases of stuffed animals including exotic birds, large bats, skeletons of fish, and frogs in a jar. But the real attraction was the architecture of this new wing which felt like a natural organism in its own right.</div></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-58276330204080468342023-05-09T19:32:00.180-07:002023-08-09T17:07:42.361-07:00New York City 2023: Exploring the Architecture of the Upper West Side<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKNl7rtoO7gYWldOVp41lH4N2HNJ7NDcjgp0Xc5pf-dPsDjjqvSxg08Z88We-S1JLo6nsE6s7Cfu2m19AsOiHZ4p9_f51Tpxq0NN1DHMWTPJDW1gJOpVm99poT2YyqiTj4LzBjNg0VbAFQ04NVMy6PnQeALsZX7ynu7AYQ4TWQzjxJYDEvdVRjTTBWr8/s1600/B_UpperWest1_WalkToBelvedere.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGKNl7rtoO7gYWldOVp41lH4N2HNJ7NDcjgp0Xc5pf-dPsDjjqvSxg08Z88We-S1JLo6nsE6s7Cfu2m19AsOiHZ4p9_f51Tpxq0NN1DHMWTPJDW1gJOpVm99poT2YyqiTj4LzBjNg0VbAFQ04NVMy6PnQeALsZX7ynu7AYQ4TWQzjxJYDEvdVRjTTBWr8/w640-h160/B_UpperWest1_WalkToBelvedere.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After flying from Toronto to Newark and taking the Air Train into Manhattan’s Penn Station, my husband Rich and I proceeded to walk the 14 blocks north along 8th Avenue from 34th Street to 48th Street where our hotel was. I like cities that have street names that are numbers since it helps you gauge how much further it is until you reach your destination. This is especially useful when you are lugging your carry-on bag on your shoulder, and it feels heavier and heavier as you go. By the time we headed back to Penn Station to return home, we had walked so much in the interim that we decided it was not too extravagant to take the subway for 2 stops instead of doing this schlep again. During our trek north on 8th Ave, we came across the <b>New Yorker Wyndam Hotel</b> with its cool Art Deco-styled sign, a bronze <b>sculpture of Ralph Kramden</b>, the character played by Jackie Gleason on The Honeymooners which is in front of the Port Authority, and the <b>headquarters of the New York Times</b> newspaper which we read and work on its crossword puzzle every Sunday. This stretch of 8th Ave. is full of restaurants, shops and office towers and has a busy, happening vibe. Between 41st Street to 48th Street, we walked by some of the <b>Broadway theatres </b>that we would be watching shows at later in the week. At the <b>Belvedere Hotel </b>which is located on 48th Street between 8th Sand 9th Avenues., we were delighted by the beautiful Art Deco décor of both the building and the interior.<p></p><div>We arrived too early to check into our hotel, so we dropped off our bags and continued to explore the <b>Upper West Side</b> of Manhattan, starting with our immediate neighbourhood of<b> Hell’s Kitche</b>n. We really like this area which is immediately west of the Broadway theatre district but has more of a residential feel with less of the frenzy and touristy shops and restaurants found on the east side of 8th Avenue. It has definitely been gentrified compared to its gritty, crime-filled eponymous past.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAr2wLAsSK78LiS2hw6dv4Uxhz851SwlS3ZG_CQ__2FAuiufAI3u4AFDj3_tNueUpYg1wUQe9UalLl45v8nAN9OQkhXJlVoza-gj4oWDUIitNT5UdpN-arm7tXu81mJC8HKpDKRnTuSCTQQyaaVA_rZjQj6YLld6vmqmSJge8m--RGD6n0IHRWZqgggM/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2a1%20-%20Around%20Hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAr2wLAsSK78LiS2hw6dv4Uxhz851SwlS3ZG_CQ__2FAuiufAI3u4AFDj3_tNueUpYg1wUQe9UalLl45v8nAN9OQkhXJlVoza-gj4oWDUIitNT5UdpN-arm7tXu81mJC8HKpDKRnTuSCTQQyaaVA_rZjQj6YLld6vmqmSJge8m--RGD6n0IHRWZqgggM/w640-h168/B_UpperWestSide2a1%20-%20Around%20Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The Belvedere Hotel is right across the street from the <b>Professional Performing Arts School NYC (PPAS)</b> which immediately made me think of the movie Fame with students dancing on the street. Whenever we travel, we always try to book a hotel that has a mini fridge to store fruit and yogurt so that we could have a quick breakfast before heading out for the day. Just around the corner from the hotel is a hipster grocery store called <b>Amish Market</b> which sells products from both local artisan farms and international suppliers. From our hotel window, we could see a <b>multi-leveled carpark</b> which seems to work on a lift with cars stacked one on top of the other. On the walls of buildings we found more <b>street art </b>that reflected the vibrancy of the city, as opposed to graffiti scrawls found elsewhere.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO93JWx4nChw4BSmK2cZK1lvs0rgKEHsFa4_MmUkrfDVI3D_7U-4y4ksyRKeNwZfMEjiCB3poFAoP-7rDZ_NA5DTrxxJdJSZWo5H-A1ZNPPHTikrZ6EVWTUR1mjVtENWE0vs7w9BPbiQ5DuVtcnYRBE6-PGAedFD4oBXPGu9MUgsyoJxi2m5T_OSideIc/s1599/B_UpperWestSide2a2%20-%20Lillie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1599" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO93JWx4nChw4BSmK2cZK1lvs0rgKEHsFa4_MmUkrfDVI3D_7U-4y4ksyRKeNwZfMEjiCB3poFAoP-7rDZ_NA5DTrxxJdJSZWo5H-A1ZNPPHTikrZ6EVWTUR1mjVtENWE0vs7w9BPbiQ5DuVtcnYRBE6-PGAedFD4oBXPGu9MUgsyoJxi2m5T_OSideIc/w640-h160/B_UpperWestSide2a2%20-%20Lillie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Just a couple of blocks away from our hotel is <b>Lillie’s Victorian Establishment</b> which has a beautifully decorated storefront with gilded door frames and the most ornate door handle that we had ever seen. There is a bronze sculpture of a Victorian woman at the front and flowers in the front window (perhaps the eponymous Lillie?) When I first passed by, I thought this was either a vintage clothing or a décor shop, but it is actually an Irish-Victorian bar and restaurant that is as ornately decorated inside as it is outside. The establishment is named in honour of Lillie Langtry, a British actress and socialite of the late 19th Century who was mistress to Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSnIbXHXEaHwrnCjc1RhLD9kiJl-xoyEGLc4St2kSgS5rRMSOxNDZfOw1rHlhEGKUVkJ18GTS7y8GLF0iMVvu-CMIEt4jn52MZabR4CGF6eT_H9pu5nIGDm3-V9SuaUitLllv7JVO2LPyUnWDjn8oET_zrt_oVslUHznBZDRxPW-xEJMhdcjph1P3mb4/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2a3%20-%20Columbus%20Circle%20to.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQSnIbXHXEaHwrnCjc1RhLD9kiJl-xoyEGLc4St2kSgS5rRMSOxNDZfOw1rHlhEGKUVkJ18GTS7y8GLF0iMVvu-CMIEt4jn52MZabR4CGF6eT_H9pu5nIGDm3-V9SuaUitLllv7JVO2LPyUnWDjn8oET_zrt_oVslUHznBZDRxPW-xEJMhdcjph1P3mb4/w640-h160/B_UpperWestSide2a3%20-%20Columbus%20Circle%20to.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing our walk north along 8th Avenue, we took a self-guided architectural tour of the spectacular buildings found in the Upper West Side. We came across a bust and a plaque marking the last home of Hungarian composer <b>Bela Bartok</b> (1881-1945), known for combining folk music with classic and modern music. At 8th Avenue and 57th Street, we admired the<b> Hearst Tower</b> whose first six floors were built in Art Deco style in 1928 and feature large stone carvings at the base of two central columns including one figure who looks like he is making a “hip hop” pose. The modern, glass tower emanating from the original base was completed in 2006 and provides an additional 40 floors. At 59th Street we reached <b>Columbus Circle</b> with the monument honouring Christopher Columbus, and then veered off onto Broadway Ave to continue exploring the Upper West Side. Rich was fascinated by the stone carvings on the pillars of the <b>Park Laurel Building </b>at 15 West 63rd Street which depict scenes such as a car being repaired and a man and his dog being filmed by another man with a movie camera. The Park Laurel condominium building sits on top of the former<b> McBurney Prep School for Boys</b> (1916-1985), which was attended by famous names such as Robert De Niro, Henry Winkler, news anchor Ted Koppel and reclusive writer J.D. Salinger, who featured the school in his book The Catcher in the Rye. Interestingly, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of producing the TV show Sesame Street at this location, 63rd Street was renamed Sesame Street in 2019. At 56 West 66th Street, we found the <b>First Battery Armory</b>, a red brick and granite National Guard armory building designed in Beaux-Arts and multiple Revival styles with castellated parapets and in use between 1904-1975. It was owned for a while by ABC (later Walt Disney Company) and used as production studios until 2012 when the building was converted into office space.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL-j5Zfv-lJOXufWno3KDf5C68MjJIFHzCNSCluCelQj7p6D5j8Skiz0ZGVRjtabxli0DhOKMdOb5Mv8_gZhQKPancf02Dl8ZSLUoCzixNGUSERfhOctBowM0Q_1Y7Akdzd-2FerGw9X0pSqZtk4GKPnuicBeCWm65_Apf4gC5nKMCx_wxagBLkRnpcg/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2b1%20-%20Ansonia.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL-j5Zfv-lJOXufWno3KDf5C68MjJIFHzCNSCluCelQj7p6D5j8Skiz0ZGVRjtabxli0DhOKMdOb5Mv8_gZhQKPancf02Dl8ZSLUoCzixNGUSERfhOctBowM0Q_1Y7Akdzd-2FerGw9X0pSqZtk4GKPnuicBeCWm65_Apf4gC5nKMCx_wxagBLkRnpcg/w640-h172/B_UpperWestSide2b1%20-%20Ansonia.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading north-west along Broadway Avenue, we continued to some gorgeous buildings that have mostly been turned into luxury condominiums. One of the most stunning of these is the <b>Ansonia</b>, originally completed in 1904 as a grand Beaux-Arts hotel with a façade of limestone, granite, white brick and terracotta with turrets topped by cupolas at its corners and housing 2500 rooms including multi-room suites. The Ansonia had quite the colourful past in the late 20th century, housing a gay bathhouse and a swinger’s club, as well as several restaurants and a shopping arcade. After falling on hard times in the 50’s and 60’s, the building was converted into rent-controlled apartments in the 70’s and 80’s before being renovated again and turned into luxury condominiums that now sell for several million dollars each. Over the years, the Ansonia has been known for its artistic residents including musicians, actors and writers. Noted occupants included Richard Dreyfuss, Angelina Jolie, composers Gustav Mahler and Igor Stravinsky as well as opera singers and baseball players.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqpNFlkawDJhAZtZHx9Su077Fg3dz5io9UhPBco7gF2zC4YzY9I1YZuJhzJVQiZGAkpsU7U2w6cGZdBcA-KkjoFGbGotmkk-fH-juXTya7vj5vrcNveCOlPt5SsSXZd_by1QcqQnXmPQiFR5ZHiKgapJRg7trV5w1pAEqE4eIwHs3b3JaA8dbLP31OTA/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2b2%20-%20DoriltonVerde.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqpNFlkawDJhAZtZHx9Su077Fg3dz5io9UhPBco7gF2zC4YzY9I1YZuJhzJVQiZGAkpsU7U2w6cGZdBcA-KkjoFGbGotmkk-fH-juXTya7vj5vrcNveCOlPt5SsSXZd_by1QcqQnXmPQiFR5ZHiKgapJRg7trV5w1pAEqE4eIwHs3b3JaA8dbLP31OTA/w640-h160/B_UpperWestSide2b2%20-%20DoriltonVerde.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Like the Ansonia, the <b>Dorilton</b> at 171 W 71st was also built as a Beaux-Arts hotel in 1900-1902 and is also a designated historic landmark. Shaped like the letter “H”, the 12-storey building has a limestone and brick façade decorated with curved bronzed bay windows, ornate balconies and chimneys, monumental sculptures and urns, terracotta finishes and a lavish stone pedestrian entranceway topped with two cherubs holding a shield. The alternating colours of brown brick against white limestone add to its striking appearance. In 1984, the Dorilton was turned into a co-op, and recently actor Nathan Lane bought a unit there for $4.1million. Less spectacular but still interesting architecturally is the <b>Alexandria Condominium</b> at 201 West 72nd Street. The 25-storey 202 unit Post-Modern condo building was built in 1991 with a façade featuring red brick, copper green panels and ornate white grill balcony railings. Cascading balconies lead up to a distinctive water tank enclosure with Egyptian motif on the rooftop. <b>Verdi Square</b> is a small park at 72nd Street and Broadway Avenue that was named after Italian composer <b>Giuseppe Verdi</b>, with a large monument dedicated to him. At the south edge of the square is the entrance to the <b>new 72nd Street subway station</b> (designated the “North Station House) whose domed skylight design was inspired by the Crystal Palace in London and has a decorative pattern on the skylight roof made from over 100 mosaic panels. It was completed in late 2002 and is directly north of the original entrance which sits on a traffic island between 71st and 72nd street. The <b>original (now South) station house</b> was opened in 1904 as part of the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT), New York’s first subway line. Designated a historic landmark, its façade is made with light yellow bricks and the design of the top of its entrance has a Flemish look and feel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X5kdPqvOlWJCvpDJ7EeVNEl23yJ1eTmcpUIWWmSN6FYTHLa-hOayqScYFElyL2tXNz9tlVYcDBwNsVnH-4R88nuaPRj4MfKimHIp4hREbHc4iI7L1DMN-IuyBJ_PT0gQdKFEDZoByhsSwU5BfduSqteW5yZHEnpfB-7KwUTztomLpeQlQMtFL2q9bOY/s1470/B_UpperWestSide2b2a%20-%20DoriltonVerde.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="302" data-original-width="1470" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3X5kdPqvOlWJCvpDJ7EeVNEl23yJ1eTmcpUIWWmSN6FYTHLa-hOayqScYFElyL2tXNz9tlVYcDBwNsVnH-4R88nuaPRj4MfKimHIp4hREbHc4iI7L1DMN-IuyBJ_PT0gQdKFEDZoByhsSwU5BfduSqteW5yZHEnpfB-7KwUTztomLpeQlQMtFL2q9bOY/w640-h132/B_UpperWestSide2b2a%20-%20DoriltonVerde.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Both station houses have plaques with the number “72” embossed on them and there is an underground passageway running between the North and South entrances. They are each architecturally interesting in their own way, especially when viewed at the same time, directly across from one another.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8ozVJteoE7ORBgrD1zd_qzkIhzaGUYPhOZMLaaRwAeod_WrIVkpulYBHiBy2EZUCOm114KRHTbeVfBxxNlvrvnPN6fgXDfEgFjZM9-I47473HvAXR9ZRaod5RVlKBV_aU6lgBQAmoAdb1tYO-M65EdNFlnzY1Grxlo7fL7D2eQdtpPf3GHjX-ftSBW0/s4490/B_UpperWestSide2c1-LucerneBaptist.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1246" data-original-width="4490" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8ozVJteoE7ORBgrD1zd_qzkIhzaGUYPhOZMLaaRwAeod_WrIVkpulYBHiBy2EZUCOm114KRHTbeVfBxxNlvrvnPN6fgXDfEgFjZM9-I47473HvAXR9ZRaod5RVlKBV_aU6lgBQAmoAdb1tYO-M65EdNFlnzY1Grxlo7fL7D2eQdtpPf3GHjX-ftSBW0/w640-h178/B_UpperWestSide2c1-LucerneBaptist.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the corner of 79th and Broadway, we came across the <b>Apthorp Condominiums</b>, another 12-storey rectangular, limestone hotel constructed in the Italian Renaissance Revival style in 1905-1908 and converted to condos in the 2000s. What caught my eye were the set of four female sculptures in flowing gowns positioned on the large archway leading into an inner courtyard with a garden and fountain. This seems to be a popular building with an impressive list of noted residents include Lena Horne, Cyndi Lauper, Rosie O’Donnell, Conan O’Brien, Al Pacino and many more. On the same corner is the <b>First Baptist Church</b> which seems to have features of a typical church (rose window, spire) mixed in with those of a castle or manor as it is flanked on both sides by turrets with red-tiled cone-shaped roofs. The asymmetric heights of the turrets are said to have religious meaning with the taller one representing Christ and the shorter one representing the church on Earth. Turning east, we headed towards Central Park West to see all the luxury apartments line that stretch. Along the way, we spotted the <b>Lucerne Hotel</b>(1904), whose breathtaking red stone and brick façade is a sight to behold, standing out next to the white limestone buildings surrounding it. Ornately sculpted, purple-tinged terracotta moldings decorate the window ledges, front columns and trim around the building, causing the surfaces to change tones depending on the time of day and the amount of light shining on them.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzq8URLOYP77anb_xncxQg9jrg8DWxxOQmbVCJvIbUx7KfMjWnnjKzloyy4yR_VGFg3xQvu6uk3woWW6R-wId2FzBUoepcLLfTShJ9lnIwi23LQG9vQEUDFYdZgjc4ZkKcGj1SY7GlPCLLlQGOpGxReUWfMWoI29dpxx7pm3kGaSDeJdOGbX3nVdhueQ/s1226/B_UpperWestSide2c2-Natural%20History.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1226" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvzq8URLOYP77anb_xncxQg9jrg8DWxxOQmbVCJvIbUx7KfMjWnnjKzloyy4yR_VGFg3xQvu6uk3woWW6R-wId2FzBUoepcLLfTShJ9lnIwi23LQG9vQEUDFYdZgjc4ZkKcGj1SY7GlPCLLlQGOpGxReUWfMWoI29dpxx7pm3kGaSDeJdOGbX3nVdhueQ/w640-h214/B_UpperWestSide2c2-Natural%20History.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Arriving at Central Park West and 79th Street, we looked at one of the many entrances into the <b>American Museum of Natural History</b>. This one had four sculptures standing on the four Doric columns. They represent Daniel Boone (American frontiersman and pioneer), John James Audubon (naturalist, ornithologist and artist), Lewis and Clark (explorers) who contributed to the understanding of American flora and fauna. The Neoclassical architecture represented in this part of the large museum complex stands in stark contrast to the recently opened addition designed by Jeanne Gang Group. We would go check out this new addition as part of our tour of museums in the Upper West Side.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBg7z9kv6_auCY65RHChGabrC0fq0wZXlpXjBczKPo5WDoe4LsAsk_-2M72GAVqlRRIfSgcpNfzFvicK2kGM4Q8SwTMCBs51MvLR25Y3Yt-DQWk4KnFCG6Nq-S6mvguAIwheH26GBJITCvONRWdOoIfDlceNkwxNWCz3FSiSdhCYp_Yk9o3G-wySIrtA/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2d-San%20Remo.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBg7z9kv6_auCY65RHChGabrC0fq0wZXlpXjBczKPo5WDoe4LsAsk_-2M72GAVqlRRIfSgcpNfzFvicK2kGM4Q8SwTMCBs51MvLR25Y3Yt-DQWk4KnFCG6Nq-S6mvguAIwheH26GBJITCvONRWdOoIfDlceNkwxNWCz3FSiSdhCYp_Yk9o3G-wySIrtA/w640-h162/B_UpperWestSide2d-San%20Remo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Walking south on Central Park West, we encountered one high-profile luxury co-op building after another with a veritable who’s who list of occupants. Named after the 12th Century <b>Kenilworth Castle</b> (whose ruins we saw in a previous visit to England), The <b>Kenilworth</b> (1908) has a white limestone and red brick façade much like the Dorilton and was home to Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones who owned a 4-bedroom penthouse there before putting it up for sale in 2021. The <b>San Remo</b>(1930) is a co-op apartment that is distinctive for its twin towers that rise up 10 floors from the 17-story base. Each tower is topped with a circular “temple” and the pair can be seen soaring up into the sky from blocks away. Past and present residents in this building include Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg, Emi More, Steve Martin, Diane Keaton, Mick Jagger, Bono, Dustin Hoffman, Rita Haywood, John Barrymore and many other well known celebrities. The San Remo famously rejected a purchase bid from Madonna. The <b>Dakota</b> (1880-1884) is built in a German Renaissance Revival style and has a European feel with its yellow brick façade, vertical strip of rounded windows that is topped with a domed cupola and its ornate wrought-iron balcony railings. This building is best known as the location where John Lennon was murdered and where Yoko Ono inexplicably continued to live. Past occupants included Judy Garland, Leonard Bernstein, Rosemary Clooney and many more. Finally the<b> Majestic</b> (1931) stands out for its beautiful Art Deco design including the detailing on the stone between the columns of windows, and the curvy Deco designs at the top of the towers. The only occupant names that I recognized were Zero Mostel and Conan O’Brien (who was also listed in the Apthrop – he really gets around!).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sJ7_SOX5PBFfUgDarmzbiaJI0YZCRzJFNup7cZ1RbgVw5y_XgieaWI5zfnSg1vx_kIJHwNJHrOSiqJUm4icSoddXNf-8YW0hsFrn8Y8wWCOcWYpv19gj5prAjZFyPJ0JI5V0BLjVDB2mQqXIWEkhz8uEMkH-Dz05BYRps7Z3HkF-4oISG9bGNfZDhFA/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2e%20-%2074th%20St..jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3sJ7_SOX5PBFfUgDarmzbiaJI0YZCRzJFNup7cZ1RbgVw5y_XgieaWI5zfnSg1vx_kIJHwNJHrOSiqJUm4icSoddXNf-8YW0hsFrn8Y8wWCOcWYpv19gj5prAjZFyPJ0JI5V0BLjVDB2mQqXIWEkhz8uEMkH-Dz05BYRps7Z3HkF-4oISG9bGNfZDhFA/w640-h160/B_UpperWestSide2e%20-%2074th%20St..jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Walking west on 74th Street between Columbus Ave. and Amsterdam Ave., the homes and buildings that we saw were relatively more modest compared to the monster co-op buildings we saw earlier. However these structures, which were usually 3 stories plus sunken basement were by no means less attractive. We saw all sorts of beautiful architectural details including some decorative ornamentation around some of windows that almost seemed in the style of Art Nouveau.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9PZ7A479vD6k8LrgHygOsrzjtWw7FpmiZCu561Xk1O66v0nPzephGrypFarD7nh4N1jj2CQhm1KWtNdg3Ya3R-GsjjyUvfsJmgJ-yYj1vOHAIoEUEqIKQqJSKSKzWzVIc1nCZ40xkCv2fm_qAM7P6jcmASA5utm3dwhdjrPbem8kHyScQaf6uheooC0/s1600/B_UpperWestSide2f%20-%2074th%20St.%20Fallout%20Shelter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje9PZ7A479vD6k8LrgHygOsrzjtWw7FpmiZCu561Xk1O66v0nPzephGrypFarD7nh4N1jj2CQhm1KWtNdg3Ya3R-GsjjyUvfsJmgJ-yYj1vOHAIoEUEqIKQqJSKSKzWzVIc1nCZ40xkCv2fm_qAM7P6jcmASA5utm3dwhdjrPbem8kHyScQaf6uheooC0/w640-h158/B_UpperWestSide2f%20-%2074th%20St.%20Fallout%20Shelter.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Although built in 1941, the building at <b>10 West 74th Street</b> has an Art Deco Streamline Moderne look with its sleek, linear lines and lack of ornamentation. It was interesting to see black and yellow Fallout Shelter plaques affixed on some of the buildings on this street. These signs were left over from the “Duck and Cover” era of the 1950s which designated safe places to hide in case of a nuclear attack. The thought was that old concrete and brick buildings with basements provided the best protection and should be stocked with provisions to prepare for emergencies. These signs used to be all over Manhattan and Brooklyn. Since 2017, many of them have since been removed but obviously a few still exist, maybe for nostalgia purposes. Also spotted on West 74th Street is the Robert Louis Stevenson School with special programs for children challenged with anxiety, depression and other mood disorders.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-73620137086086217782023-05-09T13:45:00.076-07:002023-08-19T18:20:19.151-07:00New York City 2023: Remembering How To Travel Again Post-Pandemic<p>Easing back into air travel after years of abstaining due to the pandemic, my husband Rich and I decided to return to Manhattan, a city that we knew well and felt comfortable with. Each time we visited in the past, we stayed in different areas including the Garment District (before we knew better), Times Square, Soho, and Midtown East. These trips allowed us to explore many of the districts south and east of Central Park, and always included at least a couple Broadway or Off-Broadway shows. The one area we had not spent any time in so far was the <b>Upper West Side</b>. This became the focus of our latest excursion to New York City. We decided to stay in the centre of the area known as Hell’s Kitchen which starts at 8th Avenue, just west of Central Park. This was a great location from which to explore some museums on the west side that were new for us. It was also still close enough to walk to the five (yes five!) Broadway shows that we planned to watch during our stay. It was incredible how much quieter and less touristy it was on the west side of 8th Avenue compared to the hubbub caused by the theatre crowds to on the east side of the street.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcruAB8nWu5tfhEdIY7xClEAs9JexcrrfJ1AEUzpi1ja-ubSPadjVMDi3eiAuutyIm2rZ5M-6mIw24ziMtxGUiYZI4Z2qlhhbD0H4u-euXeJK_qu9OMi2OBm_GlHVpUdUwTpXpSpsbcU-1YitopSn36zKE6Zu0HlXqrxCH9pbI2MDr4BGXj5yHYVfa-s/s1600/A_NYC1%20-%20Belvedere.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="1600" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgcruAB8nWu5tfhEdIY7xClEAs9JexcrrfJ1AEUzpi1ja-ubSPadjVMDi3eiAuutyIm2rZ5M-6mIw24ziMtxGUiYZI4Z2qlhhbD0H4u-euXeJK_qu9OMi2OBm_GlHVpUdUwTpXpSpsbcU-1YitopSn36zKE6Zu0HlXqrxCH9pbI2MDr4BGXj5yHYVfa-s/w640-h134/A_NYC1%20-%20Belvedere.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We selected the<b> Belvedere Hotel</b>, located on 48th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues. Completed in 1926 as a 16-storey Art Deco-styled apartment, the Belvedere was restored and converted into a hotel in 1961 but retains many of its deco features both outside and inside the building. We admired the circular windows and arches decorated with terracotta carvings of animals on the façade as well as the stunning design of the main lobby and elevators. Unfortunately, these beautiful elevators were more flash than function, as they moved at a snail’s pace and we spent long periods of time waiting for the elevators to arrive, or to move from floor to floor. It did not help that they seemed to stop at every floor, just to reveal no new passengers since people must have pushed the call button, then got tired of waiting and left. Having no coffee machines in the rooms exasperated the issue, even though free coffee was offered in the lounge each morning. Needing to travel down 15 flights to get the free coffee and bring it back to our room almost made the effort not worthwhile. Despite these two shortcomings, the location of the hotel was fabulous as it was steps away from many great, non-touristy restaurants, funky shops and only 2 blocks from the A and C subway lines that brought us north and south to locations that we wanted to visit during our trip. It was also within a few blocks from almost all of the theatres on Broadway. Our room was spacious, the WIFI was excellent, and we had the use of a safe to store our passports and extra cash, a mini fridge and microwave. There were several grocery stores within a few blocks so that we could buy fruit and yogurt for a quick breakfast before heading out each day. We would consider staying here again on a future trip if it makes sense for our itinerary.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZz95Ii0mh4cnlsSE8-ZvP5NeQlbGiTdNP0MGYjoFZMx4Z65ykqMtvWtYTOs-D18eUPQsAFYaBZFsIvhXNQ_mYgibTyW-_R6nJh1K6S7C_sILi1MeNXmpD3zsuDoomYXyelKu_YHvW69peqfiAxow4qSoJmS2ho3ERvMwTw5LpqmUVNJ8AG7JfdCBZ7E/s1600/A_NYC2_Plane.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMZz95Ii0mh4cnlsSE8-ZvP5NeQlbGiTdNP0MGYjoFZMx4Z65ykqMtvWtYTOs-D18eUPQsAFYaBZFsIvhXNQ_mYgibTyW-_R6nJh1K6S7C_sILi1MeNXmpD3zsuDoomYXyelKu_YHvW69peqfiAxow4qSoJmS2ho3ERvMwTw5LpqmUVNJ8AG7JfdCBZ7E/w640-h180/A_NYC2_Plane.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we had done for the past few years before COVID, we flew Porter Airlines from Billy Bishop Airport to Newark, New Jersey and then took the AirTrain to Manhattan’s Penn Station. It had been so long since we traveled on an airplane that I seem to have forgotten all the rules of engagement. When purchasing our airline tickets for myself and my husband, I wrote down “Rich” which is how I refer to him. I totally forgot that the name on the e-ticket needed to match exactly to his proper name listed on his passport. No one seemed to notice the difference in names even as Rich went through security, or when he presented his eTicket to the gate attendant who was checking for proof of vaccination. It was not until we were actually boarding the plane and Rich presented his eTicket and passport to get onto the plane that an issue arose. I had already made it through the final check and was on my way to the plane when I saw that he was turned away. I was in a panic since I had no idea what happened, whether he would make it onto the plane, and if he did, whether there would still be room in the overhead bin to take his carry-on bag. Fortunately, Rich just had to go back to the gate agent to get his name changed on his ticket and when he eventually made it onto the plane, he was still able to put his luggage in the overhead bin above our seats.<p></p><p>Even before this point, I encountered some “excitement” during the security check. I had placed my jacket, properly-sized carry-on bag, purse, plastic bag with liquids and laptop on the conveyor belt. I walked confidently into the full body scanner wearing a mock long-sleeved top over a t-shirt, jeans and running shoes. I even made sure to empty my pockets of Kleenex and was wearing a rubber headband as opposed to my usual metal hairclips and was confident that I could waltz through the scanner. To my surprise, a big “mass” showed up on my body scan. When the female security guard asked what I was wearing underneath, I lifted my mock shirt to reveal little plastic decorative beads on my t-shirt. She hesitated for a second, then asked if I was wearing anything underneath my sparkly top. Luckily, I was wearing a spaghetti-strapped tank top underneath, so she asked me to remove the offending top, as well as my plastic headband (?!?) and return to the scanner. This time I successfully scanned and was allowed through. It might have been a much bigger deal had I had not worn a tank top on underneath!</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JUwjgYWQLqmU0CsuzgfMl_nyuUu_-kt9VL7vfJUDII8zU-GWbtZ-v_vG3YMOYre4mg6zI4pFrjvQCIpsE0CW97zRjFSMPbFYZgM0254CweUnTinvmlwi0KCP71Elvhs9dPOjtK8JGo02hkQHfarTyDaa-XKHijYUHEda9tXg3fltE0ofS-XL9NqQpNE/s1600/A_NYC3_ESim.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="1600" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1JUwjgYWQLqmU0CsuzgfMl_nyuUu_-kt9VL7vfJUDII8zU-GWbtZ-v_vG3YMOYre4mg6zI4pFrjvQCIpsE0CW97zRjFSMPbFYZgM0254CweUnTinvmlwi0KCP71Elvhs9dPOjtK8JGo02hkQHfarTyDaa-XKHijYUHEda9tXg3fltE0ofS-XL9NqQpNE/w640-h198/A_NYC3_ESim.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Getting data on our cellphones has become much easier now that we each have an iPhone 13 which supports the<b> electronic SIM (eSIM)</b> technology. In the past when we landed in a new country, we would search for a local Telcom store like Virgin or Orange and purchase a physical SIM card for that location. We would wait while the salesperson installed and configured on our phones, while safely storing away the SIM card that we use at home.<p></p><p>With the eSIM, you choose a provider, download and configure their mobile app in advance, and can pre-purchase a data plan for the desired country. Your physical “home” SIM card remains in your phone. We went with <b>Airalo</b>, whose U.S. plan gave us 1GB data over 7 days for $4.50 US, with the option to top up another 1GB for another $4.50 each. We were able to pay for it with Paypal using my US credit card. Once purchased, under the Cellular setting there are now two items under “SIMs”. The primary SIM represents our home SIM card while the Travel SIM contained our new US eSIM, which, for Airalo, is sourced by Verizon. When we landed in New York, we turned off the primary SIM and turned on the Travel one. Within seconds the new SIMs connected, and we were off and running. Towards the end of our week stay, we were both running low on our 1GB data. We elected to top-up and paid another $4.50US. Immediately, we received another 1GB of data. Had we planned better, we would have bought 2GB of data each right off the bat and paid only $8US for 15 days. Either way, this is a much less expensive solution than the US Roaming fees that we wracked up on previous trips to the U.S. or the 20-30 Euros (or English Pounds) that we used to spend on local SIMs when we traveled to Europe, never mind the time it took to get to a local Telco provider.</p><p>The only downside is that there is no cell phone service attached to the SIM and we could not use the iOS Messages app. However, we could still text using Whatsapp or Facebook Messenger, and for the one toll-free phone call that we needed to make (see below), we were able to use the hotel phone in our room. These eSIMs work internationally as the application partners with a Telco provider in each supported country. Next year if we return to Europe and resurrect the Portugal trip that we had to cancel one week before COVID shut down all travel, we can use Airalo to buy an eSIM for that country and the price is still $4.50US for 1GB/7 days, or $19US for 30GB/15 days.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-v7VYeNa9h_5-QlLYjUXIe9qKmRcVzmIKrhg7S7lNYsFnLENdm-tdJ4vtIUSz564-u2ME_BLvSFJQ6KLtFOpsfjQEsW0whbwGviBnfpxJZ7G2gnNYltT3lCoDBonJlo8JB8BhKZCGSLqwPIXdo-qE8HQ7SdBvM4cBIXyMK5y4dL0nBiv0uEIfqP069g/s2509/iTrade%20US%20Registered%20Accts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="953" data-original-width="2509" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip-v7VYeNa9h_5-QlLYjUXIe9qKmRcVzmIKrhg7S7lNYsFnLENdm-tdJ4vtIUSz564-u2ME_BLvSFJQ6KLtFOpsfjQEsW0whbwGviBnfpxJZ7G2gnNYltT3lCoDBonJlo8JB8BhKZCGSLqwPIXdo-qE8HQ7SdBvM4cBIXyMK5y4dL0nBiv0uEIfqP069g/w640-h244/iTrade%20US%20Registered%20Accts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On my retirement blog, I wrote at length about my<a href="http://retiredat48book.blogspot.com/2019/06/the-quest-for-us-dividendscash.html " target="_blank"> strategy to save currency exchange fees </a>by accumulating US cash from my US dividend paying stocks, depositing it into my TD bank US-fund chequing account, paying for all travel expenses using my TD US-fund VISA credit card, and paying off the credit card fees from my US cash. I augmented the plan once <a href="http://retiredat48book.blogspot.com/2023/04/eq-bank-enhancements-make-it-better.html" target="_blank">EQ Bank started paying 3%</a> interest rate on their US currency accounts. Now I move all of my US dividend cash to EQ Bank to accumulate interest until I need to use it and then transfer over to TD when I need to pay off my US credit card (unfortunately EQ Bank won’t let me do this yet).<p></p><p>I finally had all this set up and accumulated a large enough repository of US cash to fund a vacation when COVID hit. This trip to New York became the first opportunity for me to execute this plan. From home, I was able to purchase tickets to our Broadway shows and pay for our hotel accommodations using the US credit card. We withdrew a small amount of US cash from our TD US bank account, but for the most part, we planned to put everything on the US VISA.</p><p>Imagine our shock when our first attempt to use the card at the New Jersey Air Train station failed! We could not tap or use our PIN to make the purchase. Not wanting to waste time, we paid in US cash for our return train tickets to/from Manhattan. This was really worrisome since we only brought enough cash for emergencies and small purchases and now we already unexpectedly used up almost 15% of our allocation. Hoping for the best, we dropped our bags off at the hotel because it was too early to check in and went for our first Upper West Side walk.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH8isKbbXR9Nv7XHzixheXeYF8Pif-Y2u2IQ1u2CT50a7R5fTH7jHRD188NUuLCzgyED_EovXN4I7vHtItQi96UKf7iloA6jOCHx06I5mxrqoQbhX-P0fSaPyTldzS4OeRFpnVam7AgJQhIm0DqOMwwqs-UdHUzM_h7TFMvzQTkW6-IxX1YXfaJTimyU/s1600/A_NYC3_LevainBakery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="423" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH8isKbbXR9Nv7XHzixheXeYF8Pif-Y2u2IQ1u2CT50a7R5fTH7jHRD188NUuLCzgyED_EovXN4I7vHtItQi96UKf7iloA6jOCHx06I5mxrqoQbhX-P0fSaPyTldzS4OeRFpnVam7AgJQhIm0DqOMwwqs-UdHUzM_h7TFMvzQTkW6-IxX1YXfaJTimyU/w640-h170/A_NYC3_LevainBakery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Wanting to test our credit card again on something small and inexpensive (so as not to burn through much more cash if before we had a chance to call TD Bank if the card failed again), we stopped at <b>Levain Bakery</b> on West 74th Street to buy a walnut chocolate chip cookie. This turned out to be one of the best cookies ever, not only because it was delicious but because Rich tapped on the machine and our credit card worked! We continued to use the card for the rest of the day, and it worked at a museum and with some difficulty, at the subway station. In all these cases we were able to tap, so it became apparent that the issue was the PIN on the card. By the way, in order to buy or top-up a Metrocard (subway pass) at the machines using a credit card, you need to enter your Zip Code which being Canadian, we did not have. We asked the transit attendant who told us to enter 99999. When we finally got checked into our hotel room after our walk, I called the toll-free number for TD Bank Customer Support and got the PIN reset.<p></p><p>We were able to successfully use our credit card for the rest of the trip but found the processes followed in various restaurants to be antiquated and non-standard. In Toronto, we are used to servers coming to our table with the credit card machine which we use to pay for our bill by tapping or entering our PIN, all while our card stays in our possession. At our first New York restaurant, the server took away our credit card (presumably to swipe it on the old-styled manual machines) and returned with a paper slip and pen for signature and a line for the tip which would be added later. While the charge was pending our online statement, the amount without the tip showed. When the charge was finally posted, the amount with the tip showed up. I must admit that we felt a bit taken aback to have our credit card leave our possession, since this doesn’t happen anymore in Toronto, where the machine is always brought to our table.</p><p>At the next restaurant, once again our card was taken from us but this time it was returned along with a device where we had to provide a digital signature. At a third restaurant, they wanted photo ID before accepting our credit card. At a fourth establishment, they had devices like we have back home, and we were able to tap to pay. When we asked why all the restaurants were so different and had such old-fashioned processes, we were told it is because there are so many little banks that all handle transactions differently. Who would have thought that a major cosmopolitan city like New York would be so backwards in this regard?</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">After our
few initial hiccups while reacclimatizing ourselves to the art of international
travel (and this was just to the US .. we have not tried to return to Europe
yet!), we had no further issues or surprises and the rest of the trip proceeded
smoothly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When we returned home, I made
sure there was nothing on my t-shirt and I wore nothing in my hair!</p><p></p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-48880012157004491132022-08-31T16:48:00.070-07:002023-07-26T13:43:55.655-07:00East Coast 2022: Back to Toronto - Brockville, Ontario (Railway Tunnel)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqHQuL94bD-ns7i5FIheADk3Vg25qocmTWeIcmacwaeOG6890Dihu7GusIPL4pysIMZy1GPZ7mfUYqxSVGMC-wIFn_yjJ10w97qjJfquHQIQhxveK0QDgsCGAV-hliBo9BtHo-ufsM9OD3nyMmjXIoX0N5Z77bBjm0YhMZOV4JURpAPOQZe-f0J1lmzo/s1600/M_Brockville1_Train1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsqHQuL94bD-ns7i5FIheADk3Vg25qocmTWeIcmacwaeOG6890Dihu7GusIPL4pysIMZy1GPZ7mfUYqxSVGMC-wIFn_yjJ10w97qjJfquHQIQhxveK0QDgsCGAV-hliBo9BtHo-ufsM9OD3nyMmjXIoX0N5Z77bBjm0YhMZOV4JURpAPOQZe-f0J1lmzo/w640-h158/M_Brockville1_Train1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The last stop of our 14 day road trip out to the East Coast and back was in <b>Brockville, Ontario</b>. It was thanks to the recommendation of our friend Paula that we chose this as our final adventure on this vacation. She told us about the <b>Brockville Railway Tunnel</b> which runs for half a kilometre underground in the downtown core from Brock Street (North Entrance) to the top of Blockhouse Island (South Entrance), passing underneath the Brockville City Hall. It is the oldest railway tunnel in Canada as construction of the tunnel began in 1854 and the first train passed through at the end of 1860. It has been a tourist attraction since 2017.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NgbDzC0Cxs8-njMRYXD4fFf-KVm7JkBsJXPMX9lnCt8Qd3aW51Rd6LyqGwwKDAVFGUZ0oQW0yl7A0fS5a4U63JFy1eVE__qmIXNHRmGzI4ZCnmvhbk4rfct_HI0XMw6S4YfuJhqAIXomrnXFH0tfVCT0eYEYRC5I5yXji5Cyt9M5-5Bqtg9hkWZ7k24/s1600/M_Brockville1_Train2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3NgbDzC0Cxs8-njMRYXD4fFf-KVm7JkBsJXPMX9lnCt8Qd3aW51Rd6LyqGwwKDAVFGUZ0oQW0yl7A0fS5a4U63JFy1eVE__qmIXNHRmGzI4ZCnmvhbk4rfct_HI0XMw6S4YfuJhqAIXomrnXFH0tfVCT0eYEYRC5I5yXji5Cyt9M5-5Bqtg9hkWZ7k24/w640-h172/M_Brockville1_Train2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we walked through the tunnel, rotating LED lights made the walls glow in psychedelic colours of red, blue, green and purple while music blared. Entering from the South Portal at Water Street and walking towards the other end, we were presented with informational signs that explained what was happening in different parts of the tunnel. We saw the ventilation shafts that allowed the smoke and steam from the steam locomotives to be expelled out into the exterior.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjqe0bk0rk4Cp-zmVqhV1bd6tqORSYgkCo3EdLn8IIYTgO0mOqQ1jH2nj3TJfa_QSKRMGW6DaThn61qb8gq92VxdJsdFQOq-39i-NVGHbJCLAjTLh0GtZMDg99fyXPAnacs9tomndoiLJ1rS2j0WcXIeXYC_wB_uj2-6f1bnPSQjyIrEvPQ1_3gMfS3M/s1600/M_Brockville1_Train3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXjqe0bk0rk4Cp-zmVqhV1bd6tqORSYgkCo3EdLn8IIYTgO0mOqQ1jH2nj3TJfa_QSKRMGW6DaThn61qb8gq92VxdJsdFQOq-39i-NVGHbJCLAjTLh0GtZMDg99fyXPAnacs9tomndoiLJ1rS2j0WcXIeXYC_wB_uj2-6f1bnPSQjyIrEvPQ1_3gMfS3M/w640-h160/M_Brockville1_Train3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In 1863, the <b>City Hall </b>was built above the tunnel and the ventilation shafts were integrated with two stone chimneys jutting from the sides of the roof. During the renovations of the tunnel, one of the chimneys had an electric fan installed that helps circulate fresh air in the tunnel. Further along, we saw examples of mineral formations that resulted from groundwater seeping through the limestone and sandstone walls to create calcite, dolomite and stalactites. Traces of iron appear as orange and red streaks while nickel and copper are blue and green. As we approached the North Portal at Brock Street, we saw the large extraction shaft that was used as an access portal during blasting operations to remove blasted rock and bring in construction materials, supplies and workers. Ground water was also pumped out from this hole. For those who don’t want to walk, you can buy a ticket for a train ride through the tunnel, offered by the Aquatarium.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu3PMC3Aj6pENn9C9znOJAzmw2pEPirJEdH0GrDjibfHMT3VEpU6QbVMgAgluCrPMfbfw4faNeJW83-OY7SzfxMF7AJVgkIl0qugaoASi3tfJY7b_uGiY2OxY8uMq2kdlU4PcMM9BhbUzp-r0_ATJ8l0vQPTPIwEqFSImbrBQPaes8mMdfClWCkl1veo/s2021/M_Brockville2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="504" data-original-width="2021" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFu3PMC3Aj6pENn9C9znOJAzmw2pEPirJEdH0GrDjibfHMT3VEpU6QbVMgAgluCrPMfbfw4faNeJW83-OY7SzfxMF7AJVgkIl0qugaoASi3tfJY7b_uGiY2OxY8uMq2kdlU4PcMM9BhbUzp-r0_ATJ8l0vQPTPIwEqFSImbrBQPaes8mMdfClWCkl1veo/w640-h160/M_Brockville2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Wandering around downtown Brockville, we were so impressed by the beautiful <b>architecture</b> and ornate features found in private homes, storefronts and the churches including the First Baptist Church which has gorgeous multi-coloured hexagon tiles on its roof and steeple. I loved all the turrets, towers, widow’s walks and gingerbread trim as well as the large porches on some of the mansions. Brockville must have been a wealthy community back in the day, and luckily many of these historic buildings are still standing. On top of the Brockville Courthouse is a sculpture of Lady Justice holding her sword and scales, although she is not blindfolded.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakXnvmIaDPGDfHJ7Ui8h_wKSGba55r5eTOVF2p2_A___ym5CEAAZczt3l7th5wSd24Vo0eh_UQX9FKkPJadI4nj_coZwHmfEWC68C5zGV9AaAOfEavrHQDfpT5KeaMGvB7Q_Q8QjYp4MXPdmG-BVlMW0AQrDJGLeUl692JfKn_67TmmhQLBj761R8iX4/s1600/M_Brockville3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgakXnvmIaDPGDfHJ7Ui8h_wKSGba55r5eTOVF2p2_A___ym5CEAAZczt3l7th5wSd24Vo0eh_UQX9FKkPJadI4nj_coZwHmfEWC68C5zGV9AaAOfEavrHQDfpT5KeaMGvB7Q_Q8QjYp4MXPdmG-BVlMW0AQrDJGLeUl692JfKn_67TmmhQLBj761R8iX4/w640-h174/M_Brockville3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Brockville has a pretty waterfront with boats docked in the marina, outdoor cafes and sculptures. It is part of the <b>Brock Trail</b>, a 7km walking and cycling trail that traverses through Brockville with historical plaques conveying points or facts of interest. One plaque explained how the St. Lawrence River is named after Saint Lawrence the Martyr, who was executed by the Roman Emperor for presenting the poor and weak as the “treasures” of the Church instead of items of material wealth. On Blockhouse Island, which is more of a peninsula that juts out into Blockhouse Harbour, you get nice views of the downtown Brockville on one side and New York State on the other side of the St. Lawrence River. Depicting two women back to back with their arms raised in the air to hold a pair of doves, the <b>Women’s Memorial</b> promotes peace, love and anti-violence towards women. Near the far edge of the “island” is an <b>F-86 fighter jet</b>, flown by the RCAF Golden Hawks Aerobatic Flight Team between 1959-1963. The bronze sculpture of a clown holding an umbrella and pushing a baby carriage is dedicated to a local legend named <b>Con Darling</b> (1926-1993) who entertained children at many Santa Claus parades and participated in telethons to raise money for Brockville. An inscription next to the sculpture reads “Ambassador of Smiles, dedicated his life to the betterment of humanity”.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ30U41aa9IHmkpY54Bl8xtiU1TWwylMgdhCVSQAMGPu7S5sXl2_00nUffY--uB08KBYljnBknf7sifTuvvRMy-Di4O9PofZ5uxEPd36ns-VnuOOvtYJYGEHplNAceNOAX0g8EU2GaGER5nQ-ZvDZX_3sEa8QrSbVv_eaaQrYQll4MsAYShVX5X6Q9hoo/s1600/M_Brockville4%20-%20CosiesTea1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ30U41aa9IHmkpY54Bl8xtiU1TWwylMgdhCVSQAMGPu7S5sXl2_00nUffY--uB08KBYljnBknf7sifTuvvRMy-Di4O9PofZ5uxEPd36ns-VnuOOvtYJYGEHplNAceNOAX0g8EU2GaGER5nQ-ZvDZX_3sEa8QrSbVv_eaaQrYQll4MsAYShVX5X6Q9hoo/w640-h152/M_Brockville4%20-%20CosiesTea1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We ended our day in Brockville with a late lunch at <b>Cosies Tea Room</b>, a family-owned British tea room that offers traditional English breakfasts (eggs, bacon, sausage, potato, fried tomato and mushroom), hearty lunch classics including sandwiches and Cornish pasties (a folded savoury pastry stuffed with meats and vegetables), and tea service including scones. The tea room is quaintly decorated with teapots and teacups, patterned table cloths and napkins, vintage chairs, cups and saucers, knitted tea cosies and a high-tea stand containing the cutest knitted scones and desserts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVl7DNimKvLfnM12zgWm4CZYp47xSc_xHtG3Ts6B29nUPiAl6GzDH018TABOvkRZ0gtylXMBUA6VfvdSH7_nP1e1tNCeM3rwIgJNCOeEzOZgOqD-2riQWpcB---9kWu6Ne022VmRmchgpelXU6QLcYyRkP7rlS8feyNKD2VkJOVdLk1mP83bV4vu1n6Y/s1600/M_Brockville4%20-%20CosiesTea2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="374" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVl7DNimKvLfnM12zgWm4CZYp47xSc_xHtG3Ts6B29nUPiAl6GzDH018TABOvkRZ0gtylXMBUA6VfvdSH7_nP1e1tNCeM3rwIgJNCOeEzOZgOqD-2riQWpcB---9kWu6Ne022VmRmchgpelXU6QLcYyRkP7rlS8feyNKD2VkJOVdLk1mP83bV4vu1n6Y/w640-h150/M_Brockville4%20-%20CosiesTea2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>From their extensive menu of both hot and iced teas (caffeinated and decaf), Rich chose a hot pot of Yorkshire Gold Orange Pekoe tea which came in a teapot covered with a sweet blue and green tea cosy adorned with crocheted flowers. Being a hot day, I chose a Summer Fruits iced tea. Rich, Yim and I selected the Coronation Chicken sandwich consisting of chicken pieces tossed in a coronation sauce (mayo, curry, cinnamon, dried fruit, spices), served inside homemade bread, with a side of potato chips while Murray had the roast beef sandwich with mayo, lettuce and tomato. For dessert we wanted the full experience of scones with homemade jam and clotted cream. Had we been there earlier in the day, the selections included blueberry lemon, raspberry white chocolate, salted caramel, cranberry orange. We got there near closing time and almost all the scones were gone. We snagged the last two strawberry and vanilla scones and felt mildly guilty that the unfortunate couple who arrived just after us were left to share the one remaining plain scone.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was a great ending to our 1<a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-road-trip.html" target="_blank">4-day road trip out to Nova Scotia and Cape Breton Island</a> and back again along the St. Lawrence River. We saw so many beautiful sights and had so many interesting experiences along the way. This was the first extended road trip in Rich’s new car and its smooth, comfortable ride made the journey all the more pleasant.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-69095812162028476822022-08-31T09:45:00.210-07:002023-07-24T16:47:30.276-07:00East Coast 2022: Back to Toronto - St. Lawrence South Shore from Ste-Flavie to Ste-Eulalie<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AN1-4kWZ735D19ZgTJ3wfRnh2RVJCWKIS1RmAAt8Eh_wf-TBCvYTiSKO8qjh-1S1VqgnsWBV7poWY71FtvdkuNaMDVYNV_tglk6kJpI6b8GEj3zyZXsGwcQoLtZS14U-HyKccAZn9qz94nyxtSgiTmL7Zz0VsFP-lbxlmsX8-NUPo3-ajUUgiz14dQk/s1600/L_StLawrence0%20-%20Rte.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="1600" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-AN1-4kWZ735D19ZgTJ3wfRnh2RVJCWKIS1RmAAt8Eh_wf-TBCvYTiSKO8qjh-1S1VqgnsWBV7poWY71FtvdkuNaMDVYNV_tglk6kJpI6b8GEj3zyZXsGwcQoLtZS14U-HyKccAZn9qz94nyxtSgiTmL7Zz0VsFP-lbxlmsX8-NUPo3-ajUUgiz14dQk/w640-h196/L_StLawrence0%20-%20Rte.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The last two days of our East Coast road trip involved heading out from Ste. Flavie and driving along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River where my husband Rich had planned a bunch of interesting sites to stop at. We would stay overnight at <b>Sainte-Eulalie</b>, Quebec and then continue with the final trek home with a stop in <b>Brockville, Ontario</b> along the way.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-iX37teLmbKJzKN1X85q6FGUqJWEqGzEA-TLBAhi2vkx8GCD7hjZmAn_Y8tQiXg0gcLQ-eK8_GlQQAocUiUiY4eGWXlK00BmpKrppH62SIZX0yY3veFTNIZ0HdCzD2grVcIf__DO7hG48zUpzWwsGW6mQX4NOS5XHSw6Q-JqTZ4dmtrc8VvDZaL7bbI/s1599/L_StLawrence1%20-%20StLuce1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1599" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC-iX37teLmbKJzKN1X85q6FGUqJWEqGzEA-TLBAhi2vkx8GCD7hjZmAn_Y8tQiXg0gcLQ-eK8_GlQQAocUiUiY4eGWXlK00BmpKrppH62SIZX0yY3veFTNIZ0HdCzD2grVcIf__DO7hG48zUpzWwsGW6mQX4NOS5XHSw6Q-JqTZ4dmtrc8VvDZaL7bbI/w640-h164/L_StLawrence1%20-%20StLuce1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first stop, <b>Sainte-Luce-Sur-Mer</b>, is a charming seaside village founded in 1829. It is famous for its beautiful 2.5km beach called <b>Plage-Sainte-Luce</b>, with a wooden boardwalk running parallel to the sandy shore. On the other side of the boardwalk are patches of green space interspersed between parking spots for visitors to the area. Situated on these green spaces can be found a series of gigantic sculptures carved in wood. These are the results of prior years’ participants in an annual woodcarving event called “<b>Les Sculpturales</b>”. Each year, four local professional wood-carving sculptors gather in the open air along the promenade Anse-aux-Coques and create their works while tourists watch. The sculptures range from artistic to kitschy but are all masterful pieces. From 2016, the title of our favourites was translated as “The Laugh of Captain Big Mouth” and made for great photos of us sticking our heads through the front or back of his large gaping mouth. One from 2012 is titled “The Measurer of the Tides”.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr8lcuRpil3KvcPRTlbiuKIs_dD_TywhqSLap9bc3pH2_GavDzRAJCQ5OkwtY4E5voWagvDSBJJ74uJocm8nT51OyaA4zJDbRwNLz6sZC0aM2CHBJvk2vq_nLbdicX7gSxd6vFWZ6MHLmHDsm76AfOKa4F3Cn34khQX_dF73bI89TQ4B8dbWVaL6dmFg/s1600/L_StLawrence1%20-%20StLuce2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="407" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwr8lcuRpil3KvcPRTlbiuKIs_dD_TywhqSLap9bc3pH2_GavDzRAJCQ5OkwtY4E5voWagvDSBJJ74uJocm8nT51OyaA4zJDbRwNLz6sZC0aM2CHBJvk2vq_nLbdicX7gSxd6vFWZ6MHLmHDsm76AfOKa4F3Cn34khQX_dF73bI89TQ4B8dbWVaL6dmFg/w640-h162/L_StLawrence1%20-%20StLuce2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Each year one of the sculptures is donated to one of the event’s sponsors while the rest are displayed in public spaces in Sainte-Luce. A sculpture from 2018 depicts the legend of a diver who finds a mermaid, while one from 2011 shows a young child looking at a starfish in his pail. There were multiple sculptures depicting wildlife including a giant turtle, a white bird diving for fish and a whale. The logs used in this event come from New Brunswick and are pieces of wood that were too large to be sawn into boards by factory machines. What a great use for otherwise unusable logs! At one end of the beach is a life preserver with the words<b> Empress of Ireland </b>on it. At our next stop, we would see another memorial for this ship which sank nearby at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7nHR_WNakg6Y-OfLPkwzXi5hayvEEVbgPMhxr7PGYm-GpTn3Au3UE14iutnTTSJopHvSCAX3YRJMXLBX5zzcZ-XlW3HF5ZPyD33ZrUfw9DDncbEez8W04yxKKIHxRcLBzl_rHm1H9N-m8iFSbdcHuDcTGjGzSXJZ8WSRR3dbc9UZ0_M4SrckWqQuwQ4/s1600/L_StLawrence2%20-%20Rimouski1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt7nHR_WNakg6Y-OfLPkwzXi5hayvEEVbgPMhxr7PGYm-GpTn3Au3UE14iutnTTSJopHvSCAX3YRJMXLBX5zzcZ-XlW3HF5ZPyD33ZrUfw9DDncbEez8W04yxKKIHxRcLBzl_rHm1H9N-m8iFSbdcHuDcTGjGzSXJZ8WSRR3dbc9UZ0_M4SrckWqQuwQ4/w640-h168/L_StLawrence2%20-%20Rimouski1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On our way to <b>Rimouski,</b> we saw a house that had an extremely cute and narrow little shelter shaped like a school bus on its lawn. I assumed that this might be a place for a child to wait for his school bus to arrive while sheltering from the elements. We also passed <b>Auberge la Marée Douce</b>, which is a seafront hotel that offers a wide range of outdoor activities such as fishing, cycling and water sports. Had I seen a photo of this hotel in black and white, I would have thought I was looking at the Addams Family House with the centre tower and widow’s walk. Our main destination in Rimouski was to see the <b>HMCS Onondaga Submarine</b> that was built in the mid 1960s and is now one of the main attractions at the <b>Pointe-au-Père Site Historique Maritime</b> (maritime museum), which also has a large exhibit dedicated to the Empress of Ireland. Unfortunately, it was pouring rain when we arrived, so we ran up for a quick look before continuing on.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zIzQFWTt1k5ufOuD4J82cRD_3gr3Hxf48jkdrTTIL0wJux1EAMlDlFVzv-qTqgiovyhHqFyj159mMs9U0MbOI8YFTbY6xMItrC56kU5_4QA6ftzWvuCT08Cd6hg5m4rXP29uJDX5gOqnU3D6AvBmg_CIsJ7_hPjKTSOxpB6lshKC8e3_lsPkuWcX-FQ/s1234/L_StLawrence3%20-%20StSimonBagel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1234" height="208" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zIzQFWTt1k5ufOuD4J82cRD_3gr3Hxf48jkdrTTIL0wJux1EAMlDlFVzv-qTqgiovyhHqFyj159mMs9U0MbOI8YFTbY6xMItrC56kU5_4QA6ftzWvuCT08Cd6hg5m4rXP29uJDX5gOqnU3D6AvBmg_CIsJ7_hPjKTSOxpB6lshKC8e3_lsPkuWcX-FQ/w640-h208/L_StLawrence3%20-%20StSimonBagel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our next stop was <b>Saint-Simon-de-Rimouski </b>and more specifically, <b>Saint-Simon Bagel</b> which most be amongst the world’s smallest self-serve bagel shops. In a tiny kiosk situated on an open field along Rte 132 is a vending machine that sells bagged artisan bagels in flavours including plain, sesame seed, poppy seed, cinnamon raison, chocolate, pesto and olive, sundried tomato, maple (in season) and vegan (no egg, milk or honey added?). I was intrigued by the bag of “rainbow” coloured bagels.<br /><p></p><div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAziew1mYx2nUi8xIPEatameaWtuPSdPQY6St2j1GfAkqwkniW5wk8wKpm4EpkvS0q0p7cLTRDCN_-DRSfpnX1CBTfKWAbSOkHfX-BPrPiB8dxGSyLBgnVl1EY2pBFJWXmUVshbCaqgZSg0qmFtyxyL8sh19A3bUpWeM3fi2YxcT5mXFhvh_Nc5zUbFg/s1600/L_StLawrence4%20-%20Trois-Pistoles%20Frommagerie.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAziew1mYx2nUi8xIPEatameaWtuPSdPQY6St2j1GfAkqwkniW5wk8wKpm4EpkvS0q0p7cLTRDCN_-DRSfpnX1CBTfKWAbSOkHfX-BPrPiB8dxGSyLBgnVl1EY2pBFJWXmUVshbCaqgZSg0qmFtyxyL8sh19A3bUpWeM3fi2YxcT5mXFhvh_Nc5zUbFg/w640-h172/L_StLawrence4%20-%20Trois-Pistoles%20Frommagerie.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At <b>Trois-Pistoles</b>, Quebec, we visited <b>Basques Fromagerie</b>
which offered cheeses made from cow’s milk produced right on the property, as
well as spreads, pâtés, sauces and creton, a pork pâté which we tried at breakfast in
Sainte-Flavie the previous day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
watched the master cheesemaker perform some of the 14 steps needed to make cheese, which include pasterization, adding ferment (bacterial culture used in
fermentation) and rennet (to cause milk to curdle), boiling, draining the
liquid or whey to extract the curds which are eventually pressed into blocks of
cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rich and I bought some
4-year-old cheddar, some lobster pâté and a fois gras <a name="_Hlk140827306">pâté</a>
to bring home in our cooler.<o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwi1SS9wf3ryi8thAb_M3P5e0HOUYgsxTX5zc0o5UULlKG8Zhn1sYU-_2wp-uyM9Ay4rlUZNZx-gRQIpXuFfKVEmgtqp8qhQxLzDKksG62umaCYEXRgYuKT_GS290uiH1n7Tf4u4DVEiDSvJSAdjCZhGFBPTyar4dpic5_YPw5y9Rqjk-1gpKtAdVTLA/s1600/L_StLawrence5a%20-%20IsleVert-Petit%20Phare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwi1SS9wf3ryi8thAb_M3P5e0HOUYgsxTX5zc0o5UULlKG8Zhn1sYU-_2wp-uyM9Ay4rlUZNZx-gRQIpXuFfKVEmgtqp8qhQxLzDKksG62umaCYEXRgYuKT_GS290uiH1n7Tf4u4DVEiDSvJSAdjCZhGFBPTyar4dpic5_YPw5y9Rqjk-1gpKtAdVTLA/w640-h164/L_StLawrence5a%20-%20IsleVert-Petit%20Phare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Knowing that I like “big things”, Rich added<b> L’isle Verte</b> on our route so that I could see the giant strawberry in front of La Crèmerie du Potager. It wasn’t really worth a stop, so I just took a photo from the car window. Next we headed for <b>St. André</b> to see the<b> Petit Phare</b>, or small lighthouse by the south shore of the St. Lawrence River. Looking across the river, there were a few islands including one which has the “Long Pilgram” lighthouse on it and several that are bird sanctuaries. Before reaching the Petit Phare, we passed <b>Parc de L’Ancien Quai</b> which had a cool playground apparatus shaped like a beached schooner, and a cute receptacle for donations shaped like a soldier. Approaching from inland, the Petit Phare looked like a typical lighthouse except for the long ramp leading up to it.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQjWvhRpClJ21aD95Q3NolEAZz8ybx5itEGVVbu86MW5B9aCttp5Vk2U4B3EgXdtCbKPUXJB_QFBg-d8ShTMGX_S09Dz20YHQSe7ch2jyOfn52FpTr_Hvs8ERuLeZnH94gAYRKsp3onE9Hxq1UlZuj_Aakt18-udjZksJrTHjFgSVnTzonlQeEpHXH_A/s1600/L_StLawrence5b%20-%20IsleVert-Petit%20Phare.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQjWvhRpClJ21aD95Q3NolEAZz8ybx5itEGVVbu86MW5B9aCttp5Vk2U4B3EgXdtCbKPUXJB_QFBg-d8ShTMGX_S09Dz20YHQSe7ch2jyOfn52FpTr_Hvs8ERuLeZnH94gAYRKsp3onE9Hxq1UlZuj_Aakt18-udjZksJrTHjFgSVnTzonlQeEpHXH_A/w640-h164/L_StLawrence5b%20-%20IsleVert-Petit%20Phare.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>But viewed from the other side with the water at our back, we found an additional room with a little sitting and dining area that was added on to give hikers or passersby a place to have an indoor picnic or to take shelter in case of inclement weather. Panels on the wall inform visitors about the flora and fauna of the area. One poster features some photographs by Patrick Matte of lighthouses found along the St. Lawrence River. A little bit further down the highway, we could see the steeple of the Catholic Church of St. André.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbRkQ4S_Bvq-P_bKlCo3bXbwd6AXY26rsFLKMkSgr1LEVY5vfgsfkhQe5C7ezAnCoyOMLql2lBsKQcF4Jn5AijoDsB_h0UMa1WFCoyHE8zqmXhP5syqytDUoWlZmELlo87MCMMaohg2dce4SukwscdD8alRTAu5ALE9pCJjNUaLHIMJibNHUhwjEz-kU/s1600/L_StLawrence6a%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbRkQ4S_Bvq-P_bKlCo3bXbwd6AXY26rsFLKMkSgr1LEVY5vfgsfkhQe5C7ezAnCoyOMLql2lBsKQcF4Jn5AijoDsB_h0UMa1WFCoyHE8zqmXhP5syqytDUoWlZmELlo87MCMMaohg2dce4SukwscdD8alRTAu5ALE9pCJjNUaLHIMJibNHUhwjEz-kU/w640-h168/L_StLawrence6a%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading just a bit further east from St. André, we arrived at <b>Kamouraska Beach</b> in time to witness low tide. The St. Lawrence had ebbed so far back that a boat that would normally be bobbing up and down in the river was stranded, sitting an top of a bed of mud. I wonder if that boat is permanently anchored there because it shows up in the same location on Goggle Street View during high tide. The seabed is revealed all the way to the islands that serve as a national wildlife area for birds. We wandered out onto the Quai Miller wharf before heading into town.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhDNfrWaSiA_JPvrDURbAYN5_qUIsNDkhfSPMPW-B7XVMBHOOroUTDL24Zx426ITsYvoc47aw1QJ5hIRBDmko3rD5XczxA3sbIvRaxLy2dij43dZm8L54Wud2fZbZl-8GCv3cjFhcWXjS8r280pmhsPEIPQr-p4nhtnYl-lSWH1oMeGOTvcRao5y8xFw/s1600/L_StLawrence6b%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPhDNfrWaSiA_JPvrDURbAYN5_qUIsNDkhfSPMPW-B7XVMBHOOroUTDL24Zx426ITsYvoc47aw1QJ5hIRBDmko3rD5XczxA3sbIvRaxLy2dij43dZm8L54Wud2fZbZl-8GCv3cjFhcWXjS8r280pmhsPEIPQr-p4nhtnYl-lSWH1oMeGOTvcRao5y8xFw/w640-h168/L_StLawrence6b%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As always, I like spotting cool houses and buildings with unique architectural details. In Kamouraska Beach, we spotted one that looked like a lighthouse and a pale blue-grey house with a 2-storey turret and ornate gingerbread trim around the downstairs porch and upstairs balcony that was for sale. Another magnificent building with a crenelated tower and two mini decorative turrets turned out to be the <b>Centre d’Arts Kamouraska</b>, or the town’s main art gallery. Outside the gallery was a sound installation consisting of 156 bottles hung from metal rods that are arranged in the shape of a wave. Titled “Mer du Vent”, the bottles capture the wind coming from the sea with the vibration of the air causing a harmonious hum. A stone sculpture on the other side of the stairwell is titled “Mon Amour”.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUWLrXK53J6etXJZmXDoeSdIpV-dmm5fjK2M1HrSg82f4AFTBTeIjUvmyL5Tptb3XA-w4AK7UwSS-QuTs-pF5-gFXjkVHjG3uRjD6PY7uLpkPdqVPWL5nOurqI_bOnJn7veqwIKUGwW8jquEYESB3iiAzPXvFiRN3hoShMn6cSw4LR6rc6p4FQc3dWGA/s1600/L_StLawrence6c%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIUWLrXK53J6etXJZmXDoeSdIpV-dmm5fjK2M1HrSg82f4AFTBTeIjUvmyL5Tptb3XA-w4AK7UwSS-QuTs-pF5-gFXjkVHjG3uRjD6PY7uLpkPdqVPWL5nOurqI_bOnJn7veqwIKUGwW8jquEYESB3iiAzPXvFiRN3hoShMn6cSw4LR6rc6p4FQc3dWGA/w640-h158/L_StLawrence6c%20-%20Kamouraska%20Beach.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Inside <b>Centre d’Arts Kamouraska</b>, we interacted with an exhibit titled “A Stroll Through Landscape Under Construction”, which invites you to walk on wooden pathways as we passed chairs, furniture, and large canvases painted in bright yellows, greens and blues in order to get a different perspective of our “landscape”. “The Earth in Suspense” was a video installation that displayed images of geological formations and fragments of territories altered by video and 3-D effects. We visited a second gallery called <b>Champagne et Paradis </b>that displayed paintings and photographs by various local artists that focused on nature and its beauty. We also found a monument dedicated to <b>Réne Chaloult</b> who was the driving force behind the adoption of Quebec’s flag, the Fleur-de-lis.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu4aq7NuxeaRnRCHKkt5ft1YiJeWs7g9xKbrbw0SmBGVomYuGrdw1PZBxXhnDiJHYaLGpT5k0tkPZvd2r2uv9kbW6V0ZYNmD8BcuWreTNzBYOTXwK8X4_mvit-Fw5P2dKZrRzj0PRqr8v4sqUbaBxAuuHf8qQg0BCV64AP7_vsCaOPOLOAJ-N7sKo2ls/s1600/L_StLawrence7a%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Bison%20Chinouard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyu4aq7NuxeaRnRCHKkt5ft1YiJeWs7g9xKbrbw0SmBGVomYuGrdw1PZBxXhnDiJHYaLGpT5k0tkPZvd2r2uv9kbW6V0ZYNmD8BcuWreTNzBYOTXwK8X4_mvit-Fw5P2dKZrRzj0PRqr8v4sqUbaBxAuuHf8qQg0BCV64AP7_vsCaOPOLOAJ-N7sKo2ls/w640-h160/L_StLawrence7a%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Bison%20Chinouard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our final stop before staying overnight at Ste.Eulalie was the small village of <b>Saint-Jean-Port-Joli</b> where we found several interesting points of interest. The first was <b>Bison Chouinard</b> which sells bison meat and bison products. Initially more than 100 bison were raised on this site and tours were given to see them. The herd has since been moved to another farm, but bison products are still for sale here and a stuffed head, tanned hides, skulls and horns are on display. To take home with us, we bought some bison pepperoni, roulette, pâté and a small package of smoked bison.<br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Ix3nnQ-pCLsBsqbMOxcQo8ZnbfTAmzpIny574haD7px3ekDs9O4w2u30rm7u6KWndolAbl-M7mH-EbOPEqaOvAbQo1gsnADwdqNW3UgS5NP80ZHUeDJjjXrqgndTsJuJONWx1vLc0RuU-IKaOqBnM6uvSHnpCgY7GjB1jKV0uMn10dp4cMW1Gd_D28/s4779/L_StLawrence7b1%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Moule%20a%20Sucre.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1244" data-original-width="4779" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5Ix3nnQ-pCLsBsqbMOxcQo8ZnbfTAmzpIny574haD7px3ekDs9O4w2u30rm7u6KWndolAbl-M7mH-EbOPEqaOvAbQo1gsnADwdqNW3UgS5NP80ZHUeDJjjXrqgndTsJuJONWx1vLc0RuU-IKaOqBnM6uvSHnpCgY7GjB1jKV0uMn10dp4cMW1Gd_D28/w640-h166/L_StLawrence7b1%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Moule%20a%20Sucre.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next stop in this area was a complex situated in a large barn that consisted of a gourmet grocery store selling locally made products and an artisan gift shop. At <b>Le Moule à Sucre</b> (The Sugar Mold), we were tempted into tasting some delicious raspberry butter and ended up buying a jar, along with a beer sausage, cheddar cheese and some Beechman gum which Rich remembered eating in his youth.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3D8-_WMEtF7HzbGtPZxzhxA9ApBTvAEX5evymv2uNj0a6KeDXhSfw2IYtCdtF6j0HrBA6u1sC5gBHnCmW8DigMGnvmODZFz-0CTckmPvP6Vhc3G0zOWYzXIqKGyDy1IFDpEAJCEFMyylxR9Q4OeLG2VYt3NZoK94abBwpIguw1hykQMjViVtxFJiP4M/s4848/L_StLawrence7b2%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20MetierArts.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1260" data-original-width="4848" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii3D8-_WMEtF7HzbGtPZxzhxA9ApBTvAEX5evymv2uNj0a6KeDXhSfw2IYtCdtF6j0HrBA6u1sC5gBHnCmW8DigMGnvmODZFz-0CTckmPvP6Vhc3G0zOWYzXIqKGyDy1IFDpEAJCEFMyylxR9Q4OeLG2VYt3NZoK94abBwpIguw1hykQMjViVtxFJiP4M/w640-h166/L_StLawrence7b2%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20MetierArts.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Metier d’Arts</b> was located at the top level of the barn where you could see the rafters. Here we found brightly painted metal sculptures fashioned into whimsical rabbits, caterpillars, chickens, goats, toy buses and more. There were also paintings, candles, clothing, linens, jewelry, books and other items for purchase.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdHa0hPFd9QrWlrMTcZeFwf7_q3KeCVoGzaiBYdtSh86BWEwz2jUK7qSexqm0euIpju17TQpNhaWIthaIleac68sAQGsyNL050RVXt-jA0jmGytxDNpeVh77F6z1NJTs6gh7UEW9SdIQ_UgEbDG3865gbKnrgt9gLAU88Tm0QCx0gDQLH1GZ-a4-DSRM/s1600/L_StLawrence7c%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20ParcTroisBeret1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="447" data-original-width="1600" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbdHa0hPFd9QrWlrMTcZeFwf7_q3KeCVoGzaiBYdtSh86BWEwz2jUK7qSexqm0euIpju17TQpNhaWIthaIleac68sAQGsyNL050RVXt-jA0jmGytxDNpeVh77F6z1NJTs6gh7UEW9SdIQ_UgEbDG3865gbKnrgt9gLAU88Tm0QCx0gDQLH1GZ-a4-DSRM/w640-h178/L_StLawrence7c%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20ParcTroisBeret1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing on along Route 132, we reached the <b>Parc de Trois Bérets</b>, a large sculpture park named in honour of the three <b>Bougault brothers </b>( Médard, André and Jean-Julien), famous local wood carvers who were part of one of the founding families of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli. Between the 1930s-1950s, the prolific brothers created folk art, figurative and symbolic works reflecting local cultures, vignettes in the round depicting daily life in Quebec and religious carvings. Keeping with the wood carving tradition established by the brothers, the park is full of wonderful gigantic carvings that are both intricate and in some cases, quirky and whimsical. The Parc de Trois Bérets is a popular gathering place for art and music festivals.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTCQ8HsqNJ1Mf3KtysyCwmqT80N6LbbFdq0pdnoPdNXW6rqr8ga1alcPu6hwJ41cme3eLjVAvvh0cAq3IGbfuDYl_CN0axF8sqwS6ggVp0woPkDAeln715IE0OnEKITqtVY-vYXL9mD9Sj1Giafr_fqQZrNAzBPaExP8-ShatHg0-cbrxXnytJWFXq_c/s1600/L_StLawrence7c%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20ParcTroisBeret2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTCQ8HsqNJ1Mf3KtysyCwmqT80N6LbbFdq0pdnoPdNXW6rqr8ga1alcPu6hwJ41cme3eLjVAvvh0cAq3IGbfuDYl_CN0axF8sqwS6ggVp0woPkDAeln715IE0OnEKITqtVY-vYXL9mD9Sj1Giafr_fqQZrNAzBPaExP8-ShatHg0-cbrxXnytJWFXq_c/w640-h160/L_StLawrence7c%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20ParcTroisBeret2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In addition to the massive open-air sculpture garden, there is an
interpretation trail weaving along the coastline with sculpted benches
commemorating the founding families of Saint-Jean-Port-Joli, and a maritime
interpretation trail built by Friends of Port-Joli with benches, tables,
swings, and a replica of the Paquebot S.S. Canadian, a steam ship built in
1857. On board the ship is a treasure
chest that opens up to reveal a book exchange where you can take or leave a
book. <o:p></o:p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadxoUma8KF1OhGsfVRE-Qt7oPmMFMl3LAVW5q9AQeQhNBmMgAey92GGecvT-exULVHkQ-dvMTUbYJTDTGsdTV28GF76Pb9SxS4MroRDgUXl25DhICTCs-zzwXA3ai54oDcmAaDWTH3LpgYdIUl_IBifulg-HoYDnz97cQrgi0Zgj5ecPGwMH_e52agg4/s1600/L_StLawrence7d%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Tour%20Innovation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiadxoUma8KF1OhGsfVRE-Qt7oPmMFMl3LAVW5q9AQeQhNBmMgAey92GGecvT-exULVHkQ-dvMTUbYJTDTGsdTV28GF76Pb9SxS4MroRDgUXl25DhICTCs-zzwXA3ai54oDcmAaDWTH3LpgYdIUl_IBifulg-HoYDnz97cQrgi0Zgj5ecPGwMH_e52agg4/w640-h160/L_StLawrence7d%20-%20Port%20St.Jolie%20-%20Tour%20Innovation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had one last stop in Saint-Jean-Port-Joli area before heading to Sainte-Eulalie where we would spend the night. It was at the <b>Tour de l’Innovation</b>, a 64-foot-tall structure with 5 landings, 95 steps and two foot-bridges connecting the structure to the adjacent mountain. At the end of the first bridge, affixed to the cliff, is a large white sculpture of the Virgin Mary. The highest bridge leads to a platform where you can get excellent views of the <b>Museum of Living Memory</b> below and <b>Charlevoix</b> across the river. Beyond this platform is a path that leads along the south side of the cliff. The Innovation Tower and its steps are made by adjoining many small pieces wood to recall the techniques used and heritage of the regions’ great builders and innovators of the past, which ties into the mission of the Museum of Living Memory. All along the steps are interpretive panels and QR codes accessible by mobile phones to provide information about maritime life in the area.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPTV8wOObxw-dFnEN6Y-PzXJcEZ27baz3RLNV27QiQuxxipHwE66tl17qTGXU399s0sRYsU56YJlRWdXK4SJ6zhqpoxjSaHkrIsn0ZoJKRdsKhqS3wdfkr3sqdpkdZeghQw4AtfTyTT-5pMCe0UVhlaoWqSWBiLWzUbjQd0NKEbMdzGlEf-BcpNMos3s/s1600/L_StLawrence8%20-%20Ben%20Lalen1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkPTV8wOObxw-dFnEN6Y-PzXJcEZ27baz3RLNV27QiQuxxipHwE66tl17qTGXU399s0sRYsU56YJlRWdXK4SJ6zhqpoxjSaHkrIsn0ZoJKRdsKhqS3wdfkr3sqdpkdZeghQw4AtfTyTT-5pMCe0UVhlaoWqSWBiLWzUbjQd0NKEbMdzGlEf-BcpNMos3s/w640-h172/L_StLawrence8%20-%20Ben%20Lalen1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Sainte-Eulalie</b> is just north of the Trans-Canada Highway, so we passed by it on our trek out to Nova Scotia. As we drove through the area, we caught sight of a large ranch-styled building which housed an establishment called “<b>Ben Lalen</b>” with the image of a sheep on the large sign in front of it. Our first thought was that this was a very unfortunate name for a store since it sounded very close to “Bin Laden” as in Osama’s last name. After some research when we got home, we found out that this was a business that sold products derived from wool and animal skins, run by retired sheepskin seller Benoit Thibodeau who had the French nickname of “Ben La Laine” translated loosely as “Ben of the wool”. This explained the store name Ben Lalen, but none of that was what made us take note of the location and seek it out on our way back to Toronto. What caught our eyes were the quirky, eclectic giant fiberglass sculptures displayed all along the front of his shop including ones hoisted in the air by a cherry picker and figures on the rooftop.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi7gnLBrlzHjO80TlsRlCQ8nAdezdj6VI70LRy8DW1Yd-Ansez_aeuvEDvwiFkl2puCHrBHbtNPfSfJ6vTn7_ePfz8vLvreC0sA4CwHdBMj-0QWH5n0SukPz8u9FCzXsJPxJHR_BHoZrzltuERDCbp0-JmE6yB1kDTYbdQzlM6sBdDzbIWki1vlHvN-M/s1600/L_StLawrence8%20-%20Ben%20Lalen2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDi7gnLBrlzHjO80TlsRlCQ8nAdezdj6VI70LRy8DW1Yd-Ansez_aeuvEDvwiFkl2puCHrBHbtNPfSfJ6vTn7_ePfz8vLvreC0sA4CwHdBMj-0QWH5n0SukPz8u9FCzXsJPxJHR_BHoZrzltuERDCbp0-JmE6yB1kDTYbdQzlM6sBdDzbIWki1vlHvN-M/w640-h160/L_StLawrence8%20-%20Ben%20Lalen2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Benoit Thibodeau creates all these sculptures and groups together pieces as diverse as Obelix, Minion, Golf Ball, Bagel and Jesus on the Cross. There are all sorts of animal figures including cows (which our friend Murray loves!), lions, pigs, moose, sheep, chicken, rhinoceros, lobster, horses and more. There were giant French fries, ice cream cones, and on the roof were a series of prancing sheep. Ben Lalen produces over 200 fiberglass objects per year as requisitioned by companies to use as advertisement. Inside the store (which was closed so we couldn’t check it out) are fur and wool garments, stuffed animals and animal skins including 14 skunk skins sewn together. Behind the store, Thibodeau owns a farm where he raises sheep, goats and alpacas.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was an extremely fun way to spend our morning in Sainte-Eulalie, before making the final leg journey back to Toronto with a last stop in Brockville, Ontario. We did not know it at the time, but just a few minutes down the road from Ben Lalen was the restaurant <b>Madrid 2.0</b> where we could seen <b>giant dinosaur sculptures</b>. This stretch along the south shore of the St. Lawrence River was so much fun and sadly, we didn't have enough time to fully appreciate it. This will need to be a return trip where we could also explore the north shore.</div></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-50886561291577121112022-08-30T17:16:00.226-07:002023-07-16T12:31:18.706-07:00East Coast 2022: Back to Toronto - Dartmouth to St. Flavie, Quebec (Centre d'Art Marcel Gagnon)<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE-L2GGNG7wxGXPvLTKNsNnPog0V0zZ6Sux_rRYDbeIYj6SmPF94AOdA7pT23HSWKF903RV8rnMui1XvQwiOJhkhnSgyMeBZax-UkTuWVz6dp1l3tHEa_ioxGYLfN40JjMgfD51I7Gx2HIIo9drzERe4Y9savkaExs27Iptf7cVS6k3ZFCYfmPqKXpdc/s1600/K_DriveHome1_Masstown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1508" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZE-L2GGNG7wxGXPvLTKNsNnPog0V0zZ6Sux_rRYDbeIYj6SmPF94AOdA7pT23HSWKF903RV8rnMui1XvQwiOJhkhnSgyMeBZax-UkTuWVz6dp1l3tHEa_ioxGYLfN40JjMgfD51I7Gx2HIIo9drzERe4Y9savkaExs27Iptf7cVS6k3ZFCYfmPqKXpdc/s320/K_DriveHome1_Masstown.jpg" width="302" /></a></div>After spending 3 days driving from Toronto to Nova Scotia with our friends Yim and Murray, and 9 days spent touring the province including Cape Breton Island, it was finally time for my husband Rich and I to make the 3 day drive back home. We would once again drive north-west through New Brunswick and Quebec to get to the St. Lawrence River but would make different stops along the way. On the way out to Nova Scotia, we took the Trans Canada Highway all the way to Edmundston, N.B., as this was the quickest route to reach our first stop for the night. On the way back, we planned a more leisurely drive along Route 132, hugging the south shore of the St. Lawrence in order to see all the sights found there. To accomplish this, Rich selected <b>St. Flavie, Quebec</b> as our destination where we would stay overnight on the first night of our journey home.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizM7UhS7RjdCShD11yFE8aaH4seOE9zWTuVDPD7gIt-_5VY-JsWTnU5ZTWE4TkiQfn1CDd15uUzPlAWkE_tXBG-HPvAXg63xxP5NGrIOvCPjLooZXl3v_2E6MvxsQCqZxTt8fWjFyvjb-A_9gVrcGqEHla5_jEDEWnbcQnMI8o2P_IuDeEETUXUXneeU/s1600/K_DriveHome1a_Masstown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhizM7UhS7RjdCShD11yFE8aaH4seOE9zWTuVDPD7gIt-_5VY-JsWTnU5ZTWE4TkiQfn1CDd15uUzPlAWkE_tXBG-HPvAXg63xxP5NGrIOvCPjLooZXl3v_2E6MvxsQCqZxTt8fWjFyvjb-A_9gVrcGqEHla5_jEDEWnbcQnMI8o2P_IuDeEETUXUXneeU/w640-h182/K_DriveHome1a_Masstown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading off first thing in the morning, our first rest stop was at <b>Masstown, Nova Scotia</b> where there was a complex with a huge market, creamery and seafood shop. At the <b>Masstown Market</b>, we had a quick breakfast of coffee, a breakfast sandwich and a Danish. We also picked up some crackers, crab and lobster spreads, pepperoni sticks and wild blueberries that we could eat later in the day for lunch, if we found a good stopping point for a picnic. <b>Catch of the Bay seafood shop </b>was situated in a lighthouse with an observation deck that promised a great panoramic view. Unfortunately, it had rained the day before and the steps up were too wet to safely navigate. It was still fun wandering around seeing the live lobsters swimming in the tank and the fresh seafood on display. We didn’t have enough cooler space or ice or anywhere to cook seafood, so we did not buy anything here. I was amused by the chocolate bars with the anthropomorphic lobster faces on the wrapping that were labeled “Shell-Shocked”. Outside, Murray found a sign showing the height of the<b> world’s highest tides </b>which are found at the nearby Bay of Fundy. The marker depicting the height of these tides was well over his head, so being almost a foot shorter, I would have had no chance!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5-Br_LxlVVgaqdLF7uN0Yi4rRyMCXdf9KfzAOLbFs7QoJ6R7gbhaTpHMJ2nHUDcXkGskmrXkWiXLKmOXUdkGRzOGrtRvfNEwZUrL9lR8wAOoQvPi8efk2DrgGsO-GFZJtsGSUUAmdA-KLaOfUNWqOlPWLIYUFc4Iumf-9cCxg-TWWpqdZPSq-Pw0Vs/s1600/K_DriveHome1b_Masstown2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi5-Br_LxlVVgaqdLF7uN0Yi4rRyMCXdf9KfzAOLbFs7QoJ6R7gbhaTpHMJ2nHUDcXkGskmrXkWiXLKmOXUdkGRzOGrtRvfNEwZUrL9lR8wAOoQvPi8efk2DrgGsO-GFZJtsGSUUAmdA-KLaOfUNWqOlPWLIYUFc4Iumf-9cCxg-TWWpqdZPSq-Pw0Vs/w640-h162/K_DriveHome1b_Masstown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Masstown Creamery Cafe and Shop</b> had some cool souvenirs including decorative wooden boards shaped like lighthouses and sea horses, with a lacquered-like finish made to resemble beach and ocean views. Yim found a ceramic serving plate shaped like 3 large oyster shells and purchased that as a souvenir.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31SSD2F5ZKDED3ln_zHRJGrEr4Qg-KSC9HzGeJxDRPbrLNaX4x6Us5_x_-ta9e7ckzINK_4ZXQXuMGU3ipbQQIgj-t4M1RTrKsKs4_7xD4pZZA_yMQ0nUeAdwA2PKNwJqVBphWAIvAdTAGlwvbhm6OKj2LkNW3HaCrE9Pc_9MmR1J-RjB6J67LFM7Cl8/s1600/K_DriveHome1c_RoadStops.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31SSD2F5ZKDED3ln_zHRJGrEr4Qg-KSC9HzGeJxDRPbrLNaX4x6Us5_x_-ta9e7ckzINK_4ZXQXuMGU3ipbQQIgj-t4M1RTrKsKs4_7xD4pZZA_yMQ0nUeAdwA2PKNwJqVBphWAIvAdTAGlwvbhm6OKj2LkNW3HaCrE9Pc_9MmR1J-RjB6J67LFM7Cl8/w640-h156/K_DriveHome1c_RoadStops.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we drove through <b>Bathurst, New Brunswick</b>, we found some picnic tables by the harbour which was a perfect stopping spot for lunch. We brought out all of our goodies that we purchased at the Masstown Market, plus some bags of <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-drive-to-edmundston-and.html" target="_blank">Covered Bridge potato chips</a> that we still had left over from the huge purchase that we made at the chip factory at the beginning of our trip en route to Nova Scotia. Continuing on, we spotted interesting sights along our drive through New Brunswick. In <b>Petit Rocher, </b>there was a turret with a funky roof in that made it look more like a silo, and in <b>Point-Verte, </b>we passed a fun metal sculpture. So many towns in New Brunswick had French names that I had to doublecheck that we had not ventured into Quebec. At <b>Tidehead, NB</b>. we had to stop at the Morrisey Rock Park to admire the gorgeous view.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3y8q3X3N_ZTUTJcH4xOwT4eb7lBEqnOcdHXW0yQigVNy5PVY9BvLTtLssp013GCRTuvu1mGgpId0jBQCjNwQ6AkH2KcXHitw1yaRAOImmIfl4onmGYk8TeRpIqT4G53UIaINFU3nV-nUvl2h9UNDBoSGUKaU5qN_8_sEh2cn7tWbkQpWkIkCYLE6jWQ/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs3y8q3X3N_ZTUTJcH4xOwT4eb7lBEqnOcdHXW0yQigVNy5PVY9BvLTtLssp013GCRTuvu1mGgpId0jBQCjNwQ6AkH2KcXHitw1yaRAOImmIfl4onmGYk8TeRpIqT4G53UIaINFU3nV-nUvl2h9UNDBoSGUKaU5qN_8_sEh2cn7tWbkQpWkIkCYLE6jWQ/w640-h160/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While researching and planning for our East Coast road trip and looking for a place to spend the night by the St. Lawrence River, Rich came across <b>Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon in St. Flavie, Quebec</b>. This is a complex comprised of a hotel (or auberge), restaurant, art gallery and boutique situated right on the south shore, all featuring the works of<b> painter and sculptor Marcel Gagnon</b>. Originally a landscape painter, Gagnon’s subsequent works are filled with mystical and religious iconography, often featuring oblong forms that he both paints and creates sculptures of. When we arrived at the centre, we were met with various large art pieces. There was what looked like a gigantic wooden totem pole lain on its side with seats carved into either end and various oblong figures carved in the middle. Concrete versions of these figures lined the driveway and the path leading to the beach. By the restaurant was a much larger female(?) figure, holding a flowerpot with faces carved into it. She seems to be covered by a multi-coloured mosaic robe with a hood and long train, or perhaps these are actually tentacles of some sort of sea creature? I guess it is open to interpretation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkkhvOGPl1wpbK113q8WTq6Tpdhn5xLl7vaqAa1SnZIojumm0_I3TM_y3YGd-tnpHiX9dnSQlSeLTLurbmFxAhzle8iuddT2KsnMF-dOyJCXCGe2eZpLGnnf_UA1IpG569AoQusEebti6u4-ts-P98Op9Jqd_VB2-FtCsxrG5ZtFT7J31dKDNz4-rtcU/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkkhvOGPl1wpbK113q8WTq6Tpdhn5xLl7vaqAa1SnZIojumm0_I3TM_y3YGd-tnpHiX9dnSQlSeLTLurbmFxAhzle8iuddT2KsnMF-dOyJCXCGe2eZpLGnnf_UA1IpG569AoQusEebti6u4-ts-P98Op9Jqd_VB2-FtCsxrG5ZtFT7J31dKDNz4-rtcU/w640-h170/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1a.jpg" width="640" /></a>What first caught Rich’s attention about Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon were online images of a massive outdoor art display that Gagnon created in 1986 and named “<b>Le Grande Rassemblement</b>” or “<b>The Great Gathering</b>”. As soon as he saw the images, Rich knew that I would love this place, and he was right! Walking through a mosaic-covered arch to reach the beach, we are presented with an amazing sight. Over 80 life-sized sculptures made from reinforced concrete weighing over 685kg each are positioned out into the St. Lawrence River. Viewed from afar, they appear to be storming towards the shore and continuing onto the beach. Each figure has a uniquely carved face and possibly some hair. Some of the ones that we could get close to on the beach appear to be wearing clothing with buttons and lapels. A few of the figures are distinctly female but many of them have been so weathered over time by the elements that they have become androgynous. At first glance, it felt like this was a Zombie invasion with creatures emerging from the sea. In 1992, Gagnon added wooden rafts with cloth sails attached to them. Sitting on the rafts are more of these concrete figures, some with bandanas tied to their heads to appear like marauding pirates. It is said that in high tide, the boats look like they are “taking off to new horizons”.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhXxCXPH4dZCFdYqhafXc15S9IOY93tmueh88ctZPrpPMAIaRIfN_KGHMGrRk8TLsbCvbRcEdvIeJI18gnyBMOio85Pm-8UPnJphruRxiajQnA7Z-t4F6muktgl4zABJOfTHB7tnIcYF3_rQ_uNaEm6iBefAeilKywayKV7EVYThmRSXO4yja6CWGkzs/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon2_Hotel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhXxCXPH4dZCFdYqhafXc15S9IOY93tmueh88ctZPrpPMAIaRIfN_KGHMGrRk8TLsbCvbRcEdvIeJI18gnyBMOio85Pm-8UPnJphruRxiajQnA7Z-t4F6muktgl4zABJOfTHB7tnIcYF3_rQ_uNaEm6iBefAeilKywayKV7EVYThmRSXO4yja6CWGkzs/w640-h156/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon2_Hotel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After racing around like excited school children to inspect
all the outdoor sculptures, we finally stepped into the main building to check
in and drop off our bags. To our
delight, even the key chains of our room keys featured images of Gagnon’s oblong
figures. In the lobby of hotel, we were overwhelmed
by the huge mural that was not just floor to ceiling but spanned the floor and
the ceiling. It seemed to depict a group
of long, lanky, Modigliani-esque people waiting their turn to transform into
angels and ascend to heaven? <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p>Marcel Gagnon is not just an artist but also a<b> poet</b>. Plaques displaying some of his poems are found around the grounds including one titled “Être” which espouses the importance of being yourself, but cautions that for that to happen, you must first allow others to be themselves. In the hotel, a painting of the figures from Le Grand Rassemblement is captioned by a short poem that loosely translates to the following: “ I looked beyond the wide river. I looked higher than the last cloud. I discovered the immensity of my being”. More paintings decorate the walls of the hallways as well as each of our rooms. This was such a cool place to stay. My only regret was in selecting the more economical rooms on the side of the building not facing the water. Not only did we not have the stunning views that the rooms on the other side would have had, but our rooms were also much smaller. If we ever come back, we will be sure to splurge and get a “Sea View” room. In the meantime, we did find the exit that brought us directly down to the beach and were able to envision what our views could have been like.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ6VXGRF_NxOLUnWzOPPcLUv28WI3PYwjMAFeMDqHAy7P45xZc5bE6e8aV3QgqsdOrzj32BQhyEBlTGsSADeVqUKBvXeVmko0JIPPXdjKBxAQ2gmXJ5AeXriQZu52Z0UIo8MEMQuL6pZMjK0cssONZoHo0-ZubaMJk6CvbqGGDBBp7V2DQq_bEoVlue8/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon5a_Gallery.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEJ6VXGRF_NxOLUnWzOPPcLUv28WI3PYwjMAFeMDqHAy7P45xZc5bE6e8aV3QgqsdOrzj32BQhyEBlTGsSADeVqUKBvXeVmko0JIPPXdjKBxAQ2gmXJ5AeXriQZu52Z0UIo8MEMQuL6pZMjK0cssONZoHo0-ZubaMJk6CvbqGGDBBp7V2DQq_bEoVlue8/w640-h164/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon5a_Gallery.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>In the same building as the hotel and restaurant is an <b>Art Gallery</b> which features even more paintings and sculptures by Marcel Gagnon. Also on permanent display are works by his daughter Isabel who paints large flowers in acrylic, his son Guillaume who uses acrylic, oils and watercolours to paint bright, whimsical paintings of children at play with vivid scenic backgrounds, and his wife Ghislaine Carrier who paints wispy, ethereal works in watercolour. It appears that artistic talent runs in the family! Exhibitions of works by other local artists are shown on a rotating basis.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nJSLHCBQUM13xEn58bgnBxwn0OqyhEr7LCXH-St8aJ8NLcEJ6FG5f-NrFl2T1pGhJW190sYPf4rr4c9X94LW4_AZ9pj33q69BC2LjKcE8rBAPeyw00eJBh7wsQlRM0yC3hjJ5lIv_c2lmFlOydHOaxal9ZKNwgpM0OG5shJVHD8rJCEVnBCLt8tHnjQ/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon4a_Artist%20Home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2nJSLHCBQUM13xEn58bgnBxwn0OqyhEr7LCXH-St8aJ8NLcEJ6FG5f-NrFl2T1pGhJW190sYPf4rr4c9X94LW4_AZ9pj33q69BC2LjKcE8rBAPeyw00eJBh7wsQlRM0yC3hjJ5lIv_c2lmFlOydHOaxal9ZKNwgpM0OG5shJVHD8rJCEVnBCLt8tHnjQ/w640-h160/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon4a_Artist%20Home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Wandering out to explore the community of St. Flavie, we first admired the massive structure named “<b>Artist’s House</b>” that was situated right next to the Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon. Purchased in 1994 to be used as the original location of the art gallery, it became the residence of Marcel and Ghislaine a few years later when the gallery and inn moved to the current building. Renovations on and additions to this house began in 2004 and lasted for 10 years. Marcel lovingly sculpted each brick, molding and corner by hand while carefully laying each stone in the façade of the building walls and fences individually. There is a completely round, stand-alone turret with tall windows on all sides that must fill this cool space with light and fits my concept of what an ideal turret should look like. Mosaic “vines” and “tree trunks” weave up and around the building, while a winding stone fence is topped with mosaic “horn of plenty” shaped flowerpots. Several large art pieces are found on the facade of the house including a mosaic work whose colours and shapes remind me of a Klimt painting and features one of the oblong characters. A sculpture depicting an Indian Princess is affixed to a stone slab that was so substantial that a small room had to be added to the house in order to support it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd5yUslC-7sA53XHz6b8wp_5zQDl8T8rDjztDVw1D-5hLq-XqIywE0aKm8YQ30bSjjYdQd5Xc9bchx5jwMotbgV_t8m0Nn5mT-01n5qEyNYcJoayBmhPlN_AyJL7WIqnhaiH_JzXwQkZ5OPA2fSE99zQ5_ky0q-q-okibfTPRLP_mEOmU7mDBGUFjl3E/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon4b_Artist%20Home.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLd5yUslC-7sA53XHz6b8wp_5zQDl8T8rDjztDVw1D-5hLq-XqIywE0aKm8YQ30bSjjYdQd5Xc9bchx5jwMotbgV_t8m0Nn5mT-01n5qEyNYcJoayBmhPlN_AyJL7WIqnhaiH_JzXwQkZ5OPA2fSE99zQ5_ky0q-q-okibfTPRLP_mEOmU7mDBGUFjl3E/w640-h162/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon4b_Artist%20Home.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>I love how concrete sculptures and mosaics can be found scattered throughout the garden, nestled between tall grass and shrubs. Even the garages are beautifully decorated with the pediments and sides of the garages adorned with mosaic artwork. An undulating stone wall topped at each peak with a small oblong sculpture leads back towards the beach and the water. The result is an architectural work of art reminiscent of Antonio Gaudi’s Parc Guell buildings and structures in Barcelona. We tried not to get too close to the house to respect the privacy of the owners, but given how ornate the exterior is, I would have loved to see how the interior is decorated.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKqSkXl8-I3TzzL_pE0D92lgIvr_lCLEa7mVcHWIEC3rHY8wMWT9DCKEilo7toUao8AVebDCTsGZiN48a6ab6PhnrkPnh0DnbA293FrwRZ7aTdFGzrNRiSudpnuFUSlbVQ5on00ynv_c1rRYRntN2vqKSQT6r1qRLPQKqL3VjuFQfz1vOYImX8UUHPa0/s1600/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKqSkXl8-I3TzzL_pE0D92lgIvr_lCLEa7mVcHWIEC3rHY8wMWT9DCKEilo7toUao8AVebDCTsGZiN48a6ab6PhnrkPnh0DnbA293FrwRZ7aTdFGzrNRiSudpnuFUSlbVQ5on00ynv_c1rRYRntN2vqKSQT6r1qRLPQKqL3VjuFQfz1vOYImX8UUHPa0/w640-h170/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading down Route de la Mer (Rte 132), which is the <b>main street of St. Flavie</b>, we continued to see Marcel Gagnon’s influence at several houses and shops which displayed sculptures either by him or at least heavily inspired by him. The <b>St. Flavie Church</b> is quite ornate with its multi-coloured brick giving it an effect that resembles wood-inlay marquetry. Several grand buildings including one with a huge turret had signs indicating that they were part of the “<b>Route des Arts</b>” or a walking tour of artist studios and galleries in the community. Unfortunately, they were not open by the time we went on our walk in the evening and opened too late the next day for us to be able to visit them. Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon is part of this route, so at least we got to see the art there in great detail.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQixn6k4C5tKp0Vo3ICvHQpolm5UnEX0vyZ63zHo47A4F2PBY1kBT_uTx6_RTTV5eQDbkPvUnoPp-9b60VXwrA357ia1vVIHIO9WbaOo59JSHN0AC5ovtf4wlpFL-1zTYWIJNkvRAk15HJEwpWwSKbDQv_cP0L1ltWjpdI9V920dA-SU2peffSmA1wO4/s1600/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXQixn6k4C5tKp0Vo3ICvHQpolm5UnEX0vyZ63zHo47A4F2PBY1kBT_uTx6_RTTV5eQDbkPvUnoPp-9b60VXwrA357ia1vVIHIO9WbaOo59JSHN0AC5ovtf4wlpFL-1zTYWIJNkvRAk15HJEwpWwSKbDQv_cP0L1ltWjpdI9V920dA-SU2peffSmA1wO4/w640-h158/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Although it was also closed, we did visit the area around the <b>Cantine des Navigateurs</b>, which based on its Facebook page, looks like a fun, casual waterside restaurant where we could have gotten drinks and seafood. Behind the restaurant were some quirky cardboard characters and cutout signs as well as some dinosaur sculptures made from tree stumps and a model of a sailboat propped up by carved logs.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBmCoOH-iBTnUzLRPytDci37iKnFc4Tea8Gn0jVAPum5tqAGFzMiItBHEUVohQrn4LAaYHUIv8HLScibd0GKXJqMf9A-_GDZiYPcVFAf1z191n_mUv2uGYTl8sMuGHLsFpjg9NSS9dKzY23VhD1ggFF2G92Kl7-Zi-eldDUQ_WUYJh-VRSmlOLGoydT8/s1600/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZBmCoOH-iBTnUzLRPytDci37iKnFc4Tea8Gn0jVAPum5tqAGFzMiItBHEUVohQrn4LAaYHUIv8HLScibd0GKXJqMf9A-_GDZiYPcVFAf1z191n_mUv2uGYTl8sMuGHLsFpjg9NSS9dKzY23VhD1ggFF2G92Kl7-Zi-eldDUQ_WUYJh-VRSmlOLGoydT8/w640-h156/K_DriveHome3_StFlavie3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Another place that was closed was <b>Capitaine Homard Restaurant</b>, which based on its name plus the kitchsy sculptures in front, obviously served lobster and other seafood. Its sign indicated that it offered lobster “fresh from our ponds” along with camping and mini-golf. All sorts of maritime items hung from the ceiling inside the restaurant including life preservers, lobster traps and nets, buoys, ropes and lamps. Behind the restaurant at the water’s edge was a sign indicating “28km to Bersimis” which is the community directly on the other side of the St. Lawrence River from St. Flavie. It was really too bad that we got into town too late to check out more of the restaurants, art galleries, museums and other attractions in St. Flavie. Hopefully we will be able to return to this area again so that we can give it the time that it deserves.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMG3zQuHbr3WSlngRLqq7Pk0qQx4X_AijdVJVRHbPe76Co_RCSpuv5lt0KnM7PMAOoejcZvYqXqXzPU1h02l9Cpyzfr87Jod_lNfJb2F26hxiQMQSb-EoOC5B97pkxOqsnREtyndATCIO8E38PktFd6uEXvE0Wb1UjHF9uwPFoOT0LkY8QUrlDzLPhFc/s1600/K_DriveHome4_StFlavie_Gaspesiana1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVMG3zQuHbr3WSlngRLqq7Pk0qQx4X_AijdVJVRHbPe76Co_RCSpuv5lt0KnM7PMAOoejcZvYqXqXzPU1h02l9Cpyzfr87Jod_lNfJb2F26hxiQMQSb-EoOC5B97pkxOqsnREtyndATCIO8E38PktFd6uEXvE0Wb1UjHF9uwPFoOT0LkY8QUrlDzLPhFc/w640-h166/K_DriveHome4_StFlavie_Gaspesiana1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The one place that actually did stay open later into the evening was the restaurant <b>Au Goût du Large</b> so I had made reservations for us to have dinner there. It was supposed to be on the main street, a short walking distance just down the road from Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon. We walked around without seeing a sign for the restaurant and walked several times by the <b>Gaspesiana Hotel </b>where Google Maps had led us, before realizing that the restaurant was inside the hotel. We were given a window seat with a great view of the St. Lawrence and enjoyed watching the sun set over the pier. Rich and I started our meals with salmon tartar mixed with caper, chive, red onion on crostini and Coquille St. Jacques (scallops in a wine sauce topped with browned cheesy mashed potato).<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMYCzgjskIulDlMC_W-QLGtkuDBr3WCE1qMH4Dc_OcB3-J2PDSp0LDgijk3vfSjOAjWeVvwvzAzWYkXvZsXbwRQroIKxuRQpJBGPmvx59r0IOxxC-dIhvs-C4aeF6Z0qwt_aYcdqkZ94wFvSJJXMpkl0TurbM7cXgvy5jpov_CxC9vrMBcwIntOaJchI/s1600/K_DriveHome4_StFlavie_Gaspesiana2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhMYCzgjskIulDlMC_W-QLGtkuDBr3WCE1qMH4Dc_OcB3-J2PDSp0LDgijk3vfSjOAjWeVvwvzAzWYkXvZsXbwRQroIKxuRQpJBGPmvx59r0IOxxC-dIhvs-C4aeF6Z0qwt_aYcdqkZ94wFvSJJXMpkl0TurbM7cXgvy5jpov_CxC9vrMBcwIntOaJchI/w640-h160/K_DriveHome4_StFlavie_Gaspesiana2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For our main courses, Rich and I again went the seafood route with orders of halibut in a saffron sauce topped with fried leeks and a cod fillet lightly breaded and pan-seared “in the truest Gaspesian tradition”. That last phrase sealed the deal for Rich, who is always looking for a "local experience". Yim went for the sauteed scallops in a savory cream of roasted garlic, parmesan and arugula while Murray had the meat-based special which looked so good that I almost regretted my pact with Rich to only eat seafood for our entire East Coast trip! We ended our meal with tarte tartan and crème brulée and by that time, the sun had totally set, and we were able to see the glowing lights of the village on the other side of the pier. After dinner, we walked out onto the pier to get an even better view.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jxgMGlF-62aJAPlOgfCnpUE89WOI0EWqWWj5hN1v3zGpNALiGfyNY9RA2_jzSn59gPA7glfhtQkLFZvqK7q2wr_KUEF0NkNqj2VvBKegd7N9L38xwCg4iUK-eEBvoS1mEfxJBAw7zgT_wGmcQU0uI5xZyS8OEtdZ_DbCH4LvBoSvzi6gUo4HzFpLe58/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1c_Night.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6jxgMGlF-62aJAPlOgfCnpUE89WOI0EWqWWj5hN1v3zGpNALiGfyNY9RA2_jzSn59gPA7glfhtQkLFZvqK7q2wr_KUEF0NkNqj2VvBKegd7N9L38xwCg4iUK-eEBvoS1mEfxJBAw7zgT_wGmcQU0uI5xZyS8OEtdZ_DbCH4LvBoSvzi6gUo4HzFpLe58/w640-h154/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon1c_Night.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Prior to leaving for dinner, we took a walk on the beach and watched the sun start to set. By the time we returned to the hotel after dinner, all the figures forming Le Grand Rassemblement were lit up in the dark and looked even eerier than in the daylight. We found one group of figures which seemed to form a family unit including a family dog. The next morning before breakfast, Rich and I took a final walk on the beach to say goodbye to these fabulous characters.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74DQmKGo7ZuxSg-MPxUyIUzZelTL255LWalvYItbPWICkCsC1c5SyDcHZdzcXZafTNYca0U9VLW7FAz3IVLNHM_Mv0-pyPkXiCffaYSDJ1H3Tgq7kCG0Dsne03uf7-KGumraLPnAAhL3Wk-cn8RSoeFAxxcN5Gpivty1JbkxN_P7k02ZVimQ9r63VNwU/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon5_Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj74DQmKGo7ZuxSg-MPxUyIUzZelTL255LWalvYItbPWICkCsC1c5SyDcHZdzcXZafTNYca0U9VLW7FAz3IVLNHM_Mv0-pyPkXiCffaYSDJ1H3Tgq7kCG0Dsne03uf7-KGumraLPnAAhL3Wk-cn8RSoeFAxxcN5Gpivty1JbkxN_P7k02ZVimQ9r63VNwU/w640-h166/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon5_Restaurant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Like the rest of the building, the charming little <b>restaurant </b>was again decorated with the Gagnon family’s paintings including the glass panels on the kitchen door which were painted with Guillaume's whimsical children peeking mischievously through the windows. Large windows facing the water provided a great view of le Grand Rassemblement and the rafts further afield. For breakfast, we had a choice the usual eggs with bacon or sausage, crepes with syrup, or fruit with toast, homemade jam and creton, which is a French Canadian pork spread containing herbs and spices. This last choice was the most unique and once again, a local specialty, so we all went for it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-MbRI4enqfudjXJLPTyWAGZszsEE_QoiP8AKL4k1034NKmR6-VNvKARr9JCoMUn6jQn3Os2jGQWR5ri7-3VX4Jdk_59jySP5YG2klcZWf4Xy-ZdTifleDC762_GiE8BVy5rVb41l7dCtAu_1y0OM76om_bN_mkjkNYHfgRPiVydGgzTGc14GKXZvxgE/s1600/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon6a_Boutique-Camping.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK-MbRI4enqfudjXJLPTyWAGZszsEE_QoiP8AKL4k1034NKmR6-VNvKARr9JCoMUn6jQn3Os2jGQWR5ri7-3VX4Jdk_59jySP5YG2klcZWf4Xy-ZdTifleDC762_GiE8BVy5rVb41l7dCtAu_1y0OM76om_bN_mkjkNYHfgRPiVydGgzTGc14GKXZvxgE/w640-h154/K_DriveHome2_StFlavie_Gagnon6a_Boutique-Camping.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Before leaving Centre d’Art Marcel Gagnon, we checked out the shopping <b>Boutique</b> where there were many gift items featuring the Gagnon family's unique artwork. Murray bought some jigsaw puzzles for his mom along with a key chain and tiny sculpture featuring the oblong shapes, while I bought a couple of mouse pads with Marcel and Guillaume's paintings printed on them. At the last minute, I also picked up a couple of folding tote/grocery bags for Yim and myself. When folded correctly, the bags turn into the shapes of little clutch purses. Just before driving away and leaving St. Flavie, we crossed the road to inspect RV campgrounds owned by the Centre, with a pretty outhouse decorated with mosaic versions of Gagnon’s paintings. For $20+tax per night, cars, RVs and camper trailers can park on the grounds and have access to the toilets, portable water, internet and a discount at the restaurant. Parked on the campgrounds is the tiny <b>boat Candala Mi Amor</b>, which Marcel Gagnon built in 2017 when he was 72. It is adorned with his signature oblong sculptural figure on the bow. That same year, he won the Excellence Award for Tourism for his iconic works which have put St. Flavie on the tourism map.<p></p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-7373225654363573222022-08-28T11:51:00.078-07:002023-07-11T17:16:21.719-07:00East Coast 2022: Eastern Shore - Drive Back from Sherbrooke to Dartmouth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9jlgmGnLXv6WCZNIv937WfnPIaFcYIaBbyYfJ2qw_N4Qe9NXNgNRrT3n_K7ap9x3NX2va3e_yM1zQvF1QwG9eLnYtuyG7pb0S8jhSFpmWF2SeL2pWdpBEuYwim62EMe3a0UErwlzHBuHVqIOjnyuN8gKr1f0rzlSZBOpgtp2vJS-A5MKufbumWZFuVU/s1337/6a%20-%20Sherbrooke%20to%20Dartmouth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="580" data-original-width="1337" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9jlgmGnLXv6WCZNIv937WfnPIaFcYIaBbyYfJ2qw_N4Qe9NXNgNRrT3n_K7ap9x3NX2va3e_yM1zQvF1QwG9eLnYtuyG7pb0S8jhSFpmWF2SeL2pWdpBEuYwim62EMe3a0UErwlzHBuHVqIOjnyuN8gKr1f0rzlSZBOpgtp2vJS-A5MKufbumWZFuVU/w640-h278/6a%20-%20Sherbrooke%20to%20Dartmouth.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The drive from Sherbrooke back to Dartmouth was under 200km and should have taken 2.5 hours non-stop. In fact, there was so much to see that we planned many stops along the way, and it took us all day to complete the journey.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVvl61cI74k7OW6OCpPPUwNxiYwXxe0ci9HwWnkZvabObh0Gr0OXeAB0njmta7q1Rh6KgChFYXBX_PRbmxxNkQgt3QTtj2oliJMdbdgXnICbQ_ZsLL1xhikWwWV2fE4rBFWgcZQKzEA75GK4A7bGIkLkgkO4iDPyPJ8B7Znb86f8-dTCsom10ffl9nGM/s1600/J_SouthShore1%20-%20MarieJosephHarbour1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="401" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrVvl61cI74k7OW6OCpPPUwNxiYwXxe0ci9HwWnkZvabObh0Gr0OXeAB0njmta7q1Rh6KgChFYXBX_PRbmxxNkQgt3QTtj2oliJMdbdgXnICbQ_ZsLL1xhikWwWV2fE4rBFWgcZQKzEA75GK4A7bGIkLkgkO4iDPyPJ8B7Znb86f8-dTCsom10ffl9nGM/w640-h160/J_SouthShore1%20-%20MarieJosephHarbour1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first planned stop was at <b>Marie Joseph Park</b>. This turned out to be a non-event as it was basically a tiny strip of grass by the shoreline. We were thinking that it was just as well since we had a tight schedule and needed to be back in Dartmouth in time for dinner. But just around the corner from there we found what appeared to be a<b> ship graveyard</b> at the <b>Marie Joseph Harbour</b>. It was fascinating to see all these wrecked and seemingly abandoned boats. We spent so much time inspecting them that any time saved from not stopping at the park was more than lost. Later we found out that there was a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=701570370561293" target="_blank">massive fire in 2021</a> that destroyed a marine services building, and multiple boats that it housed. It took more than 30 responders from volunteer fire crews from all surrounding communities over four hours to battle the blaze. What we saw were the charred remains of boats from this fire.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRcwS16x9kMucIxhDz9GgMwEIY9fK5E4cqhpR0SdiLdwFvQ1EzyI6663gRZR_ZTonCJjD857vKD5DgSFQ3PO7Ch2bgZSTKYCsBm0tnVvKjhz5FlU7_NLw0JtphGsSYlQqjMPO1XRB4zpeb20RFZtqV28KUK_cABOqoA8STL0lWPZyV5YLw8yVji5Nh38/s1600/J_SouthShore2%20-%20EcumSecum-WestRiverWalk1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdRcwS16x9kMucIxhDz9GgMwEIY9fK5E4cqhpR0SdiLdwFvQ1EzyI6663gRZR_ZTonCJjD857vKD5DgSFQ3PO7Ch2bgZSTKYCsBm0tnVvKjhz5FlU7_NLw0JtphGsSYlQqjMPO1XRB4zpeb20RFZtqV28KUK_cABOqoA8STL0lWPZyV5YLw8yVji5Nh38/w640-h162/J_SouthShore2%20-%20EcumSecum-WestRiverWalk1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We next stopped briefly at <b>Ecum Secum</b>, not just because of the lovely scenery and the amazing giant wood carving that was taller than me, but also because I loved the lyrically rhyming name of the community that made me think of the phrase “Rock’em, Sock’em. Continuing on, we reached <b>Sheet Harbour </b>where we embarked on a short 3km walk on the <b>West River Falls Boardwalk</b>. We strolled past a small waterfall and got to the Eagle Bridge over which we saw a man fishing. The scenery was pretty but the mosquitoes were swarming and the path started to get boggy, so we decided to turn back.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQCg42hbFMcdXkSbXndeUoE7GOCLwGd9WfmCBueVybJyr1-pD7ckg7KTSA2Qm0Cq0wkU6pMSUiqFLbjc6avoRloipWV9kbZg---ecQ3zxHEon2_u-ly0HXAxd1RXBUd0A7A39hRli9g6S5NdZtfKXoNzi7C6ANzvpEDlBz4Ama7zqEiKiwC_3zwduHFE/s1600/J_SouthShore3%20-%20West%20River%20Walk2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcQCg42hbFMcdXkSbXndeUoE7GOCLwGd9WfmCBueVybJyr1-pD7ckg7KTSA2Qm0Cq0wkU6pMSUiqFLbjc6avoRloipWV9kbZg---ecQ3zxHEon2_u-ly0HXAxd1RXBUd0A7A39hRli9g6S5NdZtfKXoNzi7C6ANzvpEDlBz4Ama7zqEiKiwC_3zwduHFE/w640-h162/J_SouthShore3%20-%20West%20River%20Walk2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Instead, we spent some time in the <b>MacPhee House Community Museum</b>, situated in a house dating back to the 1875 and purchased by John MacPhee in the early 1900s. The house was run as an inn until 1985 and occasionally housed a post office and a general store in the earlier years. The museum has on display artifacts gathered from around the area over the past century. I was enchanted by the teal-coloured enameled wood-burning Lady Scotia stove (circa 1920s-30s) and intrigued by the “chain-mail pot scrubber” possibly from the 1940s. In addition to the kitchen, there was a sitting room area filled with period furniture and décor including a piano, phonograph, clocks and various photographs on the wall. I did not inspect the photos closely enough to know whether these were images of the MacPhee Family or just some random period photos.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMgtVPLomVnURJWkRFvFTDF2Li8sQK-lj4TnUElXLzM3G3VZF7Y1r3eUGFWNgX24Lp1DlWUsE47jFqNGsC5_XX0PXFuyBqHDHKOv8OuyoT4hJm4RL0CEWFk-zdhQW-qnSu94y1F1bgucq495shoDPIiKvyyO55Je4r72DLzXN8TLYx5LSSSwTXtV2-V4/s1472/J_SouthShore3%20-%20West%20River%20Walk3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1472" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMgtVPLomVnURJWkRFvFTDF2Li8sQK-lj4TnUElXLzM3G3VZF7Y1r3eUGFWNgX24Lp1DlWUsE47jFqNGsC5_XX0PXFuyBqHDHKOv8OuyoT4hJm4RL0CEWFk-zdhQW-qnSu94y1F1bgucq495shoDPIiKvyyO55Je4r72DLzXN8TLYx5LSSSwTXtV2-V4/w640-h170/J_SouthShore3%20-%20West%20River%20Walk3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Upstairs we found a treasure trove of interesting items including telephones of various vintages, white lace gown and cape, a scale with counterweight, a pupil’s desk, spinning wheel, bicycle, sewing machine, baby carriage and more. Under a photo of Queen Elizabeth II are paper doll versions of herself and Prince Phillip, plus paper doll gowns and suits for the two. There were military displays and model ships including the “HMS Montgomery 1942”, and a vintage brightly painted folk art vignette of workers building a ship.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEozGKLXT5u8SF25FIp-CCSZ4ZpYzIo4pLRUdVd2FUbce8CXRj1n4GuE8qYX5cLotEL_90lbyYVEaiPdlKtc25GCiiSQFVcEe5uTpg42iKVJXEcRYxAAi3uBnhKxQU6qEGd6E3W-cD6UaZC3ugGE-NeDIT4ALeEL1Kdmw_xSSgZcRrTS2V1rlgQCc4lQ/s1600/J_SouthShore4%20-%20Barry%20Colpitt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="394" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEozGKLXT5u8SF25FIp-CCSZ4ZpYzIo4pLRUdVd2FUbce8CXRj1n4GuE8qYX5cLotEL_90lbyYVEaiPdlKtc25GCiiSQFVcEe5uTpg42iKVJXEcRYxAAi3uBnhKxQU6qEGd6E3W-cD6UaZC3ugGE-NeDIT4ALeEL1Kdmw_xSSgZcRrTS2V1rlgQCc4lQ/w640-h158/J_SouthShore4%20-%20Barry%20Colpitt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were told by our friends to look out for <b>Barry Colpitt’s Folk Art</b> in East Ship Harbor as we drove along the province’s South Shore. This “must-see stop” is the home and outdoor gallery of eccentric folk artist Barry Colpitt. Even without the heads up, there was no way we would have missed white wooden planked house that is literally covered with brightly coloured wooden carvings of birds, fish, mermaids, fishermen and religious imagery of angels and devils, sinners and saints. Topped on the Colpitt family’s wooden mailbox seems to be a saint sparring with a devil holding a pitchfork. Throughout the yard are quirky wooden whirligigs carved into shapes of birds, animals and human heads with wooden spikes emanating from them that spin in the wind. Barry resides in the house and loves to pop out and talk to tourists and locals who stop to admire his work.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooUUKif2MqcE7HnDwYta_H8-9nifSb_uA2AO5ce6GqVm-TcDkaLfoy-H4zE4Ab34iBvoS8iFqg0zhAClPBAyZxGURQ4f1OuS_zk9VWd43SnMVm1ur32kKQywuA-mCDobcIzWWU8QBr3RqKiKwMh4QV4zNSYKi6aBdZx1MSRDEqwHNZAlJ4XKyedyUPi8/s1600/J_SouthShore4%20-%20Barry%20Colpitt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiooUUKif2MqcE7HnDwYta_H8-9nifSb_uA2AO5ce6GqVm-TcDkaLfoy-H4zE4Ab34iBvoS8iFqg0zhAClPBAyZxGURQ4f1OuS_zk9VWd43SnMVm1ur32kKQywuA-mCDobcIzWWU8QBr3RqKiKwMh4QV4zNSYKi6aBdZx1MSRDEqwHNZAlJ4XKyedyUPi8/w640-h160/J_SouthShore4%20-%20Barry%20Colpitt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On one side of the house are a set of wooden heads grouped together as “Barry’s Head Museum”. Each one is designated with a special power if you rub the head. From left to right, rubbing Bob’s head helps you quit smoking, asking your wife to rub Audrey’s head makes her (your wife, not Audrey?) treat you better, rubbing Darren’s hairless head cures baldness and Ann’s head will make you appreciate art more. The religious iconography continues with depictions of the 7 deadly sins, a skeleton captioned with “You Can’t Hide From Satan”, “The Birks vs Satan” and more. The railings of the porch seem to depict the legs of a Holstein cow.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YMmne4Y5TfWuuHNrCtHBFL3pJS-Df-JbkUYpYbpPqTt3qxrK93MJYtz7vf9MnHQII3825l8UgTMVjP6bmEC0aj66RaJnZ6lXfsYEQG0QcRoCxerO2Tf4JgKBJApHO5gIHjnAeo3HDl9d_zU-xr_oYv1oIFFoUTSBH21nYpiKgJgRb9MWPLN-eT2Heo/s1600/J_SouthShore5%20-%20Musquodoboit1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-YMmne4Y5TfWuuHNrCtHBFL3pJS-Df-JbkUYpYbpPqTt3qxrK93MJYtz7vf9MnHQII3825l8UgTMVjP6bmEC0aj66RaJnZ6lXfsYEQG0QcRoCxerO2Tf4JgKBJApHO5gIHjnAeo3HDl9d_zU-xr_oYv1oIFFoUTSBH21nYpiKgJgRb9MWPLN-eT2Heo/w640-h168/J_SouthShore5%20-%20Musquodoboit1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Memory Lane Heritage Village</b> was another themed museum with displays and artifacts dating to the 1940s. We did not have time to justify the cost of entry, so we carried on. At <b>Musquodoboit Harbour</b>, we found a <b>Railway Museum</b> situated in a restored 1918 Canadian North Railway Station, featuring a GE 44-ton diesel-electric locomotive built between 1940-1956, a snowplough, a CN caboose, a hand-pump rail car and a mail crane. The train stations of this era were made for the convenience of passengers with waiting rooms, freight sheds, ramps, platforms and living quarters for the railway agents.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsumcRIIL00xIa1J1lsnjFELXHlQEfhVrML5XQwy-51uUd09mikaGG0_BcLgBvrEoO7xGhcVHaSVjIHoJ7RS5_wmGuPYK9o-YLdqhzihoMW-0435SttClSO6TSYCT9PUoqVB1UqeQOlzhnwwczo8IL920Lda9AVBFybriD9Vcd1B4n1SO9eYcFkYWKpH0/s1600/J_SouthShore5%20-%20Musquodoboit2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsumcRIIL00xIa1J1lsnjFELXHlQEfhVrML5XQwy-51uUd09mikaGG0_BcLgBvrEoO7xGhcVHaSVjIHoJ7RS5_wmGuPYK9o-YLdqhzihoMW-0435SttClSO6TSYCT9PUoqVB1UqeQOlzhnwwczo8IL920Lda9AVBFybriD9Vcd1B4n1SO9eYcFkYWKpH0/w640-h156/J_SouthShore5%20-%20Musquodoboit2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Inside the station are museum artifacts highlighting the history of Canadian railways in the first half of the 20th Century. There was an elaborate electric train set, metal signs for Dominion Express, Canadian National Express and Canadian Pacific Telegraphs and Cable Office, a conductor’s jacket and cap and the traditional Railway King Potbelly stove. Scattered throughout are posters, tickets, maps and photographs, a Morse Code electromagnetic telegraph device and more. Outside, the train platform seemed right out of an old movie. This was our last stop before making the final drive back to Dartmouth.<p></p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-80935090881045871752022-08-27T19:20:00.101-07:002023-07-15T19:58:21.394-07:00East Coast 2022: Cabot Trail Loop - Fortress of Louisbourg, Sherbrooke<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPIlJYNXqAnGB0hG9Jwefeq5mlmI78V8L1rB-bO8xLOrwXY72pGH-qfEwa74Dfw-3EGJol2JzKGJnuz1yY9sVNdTzpABNPMGtXsZG3ankQGkEZjrcDxxBQr9tG8Hi3a_wbseO8hVhXQiAK6PTWNh7sycnm3uymTirgnqL6jdy_cJkhgK9W3ON3DdUxb0/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="411" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggPIlJYNXqAnGB0hG9Jwefeq5mlmI78V8L1rB-bO8xLOrwXY72pGH-qfEwa74Dfw-3EGJol2JzKGJnuz1yY9sVNdTzpABNPMGtXsZG3ankQGkEZjrcDxxBQr9tG8Hi3a_wbseO8hVhXQiAK6PTWNh7sycnm3uymTirgnqL6jdy_cJkhgK9W3ON3DdUxb0/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For the last stop in our tour of Cape Breton, we visited the<b> Fortress of Louisbourg,</b> a partial recreation of an 18th Century French fortress which changed hands several times in battles between the French and the British before it was finally destroyed by the British in 1758. The site where the fortress resided was designated a National Historic Site in 1920. In 1961 as a make-work project to help Cape Breton’s unemployed, $25 million was committed to rebuild one quarter of the fortifications and one sixth of the town that they surrounded, reflecting how they would appear in 1744. Archaeologists, architects, tradesmen and craftsmen including carpenters, stone masons and blacksmiths, as well as military historians all worked on the project, combining modern with traditional building methods. Today, the Fortress of Louisbourg is a thriving tourist attraction with a Visitors Centre where people can peruse interpretive displays before taking a short bus ride to the historic site on the other side of the Louisbourg Harbour.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP8NB5yMy_uGrnTjAv_iB9W00YUr4g7GpGNlqes8Js7O832X-F5xgGKE4aJw1XNoZwJvIDQ8FTdx0GfetQkiE3u-vjH7zUg_WbjHkI92LbxIsbIsK6CCHyeeqL9kzGoeoq_nye3HP0ozKs_ng1qm_mAVfZKqooViqAVAcugtloJ9WVbHDtpIZ7hLCy-I/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiP8NB5yMy_uGrnTjAv_iB9W00YUr4g7GpGNlqes8Js7O832X-F5xgGKE4aJw1XNoZwJvIDQ8FTdx0GfetQkiE3u-vjH7zUg_WbjHkI92LbxIsbIsK6CCHyeeqL9kzGoeoq_nye3HP0ozKs_ng1qm_mAVfZKqooViqAVAcugtloJ9WVbHDtpIZ7hLCy-I/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We entered through the <b>Dauphin Gate</b>, which was the main land entrance to the town and was once guarded 7/24 by an officer and 30 soldiers. Back when the fortress was active, fishermen, tradespeople and villagers would enter the gates by day. By night the gates were locked and the drawbridge leading to it would be raised. As we walked across that drawbridge, we could see slits in the walls which surround either side of the gate. From these slits, muskets could fire upon the enemy. The gate is connected to a bastion, which is a projecting part of a fortification with ramparts that allows cannons to fire from multiple directions. In the case of the <b>Dauphin’s Bastion</b>, the canons face out towards the water, providing excellent defense against attack by sea. Unfortunately, the land defenses were relatively weak, allowing the British to take control of fortress by siege twice in the 1700s.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizR7bQmIPwZstk-zSFkN8vNcm09EBtdNnB7TwvjL4IrfEhu0Uhq2BRNqJsJVvcuEfbIIZ_WmgmmgEY1RuQBlo-lVyg8VNzSveo-SGLXRBAj3bSbbi1JCN6fbQ_hRlpBWR83O5nH_SUB5pFHcz9GvmTNIKyblSI2eb23RsASRkl259pHlTJgh3uuBXJugk/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizR7bQmIPwZstk-zSFkN8vNcm09EBtdNnB7TwvjL4IrfEhu0Uhq2BRNqJsJVvcuEfbIIZ_WmgmmgEY1RuQBlo-lVyg8VNzSveo-SGLXRBAj3bSbbi1JCN6fbQ_hRlpBWR83O5nH_SUB5pFHcz9GvmTNIKyblSI2eb23RsASRkl259pHlTJgh3uuBXJugk/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were met at the Dauphin Gate by one of the soldiers on guard. Throughout the fortress are <b>costumed interpreters</b> dressed in period garb who portray the roles of the various soldiers, officers, and townspeople that would have been found inside the fort and town during the 1740s. If you engage with these characters, they will describe their roles, daily routines and a bit of the history of the times.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTgRYvpW96HHX7HY4ukcwLkxIPW3VENtoyFG4OxyTux31I7JNhO2DnQ8buPwCv9mQNtz1e6R06ANdAvhlRzN1OuKFLVi1SeHVjxGIp3_MzGq8BfDoqaw9D7JTS07F83iYXML1oZW2ACBRN26_pXKOhRdwYsLMUbHBvq0Txu9HO-kRFdmdNubB8QWDtj4/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjTgRYvpW96HHX7HY4ukcwLkxIPW3VENtoyFG4OxyTux31I7JNhO2DnQ8buPwCv9mQNtz1e6R06ANdAvhlRzN1OuKFLVi1SeHVjxGIp3_MzGq8BfDoqaw9D7JTS07F83iYXML1oZW2ACBRN26_pXKOhRdwYsLMUbHBvq0Txu9HO-kRFdmdNubB8QWDtj4/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There were once six bastions surrounding the forts, of which two have been reconstructed. The second to be created was the <b>King’s Bastion</b>, which also features a large building housing the soldiers’ barracks on one side, the governor’s apartments on the other, and a military chapel which also served as the only church for the towns people since their local parish was never built due to lack of funding. Around 500 soldiers lived in the barracks that crammed 12-16 men in each room with 2 men assigned to each bunk bed. This was in stark contrast to the luxury afforded to the governor, or the entire houses in the town allotted to the officers and their families. Painted yellow, <b>Frederick’s Gate</b> was the entry point for merchandise and news from the colonies including orders from the King of France. Large ships would anchor offshore and then smaller cargo boats would be launched to ferry goods to the wharf. In the square in front of the gate stands a post with an iron collar, where those guilty of petty crimes such as minor thefts would be chained and punished in front of the passing public.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuM7kBYzSEVDqrIN6zdheGUgr6UApTtH2yYnwNvLVUO8dShMVmC5dnKdaXD2O99FfsKeXZDRRyJyC26RffLpdPPetzjV3nnb7FIsjzyaKGs39WgVlSu9v2AgiBeNmeXsmWsQ2Yr210NJPLA71cJ3QKBbHrAsj1j3fJwzX2bp2bHB7wmFReDfOtML9f90/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxuM7kBYzSEVDqrIN6zdheGUgr6UApTtH2yYnwNvLVUO8dShMVmC5dnKdaXD2O99FfsKeXZDRRyJyC26RffLpdPPetzjV3nnb7FIsjzyaKGs39WgVlSu9v2AgiBeNmeXsmWsQ2Yr210NJPLA71cJ3QKBbHrAsj1j3fJwzX2bp2bHB7wmFReDfOtML9f90/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>A painting shows what was once a <b>bustling town </b>within the fortress with timber and stone houses occupied by military officers, public officials and wealthy merchants. Some of these houses seem to have been faithfully recreated on the site along with one unique conical structure that can be seen in the painting. This was an <b>icehouse</b> that belonged to the Governor. It had a tightly insulated roof, a north-facing door that was only opened after sunset to prevent hot air from entering, and a deep pit filled with ice and topped with layers of straw for insulation. Meats and other perishables could be stored in here. We were able to walk inside the structure to see the large, deep hole where the ice was kept.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1njFNzs4OZ4YX2egE4uMVoHr1oIwSrrJUGeMIz8EZj_o5GW7b0GVt1vs15w-ys6wJ5HYiOYVVD1sIROD0UX7fVpY8GjjeyLQE8e4BhwTsqrM0W2fhe0dOun78EKQJZnBa-rNWL1TwEi-6mw3kH7hcaXpU4uknQxs2Rg6bmfis5YQvBMXPEtTHraxdkGU/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="427" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1njFNzs4OZ4YX2egE4uMVoHr1oIwSrrJUGeMIz8EZj_o5GW7b0GVt1vs15w-ys6wJ5HYiOYVVD1sIROD0UX7fVpY8GjjeyLQE8e4BhwTsqrM0W2fhe0dOun78EKQJZnBa-rNWL1TwEi-6mw3kH7hcaXpU4uknQxs2Rg6bmfis5YQvBMXPEtTHraxdkGU/w640-h170/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we wandered around the town, we passed by <b>L’Epée Royale</b>, once the local tavern frequented by officers and well-to-do merchants who feasted on pork, duck, meat pies and fine French wines. The sailors, soldiers and workers gathered at<b> L’Hôtel de la Marine</b> for more modest fare. Both establishments featured juniper leaves hung above their signs to signify a tavern or eatery for those who could not read. Ironically, today Hôtel de la Marine is a sit-down restaurant, while Epée Royale is a Café. Entering some of the homes, we saw more examples of how the townspeople and military officers lived. The more “elegant” homes had draped, four-post canopy beds and patterned carpets. It was interesting to see an example of a toilet with a chamber pot disguised (or doubling) as a chair with a wicker seat that lifted up. Some homes had stables or <b>poultry yards</b>, which is represented in the present recreation, where we saw chickens and a large turkey.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6VcMje7P372pGIyQ2Iw1haGhQRGqJXzPwD8IcYOXVMv9RsPEMYpmpKqhvDnb85DL7PlRS4uKrUl_xJzlMsDpDSNKhf3KQVYfbehAWOJTyU516W-MvQJf2MzkWYLnrY7l7VISEi2UhpYGIzfdrf4TwjLFjzUQLwqOVcsHd6LOoPB9in3F6SFfjVkenVk/s1600/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6VcMje7P372pGIyQ2Iw1haGhQRGqJXzPwD8IcYOXVMv9RsPEMYpmpKqhvDnb85DL7PlRS4uKrUl_xJzlMsDpDSNKhf3KQVYfbehAWOJTyU516W-MvQJf2MzkWYLnrY7l7VISEi2UhpYGIzfdrf4TwjLFjzUQLwqOVcsHd6LOoPB9in3F6SFfjVkenVk/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail9_FortLouisbourg7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Various buildings acted as museum areas depicting paintings and models of the French warships that would have been found in the harbour, the levers and gears that operated the clock and bell in the bell tower, and storage rooms full of furniture, sculptures, cookware, dining sets and more. One area was dedicated to illustrating the lives and trades of the <b>Mi’kmaw </b>people with displays of an ornate birch bark canoe, beaver fur and an interpreter demonstrating the art of basket weaving. One of the most interesting areas showed the archaeological, restoration and construction work put into carefully and authentically recreating all aspects of the fortress including applying the same materials, tools and techniques that would have been available in those times.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84_5pjWwvozqtfd8UxaaIlLVYD2CBjwYg30f9GjiFdq_auhMDbzSDkcUJF6I7fs8_A664leEE1BUCLfpJ4XwblRTfqG3c_cbb0rErpVa6ITRkv8unXwXgSF8fls-XKfNbEUviMzcIsJ8tre-cZo9fw5cNrZnXigj6xki01BE873gODGRVBlQ428b7Wfg/s1600/H_CabotTrail10_Louisbourg1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi84_5pjWwvozqtfd8UxaaIlLVYD2CBjwYg30f9GjiFdq_auhMDbzSDkcUJF6I7fs8_A664leEE1BUCLfpJ4XwblRTfqG3c_cbb0rErpVa6ITRkv8unXwXgSF8fls-XKfNbEUviMzcIsJ8tre-cZo9fw5cNrZnXigj6xki01BE873gODGRVBlQ428b7Wfg/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail10_Louisbourg1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Taking the bus back to the <b>community of Louisbourg</b>, we quickly explored the area before heading back to Dartmouth, where we had left our friends before heading off on this tour of Cape Breton. Louisbourg was formed by British settlers as a small fishing village after the final destruction of Fortress of Louisbourg in 1760. In the late 1800s, the Sydney and Louisbourg Railway transported coal from various mines to the ports of the two villages. These days the community mostly supports the tourists who come to visit the fort. The railway station has been turned into the Sydney & Louisbourg Railway Museum that features railway and marine artifacts. Floating in the Louisbourg harbour, we saw a replica of the Bluenose racing schooner out in the distance. The First United Church was relatively modest and quaint as far as churches go, but I was immediately attracted to the wooden carving of the fisherman and lobster trap that stood in front of it.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMYAoCBiv8bnI5r5h9XQ1nQjMsYovZ-9zDveQOBJ9gMAcq0h3F_tpN45i2S90KClLljUgTa97RF7CPa4_kh2maExMWdNQ1TVNSxoQW9fTTSErEMAxCZa1dYL2el8Du1byYaauhYTf_zJNUuB-HM29XljMsgPfMZ6N5USiVg3gTAd_KwTHGBf6laBuDVc/s1600/I_CabotTrail1_Antigonish1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="376" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggMYAoCBiv8bnI5r5h9XQ1nQjMsYovZ-9zDveQOBJ9gMAcq0h3F_tpN45i2S90KClLljUgTa97RF7CPa4_kh2maExMWdNQ1TVNSxoQW9fTTSErEMAxCZa1dYL2el8Du1byYaauhYTf_zJNUuB-HM29XljMsgPfMZ6N5USiVg3gTAd_KwTHGBf6laBuDVc/w640-h150/I_CabotTrail1_Antigonish1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On our way out to Cape Breton, we had passed <b>Antigonish</b> but it was pouring rain that day, so we didn’t really get a good chance to explore. It was a much nicer day when we drove through the town again on our way back to Dartmouth. This time we were able to stop and admire the <b>Victoria Inn</b> with the huge turret in front. It did not work out for this trip, but one day I would love to stay overnight in a turret room. We also drove around and looked at the beautiful, stately buildings inside the <b>Saint Francis Xavier University</b> featuring red brick, cathedral-styled windows, pediments, cupolas and Doric columns. A statue of Saint Francis stands in front of the entrance to the campus, which includes pubs, a pharmacy, 5 dining venues, a convenience store, live theatre, an ice rink, gym, bookstore and a Starbucks.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCXiy9r7fLX5H97tJTd7gPG-hjgt2H4CTwu9RUPUGqSvuULDLyOLBK4qoyHJQzsmCNxiRT4cyYGLegHE2yugCPyC7aoZWuWYxb70fgLCulfZdbjVPdSZgwOEt7pBvacA5J-vuJKPgW6R-YTVhf43RDetGuM5m7G-QvfBJfLpZb02cBXzwEPfWuUHPTjA/s1600/I_CabotTrail1_Antigonish2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCCXiy9r7fLX5H97tJTd7gPG-hjgt2H4CTwu9RUPUGqSvuULDLyOLBK4qoyHJQzsmCNxiRT4cyYGLegHE2yugCPyC7aoZWuWYxb70fgLCulfZdbjVPdSZgwOEt7pBvacA5J-vuJKPgW6R-YTVhf43RDetGuM5m7G-QvfBJfLpZb02cBXzwEPfWuUHPTjA/w640-h168/I_CabotTrail1_Antigonish2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>But the main reason for a second stop in Antigonish was the <b>“Back East” food truck</b> which was reviewed as having one of the best lobster rolls in Nova Scotia. This was our planned food truck experience, whereas the one we encountered in <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-cabot-trail-loop_25.html" target="_blank">Cheticamp</a> was pure serendipity. Unlike the lunch by the harbour that we had with the previous food truck, this time, the dining area was just a picnic table in the suburban parking lot where this truck was parked. But the lobster sandwich was indeed one of the best we ever had. There were huge chunks of lobster meat on a toasted bun, sitting on a bed of lettuce with thin crispy French fries plus a drink for just under $30 each. It was like we paid someone to de-shell an entire lobster’s meat for each of us. That service is worth every penny!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRv46yGJvq5hLrs0XGc09I80W9jAIlehO3AX2gI2I-BkEyUWEsbKS-SImcNu-IiY4YNmZUtS-eeWQuWqA4u1jTelWcif6QkOSFFQXb04jaOgM_WdHgJIuLjHRYkUqkBK6ws6FQ6ckjiMlz4lkKk5aZT0v9RsqI0CCYeMUQcGMmDyn2hhax9QpATlpSQU/s1600/I_CabotTrail2_Sherbrooke.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvRv46yGJvq5hLrs0XGc09I80W9jAIlehO3AX2gI2I-BkEyUWEsbKS-SImcNu-IiY4YNmZUtS-eeWQuWqA4u1jTelWcif6QkOSFFQXb04jaOgM_WdHgJIuLjHRYkUqkBK6ws6FQ6ckjiMlz4lkKk5aZT0v9RsqI0CCYeMUQcGMmDyn2hhax9QpATlpSQU/w640-h162/I_CabotTrail2_Sherbrooke.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our stop for the evening was in the little community of <b>Sherbrooke, Nova Scotia</b>, located by the St. Mary’s River. In addition to a pretty post office that was built in 1930 and some impressive homes including one with 2 turrets whose conical caps were painted bright red, Sherbrooke is best known for its <b>Sherbrooke Village Museum</b>. Designated a heritage site, the open-air museum depicts village life in the late 19th Century and like the Fortress of Louisbourg, it has costumed interpreters working in the blacksmith, pottery shop, lumbermill, tearoom, animal barns and more. We left first thing in the morning and did not have time to visit the museum when it was open but we did do a quick walk-through to look at the buildings.<p></p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-64147945317446897442022-08-26T18:56:00.129-07:002023-06-27T16:57:40.193-07:00East Coast 2022 - Cabot Trail Loop - Skyline Trail, Inverness, Glenora<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0nQKrtKdDGYLt3TXl7zbb29v4o0s9u7OWWcyJ31pUHMtXs1WHMKDKz_uw4e7SpP7xww62S6Rwwtec8nIonYArrb7ca2bpmQfHNfJF-zGljWl-yXpaLe2bGQJKKF3WXN-ntTef5q6XjDHbRgEjz-EeTJ-cfIhGjEDCmXB2ScxWnvkYAOCIKz5posoM9I/s1600/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-0nQKrtKdDGYLt3TXl7zbb29v4o0s9u7OWWcyJ31pUHMtXs1WHMKDKz_uw4e7SpP7xww62S6Rwwtec8nIonYArrb7ca2bpmQfHNfJF-zGljWl-yXpaLe2bGQJKKF3WXN-ntTef5q6XjDHbRgEjz-EeTJ-cfIhGjEDCmXB2ScxWnvkYAOCIKz5posoM9I/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After spending the night in Cheticamp, my husband Rich and I doubled back north along the Cabot Trail the next morning to hike on the <b>Skyline Trail </b>before resuming our trek to our next stop of Inverness. We had wanted to do the hike the day before but ran out of time. The Skyline Trail is a 7km loop that consists of relatively flat, gravelly paths that take you out and back through tree-lined forests and open meadows covered with wildflowers and grasslands, and a long boardwalk in the middle that leads to stunning views of <b>French Mountain</b>. It was a bit disconcerting that the first sign we encountered was a warning about bears. It was also a good thing that I had not done a Wikipedia search to learn about this trail prior to the hike. One of the first facts that comes up is that this was the location of several coyote attacks on hikers which resulted in injuries and one death! Fortunately, we did not encounter any bears, coyotes or other predators and it was a beautiful day for a hike with bright blue skies and not a cloud to be seen.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP4sPmSqshhZnH8bNwFXh3ppRjiSCRs-11rNMpdsOn3yEqBDAl_tBmmSHuADyIE4okQqqiAw5XwlcPGbi_FV7zlrkM_xddNEP_aus0aln-zKvXIcVgyB2iWbz2bIXRpicYiUV-JNpFRhElldYOOqwiea3OPjKnCd3TNHRpo43lPrWLOQ5_rRs_WSICaE/s1600/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVP4sPmSqshhZnH8bNwFXh3ppRjiSCRs-11rNMpdsOn3yEqBDAl_tBmmSHuADyIE4okQqqiAw5XwlcPGbi_FV7zlrkM_xddNEP_aus0aln-zKvXIcVgyB2iWbz2bIXRpicYiUV-JNpFRhElldYOOqwiea3OPjKnCd3TNHRpo43lPrWLOQ5_rRs_WSICaE/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>It was strange how quickly the terrain changed from the boreal forest at the start of the trail to the treeless grassy areas shortly after. Several informational signs plus a large fenced-in gated area explained the situation. Back in the 1970s, a spruce budworm outbreak killed off mature balsam firs, leaving white birch trees to grow instead. This became a feasting ground for moose who thrived on eating the young trees and halted the regrowth of the forest. In an attempt to allow the forest to naturally grow and regenerate again, an enclosure was erected in 2007 to keep moose out. While inside the enclosure, I climbed up a lookout point to survey the surroundings. Once outside the fenced area, the trees started to appear again, and we caught our first glimpse of the mountain and ocean.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OAkcPE4NcfqO-d8pXl6tY-rTYNrEac9rpUKlq4uxNI1aVFjtd4XrcTfaOOOCM5mSLgoKhB0Cq36t0xcDzhWgfJZtdbicGWNKNLk-o-KC0zWhfIahIcwMx_gllz_jMVQTGIxGx-R4AE5hSKFLNmN79rc624IT02nCW5m_hBcjLmUjuF2AC6da8ZmYJV0/s1600/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5OAkcPE4NcfqO-d8pXl6tY-rTYNrEac9rpUKlq4uxNI1aVFjtd4XrcTfaOOOCM5mSLgoKhB0Cq36t0xcDzhWgfJZtdbicGWNKNLk-o-KC0zWhfIahIcwMx_gllz_jMVQTGIxGx-R4AE5hSKFLNmN79rc624IT02nCW5m_hBcjLmUjuF2AC6da8ZmYJV0/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When we finally reached the start of the wooden boardwalk and looked down upon the vista below, we gasped at the sheer beauty before us with the water on our right and the mountains on the left. We started the long descent down a series of flights of steps that led to a platform with a bench for people to pause and admire the view at each level. The boardwalk and steps were created to protect sensitive vegetation on the dramatic headland overlooking coastline of the Gulf of St.Lawrence.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RJ08apoZBQrKGzNjg9M6w4zVDxlNY0aRVxc-WihblAe7x-96Dnmj9gMnP4d-33ke7tcXIKxadg8q0kSmpO1qZbD-vj757jtC-wCRd8ghgmCMH8hbk1asahKBhH1FVBFKSlzy9uMD-AVCRpEBGe4JJKpL8JGptFOsWtxQY0_NG63DOnaohD-1ttqdPqk/s1600/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1RJ08apoZBQrKGzNjg9M6w4zVDxlNY0aRVxc-WihblAe7x-96Dnmj9gMnP4d-33ke7tcXIKxadg8q0kSmpO1qZbD-vj757jtC-wCRd8ghgmCMH8hbk1asahKBhH1FVBFKSlzy9uMD-AVCRpEBGe4JJKpL8JGptFOsWtxQY0_NG63DOnaohD-1ttqdPqk/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the lowest platform which marked the farthest tip of the trail, we had the closest view of the sparkling water leading up to the stunning coastline on one side and the French Mountain on the other. It was fun watching the tiny cars in the distance wind their way along the steep, twisty roads that were carved through the mountains and realize that we would be driving that stretch soon.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskwkUmLawSSaKMVYupicSBeSjMGZrF1f1VDXdD1lvhLbMJuUib5C9UqtI-tNyYioUSbGIpmmgDyiQ-3QkpMhiSYVqVEXCrJPQfi9fwR52I_LyWQUjMLGrF5q_ATYt8urUpXZ6_RaY0vSZcfkFZLM2igZb-IIJtc-9FhXAwThKaPdEMqBvDxM4lXTveOA/s1600/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="1600" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhskwkUmLawSSaKMVYupicSBeSjMGZrF1f1VDXdD1lvhLbMJuUib5C9UqtI-tNyYioUSbGIpmmgDyiQ-3QkpMhiSYVqVEXCrJPQfi9fwR52I_LyWQUjMLGrF5q_ATYt8urUpXZ6_RaY0vSZcfkFZLM2igZb-IIJtc-9FhXAwThKaPdEMqBvDxM4lXTveOA/w640-h142/H_CabotTrail5_Skyline5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The wooden steps that we walked down were interesting. At the bottom of the boardwalk was a plaque that described a temporary art piece, installed in 2019 to recognize National Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Titled “<b>Steps Forward</b>”, brass plates were affixed to the base of the final 35 steps of the boardwalk stairs, each etched with the original text from the Peace and Friendship Treaty signed in 1752 between the Mi’kmaq and the British Crown. The trek back up the steps and then back through another stretch of meadows and forest felt like more of a slog. This was not only because we were tired at this point, but also because the temperature had increased dramatically and there was no wind or protection from the sun during the treeless section which seemed to last forever. We did spot more vegetation and pretty wildflowers on this half of the loop. When we finished the hike and started to drive away, we looked back up the mountain and could barely see the shapes of people standing where we were just the hour ago.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf01UhlbolOrddx8HltJU0pNdfOZCID3joo7Ia9qIGaCgQ6MUm5Wnm7McrEDU4TABXJgzbqH_NnH7d6umRoQbLQr9Iwz4CUVt5GdpGsu1L3iwt0DmJk_n4pNvjw8csKpgKllWFCtTXy3V0Vq0opjKUaOP9aWvjC5kdigz8ubCuBnF_JV3nRkEFZG_3OcU/s1600/H_CabotTrail6_FredaThorFolkArt.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="430" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf01UhlbolOrddx8HltJU0pNdfOZCID3joo7Ia9qIGaCgQ6MUm5Wnm7McrEDU4TABXJgzbqH_NnH7d6umRoQbLQr9Iwz4CUVt5GdpGsu1L3iwt0DmJk_n4pNvjw8csKpgKllWFCtTXy3V0Vq0opjKUaOP9aWvjC5kdigz8ubCuBnF_JV3nRkEFZG_3OcU/w640-h172/H_CabotTrail6_FredaThorFolkArt.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Heading back towards Cheticamp, we had a fun stop at <b>Freya & Thor Gallery </b>which specializes in Nova Scotia folk art. These are quirky, whimsical, handmade works of decorative art that reflect the culture of the area. Many items are made of wood and painted in bright colourful hues. Themes referencing farming and seafaring traditions are common so there were carvings of lighthouses and buoys, birds, fish, pigs, rabbits, moose and other animals. My favourite works were the little humorous vignettes including a barbershop scene, a semi-dressed woman applying lipstick in front of a mirror with the words “Getting ready for Bingo” written across the base, and a man playing violin on a checker-board.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLhdhGZDG1skt2-jYAFzKcknm8tTjFW_oZZcwh1G6e_xUAZICzWDLPIx77S6jGTZFQuzhFSW2xVT9A7Gv4g3-LXwVwLFs7ZvCqgXjx0Waa1rcTSPwcmPYJeVct11-VPYQKWmkO_epp0K9vf2Yqg9odPJlJwDqvLq6gSQ61nbsR67nlImUvNLxwhR5k3o/s1600/H_CabotTrail6a_DaSmokeyFoodTruck.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJLhdhGZDG1skt2-jYAFzKcknm8tTjFW_oZZcwh1G6e_xUAZICzWDLPIx77S6jGTZFQuzhFSW2xVT9A7Gv4g3-LXwVwLFs7ZvCqgXjx0Waa1rcTSPwcmPYJeVct11-VPYQKWmkO_epp0K9vf2Yqg9odPJlJwDqvLq6gSQ61nbsR67nlImUvNLxwhR5k3o/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail6a_DaSmokeyFoodTruck.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>While researching for our East Coast trip and looking for good places to eat lobster, Rich read that one of the best lobster rolls was at a food truck in Antigonish. We made plans to stop there on the way back to Dartmouth after we completed our Cabot Trail loop. Returning to <b>Cheticamp</b> after our Skytrail hike and looking for some lunch, we stumbled upon <b>Da’Smokey Fish food truck </b>parked right by the harbour where a fishing fleet was docked. This seemed like an excellent opportunity to score some extremely fresh seafood. We ordered bacon-wrapped grilled scallops, a battered halibut cheek and some tempura beans with wasabi mayo. The halibut cheek was over 6 inches in diameter and one of the largest that we had ever seen. The plump scallops were perfectly grilled and all the food was delicious. Including a can of pop, the entire meal came to $42 and ended up being one of the best meals we had on our trip, trumping the various sit-down restaurants that we visited. We took our box of seafood to a bench by the harbour and had a great outdoor meal, watching the boats dock as we ate. In addition to being the best tasting meal, this was also the most memorable dining experience of the trip and it was by total luck that we found it at all.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1ETnlrf9h2tNMxlC8UKzCjekP3LRSK_ABLMr2JpXiJRbKjTvQHulVj7M8oRTahrt1Q3I4v1eL8GauqdHKky6yxVk3UGf12pNOmenIUOYgQaRaUdk_t2uCi0NwXpRynJZFISkuTrdEzg2_F8vCWoqegpuYoIXfXy_EN9ZzrSU_ywWKk6wfscV86WNE2s/s1600/H_CabotTrail7a_Margaree1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk1ETnlrf9h2tNMxlC8UKzCjekP3LRSK_ABLMr2JpXiJRbKjTvQHulVj7M8oRTahrt1Q3I4v1eL8GauqdHKky6yxVk3UGf12pNOmenIUOYgQaRaUdk_t2uCi0NwXpRynJZFISkuTrdEzg2_F8vCWoqegpuYoIXfXy_EN9ZzrSU_ywWKk6wfscV86WNE2s/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail7a_Margaree1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After lunch, we were ready to continue south towards Inverness which we heard had a beach with the warmest water in Nova Scotia, and Glenora where we would spend the night. En route, we stopped by <b>Saint-Joseph-du-Moine</b> for more pretty “Ireland-like” scenery and then at the quaint <b>Margaree Harbour Village</b>, whose colourfully painted buildings looked so pretty from afar that we decided to take a closer look.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIlMpXzuDVBfctFVcY_ynMn7MB9Xlnpv4FpCKtHxxSEpMrjS6g-eZD4EH-LQkh_H0zZsyX5RfJJitao4q5gNLUiczfe6CzEfb-hcmzQK2s1PAeQ9srfA1Yog7DnBP8vH3kSoHiwuu-gkwJaOsw3tWTMBxImItAkYUcrEFjzuUsiEG-DrLdiYA7erqeGY/s1599/H_CabotTrail7a_Margaree2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="1599" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXIlMpXzuDVBfctFVcY_ynMn7MB9Xlnpv4FpCKtHxxSEpMrjS6g-eZD4EH-LQkh_H0zZsyX5RfJJitao4q5gNLUiczfe6CzEfb-hcmzQK2s1PAeQ9srfA1Yog7DnBP8vH3kSoHiwuu-gkwJaOsw3tWTMBxImItAkYUcrEFjzuUsiEG-DrLdiYA7erqeGY/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail7a_Margaree2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Margaree Harbour </b>is part of a series of communities residing along the Margaree River. We found out later that the nearby Egypt Falls is one of the highlights of Margaree, but we did not come across that. We did find a path to a nice and relatively secluded beach with smooth fine-grained sand. Once again like the day before, Rich decided to dip his toes into the water and this time because it was a hot day, I decided to join him. The water was not freezing but it was by no means warm. That would have to wait until Inverness. We took some photos of the interesting rock formation on the far coast and then continued on our way.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG076vKPu-svESk-NSCNF7-2oJ0dLf1qEUwvVgNwk1fLf5mpJAuS0hxqMVRsi2vxP1QitNwXvCrC3__qMzchYfrm7XmEuNfVhRcbkx_bpWBjUg9Et2t2ouk2C2su5vyARhrxerJQW7VYhOcnlWdToylvzvMECt4APssF4rCFgpHwE8zqqLxcqqoWUgFus/s1600/H_CabotTrail7b_Inverness1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG076vKPu-svESk-NSCNF7-2oJ0dLf1qEUwvVgNwk1fLf5mpJAuS0hxqMVRsi2vxP1QitNwXvCrC3__qMzchYfrm7XmEuNfVhRcbkx_bpWBjUg9Et2t2ouk2C2su5vyARhrxerJQW7VYhOcnlWdToylvzvMECt4APssF4rCFgpHwE8zqqLxcqqoWUgFus/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail7b_Inverness1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The past history of <b>Inverness</b> in coal mining (1918 to 1992) is still recalled with its Inverness Miner’s Museum and the Coal Miner’s Café. Today it has become more of a golf and beach destination but also has some interesting architecture including the<b> Stella Maris Roman Catholic Church</b> with its simple façade highlighted by red accents, as well as a fabulous blue-grey house with two turrets. However, what we came here for was the beach and it definitely was a beautiful one which we accessed via a long wooden boardwalk.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYTfYnFa6OaDzo0oyXmfwQPpTiHAO3VSvYcLoyQq_tAXmeJ-94IbzT0P_Ha2rFL8cNQzz-SVF6AiCeLmWRDNgbj8SqcaIGsnnB3fCyxNKNuqaYg9KR8JG-62NLAnK1EHVgA4TnVrEuGz53c20SP7kgDiVVkjOmiAES56PMZ0mnqjWo7beSaX_m6uO7pg/s1600/H_CabotTrail7b_Inverness2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuYTfYnFa6OaDzo0oyXmfwQPpTiHAO3VSvYcLoyQq_tAXmeJ-94IbzT0P_Ha2rFL8cNQzz-SVF6AiCeLmWRDNgbj8SqcaIGsnnB3fCyxNKNuqaYg9KR8JG-62NLAnK1EHVgA4TnVrEuGz53c20SP7kgDiVVkjOmiAES56PMZ0mnqjWo7beSaX_m6uO7pg/w640-h156/H_CabotTrail7b_Inverness2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By now it was extremely hot so the thought of dipping our toes into the warmest waters in Nova Scotia (sourced by the Gulf of St. Lawrence as opposed to the Atlantic Ocean) seemed very appealing to me. There were many more people at the Inverness Beach as opposed to one at Margaree and they were all happily frolicking in the crashing waves or lounging on the sand. While I tentatively stood at the edge of the rolling waves and enjoyed the warmth of the water, Rich boldly marched forward and quickly had most of his shorts soaking wet. Deciding “in for a penny, in for a pound”, Rich handed me his shirt and went for an impromptu swim. The water was lovely, and he thoroughly enjoyed his dip until he had to walk back to the car dripping wet without a good place to change his clothes. Luckily, we had a ratty old towel in the trunk and pull-up sunscreens for the back windows of our car so Rich was able to change there. But squirming around in that back seat while the people in the car parked beside us hovered around while rummaging through their trunk did not make for a comfortable situation for poor Rich.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2WCuyG1qttjlM462M_MNWwG38cxXdCt40M9dAI8JTtNotS492K2tHK71e53IKBTc-ZJFnyzO3IMBh4pLhr4u0ZJh1uZwLrc3o3gdWevula5HNlQSkWi4u2AJ091DtJ-JdwiCaJ05lCwAIclEnBNQWMPuvt3BXj_vjjo5laMl47X_G_XzfOz2tsqJnkk/s1600/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2WCuyG1qttjlM462M_MNWwG38cxXdCt40M9dAI8JTtNotS492K2tHK71e53IKBTc-ZJFnyzO3IMBh4pLhr4u0ZJh1uZwLrc3o3gdWevula5HNlQSkWi4u2AJ091DtJ-JdwiCaJ05lCwAIclEnBNQWMPuvt3BXj_vjjo5laMl47X_G_XzfOz2tsqJnkk/w640-h170/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Then it was onward to <b>Glenora Inn & Distillery </b>where we would have dinner and stay the night before heading to Louisburg, the final stop in our Cabot Trail tour. Glenora Distillery was the first single malt whiskey distillery in North America, built in 1990 but using brewing traditions dating back to the early 1800’s when Scottish immigrants first arrived in Cape Breton Island. The main building of the Inn has 9 rooms overlooking a beautifully manicured courtyard full of plants and flowers, and our room was spacious and nicely renovated with a view of the courtyard.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5LO-EAROYiJzE0-1lJgKYI3VN1mqFWMBMFst_MBsoH-QIxt-mL3cqW1Hq449CY1dz80inlVUR9Cs4LZpoJFx4U_HEYZIfYWVaIlEI99fWrtF2Dv49NMvTEjI9dZF_-pO2SNZeEmQDYXvVKE_RdncXrOPsOXu-mm4iMFz2uDSuUrYHS8ioUlgVktncI/s1600/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPz5LO-EAROYiJzE0-1lJgKYI3VN1mqFWMBMFst_MBsoH-QIxt-mL3cqW1Hq449CY1dz80inlVUR9Cs4LZpoJFx4U_HEYZIfYWVaIlEI99fWrtF2Dv49NMvTEjI9dZF_-pO2SNZeEmQDYXvVKE_RdncXrOPsOXu-mm4iMFz2uDSuUrYHS8ioUlgVktncI/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rich started our stay by taking a tour of the distillery where he learned about Glenora’s process of making whiskey including using fresh water from the local stream that ran through the property to boil the hops. Steps to make whiskey include malting, mashing, fermenting, distilling and aging. The tour ended with a tasting of Glenora’s signature Glen Breton whiskey.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_g-aEFszARoZDj-J6J7-EYiLh3MGiTFV0KBhQgt8Kv5Ufyl8CYVXX4PzQZ_O-gC34PfRwKkVmInUCeaF8C9lHWaa-laWeaCIFUzBeRoNaYDr2BKLTsow0zlKBNU5gURSDtM_EdWgkgnHSS-4voCocJ2xKsonxgN2MyD0biMNA-3AH0_XQvl2yIoQtLQ/s1600/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="424" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_g-aEFszARoZDj-J6J7-EYiLh3MGiTFV0KBhQgt8Kv5Ufyl8CYVXX4PzQZ_O-gC34PfRwKkVmInUCeaF8C9lHWaa-laWeaCIFUzBeRoNaYDr2BKLTsow0zlKBNU5gURSDtM_EdWgkgnHSS-4voCocJ2xKsonxgN2MyD0biMNA-3AH0_XQvl2yIoQtLQ/w640-h170/H_CabotTrail8_Glenora3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had a pleasant but unspectacular and extremely pricey dinner at Glenora Inn’s restaurant that felt very dated and uninspired. We both started with the pan seared Digby scallops flambeed in a 10-year-old rare whisky (couldn’t tell) and covered with a mushroom maple cream sauce. For our mains, I had halibut with some bland vegetables and rice while Rich had beef short ribs with potato and vegetables. We were initially excited that we would be serenaded by a piano player over dinner, but this was the worst dining room pianist that we had ever encountered. It was like listening to a bad student recital where the pianist kept making mistakes and then started the song over again. Because the dining room was so cold (even with me wearing a sweater), we decided to move to the pub for dessert and some local fiddle music. It turned out to be even colder there as we were seated under a ceiling fan and waited over 20 minutes without even being presented with a menu. Giving up, we left without dessert and returned to our room.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Glenora Inn was by far the most expensive accommodations of our 2-week trip, and for the price that we paid, we were expecting a very special experience of high quality and luxury in terms of accommodations, food and service. Unfortunately, we did not get any of this and by the end of our stay, we felt thoroughly disappointed. We concluded that the establishment had lost the luster of its heyday and was not worth the high rates that were being charged for both the room and the dinner. We checked out early the next morning and continued our way to Louisburg.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-79100893236386597462022-08-25T05:31:00.149-07:002023-06-21T18:55:54.336-07:00East Coast 2022: Cabot Trail Loop - Cheticamp, Neil's Harbour, More Hikes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyGrTyyvmbec0Erk_MyFB8aYzvYBBzl2n-WaaTE-vxrIcdb8pys0kfRYyOJXhQWSePafxtoWjTtOekKz6ZtYGmyOPiiiv1L32e1sfoz_DXD7_t453SCF9xdRNhY6zlmZ2q7ynJCgXhxJf4O9_01n4yNpmGaHQxQ1SV_MEgXj3dMbSiuvJoLpO9G9c/s711/Ingonish%20to%20Cheticamp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="711" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmyGrTyyvmbec0Erk_MyFB8aYzvYBBzl2n-WaaTE-vxrIcdb8pys0kfRYyOJXhQWSePafxtoWjTtOekKz6ZtYGmyOPiiiv1L32e1sfoz_DXD7_t453SCF9xdRNhY6zlmZ2q7ynJCgXhxJf4O9_01n4yNpmGaHQxQ1SV_MEgXj3dMbSiuvJoLpO9G9c/w400-h265/Ingonish%20to%20Cheticamp.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The next leg of our Cape Breton Island tour had us driving from <b>Ingonish to Cheticamp</b> with plans for stopping at a few viewing points and then going on a major hike at <b>White Point</b> along the way. We had a second lengthy hike planned at the Skyline Trail which is located about 23km prior to reaching Cheticamp. However, given our schedule, we would not get there early enough to complete the walk comfortably in daylight. After some humming and hawing, we decided that we would backtrack the next morning in order to do that hike leisurely before heading south again towards Inverness.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFs5Y0_xT1UirkgtoP00WL-9sTh9SSpFKONi8w8Tezx6CxjabxP-noCiOQ4c7ug42-X1Yg0zzRSzjlqh-epzJSnW-0K9gwF6obWL_XZfuq2ET2EnB2XjFQ9BMZjGnP84PQlEA13vtiSSzvtK7Ne1gTmwdgfvxxqKtulmvYIP73WxvgIp49knapUeD/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1a%20-%20Lakie%20Head.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwFs5Y0_xT1UirkgtoP00WL-9sTh9SSpFKONi8w8Tezx6CxjabxP-noCiOQ4c7ug42-X1Yg0zzRSzjlqh-epzJSnW-0K9gwF6obWL_XZfuq2ET2EnB2XjFQ9BMZjGnP84PQlEA13vtiSSzvtK7Ne1gTmwdgfvxxqKtulmvYIP73WxvgIp49knapUeD/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1a%20-%20Lakie%20Head.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first stop was at <b>Lakies Head</b>, which is about 4km north of Ingonish. It is a viewing point with a short boardwalk towards the water. Although the sign at the top of the boardwalk hinted at whales, fish, and other sea creatures, we did not spot any of these during our brief visit. We did see some pretty vistas when we wandered onto the rocky shoreline at the end of the boardwalk.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ8wVNTulMxNUrPYAqByw6rHTDKP96MC9oXqyx0EFRPRqdKWx1aC8uEKlF7dMdRZfFxPmn7b5ApJ5UZtPevkN6c3WKvkqLhay8zerSc0_70yG0nhtLFKHS-AZZ1ICTOkaR4rS5VZKrRfFUOmxeSJ49ISoXnkO5bw8CpTTetLp20RXy7_jccVYoPwH/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizQ8wVNTulMxNUrPYAqByw6rHTDKP96MC9oXqyx0EFRPRqdKWx1aC8uEKlF7dMdRZfFxPmn7b5ApJ5UZtPevkN6c3WKvkqLhay8zerSc0_70yG0nhtLFKHS-AZZ1ICTOkaR4rS5VZKrRfFUOmxeSJ49ISoXnkO5bw8CpTTetLp20RXy7_jccVYoPwH/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing north, we came across <b>Black Brook Cove</b> where there is a beach and a waterfall. This was not initially on our radar, but we decided to check it out. After a very short hike through a forested path, we came across a picnic table with a great view of the cove. We stopped for an undeserved rest (since we had hiked for such a short time so far) but enjoyed the scenery nonetheless. Ignoring the “Danger! Erosion” sign, we gingerly made our way down the slope to reach the rocky shoreline.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDsAv3iz647hsxelp5tae02kl88J7itF8BZRpg0WyxjYp96k25OsGQf0RoloQqQR-xfhknHDlL1sknd82uFuhAPFrhzxtz7ydN5ZUYxmKH55duKDKPV79YVz94ZpmUXxEkVqDDvtsAuGXCyj7AUefk7140Fu1yk-iBpulDxAn4hOyrc3v99pTjW8U/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibDsAv3iz647hsxelp5tae02kl88J7itF8BZRpg0WyxjYp96k25OsGQf0RoloQqQR-xfhknHDlL1sknd82uFuhAPFrhzxtz7ydN5ZUYxmKH55duKDKPV79YVz94ZpmUXxEkVqDDvtsAuGXCyj7AUefk7140Fu1yk-iBpulDxAn4hOyrc3v99pTjW8U/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Walking along the shore, we arrived at the <b>Black Cove Beach</b>, which is known as one of the most popular beaches in the Cape Breton Highlands, with fine-grained sand by the water and pretty rocks further inland. With the waves crashing, Rich took his socks off and waded into the water to test the temperatures and take photos of the waves. The water was cold, so he did not stay in for long and I wisely did not go in at all.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_rU7p_5Xk9pAosFvTZaKPoax4nbHr2osepYSpC6jSb9Uw5gZPhCuKjd3xd0ZAB9pOChf-JuoPyNUHyalLwlWbLuF0YYRhFei7ELBocIDSjXiqr0GCi6pkmZWG_kEsdjDfzkAfizOm9jmtiLQ_Jf-dIsEKFZX4uyXUryWj95WZ348mi-Uqp4hxHUF/s1557/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="391" data-original-width="1557" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ_rU7p_5Xk9pAosFvTZaKPoax4nbHr2osepYSpC6jSb9Uw5gZPhCuKjd3xd0ZAB9pOChf-JuoPyNUHyalLwlWbLuF0YYRhFei7ELBocIDSjXiqr0GCi6pkmZWG_kEsdjDfzkAfizOm9jmtiLQ_Jf-dIsEKFZX4uyXUryWj95WZ348mi-Uqp4hxHUF/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1b%20-%20Black%20Brook%20Cove2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We carried forward on our hike towards <b>Still Brook Falls</b>. We climbed up an incline that brought us just above the waterfalls, which we could hear from afar. Looking back down, we could see the beach as well as a small cave or grotto. We also found another <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-cabot-trail-loop.html" target="_blank">red Adirondack chair</a> like the one we saw the previous day, and took turns sitting in it. Leaving this area, we continued to <b>Jiggy Cove </b>which was a short, planned hike for us. But we found this one to be a flat, uninteresting trail around a small lake which we had an obstructed view of. The swarming mosquitos did not make it any more pleasant. After a short distance, we turned around and bailed on the trail, deciding to spend more time on the major hike at White Point.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvTzC-qtqb16w0HTIS7jcFEQ6k1OzD6V-sOv2eMZ9WTG98h-Y_f6_TUyatBYBqKZvqQzNCe4wy_pFjHSRHlol_RvAA8iw9CvG2ykuIQj1EtzZaOjP8ENeiMeCo4bRPdXfKnrQX8Hj-bKCETml4EpJS-y-aysOdYyybkmsxIMWETWUIlUQBhXdy2F0/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1c%20-%20Neil's%20Harbour.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvTzC-qtqb16w0HTIS7jcFEQ6k1OzD6V-sOv2eMZ9WTG98h-Y_f6_TUyatBYBqKZvqQzNCe4wy_pFjHSRHlol_RvAA8iw9CvG2ykuIQj1EtzZaOjP8ENeiMeCo4bRPdXfKnrQX8Hj-bKCETml4EpJS-y-aysOdYyybkmsxIMWETWUIlUQBhXdy2F0/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1c%20-%20Neil's%20Harbour.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next stop was <b>Neil’s Harbour</b>, a picturesque community of around 300 people who are mostly in the lobster, crab and fishing industries, as shown by the stacks of lobster traps spotted throughout the area. The settlement was named after Neil MacLennan, a merchant who sailed into the cove bringing dry goods to trade with the fishermen and became an important figure in the community. The most prominent landmark in Neil’s Harbour is the lighthouse that stands on Neil’s Head, a natural rocky protrusion that protects and shelters the harbour. The 34-foot-tall wooden tower was built in 1899 and declared a heritage lighthouse in 2015. Still operational as a lighthouse, the location also acts as an ice cream shop in the summer. Unfortunately, there was no ice cream for sale when we arrived, and the Chowder House was also closed so our quest for a quick snack was thwarted. There was a larger sit-down restaurant open but this was longer than we wanted to stay so we continued on our way with plans to pick up some treats from Danena Bakery further along the Cabot Trail before embarking on our big hike. Our luck continued to run out as that eatery was closed as well! So we just soldiered on, snacking on our emergency granola bars until dinner.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pITxOPQHexNjeP1lSXd10M569Zo9kd6FMktLjG2rGa-S4NPf0EQhStUmNdf0_PcWmsV1MMvHqvWDHPB5YcrBfw7i4H0LHr6dVFB_kU_2OQC1npFHZ2i5kiKTgZXABl6B9vM8G_zMq7_HDM9ayRr2kWOX4yiZGBLXbAHD2dUbh6ndva9zSJsLocIvsPo/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4pITxOPQHexNjeP1lSXd10M569Zo9kd6FMktLjG2rGa-S4NPf0EQhStUmNdf0_PcWmsV1MMvHqvWDHPB5YcrBfw7i4H0LHr6dVFB_kU_2OQC1npFHZ2i5kiKTgZXABl6B9vM8G_zMq7_HDM9ayRr2kWOX4yiZGBLXbAHD2dUbh6ndva9zSJsLocIvsPo/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Driving along White Point Road, we reached the small community of <b>White Point </b>where <b>White Point Trail </b>was supposed to start. This was a pretty location with fishing boats docked against rocky reefs, views of Aspy’s Bay and Cape North and some interesting buildings including a very modern one in the distance and some barn-like structures. We had read online that we were to park along the pier where the boats were docked and then White Point Trail could be reached by first traversing a steep hill. We expected to see a sign pointing to the trail but there was none in sight. We did find the steep path and followed it as per instructions, but had we not researched ahead of time, we would not have figured out where to go.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mPWUO8GCIHs15Kud_xlHbuf2uGIdc4NGcTARHAjJPe5nUIw3joKA7xlHkoJSW4UUe0soEMMnguqBQTT9JkFfYF0xVxkn4Xp-lOzKVvpveCgNxpm-TB-xv7BDc0n1wjlzX_PKht_fx-0S7zjcnKvosGdEsVWkwhl4uQwOPEgWcS39FAk_bYJYjimaSsY/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mPWUO8GCIHs15Kud_xlHbuf2uGIdc4NGcTARHAjJPe5nUIw3joKA7xlHkoJSW4UUe0soEMMnguqBQTT9JkFfYF0xVxkn4Xp-lOzKVvpveCgNxpm-TB-xv7BDc0n1wjlzX_PKht_fx-0S7zjcnKvosGdEsVWkwhl4uQwOPEgWcS39FAk_bYJYjimaSsY/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we climbed up the steep, rocky path, we looked back down and had even better views of the area. Half-way up, we came across an ATV that someone left behind in order to complete the rest of their climb on foot. At this point, we were still not sure what we would find when we reached the top. We trudged on, each wielding one half of a pair of walking poles for support and to propel us forward.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh6KshAh0DznNMGdmK0U6iWtd00hZFYx12Dhm4eac9iHA4_fOk4N0MYxNfxWWR7BAvGQRpAUhnKN1qfU6FY6aE9xMSzgQ6QGCijWRWfu-ZiAIPohC2hXmd7TSKwFvmevAbY5y0t-OkB2ZfYfD8Hr6FUYvguFM3W25W3OZVALSbdWMkHt2X6vM-ku6Cew/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOh6KshAh0DznNMGdmK0U6iWtd00hZFYx12Dhm4eac9iHA4_fOk4N0MYxNfxWWR7BAvGQRpAUhnKN1qfU6FY6aE9xMSzgQ6QGCijWRWfu-ZiAIPohC2hXmd7TSKwFvmevAbY5y0t-OkB2ZfYfD8Hr6FUYvguFM3W25W3OZVALSbdWMkHt2X6vM-ku6Cew/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we reached the top and surveyed the vista before us, we gasped at the sheer beauty of it all. With the wide expanse of green terrain leading to sheer rocky cliff faces that dropped down to the ocean, it was like we had magically landed in Ireland (which we visited in 2015) and were back at the Cliffs of Mohr. Walking gingerly to the edge of the cliffs, we saw crashing waves, black seabirds perched on a rock and seagulls swooping overhead.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWY0WAq5f1fMjRM0uqSl7ZU-xzzu7l9KJ2-ZMlwh1OFgABIwgBruw-Nl7IeqMuXmw0yUlDoqvFOVYmBu06SmuKSiBLClreCN2YukJl_FRcapD_xlvI8asyjCIM8elSiMi7RbioEb6qQSGtLDqLKy4RkIHUSrchBSnfOIg4kodmB3rQ083D-5IBZr5vSY/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWY0WAq5f1fMjRM0uqSl7ZU-xzzu7l9KJ2-ZMlwh1OFgABIwgBruw-Nl7IeqMuXmw0yUlDoqvFOVYmBu06SmuKSiBLClreCN2YukJl_FRcapD_xlvI8asyjCIM8elSiMi7RbioEb6qQSGtLDqLKy4RkIHUSrchBSnfOIg4kodmB3rQ083D-5IBZr5vSY/w640-h156/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>From our lofty perch, we walked downhill towards the flat headland that jutted out towards the ocean. Along the way, we continued to admire the breathtaking views. We stopped to watch a group with a dog who joyfully romped about and ran precariously along the edge of the rocky outcrops, seemingly oblivious to the steep drop below.<br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96lCE8Fk-DFuYXGxV7-WKnXw_kYR9qd68GvLfzU1DWIyMduN2zjqoLI5AkjXjIcgjbHf_xEDRYvid66ExfGc7Z36JiNlfD1rYidPQ-HA77VZrglW6FivBTHHSMwGuV4LBIZGf7UN8juOrwMF8CrnMg0FNlzbXXe1fED5cLp3Pf0C8aseDpkWCDZ2lPSY/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj96lCE8Fk-DFuYXGxV7-WKnXw_kYR9qd68GvLfzU1DWIyMduN2zjqoLI5AkjXjIcgjbHf_xEDRYvid66ExfGc7Z36JiNlfD1rYidPQ-HA77VZrglW6FivBTHHSMwGuV4LBIZGf7UN8juOrwMF8CrnMg0FNlzbXXe1fED5cLp3Pf0C8aseDpkWCDZ2lPSY/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1d%20-%20WhitePoint5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Reaching the bottom and towards the far tip of the trail, we found a small cemetery that could be spotted from afar due to the large wooden cross that loomed high above the land. In addition to engraved tombstones of recently deceased local residents, there were many older, anonymous, unmarked crosses and small rock markers. A wooden plaque emblazed with the words “The Unknown Sailor” seemed to mark this spot as a location that shipwrecked sailors might have washed up. It was interesting that when we first parked our car at White Point and were looking for the start of the trail, another car drove up to us and asked if we knew where the Cemetery of the Unknown Sailor was. At that point, we had never heard of this and a quick google maps search did not help. It was too bad that it was too late to tell the people where this was, but we were grateful that we had discovered this quaint little cemetery.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OdLHBx7OyUZT2OHQM7jWKwbkujOQPCpAQAWzxBsb2nl7A7ZDuk3c7Ce9lCaSDedEV35KTwxB3ROTV7u3vsZfdHrJQ8uSVkRKLno3-XWCx2eU48_aX8r0bCTQ3wY_kVW0B6l3gvn0B9bDjeuVnKM13YxqhZu2WMY1E6lhke4okNKHMNsTBgTruiWbBOQ/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1e_OnRoad1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="402" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OdLHBx7OyUZT2OHQM7jWKwbkujOQPCpAQAWzxBsb2nl7A7ZDuk3c7Ce9lCaSDedEV35KTwxB3ROTV7u3vsZfdHrJQ8uSVkRKLno3-XWCx2eU48_aX8r0bCTQ3wY_kVW0B6l3gvn0B9bDjeuVnKM13YxqhZu2WMY1E6lhke4okNKHMNsTBgTruiWbBOQ/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1e_OnRoad1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Following our White Point Trail hike, we continued driving towards Cheticamp, admiring the gorgeous scenery that we passed by. We stopped quickly to look at an interesting looking building that turned out to be a 100-year-old church that was converted into the <b>Highlands Hostel</b>, providing low-cost lodgings for hikers and explorers of the Highlands. We also stopped at <b>Arts North</b>, an artisan consignment gallery featuring pottery, quilts, photographs, and other works.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUAPTwg0jjBBqSCiupz_UF0uA6llsVFrR5tuk-W31vZxHzqlgfwIlc0_tl8oAjNXbsLPpqzGkDCrZAl_jIvE5b8OLpsVYjLqCGbveeycWG77jQklICYNzGM6dgiXOODwBEAUKESN-8--1yYLAKaWUv9fVDNrIytycAoxNsdp-Mvaph0k856b7gDnZFkY/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1e_OnRoad2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUAPTwg0jjBBqSCiupz_UF0uA6llsVFrR5tuk-W31vZxHzqlgfwIlc0_tl8oAjNXbsLPpqzGkDCrZAl_jIvE5b8OLpsVYjLqCGbveeycWG77jQklICYNzGM6dgiXOODwBEAUKESN-8--1yYLAKaWUv9fVDNrIytycAoxNsdp-Mvaph0k856b7gDnZFkY/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1e_OnRoad2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We stopped at a viewing point for <b>Aspy Fault</b>, which runs through 40km of Cape Breton including Cape Breton Highlands National Park. The fault was probably created when two continental plates collided and pushed the seafloor upwards, eroding away sedimentary rock to form a V-shaped valley. The same effects also created the Appalachian Mountains. At another stop to admire the view, we caught sight of the luxury <b>“glamping” domes </b>provided by <b>True North Destinations</b>. Situated right by the water, these domes have a fully equipped kitchen, spacious lounge area, queen-sized bed with flatscreen TV, wrap-around outdoor deck, barbeque, and personal hot tub. After driving for some time on hilly roads with twisty turns, it was fun to look back in the distance to see the roads that we just came from.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaLelBsodYX49SPywYBWNPp1aaN7idtzSFZEEJhaelpIoiBnEZRbhBskJd-58Pg8rq1QjkeWWs4KO90v_-2xfupCXUhEDFptvPPpNCTLGv2cpYl0AFiFO_utGH_eBfq8Y2YDdqaVJF213rv6onW7PpyAaiMdSIn4jlftT4ClZia2NHM7Rykn3eJWWRac/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1f%20-%20Lola%20Hookers.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaLelBsodYX49SPywYBWNPp1aaN7idtzSFZEEJhaelpIoiBnEZRbhBskJd-58Pg8rq1QjkeWWs4KO90v_-2xfupCXUhEDFptvPPpNCTLGv2cpYl0AFiFO_utGH_eBfq8Y2YDdqaVJF213rv6onW7PpyAaiMdSIn4jlftT4ClZia2NHM7Rykn3eJWWRac/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1f%20-%20Lola%20Hookers.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Just outside of Cheticamp, we were intrigued by the establishment called “<b>Proud To Be Lola’s Hookers</b>”. Despite the amusing double entendre in the shop’s name, this turned out to be a shop selling products created through the art of rug hooking, which is a tradition in Cheticamp passed on over generations. <b>Rug hooking</b> involves pulling different coloured fine wool yarn through pieces of burlap in order to create pictorial designs featuring local village and maritime scenes, landscapes and images of nature and animals. The brightly coloured pattern brought to mind the paintings of Canadian folk artis Maude Lewis who also hailed from Nova Scotia. We watched as the proprietor gave us a quick demo of the rug hooking process. As souvenirs, we bought a couple of coasters—one was of a sailboat and lighthouse while the other was of a puffin.<p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4S8Qt4XKCM_vfrCdcyOXZrW3dS60M7qlVGduXVuPqn6hnuH0uMZwauQtmvFSm1Onv0Gtuaj2OlXo3JnwL-fcaH39keH1yAcqiudR2sWc56PG0fW1dCu0SlqHt0Ir3tpHauoUUUJNzFMgpYcnOvzyqnUBoR6JGdpecGzxNYuwXr0pohlpwvftn787MvyA/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1g%20-%20Village.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4S8Qt4XKCM_vfrCdcyOXZrW3dS60M7qlVGduXVuPqn6hnuH0uMZwauQtmvFSm1Onv0Gtuaj2OlXo3JnwL-fcaH39keH1yAcqiudR2sWc56PG0fW1dCu0SlqHt0Ir3tpHauoUUUJNzFMgpYcnOvzyqnUBoR6JGdpecGzxNYuwXr0pohlpwvftn787MvyA/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1g%20-%20Village.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b>Cheticamp</b> is a traditional Acadian fishing village on the west coast of the Cabot Trail. Its main drag runs right along the coast and is lined with restaurants, inns and motels, and a pretty harbour. While we didn’t have time to hike the famous Skyline Trail until the next morning, we did get a chance to walk along the strip to see the marina and check out some of the stores before dinner.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcMXbqk8hmn27Ek81EIbsrmv5rK88Z2-gAYqF8gWAHCza3M3vvHl5hUiEXC4_2JdUz6zRr5viqmcAaZoOqGW4sPi1pdQPCb3dTFjMQWksfmw-WhEtqPdlfHDUIGStEhio1iVlU_KTA3IAycEy2NMDWOtPifgEBsConyJOHeaNno-QOHn55CumUifD5ng/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1f%20-%20Pignot.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcMXbqk8hmn27Ek81EIbsrmv5rK88Z2-gAYqF8gWAHCza3M3vvHl5hUiEXC4_2JdUz6zRr5viqmcAaZoOqGW4sPi1pdQPCb3dTFjMQWksfmw-WhEtqPdlfHDUIGStEhio1iVlU_KTA3IAycEy2NMDWOtPifgEBsConyJOHeaNno-QOHn55CumUifD5ng/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1f%20-%20Pignot.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>One of those shops was <b>Les Trois Pignons </b>(The three gables) which is a small art gallery as well as a cultural centre and museum highlighting Acadian culture and the history of Cheticamp. We admired the works of the featured artist on display, who created cute and kitschy “cow-themed” spoofs including Mona Lisa and cow, a cow floating away tied to balloons and one being beamed onto a spaceship. Our cow-obsessed friend Murray actually bought this last one on a previous trip to Cape Breton. There were also more rug hooking art pieces available for sale. Unfortunately, we did not realize that there was a large museum in the back of the gallery and so we only saw the few pieces that were displayed there, including what looked like a Family Tree of prominent families and a wall with a brief description of the village’s history.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHkw57fvadnQq-kkd6WhY5W7mseVH181CQAKVA2_s_bhI2zFTZgnhcRwyL8d-YcRVZ9AGSfv5yBshMyjTT3e03a0bjJju6vr1Jwq4cXlxjje6LRm5cC1vswTOMEAGYg0Rzi8UZu7jAhy9CTWHueV1vVYVHOWCc0aK76kJDoSrxekIjBS0V6eH5MxFadQ/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1h%20-%20Harbour%20Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQHkw57fvadnQq-kkd6WhY5W7mseVH181CQAKVA2_s_bhI2zFTZgnhcRwyL8d-YcRVZ9AGSfv5yBshMyjTT3e03a0bjJju6vr1Jwq4cXlxjje6LRm5cC1vswTOMEAGYg0Rzi8UZu7jAhy9CTWHueV1vVYVHOWCc0aK76kJDoSrxekIjBS0V6eH5MxFadQ/w640-h176/H_CabotTrail4_Cheticamp1h%20-%20Harbour%20Restaurant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We ended the night with dinner at the <b>Harbour Restaurant</b>, which as its name indicates, has a gorgeous view of the harbour and the Cheticamp Harbour Range Front Lighthouse painted in the blue, white and red Acadian colours. This is one of two front range lighthouses that were originally built in the 1890s. As has been the tradition throughout this East coast trip, we continued with our seafood-themed meals, each ordering clam chowder and a fish course as our main. The meal was fine, but we would have a much more memorable one the next day. What made this experience special was the pleasant experience watching the sunset from our prime window seats.<p></p></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-53636637895132691312022-08-24T15:11:00.144-07:002023-06-21T18:09:37.032-07:00East Coast 2022: Cabot Trail Loop - Ingonish<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtWZw801BNtFVtZiS3WKuylV9ueqkjToa5w-imxBbGz5G4_fRQxxaW-IsCke5iVhZLj2ISDj5NKIpOlrEdFq0KgK7AybaGHicV9xFUgYsBFHXTglc6H_nNjY0d1m_7WYJrr2JkZ24aCLS19HNGKkisme4C70gMg2fePH8dNBGor6Fzb4ro2-Klr7d/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish1%20-%20On%20the%20Road.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirtWZw801BNtFVtZiS3WKuylV9ueqkjToa5w-imxBbGz5G4_fRQxxaW-IsCke5iVhZLj2ISDj5NKIpOlrEdFq0KgK7AybaGHicV9xFUgYsBFHXTglc6H_nNjY0d1m_7WYJrr2JkZ24aCLS19HNGKkisme4C70gMg2fePH8dNBGor6Fzb4ro2-Klr7d/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish1%20-%20On%20the%20Road.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The drive from Baddeck to <b>Ingonish</b> involved some steep, twisty roads and picturesque scenic views that reminded us of the lush, green beauty of Ireland. We made multiple stops for photo ops as we looked at treelined cliffs plunging down to the Atlantic Ocean, and rocky beaches in coves and inlets. In Ireland where the steering wheel is on the other side of the car and less familiar for Rich, we took the precaution to drive in a direction that put us in the lane away from the cliffs. On the Cabot Trail, we bravely took the route that put us (especially me on the passenger side) right next to the cliffs. Luckily there were guard rails the entire way and I had some amazing sightlines from the car.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT25B9H9VzGH2UycHn0kDlfUCzJFpcnbz3dgyT9UzkLEBR9RxarwQKA68v3-9D6qey2za9dTdirP43cTB3ATSUflVnjV45uvcR8fnR7XE20mX8Ax5JbG9mO_Q5hS7oljawv1kij4P7OvnlbRrYNkbPXwWV2NUNGS54X_pcQthg5mABu5XCKmayyxZd/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT25B9H9VzGH2UycHn0kDlfUCzJFpcnbz3dgyT9UzkLEBR9RxarwQKA68v3-9D6qey2za9dTdirP43cTB3ATSUflVnjV45uvcR8fnR7XE20mX8Ax5JbG9mO_Q5hS7oljawv1kij4P7OvnlbRrYNkbPXwWV2NUNGS54X_pcQthg5mABu5XCKmayyxZd/w640-h156/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Cape Breton Island has declared itself “The Craft Capital” and published an <b><a href="https://capebretoncraft.com/visit/artisan-trail-map/" target="_blank">Artisan Trail Map</a></b> listing all the artist studios and crafts shops along the Cabot Trail. As we drove towards Ingonish, we stopped at several of these locations. The indoor space for<b> Iron Art & Madam Mouton</b> seemed to be closed so we didn’t get to see the photographs, knits and gifts on sale inside, but there were many cool examples of metal sculptures on display on the property surrounding the shop. <b>Piper Pewter</b> specializes in lead-free pewter jewellery and gifts, including Celtic crosses, flowers, seashells, fiddles and more. Rich purchased a beautiful pewter bookmark with an intricate dragon design carved into it. Closer to Ingonish, we found another souvenir at <b>North Shore Woodsmiths</b> where carver Bob Evans uses a variety of woods including yellow birch, beech, oak, ash, maple, cherry, apple and walnut in order to create beautiful, original and functional products. We fell in love with a kidney-shaped box with a lid that features attractive marquetry patterns created with the use of different coloured woods.<p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sap2ueskAb8yRzKEiFR6tNba4v4woBW0BsbNLCCW8QUefC7ODPjggoQrDN40CNn_cNYgzTH5_k_lGBPbTTfyMVrXzRTDcUIf538gdcNPccyIxheZqPc0EP362S5gqp86VVQWxMtbKKblRfAeBDMW3XEG6q60rwrifCauT2Pnusuju6bNlI4_QkB3/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3_Cabotto.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Sap2ueskAb8yRzKEiFR6tNba4v4woBW0BsbNLCCW8QUefC7ODPjggoQrDN40CNn_cNYgzTH5_k_lGBPbTTfyMVrXzRTDcUIf538gdcNPccyIxheZqPc0EP362S5gqp86VVQWxMtbKKblRfAeBDMW3XEG6q60rwrifCauT2Pnusuju6bNlI4_QkB3/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3_Cabotto.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b>Cabotto chocolates and Colouratura Art Gallery</b> was a fun stop that tempted us with both chocolate treats and art to admire. The property in front of the shop is lined by a row of giant coloured pencils and a mural on the side of the building depicted a man holding binoculars that reminded me of Alex Colville’s iconic work. Inside we found moulded chocolates made from premium-quality Callebaut chocolate with fillings of liquer, nut and truffle flavours including sea salt, cappuchino, hazelnut praline and caramel. Some of the chocolates were beautifully decorated with painted designs. I loved the “Chocolate Library” consisting of different flavoured chocolate bars wrapped in covers depicting popular books by Cape Breton authors. When she caught us peering through the glass, the chocolatier came out to speak to us and explained about properly tempering chocolate so that it doesn’t melt and retains a smooth glossy finish. In the same space is the art gallery which offers carvings, photography, jewelry, paintings, and carvings.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZtUaMa5SsnygW9eYDHf2VjCoDVwDsRNQ5UoPQOegT9MVe2Jqs6WB_AlZxJKxXAtGEHr4S35o3Tesi43V00AFO-U-d05RaFvzzzGO2xSy8yAdLLNg_qJUPxOtwJuC8XFhyE2sU_aKy2cI65wPiZi4G0mACmKuURL9ESVTk_zot9ygddnpzPqBWTiI/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish4_CluckingHen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="418" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZtUaMa5SsnygW9eYDHf2VjCoDVwDsRNQ5UoPQOegT9MVe2Jqs6WB_AlZxJKxXAtGEHr4S35o3Tesi43V00AFO-U-d05RaFvzzzGO2xSy8yAdLLNg_qJUPxOtwJuC8XFhyE2sU_aKy2cI65wPiZi4G0mACmKuURL9ESVTk_zot9ygddnpzPqBWTiI/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish4_CluckingHen.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By the time we reached <b>Clucking Hen Café and Bakery</b>, we were ready for a snack, drink and restroom stop. We ordered a piece of wild blueberry pie and San Pellegrino orange drink to share and had a nice respite on the outdoor patio where we had a great view of the water and admired glasswork from the Glass shop that we would head towards next. As hinted by its name, the café featured chicken-themed décor all over the place. There was a chicken calendar, hooks, paintings, embroidery, felting, thermometer, and a slew of chicken-shaped ceramics. Best of all, when you open the screen door to enter or exit the restaurant, the sound of a clucking chicken is emitted. How cool is that?<p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJylo8WpAvKLmTP6Yq0bYDaLfqMpUXnUowLjZW-BmINpCF_sG9IzBhgjuTtTen33z6MLFxSC6ihvTXaEtdicH9zVUd8RWJjO2i8EtQELKzzNtvvQLRNxTuee9Q9hxu6CU9fBf3k7FbXPdWY8pfx8GXKe-fZDA6L0-zn4SLmfim7GjKxAItEMey1C0/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqJylo8WpAvKLmTP6Yq0bYDaLfqMpUXnUowLjZW-BmINpCF_sG9IzBhgjuTtTen33z6MLFxSC6ihvTXaEtdicH9zVUd8RWJjO2i8EtQELKzzNtvvQLRNxTuee9Q9hxu6CU9fBf3k7FbXPdWY8pfx8GXKe-fZDA6L0-zn4SLmfim7GjKxAItEMey1C0/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish5.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b>Glass Artisans Studio and Gallery</b> has gorgeous blown-glass works by a variety of artists. Out front is a bronze sculpture of a man blowing glass and in a small kiosk to the side of the shop, glass blowing demos were being held. There was a group there in front of us and we didn’t have that much time to wait, so we just went inside to look at the decorative pieces. There were large orb and buoy-shaped glassworks hanging on ropes, beautiful stained-glass windowpanes, as well as blue and red glass lobsters. Smaller pieces included framed pictures and jewellery.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jqYmenBzLcYYd7Jto3A7H9R1qhLKxl3aii5WDHKeU9OxAnTmnw4a0IwIo_xm7zhtASKrwVjb8Zx9OLUfwqt3hx1awm8aaZv5zWyvmSWaJ3fuYmbkt8MzQi04br5_b8ioTjUIl7EZQh-4U4pfKWOZUQ0qzz12kPMPmQTj48EXJixJJAqYk8Jk2jzF/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish5_Glass.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7jqYmenBzLcYYd7Jto3A7H9R1qhLKxl3aii5WDHKeU9OxAnTmnw4a0IwIo_xm7zhtASKrwVjb8Zx9OLUfwqt3hx1awm8aaZv5zWyvmSWaJ3fuYmbkt8MzQi04br5_b8ioTjUIl7EZQh-4U4pfKWOZUQ0qzz12kPMPmQTj48EXJixJJAqYk8Jk2jzF/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish5_Glass.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our last stop on this leg of the Artisan Trail was <b>Wildfire Pottery and Books</b>. There was not much of a selection of pottery, but we found the section with old books and vinyl records and CDs. There were also touristy gifts as well as paintings and cards depicting wildlife. But what made the visit special was meeting the owner Paul Cranford, a fiddler who plays traditional Cape Breton music which is a mixture of Celtic, Scottish, Irish and Acadian music that is unique to the island. After speaking to him for a bit, Paul serenaded us with a quick fiddle performance.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qqm9HgFtmgO_wUF4bSGLiwaWTpk4mBNLY0Ng-zKVZlwp1o9rUxb-oo_FaGZXpF4tInQ9f39uCCJhTG2-9g1iRTbzlycw3ERGiewcM8OT-p0fe1dgxuql2i2HIzbKzeYXIOEnRL-_BEAakh9_MJ3LcAdiwySRdFSMF_Jx-RgHtOY-lU1q8A1GlF3_/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3a_Beach-Town1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qqm9HgFtmgO_wUF4bSGLiwaWTpk4mBNLY0Ng-zKVZlwp1o9rUxb-oo_FaGZXpF4tInQ9f39uCCJhTG2-9g1iRTbzlycw3ERGiewcM8OT-p0fe1dgxuql2i2HIzbKzeYXIOEnRL-_BEAakh9_MJ3LcAdiwySRdFSMF_Jx-RgHtOY-lU1q8A1GlF3_/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3a_Beach-Town1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Finally arriving in the region of<b> Ingonish</b>, whose motto is “Nature’s Home”, we passed by its three main attractions--the popular <b>Ingonish Beach</b>, <b>St. Peter’s Church</b> which is over 100 years old, and the <b>Keltic Lodge Resort</b> which includes a hotel, spa, multiple restaurants and dining areas, meeting and function rooms, and a golf course. Accommodations at the Keltic Lodge include rooms in the main lodge, various inns and oceanside cottages. The current Keltic Lodge complex is built on the site of the original summer home (also named Keltic Lodge) of Industrialist Henry Corson, friend of Alexander Graham Bell. While out of our price range, but it was nice to see the resort and we had to drive by in order to get to the entrance of our first of several hikes that we had planned for this Cape Breton side trip.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-pQ-0iIpaxJlEq5QHdaHUHrwIvT4ZtSJmLA3qNeocD9aK3EeQl8L0x85Es_V8Sc8kxHZwo2VHfh-5z8Rdul0JrApfmfU4fCnAcM4NtrxslAMvgToN1XerzE7ycBE6GbTe7D0UTawGHZgh6KiA5aVsmxl4i-GkdQ1Hzt45YiyNS4j5Sh_7WrIgSLM/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead0.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-pQ-0iIpaxJlEq5QHdaHUHrwIvT4ZtSJmLA3qNeocD9aK3EeQl8L0x85Es_V8Sc8kxHZwo2VHfh-5z8Rdul0JrApfmfU4fCnAcM4NtrxslAMvgToN1XerzE7ycBE6GbTe7D0UTawGHZgh6KiA5aVsmxl4i-GkdQ1Hzt45YiyNS4j5Sh_7WrIgSLM/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead0.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Middle Head Trail</b> includes a 3.8km interpretive loop with an elevation of up to 150 feet, that at starts and end at a point near the Keltic Lodge. We encountered some rocky, rugged sections with exposed tree roots, a patch of trees with burls or bulbous growth on their trunks that were developed as a protective response to tree disease, and a bunch of fallen tree trunks that formed a canopy effect.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TKp9Y6Rn7mj1POujeYERI4leTQoD2owbg2zbFAUWI22Mhz_QenRNhF16l3SDl8P0BJqbxaGl7vFDHLE6r9pbl-xufyth8P4aq2-19AtjWqnetQNTod43sh80m_YN_0rCMHYxA0_qy2oKtZxMxUcCCdizYyvQajfl2nGgdoknPXnRds4NAYj65Xky/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="413" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2TKp9Y6Rn7mj1POujeYERI4leTQoD2owbg2zbFAUWI22Mhz_QenRNhF16l3SDl8P0BJqbxaGl7vFDHLE6r9pbl-xufyth8P4aq2-19AtjWqnetQNTod43sh80m_YN_0rCMHYxA0_qy2oKtZxMxUcCCdizYyvQajfl2nGgdoknPXnRds4NAYj65Xky/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the halfway point of the 3.8km loop is a sign indicating a choice to be made. Turning left to continue following the loop will return you to the start. Heading straight will take you another 1km (one-way) along a long, narrow peninsula that separates two ocean bays, ending on the headland cliffs overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Smokey Provincial Park and Ingonish Island. It was a no-brainer for us to take on the extra 2km round-trip trek in order to reach the highest point of the hike and get the best views. Even along the way as we started to climb, we could see scenic views of Ingonish Island and the cliffs in the distance.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFDyEglRWCnWFFzYRv91fVs2B4rjmzcgLzVoVwNf1B7yoTfJH0wPyX9bY8GhysXM4uSipCEAY2dUtsTl22mcXK9eQBOxuBwW3WslOPPqSto91_kZBKL0oQpHJWr1h7Q-t5PNqh8cb8ZHAxtaPX6eL30ISMtcEFO6AqbfuO3PGZHBhF0FJaISSLvpg/s1599/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1599" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEFDyEglRWCnWFFzYRv91fVs2B4rjmzcgLzVoVwNf1B7yoTfJH0wPyX9bY8GhysXM4uSipCEAY2dUtsTl22mcXK9eQBOxuBwW3WslOPPqSto91_kZBKL0oQpHJWr1h7Q-t5PNqh8cb8ZHAxtaPX6eL30ISMtcEFO6AqbfuO3PGZHBhF0FJaISSLvpg/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By the time we reached the top, we had climbed over 500 feet in elevation and were rewarded by some stunning views. Rich and I were careful not to approach too closely to the edge of the cliffs. Despite the dire caution signs, we saw examples of others who ignored these warnings, including a man carrying a baby on his back who was looking over the lip into the water below. I looked around to see if a frantic mother would come rushing up to admonish her husband. Even from our safe distance, we could see terns and seabirds, but unfortunately no whales or sealions as hinted by the initial sign for the trail.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwkCn4xqRbLDk3NfDm-H7bNIDH6Jwy4K-ozNAFol_ZFJA9HW7SLinHhcAj8z-_QdOn3j_S7XeQZytMrpqMeUsiNyBbMh3sWXwJigpdBNFiObSoN-tYaR5W5L2d4CBkWb7FnaBU8cHMmzQnbeefPfrG0Tt78ard36loz3l-VCNv4L7WqU5K1626whX/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="435" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwkCn4xqRbLDk3NfDm-H7bNIDH6Jwy4K-ozNAFol_ZFJA9HW7SLinHhcAj8z-_QdOn3j_S7XeQZytMrpqMeUsiNyBbMh3sWXwJigpdBNFiObSoN-tYaR5W5L2d4CBkWb7FnaBU8cHMmzQnbeefPfrG0Tt78ard36loz3l-VCNv4L7WqU5K1626whX/w640-h174/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3b_Middlehead3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we looked down upon a plateau below us, we spotted people congregated around a red Adirondack chair and wondered how this big heavy chair came to be situated in the middle of nowhere. It would have been too onerous to carry the chair up the steep paths that we had traversed. Later I googled and found that Parks Canada had placed over 200 of these red chairs in peaceful, scenic locations throughout the country including nine of them in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. They must have delivered this one by helicopter. We would see yet another red chair the next day on another hiking trail. Once the people had departed, we wandered down ourselves and each had a nice rest while sitting in the chair and admiring the vista. We then retraced our steps back down this extra stretch of trail and completed the original loop for a total hike of 5.67km.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0GTNuX5wWir29qvs1PCMLLO7W6WGxEPX6rJVO8LglciPjMHVMROq8utXJKyDAbDTa6Zby0bmv2mOxmbX5vNJuwCVkGTztBzksWozAuMfvTnsRN_Z3ZfAmBp6YCsJppYYMXjfsIAyqPkVZ9U2n5wCAMxUg69RRxTV7QEXe9F_Z1EkEnJME_p7PRKC/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3d_Seabreeze%20Motel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT0GTNuX5wWir29qvs1PCMLLO7W6WGxEPX6rJVO8LglciPjMHVMROq8utXJKyDAbDTa6Zby0bmv2mOxmbX5vNJuwCVkGTztBzksWozAuMfvTnsRN_Z3ZfAmBp6YCsJppYYMXjfsIAyqPkVZ9U2n5wCAMxUg69RRxTV7QEXe9F_Z1EkEnJME_p7PRKC/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3d_Seabreeze%20Motel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After our hike, we checked into the <b>Seabreeze Cottages</b>, which was not as chichi as the Keltic Inn, but was perfect for our needs in terms of price, comfort, and location. We even scored one of the rooms directly facing the water so that we had a beautiful view when looking out of the window. This was probably because I had booked the room months in advance using Booking.com, taking advantage of the free cancellation option, which costs a few extra dollars but is more than worth it for the flexibility to accommodate last minute changes in itinerary. On the property were fun cardboard cut-outs of a lobster and a fisherman which Rich begrudgingly obliged in posing behind, although I think it was more a grimace than a smile on his face.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBETjnFotELGyTqzzDYeLwyT_5bhZUGL4qwAqj8jnBxE_-ebgwO0L0ufYUtmJLwZzkwxXeOQ0niAhJJMEOQ6c3I80uN4EFJ9H56f2mQXrHn8TIrDNnVC-NLlvT5RR1zjT_O8atpHLuAcw_UOvMuIRRuZ29pNOrGCXG0nagMEgjYM12Nz2qJkvsD2hP/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3c_Seagull%20Restaurant.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="398" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBETjnFotELGyTqzzDYeLwyT_5bhZUGL4qwAqj8jnBxE_-ebgwO0L0ufYUtmJLwZzkwxXeOQ0niAhJJMEOQ6c3I80uN4EFJ9H56f2mQXrHn8TIrDNnVC-NLlvT5RR1zjT_O8atpHLuAcw_UOvMuIRRuZ29pNOrGCXG0nagMEgjYM12Nz2qJkvsD2hP/w640-h160/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3c_Seagull%20Restaurant.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>That evening, we had dinner at the<b> Seagull Restaurant</b> which was just a few minutes away. I wore the vintage purple polka-dot blouse that I bought in <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-cabot-trail-loop-baddeck.html" target="_blank">Baddeck</a> the previous day and posed with Ingonish Island in the background as the sun started to set. We would have liked a table in the enclosed patio deck with a view of the water. Unfortunately, that section was full, so we sat in the main area and continued our trend of eating seafood for our entire trip. We had more mussels as well as fish and chips with breaded clams (which were nowhere near as large as the <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-dartmouth-halifax-nova.html" target="_blank">ones we ate in Dartmouth</a>!). By the end of our meal, the patio had emptied so I wandered onto it to admire the view.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7agNRuR4L88Gjvm8Ry1mgzA0XgkyFobpGA4PRcMDNhbM_AQ-Ftix4w9XxqtCZZ8BGxm8ldTNEivWwSFmV3_hKIfhxllYqgWFYHWYyDOO04gnwfyVbvW0KUj-_2HbH58n_w8ls_TqNhBiBBaOxiCBUWUxgbwdAGlvuUIY2vM-asaH35Zt1kDu3E-53/s1600/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3e_SaltedRoses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="406" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7agNRuR4L88Gjvm8Ry1mgzA0XgkyFobpGA4PRcMDNhbM_AQ-Ftix4w9XxqtCZZ8BGxm8ldTNEivWwSFmV3_hKIfhxllYqgWFYHWYyDOO04gnwfyVbvW0KUj-_2HbH58n_w8ls_TqNhBiBBaOxiCBUWUxgbwdAGlvuUIY2vM-asaH35Zt1kDu3E-53/w640-h162/H_CabotTrail3_Ingonish3e_SaltedRoses.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next morning, we had breakfast at <b>Salty Rose and Periwinkle Café and Inn</b> before heading off to our next stop. This was a lovely stone building with several charming rooms upstairs that would have been fun to stay at, but had been fully booked when we tried to reserve. We each ordered a Brekkie Sandwich with egg, pickled onions, greens, house mayo and crab, along with a latte and a freshly baked scone to share. The inside seating area was so sweet that we considered sitting there, but it was such a nice day that we sat in the outside patio. While we were eating, we heard loud mooing sounds and turned around to see a couple of black cows across the road with their heads sticking out of the wooden fence. There was a little coin-operated dispenser next to them and tourists would buy fodder to feed them with. I thought this was a great scam to get people to pay for the right to feed your cattle.<p></p>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-4072096776925508092022-08-23T16:01:00.193-07:002023-04-18T17:29:23.988-07:00East Coast 2022: Cabot Trail Loop - Baddeck<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBJj7MXj80IqDIKHDoI-9nRg11K3moqpY8HQsK4oth9ZjX10Nn9wCArAmuk72-ZdFMd0enljCcZTcCAceZwCVlbkb0TLL54x9jZ6GiWz1XWucQsc0zrQ4gTdA2PPDvjMtw25SiRx4Kdr4jBHoX2SocHu94nlNxaqjZ1j-YoM5kmOhGw1UhxHwK1Wc/s992/4%20-%20Drive%20to%20Cape%20Breton.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="745" data-original-width="992" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBJj7MXj80IqDIKHDoI-9nRg11K3moqpY8HQsK4oth9ZjX10Nn9wCArAmuk72-ZdFMd0enljCcZTcCAceZwCVlbkb0TLL54x9jZ6GiWz1XWucQsc0zrQ4gTdA2PPDvjMtw25SiRx4Kdr4jBHoX2SocHu94nlNxaqjZ1j-YoM5kmOhGw1UhxHwK1Wc/w640-h480/4%20-%20Drive%20to%20Cape%20Breton.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After a 3-day drive across Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia to drop off our friends Yim and Murray in Dartmouth, N.S. to visit his mother, Rich and I departed on our own for a 5-day tour of <b>Cape Breton Island</b> and <b>Louisbourg</b>. We would drive north to Antigonish, then counterclockwise around Cape Breton following the Cabot Trail, staying overnight at Baddeck, Ingonish, Cheticamp, Glenora and Sherbrooke (a rest point after visiting Louisbourg) before heading back to Dartmouth to pick up our friends for the journey home.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4UA1KVQUJnDzpcDHYMkAKNLbK_FtrHkAl1MRvb-fQKDe957EfUW8l6YCBHGuq96R3OE1w4rkWpyJHEFhBolAsxvorjdoehIKqSlzM-YEGKItdEfqYZyXsAGGmj7SnxYQwWP98F4lmnO4oCg5ZcJQ3dSuPPMz4FSszMUI_xk6b2dzS6FHsAhVfiFV/s1600/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf4UA1KVQUJnDzpcDHYMkAKNLbK_FtrHkAl1MRvb-fQKDe957EfUW8l6YCBHGuq96R3OE1w4rkWpyJHEFhBolAsxvorjdoehIKqSlzM-YEGKItdEfqYZyXsAGGmj7SnxYQwWP98F4lmnO4oCg5ZcJQ3dSuPPMz4FSszMUI_xk6b2dzS6FHsAhVfiFV/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After having gorgeous weather for the three-day drive to Dartmouth and the two days that we spent there, our luck ran out. It was pouring rain as we headed off towards Cape Breton and continued as we arrived in <b>Antigonish</b>. Armed with our umbrellas, we marched determinedly up and down the main street, as I tried to take photos without getting too much water on my cell phone’s camera lens. We ducked into the <b>Pictou-Antigonish Regional Library</b> to use the restrooms and to wait for the rain to subside a bit. I was impressed by the colourful murals on the walls, and the community art projects including Artsmarts, an initiative operated together by the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and the Department of Early Education to promote art-based learning projects in schools. Outside the library is a sculpture by Rudolph Henninger of two bookends that look like figures sitting with their backs against a set of books, with the inscription “Reading is Education. Education is Freedom”. <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ovr4FlkRbLGmxDDaYEiof_PhFu7d19wWyCDqXGH2yJFwpVYfpIsGzse1iFJhfeadV6XhlxEvrTrzierr0kzdtYJDO9H6-JZtxu9btJ2P2g4E_0GY0Uze0ZfiuTwvpxFELyW6TUkY_qVIuOoBOTKIRH7-xxPIHvJjzXQUJw4r7790zFD57wtHGJc8/s1600/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Ovr4FlkRbLGmxDDaYEiof_PhFu7d19wWyCDqXGH2yJFwpVYfpIsGzse1iFJhfeadV6XhlxEvrTrzierr0kzdtYJDO9H6-JZtxu9btJ2P2g4E_0GY0Uze0ZfiuTwvpxFELyW6TUkY_qVIuOoBOTKIRH7-xxPIHvJjzXQUJw4r7790zFD57wtHGJc8/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>By the time we came out again, the rain had subsided a bit so we could take a closer look at the stores and street art. There were many great murals to be found in Antigonish including the ones that harken back to Antigonish’s history. On a corner building at 220 Main Street, on one side are two murals depicting the <b>T.J.Sears Livery Stables</b> where horses were kept to run a stage coach line and mail run between Antigonish and Sherbrooke. The mural on the other wall is for the <b>Antigonish Medical Centre</b> and features an image of Dr. William A. Macleod who was also a member of the Nova Scotia House of Assembly. Above the three murals are trompe l’oeil paintings depicting townspeople looking out of windows, interspersed between real windows. The mural on the side of iA Private Wealth advertises <b>Bradshaw Insurance</b> while a dragon mural on the wall of what used to be <b>Wong’s Restaurant</b> was restored in 2015.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1m4-sXr65eZZKA4qaDobq7EmMwf0amSADKig03G8cRdzfWMVJsMgfMgwiI7OFsKasN5i4mklC9CWVY1YGzSKyijMF60zL2EhsWsSKey2L95Lj1Enq7ke1kZ--cp25czd35MBBm_nVnQLwExpbllMQ14wXfwGJiLl01RHLi6iX43B0IuooDJum9Lc/s1602/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="443" data-original-width="1602" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1m4-sXr65eZZKA4qaDobq7EmMwf0amSADKig03G8cRdzfWMVJsMgfMgwiI7OFsKasN5i4mklC9CWVY1YGzSKyijMF60zL2EhsWsSKey2L95Lj1Enq7ke1kZ--cp25czd35MBBm_nVnQLwExpbllMQ14wXfwGJiLl01RHLi6iX43B0IuooDJum9Lc/w640-h176/H_CabotTrail1_Antigonish3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There are many beautiful buildings in Antigonish. Had it not been so wet and dreary and if we had more time on our schedule, we would have spent more time exploring the town. Just walking along Main Street, we saw the <b>Town Hall</b>, <b>St. James United Churc</b>h and <b>Victoria Inn</b> which has a fabulous, classic example of a turret in front. I have always wanted to stay in a turret so if we are ever in this area again, this may need to be a priority. On our way out of town, we stopped the small shop that is the source of <b>Peace by Chocolate</b> products that we purchased when we <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-dartmouth-halifax-nova.html" target="_blank">visited the Halifax waterfront</a>. Unfortunately, the shop was closed when we arrived.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dUnau1RqT8ijT2Xb3SXtns4g3-HO9AI-qM1WcT_WCcp4Qd_xJOu2ro173dW8W8RyI8nez24iw-vMddKaTLc7lPNvPOiTjfgYWJRrCsDiWtb3DOxTUclPXN62_Z_PxBcwJCtX3eQkkHv6eZBqS-lXUrN8W_tKmFJzX-g0qfHNMDO0d7Y-LlK0hRdh/s1600/H_CabotTrail1_Charlene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6dUnau1RqT8ijT2Xb3SXtns4g3-HO9AI-qM1WcT_WCcp4Qd_xJOu2ro173dW8W8RyI8nez24iw-vMddKaTLc7lPNvPOiTjfgYWJRrCsDiWtb3DOxTUclPXN62_Z_PxBcwJCtX3eQkkHv6eZBqS-lXUrN8W_tKmFJzX-g0qfHNMDO0d7Y-LlK0hRdh/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail1_Charlene.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Just before reaching Baddeck, we planned to stop for lunch at <b>Charlene’s Restaurant in Whycocomagh, N.S</b>. which is known for its seafood chowder. We stood at the door for over 20 minutes while we watched the lone waitress scurrying around the packed restaurant, never even making eye contact with us, let alone assuring us that we would be seated soon. It became clear to us that even if we did eventually get seated, this lunch would take way too long and would cut into our tight schedule. So our impromptu lunch was one of the 13 bags of Covered Bridge potato chips that we bought from the <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-drive-to-edmundston-and.html" target="_blank">Covered Bridge Factory</a> on our drive to the East Coast. Maybe it was just as well, since we would make up for the missed meal later in the day with the massive lobster supper that we had planned.<div><p></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQem2DIWoEEY8HdnbH6z0ZfX9ueojSk7bB2F-F9HkKk1Dczqklkel255mPI3u-7KPidWGyrYSZsBKGDHGooQJgsAvu3rC-JtV8D_oKQyrKtxLKRs0e1OnwH7cakTQWLMtbosQ4xs7IgwLWmlMkiZ37-AClMEz0tq0jgLxdUTWPZi9zc4O9e8Cn49Ih/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="389" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQem2DIWoEEY8HdnbH6z0ZfX9ueojSk7bB2F-F9HkKk1Dczqklkel255mPI3u-7KPidWGyrYSZsBKGDHGooQJgsAvu3rC-JtV8D_oKQyrKtxLKRs0e1OnwH7cakTQWLMtbosQ4xs7IgwLWmlMkiZ37-AClMEz0tq0jgLxdUTWPZi9zc4O9e8Cn49Ih/w640-h156/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell1.jpg" width="640" /></a></b></div><b>Baddeck</b> is the first major town in Cape Breton if traversing it counterclockwise and is considered either the start or the end of the Cabot Trail depending on which direction you drive it. It is the home of the <b>Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site</b>, a museum which celebrates the life and achievements of the inventor. The museum’s rooftop viewing deck supposedly provides a distant view of Beinn Bhreagh (meaning “Beautiful Mountain”), the summer residence of Bell and his wife Mabel, on the tip of Red Head Peninsula across the Baddeck Bay. Although we searched, we could not see the house, so luckily there was a photograph of it on display in the museum. On the grounds of the historic site is a stylized model of the Silver Dart, which was co-designed by Bell and others, and which in 1909 became the first airplane to be flown in the British Empire, following American flight by the Wright Brothers in 1903.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHpSPPJijLtsNNAh_u98KjvZ2KF53bHk5eIb6E_9V6aaQPZVPDAKVKdjk7tIIN5C4yXlY78FcIPgIi9bLcX08GxVd4WcjUT5mq4ywagdn7ERoZEr_0yxY6AI9V1TJFzGPdtbm5Y0b9ma11BW44L5UcaAoyoCRJgsPosgwntf6y07ucWqEolMrD_9W/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="460" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxHpSPPJijLtsNNAh_u98KjvZ2KF53bHk5eIb6E_9V6aaQPZVPDAKVKdjk7tIIN5C4yXlY78FcIPgIi9bLcX08GxVd4WcjUT5mq4ywagdn7ERoZEr_0yxY6AI9V1TJFzGPdtbm5Y0b9ma11BW44L5UcaAoyoCRJgsPosgwntf6y07ucWqEolMrD_9W/w640-h184/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Although Alexander Graham Bell is mostly known for developing and patenting the first practical telephone, he was a prolific inventor, scientist, and engineer who performed many experiments and worked on a wide range of fields including optical telecommunications, aeronautics, and hydrofoils. This was clearly recognized in the museum where the telephone represents a very small portion of the displays. He is quoted as saying “The inventor is not content with things as they are. He wants to improve whatever he sees to benefit the world”. Examples of his smaller inventions include a metal detector that attempted to locate the bullet lodged in President James Garfield’s body after an assassination attempt, an artificial cooling system that was an early example of indoor air conditioning, and an anemometer attached to kite to measure wind velocity.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx6HlISh8rFMifDucIVAJBAGILQ5ayracw7DnoMdy1iA8nNfGCPsiUGUiSMbwqGz9bM1ZBaQYfqHZXQDsic2mk8eJ_ALNMwsRACdenfJowY2l55pQWvfwQ4rJHql-9Y1j1D3Tgb_oUItNI1d9rSGDf7GmzMfSThbJEJyrXWipyOE1pgRjzUaUcqwD/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYx6HlISh8rFMifDucIVAJBAGILQ5ayracw7DnoMdy1iA8nNfGCPsiUGUiSMbwqGz9bM1ZBaQYfqHZXQDsic2mk8eJ_ALNMwsRACdenfJowY2l55pQWvfwQ4rJHql-9Y1j1D3Tgb_oUItNI1d9rSGDf7GmzMfSThbJEJyrXWipyOE1pgRjzUaUcqwD/w640-h158/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Influenced by his mother and later on his wife who were both deaf, Alexander became a teacher of the deaf and performed ground-breaking <b>experiments related to speech and hearing</b>. His father Melville had created the “Visible Speech Phonetic Alphabet which represents the position of speech organs when articulating sound. Feeling that it would help them better integrate in society, Bell was a huge proponent of teaching the deaf to speak and lip read, rather than rely on sign language. One of his pupils was 15-year-old Mabel Hubbert, 10 years his junior, but who he eventually fell in love with and married. “Alec”, as Bell was called by Mabel, was devoted to his wife and left her all but 10 shares of the Bell Telephone Company that he formed after inventing the telephone. One display in the museum is devoted to the love letters that the couple wrote to one another. In support of his work with the deaf, Bell invented the Manometric Capsule which taught deaf students the shape of sound. Voice vibrations changed the gas pressure in the device, causing a different pattern of light to appear on the glass for each sound made.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KGmT-Z8GXBbGhVI-kVdKrU6wHpN5CEP8N5Ct-FXCcBlqlC8CSC7alIH713XDWWX5pHVm4vkfOVPDcxoSc1SUO_d7SlT3HJmQmMkY5wsWpdZTpsKsg345ogG1xQEUcG_Q-bm15K2s3idvweGzhe-hfIIao4PtdFoEYfop_yfl4ASnojsphEnDnDzj/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1KGmT-Z8GXBbGhVI-kVdKrU6wHpN5CEP8N5Ct-FXCcBlqlC8CSC7alIH713XDWWX5pHVm4vkfOVPDcxoSc1SUO_d7SlT3HJmQmMkY5wsWpdZTpsKsg345ogG1xQEUcG_Q-bm15K2s3idvweGzhe-hfIIao4PtdFoEYfop_yfl4ASnojsphEnDnDzj/w640-h154/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck1_Bell4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The bottom level of the museum is devoted to Bell’s works in aeronautics and hydrofoils with life-sized replicas of both the Silver Dart and the HD-4 Hydrofoil. The <b>Silver Dart</b> was the last of multiple aircraft designed by the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA). The association was founded by Alexander and Mabel in 1907, with engineers and pilots as members including Glenn Curtiss, Casey Baldwin, John McCurdy, and Tom Selfridge. The group introduced key innovations to aviation including wingtip ailerons that control the roll of an aircraft, and tricycle landing gear. The Silver Dart made the first controlled, powered flight in Canada in February 1909, flying from Bras d’Or Lake near Baddeck and in August of the same year, made the first passenger flight. Around the same time, Bell and Baldwin also worked on experiments to create a hydrofoil watercraft. The two created the “<b>HD-4</b>”, powered by two 350-horsepower engines that made it reach record speeds of 114kph. These large models can also be seen from a viewing platform on the upper floor.<p></p></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDsR91_rqj_muCN4MsZvtfw_3vri25fGVRz1TzD4yMDYFEbikFnqH6BgV7gihM-7XHVU1d1EoTcdHTTBmCkTpVNEY7MdbvrReAzKs1vUnLG4G2J_OioGC9aO_ZXO1No19ZRhtdSnR9ztN8q0rWssRg5Lz55NhwnHkSSExzTt4uGpENrnf7uWytGX6/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_LobsterSupper1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="439" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoDsR91_rqj_muCN4MsZvtfw_3vri25fGVRz1TzD4yMDYFEbikFnqH6BgV7gihM-7XHVU1d1EoTcdHTTBmCkTpVNEY7MdbvrReAzKs1vUnLG4G2J_OioGC9aO_ZXO1No19ZRhtdSnR9ztN8q0rWssRg5Lz55NhwnHkSSExzTt4uGpENrnf7uWytGX6/w640-h176/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_LobsterSupper1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We were not that upset about missing out on a sit-down lunch earlier in the day because we knew that we had dinner reservations at <b>Baddeck Lobster Suppers </b>where we would eat locally sourced seafood. We wanted the meal that featured <b>all you can</b> eat clam chowder and mussels, choice of lobster, crab, salmon or steak as the main course, plus dessert and coffee. The restaurant had a suitable marine atmosphere, decorated with painted buoys and folksy fishermen carvings and large mural of a coastline with a lighthouse. I bought a long-sleeved mock t-shirt with a lobster printed on it as a souvenir.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7ZYjhanlyWTi8dScGwWI1iQoTVVqpZDhqVfRO7kl_q20whDJIRoa0yW9lURWN1Gclnjn4QtLNP5yCIppXG9yZayxhmuW66VYkkpmOP25QYDj_miJmQALzVQk2vdZh5G3hzIuQ2c6rb7N6pY7N0SN683YjNZ470ZJT0WfhcBfje3EJiPDYFiGObzp/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_LobsterSupper2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="388" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV7ZYjhanlyWTi8dScGwWI1iQoTVVqpZDhqVfRO7kl_q20whDJIRoa0yW9lURWN1Gclnjn4QtLNP5yCIppXG9yZayxhmuW66VYkkpmOP25QYDj_miJmQALzVQk2vdZh5G3hzIuQ2c6rb7N6pY7N0SN683YjNZ470ZJT0WfhcBfje3EJiPDYFiGObzp/w640-h156/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_LobsterSupper2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The meal was everything we hoped for as we gorged on tasty chowder and plates of mussels, almost not leaving enough room for the main course. I chose a whole lobster while Rich went for the crab, which I find much more difficult to de-shell. On top of all that, there was salad. Needless to say, we were stuffed by the time dessert came … but we all know that dessert goes into a separate stomach, so somehow, we fit that in as well. We downed the coffee that came with dessert since we were off to see a show after dinner and needed to stay awake.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUmkDbSc5ta6qNDZ7ms1KnTJ9pZEd3EnP8KqltUUg3dKbTn52TR_wtA-gh4AiFSimJC2JY0F9PaufBD2H8j7kfvhiuU8MQNxb0h1Lm06Hc5MOS2KrbcOgj2w5ff4WiH26x3XzQY2xNTWT40MixyyFj6yzGFPbMPMMeYKOxxJ6P-kIk_2rB0_Ncsq7/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUmkDbSc5ta6qNDZ7ms1KnTJ9pZEd3EnP8KqltUUg3dKbTn52TR_wtA-gh4AiFSimJC2JY0F9PaufBD2H8j7kfvhiuU8MQNxb0h1Lm06Hc5MOS2KrbcOgj2w5ff4WiH26x3XzQY2xNTWT40MixyyFj6yzGFPbMPMMeYKOxxJ6P-kIk_2rB0_Ncsq7/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rich and I love live theatre and watch quite a few plays and musicals at home in Toronto. Whenever we can, we try to incorporate watching a live performance as part of our vacation itinerary. When planning our tour of Cape Breton, we came across <b>Theatre Baddeck</b>, situated in the Masonic Hall, which puts on several shows per season. Luckily there was a show scheduled for the night that we would stay in Baddeck and I booked tickets to watch the play <b>Lauchie, Liza and Rory </b>by Cape Breton-born playwright Sheldon Currie. This is a bittersweet, but sometimes uproariously funny love story set in Glace Bay,Cape Breton about twin brothers who fall in love with the same woman. Lauchie is a quiet, staid, and dependable coal miner who lives with his mother and sister, while Rory is a sauve, roguish, charming gadabout who is off to parts unknown at the start of the play. Lauchie meets the free-spirited Liza at a dance, clumsily woos her and convinces her to marry him. When Rory returns and sweeps Liza off her feet, she regrets her initial decision but nobly stands by her commitment and marries Lauchie while wishing she could be with Rory.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dCapXvsJoPtpxp4B_4b0lqyNILrEPpvgJvedm6BsGs1zHO5gBGgu-SZSrIoC7ka-M7pheKIWXC64AR0WHr9x06hxHwO2y--o8xgzYPpZyWnVxE_DQAXfBny9W0XB5KVo8qp3XGg7f47XaCHDtuQ7TZwF3Ek4bFVTwGF2eH3celpOoC_v1NIeEnfV/s1600/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dCapXvsJoPtpxp4B_4b0lqyNILrEPpvgJvedm6BsGs1zHO5gBGgu-SZSrIoC7ka-M7pheKIWXC64AR0WHr9x06hxHwO2y--o8xgzYPpZyWnVxE_DQAXfBny9W0XB5KVo8qp3XGg7f47XaCHDtuQ7TZwF3Ek4bFVTwGF2eH3celpOoC_v1NIeEnfV/w640-h168/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This play is a two-hander with Patrick Jeffrey playing Rory and Lauchie, using posture, speech, demeanor, facial expressions, and hairstyle to instantly switch between the twin brothers. Mary Fay Coady plays the prim sister Anne who wears glasses and the free-spirited Liza who does not. Both also play other parts including townspeople and a priest. Hilariously, both actors take turns playing the sharp-tongued mother, who is personified by a cardboard cut-out with a hole for each actor to place their face through. As conversations rapidly take place between different combinations of the characters, sometimes mother is represented merely as a talking hand stuck through the hole of the cut-out to allow "3 people" to be in a scene. The most skillful scene played out when Lauchie, Liza, Rory and Anne “sat” around a table playing cards and carrying on a conversation. The characters switched at lightning speed as the glasses came on and off to flip from Liza to Anne, and the physical transformation between Rory and Lauchie was astounding.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo_gCBt-JZzrTlizi6JoHzricLksWOr_H6PjpLgBVx6oYGhOy8ti6OW485rDa0TbhtX5io7ITLBvCn-QsXbn6sh4YwvQ9_Ttt3WKxJV3mYzMI0EZvrqSnf963zfK25snovh_Oc5s_NLNdLMM6drZeQ6z-RO23c3tqM_i5AW3i_459Kqb9B2XDkEw-/s1569/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1569" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwo_gCBt-JZzrTlizi6JoHzricLksWOr_H6PjpLgBVx6oYGhOy8ti6OW485rDa0TbhtX5io7ITLBvCn-QsXbn6sh4YwvQ9_Ttt3WKxJV3mYzMI0EZvrqSnf963zfK25snovh_Oc5s_NLNdLMM6drZeQ6z-RO23c3tqM_i5AW3i_459Kqb9B2XDkEw-/w640-h164/H_CabotTrail2_Baddeck3_Play3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After the mother passes away, the four end up living in adjoining homes with Lauchie and Liza in one house and Rory and Anne in the other. Out of love and loyalty to Lauchie, Liza and Rory suppress their feelings while continuing to pine for each other. Liza selflessly stays true to Lauchie until their child (played by Coady wearing a beanie hat) has grown up and left home before finally asserting her true desires. The sadness and melancholy felt by the trio is heartbreaking. It was wonderful that the story avoided common tropes of the illicit affair or big blowout fights, rather concentrating on the love and respect of family. The play includes musical interludes where the two actors playing a guitar and fiddle. This was a wonderful play with superb acting and one of the highlights of the trip for me.</div><div><br /></div><div>I would have also liked to watch the next play on the schedule which was “<b>The Hydrofoil Mystery</b>”, especially after seeing the model of the hydrofoil at the Alexander Bell Museum.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY9VfklB3UENc9acwlaTWIYt1ZLzPD4RQ0nK_HRPC_G757L2DaNt2BELDvOHttaDBubaJ_P1zYBROx7-4HcBRD3AGC1-qBC5K3QRIlEwrC30SljuMg0qhT8XLC4dWVld_Ktb0vC8ayaqHOPzuWC8pjd4ppTKyXYJBcwzGsEn_8oX_nSKyV18HyTwC/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_FreightShed.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdY9VfklB3UENc9acwlaTWIYt1ZLzPD4RQ0nK_HRPC_G757L2DaNt2BELDvOHttaDBubaJ_P1zYBROx7-4HcBRD3AGC1-qBC5K3QRIlEwrC30SljuMg0qhT8XLC4dWVld_Ktb0vC8ayaqHOPzuWC8pjd4ppTKyXYJBcwzGsEn_8oX_nSKyV18HyTwC/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_FreightShed.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next morning, we had a chance to explore more of Baddeck before heading to our next destination. We started with breakfast at <b>The Freight Shed</b>, a lakeside bistro located in a weatherboarded building with a beamed ceiling and a great covered outdoor patio that has a view of the Baddeck Harbour. Keeping with the lobster theme of the previous night, we had lobster scrambled eggs on toast with roast potatoes and fruit. This was a lovely way to start off the day.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGRhP0XgY_gSNBKqwX9E5P9oiJWXL72cdSJjFLd7JdGw4xPKZdNbCGwFGHdizv9NKETdSY7At9Brh1bARvrdibwxMo5BdXF5lG_vqmzkf48AfyosUTge-ekTAdWOj1ZIbG4CVUG7A6B8_z_GoOP7Gt5ZTZamnTQmYUhv5xHp7ZAmFZF7KjRJ0aSxZ/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibGRhP0XgY_gSNBKqwX9E5P9oiJWXL72cdSJjFLd7JdGw4xPKZdNbCGwFGHdizv9NKETdSY7At9Brh1bARvrdibwxMo5BdXF5lG_vqmzkf48AfyosUTge-ekTAdWOj1ZIbG4CVUG7A6B8_z_GoOP7Gt5ZTZamnTQmYUhv5xHp7ZAmFZF7KjRJ0aSxZ/w640-h172/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Following breakfast, we had a quick stroll around the village. Walking along the boardwalk, we came across the bronze sculptures of Alexander and Mabel sitting on a bench, gazing lovingly at each other. Titled “<b>The Bells of Baddec</b>k”, the sculpture was created by Peter Bustin in 2008. Bustin also worked on the <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-dartmouth-halifax-nova.html" target="_blank">sculpture of Samuel Cunard</a> that we saw standing in the Halifax waterfront. From the Baddeck Harbour, you can see the small lighthouse on <b>Kidston Island</b> on Bras d’Or Lake with boats moored around it. The island has a lifeguarded beach which is operated by the Lions Club.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiPpbvrfoxO-aEkBCgJTKm2fCt1zYXn7dcvu2oV6PRVO0Rz2ok2HuTOTvP7IaFb57md3rI6gtL6cPxRHi7aaEpSeIY2VMsppzibkt274E4SkqCiOsuKbuSmg74n8bh8rGUJSvMmVttktbL1BpRpdCw4gkMqN_gn9WUL12MgNXlzNpCU7GtF8Yxi60/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town2_Buildings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="440" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYiPpbvrfoxO-aEkBCgJTKm2fCt1zYXn7dcvu2oV6PRVO0Rz2ok2HuTOTvP7IaFb57md3rI6gtL6cPxRHi7aaEpSeIY2VMsppzibkt274E4SkqCiOsuKbuSmg74n8bh8rGUJSvMmVttktbL1BpRpdCw4gkMqN_gn9WUL12MgNXlzNpCU7GtF8Yxi60/w640-h176/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town2_Buildings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>There are some interesting buildings around the village. A plaque in front of the <b>Victoria County Court House</b> (1899) commemorates the Silver Dart’s honour as the first aeroplane flight in the British Empire and acknowledges the members of the Aerial Experiment Association. A beautiful, three-storied 19th century sandstone building is the <b>Gilbert H. Grosvenor Hall</b>, which serves as the post office, library, and interpretive centre. The stairs of the <b>Greenwood United Church </b>are painted with Gay-Pride colours in support of the LGBTQ community. The <b>Telegraph House Motel </b>was a boarding house dating back to 1857 and once housed the telegraph office.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLoFY8vzhVvzXrM6NoroK5jdy6XnDv4UXc4WT5CXFvBI9oWjdngWDYeiqW6SdniPAaMZwAzHYYhGQEUu3U57pWtUj5lqcMQmdJoN87mNBY4bCPUvK3pfuR-R5qxoM5hvnunnY07bATovsErAKi8UdAg0_eOUjJn-hFqZaZf1Ym3lZ30VBXzcnqIVQ/s1600/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town3_Shops.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="414" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtLoFY8vzhVvzXrM6NoroK5jdy6XnDv4UXc4WT5CXFvBI9oWjdngWDYeiqW6SdniPAaMZwAzHYYhGQEUu3U57pWtUj5lqcMQmdJoN87mNBY4bCPUvK3pfuR-R5qxoM5hvnunnY07bATovsErAKi8UdAg0_eOUjJn-hFqZaZf1Ym3lZ30VBXzcnqIVQ/w640-h166/H_CabotTrail4_Baddeck2_Town3_Shops.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had fun wandering around the quaint shops in Baddeck including the <b>Water’s Edge Inn</b> which includes a wonderful <b>Gallery of Fine Arts & Crafts</b> that features works from artists across the Atlantic provinces. The works range from folksy to whimsical to touristy. The second floor of the gallery was a bit of a rummage sale and I found a 60s styled white and purple polka dot blouse for $10. Other shops like <b>Our Seaside Home</b> had nautical themed home décor and knickknacks including starfish-shaped wall ornaments, whale-shaped mugs and butter dishes, and mermaids made of various materials.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-6832666970977120952022-08-21T18:24:00.280-07:002023-04-03T05:09:43.654-07:00East Coast 2022: Dartmouth / Halifax, Nova Scotia<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2st0V-xaR-5Hj2Jxrer6r0swxKQvflKeP3XHclVuqCLkrNXWLIIOi-lsmmkyBPaqZFY4lTuK4RKhvCYF9POqiTOq5_fjxrLkugOdCGb1HrAi10izlcp3U5_tELyoYWMiDabtVXKCNtsIG-IAwliOshOiS1j5rtzaGRXzSHCysn0LQi1YBeMePcbTg/s1600/G_Dartmouth1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="432" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2st0V-xaR-5Hj2Jxrer6r0swxKQvflKeP3XHclVuqCLkrNXWLIIOi-lsmmkyBPaqZFY4lTuK4RKhvCYF9POqiTOq5_fjxrLkugOdCGb1HrAi10izlcp3U5_tELyoYWMiDabtVXKCNtsIG-IAwliOshOiS1j5rtzaGRXzSHCysn0LQi1YBeMePcbTg/w640-h172/G_Dartmouth1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Prior to this East Coast road trip that we took with our friends Yim and Murray, the closest that my husband Rich and I got to seeing <b>Dartmouth, Nova Scotia</b> was on a visit to Halifax in 2008. We looked across the Halifax Harbour at where the <b>Angus L. MacDonald Bridge</b> was supposed to be, spanning the water between the two amalgamated cities. While we caught a glimpse of the bridge on the far shores, what we mostly saw was extremely thick fog that was literally rolling towards us. This time we arrived in Dartmouth to find clear blue skies in the area. Approaching from the north via New Brunswick, we did not actually drive on the pretty MacDonald Bridge until later on in the trip when we spent a day in Halifax. We did get a good view of it the next day during our walking tour of Dartmouth, which is Murray's home town. Rich and I would be staying at Murray’s mother Betty’s condo for a few days before heading off to tour Cape Breton Island. From her balcony, there is a stunning view of the Halifax Harbour.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk3lddTNyewtGiNTjgHlQ7TNf-2NJ-Inu-kmZZJbpv7uG10aEogNjNtRaNfdF1_eBscKXr17LXOt8IcnKjAv7wsbCZyU1k490yuxB9OfaA2dqITIVp3SWZT5cKfN7F9WaX7-aZmcqJxKlgA5nC0GUmyg4GM_RLTnqX9h3HqB_FU697J7H7VuvDAct/s1600/G_Dartmouth2_Banook-Findlay.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzk3lddTNyewtGiNTjgHlQ7TNf-2NJ-Inu-kmZZJbpv7uG10aEogNjNtRaNfdF1_eBscKXr17LXOt8IcnKjAv7wsbCZyU1k490yuxB9OfaA2dqITIVp3SWZT5cKfN7F9WaX7-aZmcqJxKlgA5nC0GUmyg4GM_RLTnqX9h3HqB_FU697J7H7VuvDAct/w640-h156/G_Dartmouth2_Banook-Findlay.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next morning, the four of us took a stroll to see the sights of Dartmouth with Murray as our local tour guide. As we headed out, we chuckled when we spotted a Porta-Potty situated on some scaffolding, high up against a building under construction. Continuing along to <b>Birch Cove Park</b>, we reached the Banook Canoe Club on <b>Lake Banook</b>, where we watched the occupants of various sized boats leisurely paddling in the water. At <b>Henry Findlay Park</b>, we saw one of nine locks that support the <b>Shubenacadie Canal Waterways</b>, which stretches 114km from Halifax Harbour to the Bay of Fundy in New Brunswick and is often used for canoeing and kayaking.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq4gUzbHDGssKC8y4vMV0xOUxUvPYxiqJXx8EUjuqIzXeM4duR1XN-9_R767knRi7agXn3G4RI19f-LFeTNKI0ektqf_XpFx2S3GJkR1mmk1kI1sdlGz7EMqB_med_AjohuCjUbmjoEUIL48fxHgWLQftnyB1z9h8o0LlrEfLs7247CeMQwKNSifG/s1600/G_Dartmouth3_SullivanPond.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEq4gUzbHDGssKC8y4vMV0xOUxUvPYxiqJXx8EUjuqIzXeM4duR1XN-9_R767knRi7agXn3G4RI19f-LFeTNKI0ektqf_XpFx2S3GJkR1mmk1kI1sdlGz7EMqB_med_AjohuCjUbmjoEUIL48fxHgWLQftnyB1z9h8o0LlrEfLs7247CeMQwKNSifG/w640-h184/G_Dartmouth3_SullivanPond.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Next, we arrived at <b>Sullivan’s Pond</b>, which is actually an artificial lake originally constructed to be a holding pond for vessels travelling to Halifax when the Shubenacadie Canal was in operation between 1860-1871. After the canal system ceased operations, the area became industrial before finally being redeveloped into a park and residential district in the 20th Century. Today, there is a fountain spouting from the middle of the pond, and a small island with a totem pole that was a gift from the British Columbia government to commemorate the first Canada Summer Games in 1969. Made from red cedar, the totem was carved by members of the Kwakiutl Indigenous First Nations tribe that inhabits western British Columbia. It features the Thunderbird, Killer Wale, Sea Otter and a Kwakiutl Chief. There is also a cenotaph where Remembrance Day ceremonies are held, and a concert pavilion. Surrounding Sullivan's Pond are beautiful residential homes including one where Murray's sister and family live. We were lucky enough to meet Murray's Dartmouth relatives during our visit and had a few lovely dinners with them.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV6rkHFxkBF1DOoYJb0MBkvdRz8w9cs_MlXfXPosgBlWPpi3AL3Abpu0k6tn2Q5sSDYGTESRKaHBHYB73TrKOIPQ4UgYglol6XiBC_C89mdy4f5sGqV_6WBJRCAWxKYP4jqDtWn2up9g_bXDC5eT89PTtEWpqLmlSW-aYrwOb7vR5n9uEL0i1Afwd/s1600/G_Dartmouth4a_Downtown1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLV6rkHFxkBF1DOoYJb0MBkvdRz8w9cs_MlXfXPosgBlWPpi3AL3Abpu0k6tn2Q5sSDYGTESRKaHBHYB73TrKOIPQ4UgYglol6XiBC_C89mdy4f5sGqV_6WBJRCAWxKYP4jqDtWn2up9g_bXDC5eT89PTtEWpqLmlSW-aYrwOb7vR5n9uEL0i1Afwd/w640-h160/G_Dartmouth4a_Downtown1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing to Dartmouth’s downtown core, we passed by a sculpture called “<b>The School Chair</b>” which sits on the site of the former Greenvale School which ran from 1915 to 1987. Although the red brick building has since been converted into a residential space, the sculpture which consists of a giant metal classroom chair and eraser, pays tribute to the school which housed Dartmouth’s first kindergarten class and later, its first high school class. The pretty <b>Victoria Road Baptist Church</b> is made of stone and has a cheeky sign in front of it advertising stone masonry work that proclaims “We want to get our rocks off. Know a stone mason?” The main streets leading south towards the waterfront are lined mostly with charming shops and eateries that were a nice respite from the usual big chains like Starbucks which are relegated to the outskirts of the city. We stopped for a coffee and croissant at <b>Two If By Sea Café</b> and looked into the windows of stores including<b> Strange Adventures</b> which sells “comix and curiosities”. We paused to read the sign of a restaurant with a dog-friendly patio that is humorously addressed to the dogs and warned them to keep their owners in line!<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvFY-Q1dfUxumSPYlSQM6MB02vo18jBmQgxv5GISPc2-OAr5MttgdJxuA8oPjrz4O4ybWnS8HEH4XgN_hVFYSz-pd2-zs0eI1o2vPODA4YRD3s_LHaqr_RIao_R4ngyySVfSt7Ym4JYHu0QeIRZtIDJH-_DYEKmvyJ9Fw6paUYm7totwt5vNfaEm4/s1600/G_Dartmouth4b_Downtown2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="509" data-original-width="1600" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvFY-Q1dfUxumSPYlSQM6MB02vo18jBmQgxv5GISPc2-OAr5MttgdJxuA8oPjrz4O4ybWnS8HEH4XgN_hVFYSz-pd2-zs0eI1o2vPODA4YRD3s_LHaqr_RIao_R4ngyySVfSt7Ym4JYHu0QeIRZtIDJH-_DYEKmvyJ9Fw6paUYm7totwt5vNfaEm4/w640-h204/G_Dartmouth4b_Downtown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The lovely Dartmouth <b>harbourfront and port area</b> offers scenic walking paths by the water, motorized stand-up scooters or segways for rent, a LOVE sign made of flowers (during our visit anyways), dolphin-shaped bicycle racks and the Alderney Landing Community Centre which has art galleries including marine-like art pieces dangling from the ceiling, markets, a theatre and event space. Looking out from the harbour, we could see Halifax on the other side, with the L. Angus Macdonald bridge in clear view this time, and the Dartmouth-Halifax Ferry boat that provides the other access route across the water.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvCsWWJCh6kCRPWjJkGMk8XFAn9M2JUjTIr2g8AGoDRLZokKkOTXkI1pmR6_TXjQDwwAn_mdYd-Re-QxXzKMc2c3GbYtCQ9meG6MJT7ZbtjHIhLrA85A75SNuCeV-b7Go3okXhvJgF2XzQO4TIJuVT0nPKByCkMKFA0dlRQZPDkCHULCoG6RMAsrb/s1600/G_Dartmouth4c_Downtown3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="395" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYvCsWWJCh6kCRPWjJkGMk8XFAn9M2JUjTIr2g8AGoDRLZokKkOTXkI1pmR6_TXjQDwwAn_mdYd-Re-QxXzKMc2c3GbYtCQ9meG6MJT7ZbtjHIhLrA85A75SNuCeV-b7Go3okXhvJgF2XzQO4TIJuVT0nPKByCkMKFA0dlRQZPDkCHULCoG6RMAsrb/w640-h158/G_Dartmouth4c_Downtown3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Further along the harbour is the <b>Daffodil Garden for Cancer Survivors</b>, a park created by two cancer survivors who wanted to provide a space for “rejuvenation, inspiration and education for those touched by cancer.” The daffodil is a resilient flower whose bulb survives the winter months in order to blossom in the spring, and is the symbol of the Canadian Cancer Society. Over 20,000 bulbs have been planted in the park since its inception in 2020. The bronze sculpture at the centre of the park depicts an elderly man, an adult woman and a young boy, illustrating the fact that the disease does not discriminate by age or gender. The two pathways leading to the garden are named “Path to Recovery” and “Positive Attitude Way” which culminate in a circle surrounding the sculpture in order to form the shape of a ribbon representing Cancer Awareness. Daffodil-yellow metal benches situated around the path are engraved with positive, encouraging quotes such as “Remember how far you’ve come” and “Be defined by courage, not cancer”. At the intersection of Portland St. and Prince Albert Road, the beautiful <b>St. James United Church</b> towers over the downtown area and can be seen from several streets away. A sign in front of the church pronounces that services will be livestreamed over Facebook. The COVID Pandemic seems to have hastened religion into the 21st century.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuTR1ujlMgDgRil-im-rdiFR4MMTnF_0U1nPDOiQaEFehx985Dh3JvXX7Tn9LPN2SgrniPuqFkppN5vvTMtMcOSfT8sCaIFJ-Qvqd9CLgTJqLpyMhHkD_CuknvCPvFDgC89xZfmK_WPa1wvFAaflGBiFu9tab_57dGYnn7RIiC4XvUFAS2IBHlo_t/s1298/G_Dartmouth4d_Downtown4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="219" data-original-width="1298" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuTR1ujlMgDgRil-im-rdiFR4MMTnF_0U1nPDOiQaEFehx985Dh3JvXX7Tn9LPN2SgrniPuqFkppN5vvTMtMcOSfT8sCaIFJ-Qvqd9CLgTJqLpyMhHkD_CuknvCPvFDgC89xZfmK_WPa1wvFAaflGBiFu9tab_57dGYnn7RIiC4XvUFAS2IBHlo_t/w640-h108/G_Dartmouth4d_Downtown4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The <b>Shubenacadie Canal Marine Railway</b> was completed in 1861 and acted as an overland towing mechanism to transport boats that had travelled across most of the canal system through the final stretch of land spanning between Lake Banook and the Halifax Harbour. Initially another 5-7 locks were planned for this navigation, but the implementation became too costly and caused the Shubenacadie Canal Company to go bankrupt. This railway system was less expensive and offered an alternate solution. A wooden cradle sitting on rails would be lowered into the water, allowing a boat to float on top of it. Strong cables were used to lift the boat out of the water and tow it several kilometres, run by a water-powered turbine driven by water from Sullivan’s Pond. This was considered quite the engineering feat at the time. The large coils of the cables and the wooden cradle are still on display today.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkYqXDcZn6_IZDHgbivEKVBE2abTVon1g2VTC94WocO-9DxDU9SlwXIFDqfqdBjfnAeicsWhepPjcvVwhONjzW0ABosFbCJHTHjZMr4izPS8_yYrxWd3X5ACS8uVWWRONp5X2cL58O-7Y3GND6vDmc2kg5nNVsDfu6vKo73pmahYZPcs3daIwv6m_/s1600/G_Dartmouth4e_Downtown5.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="452" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmkYqXDcZn6_IZDHgbivEKVBE2abTVon1g2VTC94WocO-9DxDU9SlwXIFDqfqdBjfnAeicsWhepPjcvVwhONjzW0ABosFbCJHTHjZMr4izPS8_yYrxWd3X5ACS8uVWWRONp5X2cL58O-7Y3GND6vDmc2kg5nNVsDfu6vKo73pmahYZPcs3daIwv6m_/w640-h180/G_Dartmouth4e_Downtown5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we continued to head back to Betty's condo, we crossed several streets that had a quaint method of allowing pedestrians to navigate across the crosswalks. There were holsters containing red flags on either side of the street which are intended to alert vehicles (from afar?) that people were about to cross. Once safely across, you deposit the flag in the container on the other side. In effect, we became our own crossing guards. I found this to be fun and looked for opportunities to cross the road just so I could wave the flag (Did I mention that I’m easily amused?!). Having made a big loop that brought us back to Lake Banook but now on the north-east bank, we crossed the <b>G. Fraser Conrad Bridge</b> which spans across the points where Lake Banook and Lake Micmac meet.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOESRNMcW4YvN5wi3P8m59r-873X2suBrvU_4E_HAQmGFYnMVggQVV-QoMK7w_quky2ZUsaRdChBgK4ESrylAvdgUAfG6QMtbvF_UtZJN4klXbE8AldcQWHzfYGwvzxs0W1Dkn9fbcx-7cHC0RmFF5v--WlYodzP2Z7pji2tPjY_2SQFBfcubxvOkB/s1599/G_Dartmouth5_ShearwaterAviation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="1599" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOESRNMcW4YvN5wi3P8m59r-873X2suBrvU_4E_HAQmGFYnMVggQVV-QoMK7w_quky2ZUsaRdChBgK4ESrylAvdgUAfG6QMtbvF_UtZJN4klXbE8AldcQWHzfYGwvzxs0W1Dkn9fbcx-7cHC0RmFF5v--WlYodzP2Z7pji2tPjY_2SQFBfcubxvOkB/w640-h156/G_Dartmouth5_ShearwaterAviation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Later that day, we visited the <b>Shearwater Aviation Museum</b> which provides the history of Canadian maritime military aviation and contains a collection of aircraft used by the Royal Canadian Navy including ones that served aboard Canadian Aircraft Carriers. Of particular interest to us was the <b>Grumman Tracker</b> since this was the plane that Murray’s father used to fly. This was the first purpose-built anti-submarine warfare aircraft, designed to hunt Soviet submarines. Also of interest, especially to Rich who is an airplane enthusiast, was the <b>Fairey Swordfish Torpedo Bomber</b>, which was a biplane that served through World War II and even outlasted its intended replacement, the Fairey Albacore.<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBNt2YqVYQUBoCGZPm0CkaU5-uJ2xAoJO5VMocTaOPdKVd9vYYFBrd86fjLr8Ab0aScJQjpB259B_hiBuJEnj1f1-2FcdfEVtcLfXrGRZwQxXCIXm90Q_gsUKRpFERrI2TnVahrIWSpszDn3vaNLxFvj5kQJZoQpAcebfMlfF9fb1ier0AnHK7Uep/s1600/G_Dartmouth6_Boondocks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvBNt2YqVYQUBoCGZPm0CkaU5-uJ2xAoJO5VMocTaOPdKVd9vYYFBrd86fjLr8Ab0aScJQjpB259B_hiBuJEnj1f1-2FcdfEVtcLfXrGRZwQxXCIXm90Q_gsUKRpFERrI2TnVahrIWSpszDn3vaNLxFvj5kQJZoQpAcebfMlfF9fb1ier0AnHK7Uep/w640-h166/G_Dartmouth6_Boondocks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The two restaurant lunches that we had while in Dartmouth kept to the plan that Rich and I made to eat lobster, or at least seafood for lunch and dinner whenever possible while we were in the Atlantic region. Our first lunch was at <b>Boondocks Restaurant</b>, located near on Government Wharf Road in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia, a suburb south-east of downtown Dartmouth. The large open-mouthed shark over the entrance and all the nautical carvings and other knickknacks gave the restaurant a fun, kitschy feel. Our table on the outdoor deck had a great view of the water. Rich ordered crab cakes and I had fish tacos with salad. There weren’t any lobster options on the menu, so the lobster eating would have to wait until we hit the Cabot Trail.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj893dz5nd2oCxTI6JklZhRuIzxYuhUYjqdTkTZWGWqTKr7l-BXOxNb4X99aWC0gZ04-AI-ZYrNRvtNMmdOSBlTcwU9udY8T75lA0uVPusxRG7Kd7aKxAk4qOEeuicCoiYvRKzgI9fWdl59Sfknw_ozIzuhxfLz5j0_hAA4z8UMmXjd1pBJNeRm8ow5/s1600/G_Dartmouth6a%20-%20MicMacs%20Bar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj893dz5nd2oCxTI6JklZhRuIzxYuhUYjqdTkTZWGWqTKr7l-BXOxNb4X99aWC0gZ04-AI-ZYrNRvtNMmdOSBlTcwU9udY8T75lA0uVPusxRG7Kd7aKxAk4qOEeuicCoiYvRKzgI9fWdl59Sfknw_ozIzuhxfLz5j0_hAA4z8UMmXjd1pBJNeRm8ow5/w640-h172/G_Dartmouth6a%20-%20MicMacs%20Bar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our second lunch was at <b>Micmac Bar</b> where we ordered
the breaded clam strips and received the largest pieces of clam that we had
ever seen. In Toronto the clam strips
are tiny, while these ones were at least 5 times the size and so delicious. I think this has spoiled me and I will not be
able to go back to my old perception of what breaded clams should be like. Only giant, mutant East Coast clams for me
from now on! We also ordered deep fried
pepperoni, another East coast local favourite. The only thing that would have made this meal
more decadent would have been if we ordered fries with it. To assuage our guilt, we selected a green
salad as our side course.<div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCZoxiW_00b75VYsJGc10pTc9ZlymB1_F_F-RSppAblNuWVgM4eGQ30Im7IWK_lFr5sZ2TWJRrujTGaUDQ_o_e7CCgDvPWp6Ckg-RZXGhmxB9qHHfnyVPxqhFEgb6og0vBZsE9ZJYE4DS1_ElMyTVF8KF1I1-pCcU8p39EQvc6cZsH6GUU9grkXLa/s1600/G_Dartmouth6b%20-%20Donair.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="399" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtCZoxiW_00b75VYsJGc10pTc9ZlymB1_F_F-RSppAblNuWVgM4eGQ30Im7IWK_lFr5sZ2TWJRrujTGaUDQ_o_e7CCgDvPWp6Ckg-RZXGhmxB9qHHfnyVPxqhFEgb6og0vBZsE9ZJYE4DS1_ElMyTVF8KF1I1-pCcU8p39EQvc6cZsH6GUU9grkXLa/w640-h160/G_Dartmouth6b%20-%20Donair.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Rich and I could not leave the East Coast without trying authentic <b>Halifax donairs</b>. These are sandwiches consisting of thin slices of spiced beef laid on top of a warm Lebanese pita, topped with diced onion, tomato and the secret ingredient-- the special sauce made with sweetened, garlicky condensed milk that is drizzled on top. One night before the end of our stay in Dartmouth, Betty ordered donairs for our group from <b>Revena Pizza</b>. The donairs came in small, medium and large sizes and both Yim and Betty advised me that the small would be plenty. Luckily, I listened because my small donair was HUGE and I could not even finish the whole thing at dinner. I ate the rest the next day for breakfast, as I did not want to waste a bite!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZvb1926YdvDru3NBnm2fABmetw9BxLO4h85FWHJSBYdqfE-PVod_apbcvMjawfiCzsRGFrgUn6fiiRWddAo-fFz6k08UoUOGQVFltbEaOUasKnxFJ1YV6ssRIYuc3SHRKAL11p2oi0L_I2qhjG3MexZUtOThpwva8sOaaSZeo9yI9jYM0_Jf9YNV/s1600/G_Halifax1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="393" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHZvb1926YdvDru3NBnm2fABmetw9BxLO4h85FWHJSBYdqfE-PVod_apbcvMjawfiCzsRGFrgUn6fiiRWddAo-fFz6k08UoUOGQVFltbEaOUasKnxFJ1YV6ssRIYuc3SHRKAL11p2oi0L_I2qhjG3MexZUtOThpwva8sOaaSZeo9yI9jYM0_Jf9YNV/w640-h158/G_Halifax1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>On the day that we visited <b>Halifax</b>, we considered taking the ferry but decided it would be faster to drive. This let us finally see the Angus L. Macdonald bridge up close, where we spotted that someone had hung a Ukrainian flag in support of the victims of the war. We parked and took a lengthy stroll around downtown Halifax, browsing in the shops and inspecting historic sites. At <b>Jennifer’s of Nova Scotia </b>gift shop, Rich bought a handcrafted ceramic mug and I selected a pewter fish-shaped spreader as souvenirs of our trip. Built in 1749, <b>St. Paul’s Anglican Church</b> was damaged by the 1917 explosion of munition ship in the Halifax Harbour. The blast traveled over 3,300 feet, blowing out most of the windows of the church. One window retains a part of the glass pane, imprinted with what looks like the profile of a face. Urban legend says that it is the profile of a deacon who was standing by the window at the time of the explosion and the heat etched his image into the glass. At the intersection of Granville and Duke Streets, a pair of stone lions mark the entrance to school buildings owned by the <b>Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design</b> (NSCAD).</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOHoNrJlW6eFDFHovrC7RMfNYCf2sYnCFeVcLUfXt_dwQiiuyPDzARUaiyvn2NpKrc1WzvfUca3kj-D9owKUTOtAwVTTt4w-WMsIRtz0EF0wJKnSbkdp3tTupdgA2g7SxAyP1l84pNLrY-Jt9u-yjmbCWIBIA6bwr9plAZz3kyOx0gdaM7Vlipw6K/s1600/G_Halifax2a%20-%20Library1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEOHoNrJlW6eFDFHovrC7RMfNYCf2sYnCFeVcLUfXt_dwQiiuyPDzARUaiyvn2NpKrc1WzvfUca3kj-D9owKUTOtAwVTTt4w-WMsIRtz0EF0wJKnSbkdp3tTupdgA2g7SxAyP1l84pNLrY-Jt9u-yjmbCWIBIA6bwr9plAZz3kyOx0gdaM7Vlipw6K/w640-h180/G_Halifax2a%20-%20Library1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>To cool down on a hot August afternoon, we had fun in the <b>Halifax Central Library</b> which was opened in 2014. This is a very modern-looking building that features a skylighted central atrium with crisscrossing stairways, private reading and study nooks, a café, auditorium, community rooms, and the magnificent rectangular reading area in the 5th floor that sits as a cantilever of glass, jutting out perpendicular to the rest of the building to provide a stunning views of downtown Halifax.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRI4GLs1slfjHmCPy5H6lJGrVCKpZBuc13UA2c7YJZH69rC-t6BfAgBEIpHTq3QTdwrg5yZFefpMN0l9PQfb34DI2acXtbA9gZWqsGFvQGxR-HFXLYTqI-HgImj24X5WNHFNaJ-uCGbvlUPgIzW-CfoE7EAQQ1S4AcuLQ_zMgkijd5zaAD9Iq83x_/s1600/G_Halifax2b%20-%20Library2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="404" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWRI4GLs1slfjHmCPy5H6lJGrVCKpZBuc13UA2c7YJZH69rC-t6BfAgBEIpHTq3QTdwrg5yZFefpMN0l9PQfb34DI2acXtbA9gZWqsGFvQGxR-HFXLYTqI-HgImj24X5WNHFNaJ-uCGbvlUPgIzW-CfoE7EAQQ1S4AcuLQ_zMgkijd5zaAD9Iq83x_/w640-h162/G_Halifax2b%20-%20Library2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This quiet 5th floor reading area offers café styled tables and chairs, sofas or bean bag chairs to sit at or on, although I don't know how you can read with such great views to distract you. Doors to an outdoor terrace allows you to get an even closer look at the city below. This is one of the most beautiful yet functional libraries that I have ever been in and deservedly won multiple awards for architecture and design.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznNU9tBd8Nzn3htF-NYk-s_MBuDlMYMT3eII4TnGn_6xglBtASvI0Uzd2PvH3NSQiQ57K_LAYJU-6Z0EasDZzBr3coKERSIWrVUt6F0pBrxSm0pmH-I1JezrT49YreQNGDNwZJ5qRK78d6WrEsW-PvQ-y-Hv-UHpx08M_W0imPLF7qrzdRR7PgYOV/s1600/G_Halifax4a%20-%20Downtown1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznNU9tBd8Nzn3htF-NYk-s_MBuDlMYMT3eII4TnGn_6xglBtASvI0Uzd2PvH3NSQiQ57K_LAYJU-6Z0EasDZzBr3coKERSIWrVUt6F0pBrxSm0pmH-I1JezrT49YreQNGDNwZJ5qRK78d6WrEsW-PvQ-y-Hv-UHpx08M_W0imPLF7qrzdRR7PgYOV/w640-h184/G_Halifax4a%20-%20Downtown1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Reaching the restaurant district, we had fun looking at all the cool names and outer décor of the pubs and restaurants. There was the <b>Toothy Moose Cabaret</b> with the huge moose head (and little black crow) over the door. The <b>Economy Shoe Shop Café and Bar</b> has a 50’s style neon sign with the establishment's name that lights up at night. Above the eatery, there is a sculpture of a girl looking pensively out a window of flowing drapes. I liked the names and images of some other bars and eateries including “My Father’s Moustache Pub and Eatery”, “The Split Crow Pub” and the “The Stubborn Goat Gastropub”. Too bad we didn’t have the time to try any of these places. We went into the <b>Black Market Boutique</b> which is a funky shop selling “boho-chic” clothing, handbags, crafts, jewellery and other knickknacks sourced from around the world. Yim found a really pretty purple patterned dress there.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PBoQxSnd85SeKW8liYM4P-KDz2BtUHzjLO6npGvirSK5nKIGX0EtAnipoDg-qbWX0uj0h7rQ329SQ41GYHJkOb2hNY8bcIiphck4d1z-eVEA_IkwkH_A7IYrDsdiJZNbT9kqART7kNnewOtAFdCaJtFcMCoy-NIFmjGtsXPcs9FBIa4ZxXuyipsb/s1600/G_Halifax4b%20-%20Downtown2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="1600" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0PBoQxSnd85SeKW8liYM4P-KDz2BtUHzjLO6npGvirSK5nKIGX0EtAnipoDg-qbWX0uj0h7rQ329SQ41GYHJkOb2hNY8bcIiphck4d1z-eVEA_IkwkH_A7IYrDsdiJZNbT9kqART7kNnewOtAFdCaJtFcMCoy-NIFmjGtsXPcs9FBIa4ZxXuyipsb/w640-h176/G_Halifax4b%20-%20Downtown2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We passed by a very interesting street corner at the intersection of Blowers St. and Grafton St. that has a street sign proclaiming it as “<b>Pizza Corner</b>”. Apparently this is a local landmark and dates back to the 1970s when three of the four corners were populated by pizzerias/donair shops including King of Donairs, European Food Shop and Sicilian Pizza. Today only Sicilian Pizza remains although other pizza and donair shops have opened and closed at the other two locations. Currently Pizza Girls sits on one of the corners. Humorously (to me anyways), the fourth corner is home to the picturesque <b>Presbyterian Church of Saint David</b>. I guess this was once a place where you could “Eat, Pray, Love” without travelling too far.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWGWO0KmjjyH0gsvE6i-ZsJoKW0cxxb5igS8u5uMLmfC1JueeLmCWbvc4gAbCK7fMziOhj9-TFumS__mzA8ibej8Ld5bNKcDu2Wq8BiqbvdaPqnvgSrEqhhADSR8zM7i62Zzh7Xqra3Ms6fRlz1aacThU3RL3wv1PPS4DMgxYN9PDVMMexqHsfV6p/s1560/G_Halifax3a%20-%20PublicGarden1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="379" data-original-width="1560" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGWGWO0KmjjyH0gsvE6i-ZsJoKW0cxxb5igS8u5uMLmfC1JueeLmCWbvc4gAbCK7fMziOhj9-TFumS__mzA8ibej8Ld5bNKcDu2Wq8BiqbvdaPqnvgSrEqhhADSR8zM7i62Zzh7Xqra3Ms6fRlz1aacThU3RL3wv1PPS4DMgxYN9PDVMMexqHsfV6p/w640-h156/G_Halifax3a%20-%20PublicGarden1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We visited the <b>Halifax Public Gardens</b>, a 16-acre Victorian-era garden dating back to the 1870s that features extensive flower beds, trees and vegetation, different horticultural areas including a tropical section with exotic plants, statues and vases, three fountains, two stone bridges, three ponds, and a gazebo/bandstand where concerts could be held. At the entrance to the garden are 16-foot tall ornate wrought <b>iron gates</b> decorated with the words “Public Gardens” across the top and the coat of arms of Halifax on the side. Over the years, many elements of the garden have been restored to their former glory including <b>1887 bandstand</b> built to honour Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and the <b>statues</b> of Roman goddesses Diana (woodland and wild animals), Ceres (agriculture and fertility) and Flora (flowers and spring) who stand near the gazebo. A <b>memorial fountain</b> commemorating Canadian soldiers who fought in the Boer War (1899-1902) in South Africa features the figure of a Canadian Mounted Rifleman surrounded by four cranes standing amidst daffodils while four sea creatures surround the base.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3ZzPL2DiTkNeezEboDrAiAvYblQFZyBp-efBJbceZn9AJBY-lBCqDQzL4tCrHN_nhdUVOXCORXcDHh58tC3RT7KlMREmrCM9GpIvqu24NWQPXypY1ZF1Rj0ZkSEL_OVsLmp-Z69eI7ZR8nSwSbzL6IkxWmlGjLdyDakbJIRbhfJMtHGuDUn2sSNV/s1567/G_Halifax3b%20-%20PublicGarden2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="433" data-original-width="1567" height="176" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN3ZzPL2DiTkNeezEboDrAiAvYblQFZyBp-efBJbceZn9AJBY-lBCqDQzL4tCrHN_nhdUVOXCORXcDHh58tC3RT7KlMREmrCM9GpIvqu24NWQPXypY1ZF1Rj0ZkSEL_OVsLmp-Z69eI7ZR8nSwSbzL6IkxWmlGjLdyDakbJIRbhfJMtHGuDUn2sSNV/w640-h176/G_Halifax3b%20-%20PublicGarden2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The beautifully landscaped <b>ponds</b> are each highlighted by a special feature in the middle including a little stone fountain, a miniature model of the Horticultural Hall and in the <b>Griffin’s Pond</b>, different model ships are floated including a replica of the Titanic. The <b>Victoria Jubilee Fountain</b> marks Queen Victoria’s 1897 Diamond Jubilee. It features the nymph Egeria, advisor to the second King of Rome, surrounded by four water babies sitting on serpentines. <b>Carpet beds</b> are a Victorian garden tradition which arranges dwarf plants of different coloured leaves into a design or motif. The Public Gardens has two carpet beds which are redesigned each year to commemorate special events. One of the beds for this year marked 2022 “The Year of the Garden”. <b>Serpentine and scroll flower beds</b> display floral arrangements in curvy formations to form interesting patterns.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWy7fJCWKoOauq1MFgaix94O_1-eii2vChTjTvygfp6JwywLKnvNlX9YsEG9eYIfoN2nO1cx6DkIdW_DSWugY6a5whdEsifznD2EXzmrbsHQ_T8WV56BLJSwqp6iX9QJH7Kx2WErkDHkmdO0HVOxkfUxCz3o32gsYD23DyjBaV5fIpYyGUytKQdL/s1600/G_Halifax3c%20-%20PublicGarden3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIqWy7fJCWKoOauq1MFgaix94O_1-eii2vChTjTvygfp6JwywLKnvNlX9YsEG9eYIfoN2nO1cx6DkIdW_DSWugY6a5whdEsifznD2EXzmrbsHQ_T8WV56BLJSwqp6iX9QJH7Kx2WErkDHkmdO0HVOxkfUxCz3o32gsYD23DyjBaV5fIpYyGUytKQdL/w640-h160/G_Halifax3c%20-%20PublicGarden3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>My favourite part of the Public Gardens features my favourite flower, the <b>dahlia</b>, which come in various forms, shapes and colours. We were fortunate enough to be visiting during the annual Dahlia Festival held in late August. A very helpful sign explains the different types including the Formal and Informal Decorative, Pompom, Semi Cactus, Collarette, Novelty and more. I loved them all!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLBRd_zKxs8eLGVYrmRL2li8A0-43fh8Ef4v9ubHOV0mm4D1PCvV1fa9jxjGYHmAuPm6vXVJ1W9jxGPh0p58gi-Du-6nkNwX7ZXcuPCqVggNT_JQk5LIuZGVbolUqq_k6IMWYReQVIZZV8w6Bh3pY6XCBR8syAviT6Ci6habEM4EtZRf7ScBLYRzL/s1600/G_Halifax5c%20-%20Harbour3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLBRd_zKxs8eLGVYrmRL2li8A0-43fh8Ef4v9ubHOV0mm4D1PCvV1fa9jxjGYHmAuPm6vXVJ1W9jxGPh0p58gi-Du-6nkNwX7ZXcuPCqVggNT_JQk5LIuZGVbolUqq_k6IMWYReQVIZZV8w6Bh3pY6XCBR8syAviT6Ci6habEM4EtZRf7ScBLYRzL/w640-h154/G_Halifax5c%20-%20Harbour3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The last stop on our day trip to Halifax was the <b>waterfront district</b> which is a vibrant area full of boardwalks, piers, wharfs, outdoor art and sculptures, children's play areas including a giant wave that can be climbed upon, shops and cafes with outdoor patios. A bronze sculpture honouring Halifax native <b>Sir Samuel Cunard</b> was unveiled in 2006 to recognize his contributions to the transportation, communications and tourist industries when his line of Cunard steam ships provided a link between the “Old and New Worlds”, connecting North America to Europe. I thought it was ironic that a rival Holland America ship was docked right behind the statue when we were viewing it. But since Carnival Corporation now owns both cruise lines, purchasing Holland America in 1989 and Cunard in 1998, I guess that lessened the irony. Other impressive sculptures on the waterfront included “<b>The Volunteers</b>” (2017), paying tribute to the thousands of women and children who volunteered during WWII, providing nursing care, meals, clothing, entertainment, collecting salvage and running blood donor clinics. Another sculpture titled “<b>The Emigrant</b>” depicts a man carrying a single suitcase, leaving his family to arrive in Canada. It was commissioned in 2013 to celebrate Canada’s diverse cultural heritage.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaCXUI1_mXITyVDDtZKvYmKd20k1wlxoitLdikgoVbGC8TMzdKQZBPSjWHYRe1p9y1wUPnbNCZNQ03zfWyVN3nR2zgPMMl-fJRHLfh2YZwgrbSB1erxcrHDYUi3ZCQ0wrE_vQF6-16q8LYF2nl5pDfxDYU58KrgqK7gjEjWpBjUn6u0zPINUNdbcD/s1596/G_Halifax5d%20-%20Harbour4.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1596" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMaCXUI1_mXITyVDDtZKvYmKd20k1wlxoitLdikgoVbGC8TMzdKQZBPSjWHYRe1p9y1wUPnbNCZNQ03zfWyVN3nR2zgPMMl-fJRHLfh2YZwgrbSB1erxcrHDYUi3ZCQ0wrE_vQF6-16q8LYF2nl5pDfxDYU58KrgqK7gjEjWpBjUn6u0zPINUNdbcD/w640-h158/G_Halifax5d%20-%20Harbour4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>An interesting piece of modern art is titled “<b>The Way Things Are</b>” (2012) by Montreal artist Chris Hanson and Toronto artist Hendrika Sonnenberg. The piece consists of 3 painted steel anthropomorphic sculptures that look like street lamp posts but whose positions tell a very human story. A pair of them, described by the artists as a diptych subtitled “<b>Got Drunk, Fell Down</b>”, shows a fallen or passed out lamp post while his companion hovers overhead in concern. The third lamp post is sub-titled “<b>Fountain</b>” and mischievously shoots a stream of water into the Harbour as if it is drunkenly peeing after a night of over-indulgence. Other sculptures found around the waterfront include seating in the form of a whale tail and other marine-shaped benches, a rectangular opening carved through a large rock which provides an interesting frame for the view of the wharf behind it, and the outline of a sailboat made from mesh that can only be clearly discerned from afar. Then there is the piece titled “<b>The Sirens’ Call</b>” by John Greer which features four stainless steel female figures that look 3-dimensional from the back, but have flat, reflective surfaces when viewed from the front.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgWEvx8_ac3i2fjPElghKE6h05KaKXFTJAyeugcJ3mxrOvYZ4Aj8VBBK7rTZ1_MwcbubKM3qnUe_S9EjkcJycQioe_zdhzSARZzMGz3AKkVyxLY4E_mdtgwLTY6mxL5mF51iQ3vF91_a03Y-lyC9ouPs_f5ThtIvt3KeI0gyxTj27lHD5Db7DsBKm/s1600/G_Halifax5b%20-%20Harbour2%20-%20Peace%20by%20Chocolate.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="457" data-original-width="1600" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgWEvx8_ac3i2fjPElghKE6h05KaKXFTJAyeugcJ3mxrOvYZ4Aj8VBBK7rTZ1_MwcbubKM3qnUe_S9EjkcJycQioe_zdhzSARZzMGz3AKkVyxLY4E_mdtgwLTY6mxL5mF51iQ3vF91_a03Y-lyC9ouPs_f5ThtIvt3KeI0gyxTj27lHD5Db7DsBKm/w640-h182/G_Halifax5b%20-%20Harbour2%20-%20Peace%20by%20Chocolate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>There are the usual touristy shops on the waterfront selling typical souvenirs. But one store has a special refugee success story behind it. <b>Peace by Chocolate</b> is a Syrian-Canadian run chocolatier company based in Antigonish, Nova Scotia and is run by Syrian refugees who fled the country’s civil war in 2012. Prior to this, the Hadhad family created and shipped chocolates all over the Middle East and Europe. After settling in Nova Scotia in 2016, the family started a new company and now distributes their chocolate products around the world. The messages on the wrappings of the chocolate bars promote peace and good will. A docudrama of the family’s story was made into a movie in 2021.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6uWtbRVeQGFlOSxT8b9HTdFNhmG8rRhAVXXewwuMTQpMuu-Vs5ZBn9fXr8N-2rpfwznqOXOxl_qTj0a8MKQJ4PvdIWUAt0moxCOwRxqyvhZ-XjuH7Qazga0G4KljhEVYzA1bn4CmIZu7EsyaBOesxTtRLmE2Yzmv5NHBz5bHF5dZjvjsjYmcttYZ/s1600/G_Halifax5a%20-%20Harbour1%20-%20Salt%20Yard.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="1600" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz6uWtbRVeQGFlOSxT8b9HTdFNhmG8rRhAVXXewwuMTQpMuu-Vs5ZBn9fXr8N-2rpfwznqOXOxl_qTj0a8MKQJ4PvdIWUAt0moxCOwRxqyvhZ-XjuH7Qazga0G4KljhEVYzA1bn4CmIZu7EsyaBOesxTtRLmE2Yzmv5NHBz5bHF5dZjvjsjYmcttYZ/w640-h174/G_Halifax5a%20-%20Harbour1%20-%20Salt%20Yard.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We concluded our tour of downtown Halifax with a late lunch at <b>Salt Yard Social</b>, snagging a table in the covered, lower level of a multi-tiered outdoor patio, giving us shade from the blazing sun. We all decided on the lobster roll with each couple selecting one order with chips and the other with salad so that we could share our side dishes. This would be just one of many lobster-based meals that Rich and I would have on this East Coast trip. We also shared a large pitcher of sangria which was perfect for the hot day.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-58539921780540416972022-08-20T18:23:00.162-07:002023-03-03T17:24:21.145-08:00East Coast 2022: Shediac, NB and Drive to Dartmouth<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjla3OWQpbUy7wkFxhEm1RiBgsEbhIOFHqYvytuGFdj4r79Hp8crjpv-xUmESery9yz2bpudhDc5ZEuxf9cBzEzUwPs0hKZgPzxflY64qrqCtQUafxVFY8n0gqC6Kbp7pYgLlwY1snkUEd6YxB_6Ogj3vtUbAJuh1ghnrGSm4ODrs1ekmVbrcvQ45e/s1600/F_Shediac1_GiantLobster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjla3OWQpbUy7wkFxhEm1RiBgsEbhIOFHqYvytuGFdj4r79Hp8crjpv-xUmESery9yz2bpudhDc5ZEuxf9cBzEzUwPs0hKZgPzxflY64qrqCtQUafxVFY8n0gqC6Kbp7pYgLlwY1snkUEd6YxB_6Ogj3vtUbAJuh1ghnrGSm4ODrs1ekmVbrcvQ45e/w640-h194/F_Shediac1_GiantLobster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We had a much shorter drive on the second day of our East Coast road trip, ending up in <b>Shediac, New Brunswick</b> by late afternoon. We headed directly to the main tourist attraction in the town, which is the Giant Lobster created by Winston Bronnum the same artist who made the <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-drive-to-edmundston-and.html" target="_blank">giant potato</a> that we saw the day before. Created in 1990 to celebrate Shediac’s claim to fame as the “Lobster capital of the world”, the concrete sculpture stands 35 feet in length, 16 feet in height, and 16 feet in width, weighing 90 tons, with a pedestal that includes a staircase allowing tourists to climb to the top. It is regularly refinished to maintain the realistic hues on its shell.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQkWZuctZ_0Cle_ns0g0dy9KbVdD4O6POe-hv-5691w29vgk7p-YJPLcSWDSP9ujbCyfI_hIPkkr3y83_NIEW48o1f-GHsf-MzNDGPBpF8TH3l6WJI_toZIlRa51scR2NWBJCKWPPCAO88zC0FZxYVqzXCmomk6qvrSpnA60SQQ_UZUpiQ8wRDimj/s1600/F_Shediac2_AllLobster.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="396" data-original-width="1600" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQkWZuctZ_0Cle_ns0g0dy9KbVdD4O6POe-hv-5691w29vgk7p-YJPLcSWDSP9ujbCyfI_hIPkkr3y83_NIEW48o1f-GHsf-MzNDGPBpF8TH3l6WJI_toZIlRa51scR2NWBJCKWPPCAO88zC0FZxYVqzXCmomk6qvrSpnA60SQQ_UZUpiQ8wRDimj/w640-h158/F_Shediac2_AllLobster.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Lobster is by far the most important aspect of Shediac. Its image is prominently displayed on the town’s road and informational signs. The <b>Homarus Centre</b> offers lobster-related educational themes and visitor experiences. Gift shops feature lobster-shaped knickknacks and lobster-patterned designs on all sorts of souvenirs. Even the bicycle racks are lobster-shaped and of course, there many shacks and restaurants selling lobster rolls.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCLF-fgJxaxLPtXUIRez2IuxieVrfiTmw7o3rvipmVJ1nXgQFgOp1BdxGME7CISJ1OxIvXkWW23JKh1jt_twxkx4P10lAyYYFULhuYDrS92szLhNkncA3vi3ap8TfLPFt5cFik1Cvhji_Q5ESDCWCf-eElElzFue0xir9BcIExGM_jbJu5vCrdWdm/s3894/F_Shediac3_Lobster2a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1197" data-original-width="3894" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCLF-fgJxaxLPtXUIRez2IuxieVrfiTmw7o3rvipmVJ1nXgQFgOp1BdxGME7CISJ1OxIvXkWW23JKh1jt_twxkx4P10lAyYYFULhuYDrS92szLhNkncA3vi3ap8TfLPFt5cFik1Cvhji_Q5ESDCWCf-eElElzFue0xir9BcIExGM_jbJu5vCrdWdm/w640-h196/F_Shediac3_Lobster2a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Nearby the giant lobster sculpture is <b>The Lobster Shop</b>, a distributor of fresh lobsters and assorted lobster products to Canadian, American, Asian and European food industries. Looking across the narrow strip of the Shediac Harbour while viewing the giant lobster sculpture, we could see an amazing 3-D mural on the on the back of the shop. Crossing Main Street, we got a closer look at the work titled “<b>The Good Ol’ Days</b>”, which depicts life on the wharf in the 1950s. Ernest Maillet opened a small canteen to sell lobster to tourists in 1952, which led to the Lobster Shop factory in 1968. From top right to left, the figures in the work depict owner Ernest and his wife Geneva, fisherman Eduoard Pellerin in the fishing boat named “Sea Siren”, hoisting a lobster trap to his assistant, Eduoard’s 8-year-old son holding a giant lobster, and a tourist inspecting the catch.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMywrJXxL-qiGQqrWQD3aVTIqwHDIJeNO37ndDpk48GHgXuxfR9EYC12P8dk4fZuOelyjumPZXiVZUNVgXsLrZQQGKCkZzIrn_hjvw_ktmjbd7-hXfyHj9eZJ2Keow-JCIXc7erR5mWEUKX3FPud8LllxQIG_PC_TECQ_73rGuGFNSj6xIg6ZK6AA/s1163/F_Shediac3_Lobster2b.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="409" data-original-width="1163" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXMywrJXxL-qiGQqrWQD3aVTIqwHDIJeNO37ndDpk48GHgXuxfR9EYC12P8dk4fZuOelyjumPZXiVZUNVgXsLrZQQGKCkZzIrn_hjvw_ktmjbd7-hXfyHj9eZJ2Keow-JCIXc7erR5mWEUKX3FPud8LllxQIG_PC_TECQ_73rGuGFNSj6xIg6ZK6AA/w640-h226/F_Shediac3_Lobster2b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The lobster theme continues to be prominent on Shediac’s main drag, Main Street. There are lobster symbols on the sidewalk. Many of the shops and storefronts boast a stenciled cartoon-like image of a lobster with big eyes and a toothy grin, usually in a pose that reflects the purpose of the store. This includes the shopping lobster laden with bags, the lobster with scissors at a barber shop, and the lobster riding a bike on the window of a bicycle store. Even a graffiti work imbeds a subtle image of a lobster claw amid all the other renderings.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOeYYV8PSU1S2oKCg4ha_TAXHyNrYrE425x6MBp9fjuw10gFm3eEeImbZTno9OObfbo4XF18JJ_zGw2I4izeOgjWjdh8T7EVb5fl0msm3RnV1Paq5SS83IED5U_un4kfE_q72JXrogJjUGbKrch0NnzcJfYruymLyXpxrlMcsKMQ9OCXngBpuQgD/s1600/F_Shediac3_PointDuChene.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GOeYYV8PSU1S2oKCg4ha_TAXHyNrYrE425x6MBp9fjuw10gFm3eEeImbZTno9OObfbo4XF18JJ_zGw2I4izeOgjWjdh8T7EVb5fl0msm3RnV1Paq5SS83IED5U_un4kfE_q72JXrogJjUGbKrch0NnzcJfYruymLyXpxrlMcsKMQ9OCXngBpuQgD/w640-h186/F_Shediac3_PointDuChene.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We next headed to <b>Pointe-du-Chêne Wharf</b>, a narrow spit of land on the east side of Shediac which protrudes out into the Shediac Bay and is lined with restaurants and tourist shops on one side and a marina along the other. Because of the single road leading into this busy tourist area, a long stretch of cars were lined up trying to get in. Luckily our hotel was within walking distance. On a beautiful, sunny day, we were able to stroll leisurely past the stalled vehicles to reach The Sandbar, where we hoped to score a table for dinner.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcRlb7Oxs-g_nv7txa8jaUHrAuS15i2SPKVnbEjTxk5tb9Xl_QibCqVx2kH644YHEtqTXhODwisP2uM3-Ma7JTaI-JaMDgSUyYV833pkA76XzS4-B2qFVRCzKUp1VZ_UlJGz8TebzuWh257LNq1h3EmlXulxCbaar2LLd7vbW3Oqch71YJQ0pkXlU/s1600/F_Shediac4_Sandbar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcRlb7Oxs-g_nv7txa8jaUHrAuS15i2SPKVnbEjTxk5tb9Xl_QibCqVx2kH644YHEtqTXhODwisP2uM3-Ma7JTaI-JaMDgSUyYV833pkA76XzS4-B2qFVRCzKUp1VZ_UlJGz8TebzuWh257LNq1h3EmlXulxCbaar2LLd7vbW3Oqch71YJQ0pkXlU/w640-h188/F_Shediac4_Sandbar.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We did get to the <b>Sandbar Restaurant</b> early enough in the late afternoon to get a table on the patio facing the water. This was a mixed blessing since we had a nice view of Shediac Bay, but the sun was blazing hot and the umbrellas did not offer much shade or shelter. We each ordered the classic Pointe Lobster Roll, consisting of large chunks of fresh Atlantic lobster meat mixed with mayo, minced celery and lettuce, served on a garlic toasted “New England styled” bun, with a side salad.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjvbguZgrzmmfBr6QZY-m8VfzdHOUVkFJXtOW32umsvcKhMqsuKQiwG5ZJLX2rS3H1H8EnWlnnFdGMk7KldPtd2XWztm6RuNIjqY-xOsnC73g4xFzqC3rKjOOif9PoNE7oO7B8_Ma7ta3GcGCfdl_pHq87AWyTkKBJh_KbU1nEYkQiz69SSUwi_7G/s1600/F_Shediac5_Wharf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="371" data-original-width="1600" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyjvbguZgrzmmfBr6QZY-m8VfzdHOUVkFJXtOW32umsvcKhMqsuKQiwG5ZJLX2rS3H1H8EnWlnnFdGMk7KldPtd2XWztm6RuNIjqY-xOsnC73g4xFzqC3rKjOOif9PoNE7oO7B8_Ma7ta3GcGCfdl_pHq87AWyTkKBJh_KbU1nEYkQiz69SSUwi_7G/w640-h148/F_Shediac5_Wharf.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After dinner, we climbed the stairs of a decorative lighthouse at the edge wharf which alludes to the days in the 17th century when Range Lights lighthouses guided ships into Shediac Bay. From the second tier of the lighthouse, we could see people fishing at the edges of the wharf as well as seadoos racing around in the harbour. Strolling back along the wharf, we peeked into various bars and restaurants that featured musical acts, as well as some souvenir shops and art galleries.</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLpDtSxR_6J9J44UsIaatrK9VUqbcKbi8F5OzPcx6tyGFZNCZCmCAAlFUtKfp_xAHTNOmp_LE4rkgGWSOzq4urnHbxW4NnLSOuO3vfxl8daw7jagYayu9zxr0tBv6vFz1JrvFvroCuW0G8tQbgptigvXzpg1TMZdwlZajD-sKi7_EvOUgLDwA83wt/s1600/F_Shediac7a_Market1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNLpDtSxR_6J9J44UsIaatrK9VUqbcKbi8F5OzPcx6tyGFZNCZCmCAAlFUtKfp_xAHTNOmp_LE4rkgGWSOzq4urnHbxW4NnLSOuO3vfxl8daw7jagYayu9zxr0tBv6vFz1JrvFvroCuW0G8tQbgptigvXzpg1TMZdwlZajD-sKi7_EvOUgLDwA83wt/w640-h160/F_Shediac7a_Market1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>The next morning, we wandered over to the<b> Pascal Poirier Park</b> to take part in the <b>Shediac Market</b>, a huge farmer’s market that is held on Sunday mornings from 9am-noon between mid June to mid September. In addition to venders selling arts and crafts, clothing, hand bags and belts, woven linens, books and more, there were many food stands giving us a wide choice of options for breakfast. Rich and I went for shrimp and lobster “Chapati” sandwiches, which were freshly made Indian flatbreads stuffed with our choice of seafood, lettuce, cucumber and sauce as well as iced coffee. Yim and Murray came back with bacon breakfast sandwiches and a box of fresh strawberries for us to share. While we ate at our picnic tables, we were serenaded by a guitar-playing singer who performed in both French and English, since Shediac is mostly a French speaking town.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzgidcpetv2GPkmGjv4dX1CmHjCiiFBQBp1-VH6blk8nRXM2LTKlF8gECXj-yVPP_TugS2jwHS6PGDx6y1qH8_vBVziDUXFjM41Y8sL2WVXjN5kXipzhP4a8qsosXx3jp-5mkN6sC5aFtYPsX-arZ3E47LP2Hm_OU4bDF9NLtiJNADJAdTZWBcQhr/s1600/F_Shediac7a_Market2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="392" data-original-width="1600" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzgidcpetv2GPkmGjv4dX1CmHjCiiFBQBp1-VH6blk8nRXM2LTKlF8gECXj-yVPP_TugS2jwHS6PGDx6y1qH8_vBVziDUXFjM41Y8sL2WVXjN5kXipzhP4a8qsosXx3jp-5mkN6sC5aFtYPsX-arZ3E47LP2Hm_OU4bDF9NLtiJNADJAdTZWBcQhr/w640-h156/F_Shediac7a_Market2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>After breakfast, we wandered around the market some more to look at the various tented stalls. In front of one stall that might have been for car restoration, there was a cool black late ‘70s Pontiac Trans Am with the license plate “Bandit”, a red jacket emblazed with Bandit hanging from the front seat, a black cowboy hat on its roof, and a CB radio receiver hanging from the rear-view mirror and a gold firebird logo painted on the front hood. This seemed like a replica of the car from the iconic 1977 Burt Reynolds movie Smokey and the Bandit. In another stall were paintings each with a poem attached to it. The works were collaborations from a husband-and-wife team where the wife Nicole Tremblay created the paintings and the husband, author Zev Bagel wrote the corresponding poems. Murray purchased Zev Bagel’s novel Solitary, which won the David Adams Richards Award for best novel.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioue9dXvqkJLDQHFyPKS_KD269FO5gu29zIc3fCNqztxHrTTEnOrMIjjmqHtimpVMq6K1-nqeIBn6ObdiQJzZmInVKpk2pTQ7VvUykKZvj2CtZ_-PYMvkvWWe6sAIpZYk2rauZqqao_k_nJtAzLAIeXpDJwROlcNaseYR2I8SRvsjnsxQfzvcUaEjI/s1600/IMG_7212a.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="1600" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioue9dXvqkJLDQHFyPKS_KD269FO5gu29zIc3fCNqztxHrTTEnOrMIjjmqHtimpVMq6K1-nqeIBn6ObdiQJzZmInVKpk2pTQ7VvUykKZvj2CtZ_-PYMvkvWWe6sAIpZYk2rauZqqao_k_nJtAzLAIeXpDJwROlcNaseYR2I8SRvsjnsxQfzvcUaEjI/w640-h256/IMG_7212a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>At the far end of the park is another massive sculptural mural titled “<b>Shediac: Then and Now</b>” created in 2019 by 3-D muralist and sculptor Monette Léger. It features 3 black and white panels on the left depicting Shediac’s history in transportation (from canoe to airplane), historic buildings including Simon Poirier House (of Poirer Park?), the Weldon House (now the Shediac Hotel) and the old Train Station, and the Fishing and Agricultural industries. Silhouettes of children (including the artist at age 3 on the far left) walk towards the future as a figure on the right pulls back the canvas to review the colourful Shediac of “Now” being painted by a 3-D sculptural figure with paint cans and a paint brush. The Now Panels depict the Giant lobster sculpture representing the lobster industry, fireworks and a Ferris wheel associated with the Lobster Festival, Parlee beach lighthouse, maple leaves and a grade 9 Shediac student who was chosen to represent the “Pride of Shediac”. Along the bottom of the work are round circles with footprints leading from Then to Now, perhaps including the artist’s own footprint since she signed her name around one of the circles.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl2atJkhS3yECZ4ltRsX28X2aHtVfeII6t0UZtx86JxgdjiYn6BGkqP7GdS3JJp8A0Zl1G3M4AQVDdp6TilfWTa0SjoQvTH50Mv9QnNf8XU85_BZCU9DiNccMPBRv24Hbc3qvv28WtH-dvIhCI8Tp5L2-Cx5htYptQLbb9DwG7c0CPXmZDOjpbXSw/s1574/F_Shediac6_Downtown.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="1574" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibl2atJkhS3yECZ4ltRsX28X2aHtVfeII6t0UZtx86JxgdjiYn6BGkqP7GdS3JJp8A0Zl1G3M4AQVDdp6TilfWTa0SjoQvTH50Mv9QnNf8XU85_BZCU9DiNccMPBRv24Hbc3qvv28WtH-dvIhCI8Tp5L2-Cx5htYptQLbb9DwG7c0CPXmZDOjpbXSw/w640-h152/F_Shediac6_Downtown.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Leaving the market, we took a final walk downtown and saw some interestingly decorated electrical boxes whose themes reflected the buildings that they stood in front of. The one in front of the post office shows a stamped postcard on one side with an image of a beach on the other and a pencil along the narrow edge. The one in front of the library is painted to resemble books on bookshelves. <b>Maison Tait House</b> is a heritage building built in 1911 in the neo-Queen Anne and neo Italian styles owned by the Chesley Tait family who made their fortune in the potato industry. The building is now a restaurant, bar, boutique hotel and venue for weddings and parties. For some reason, there is a pirate ship named "Menacing Manner" sitting on the lawn in front of the house. On our way out of town, we made a final stop at the historic <b>Shediac Train Station</b> which was the former CNR station built in 1906 the Craftsman style of architecture.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Pi7X1Iv3O6ZHgvHVf1dZyOUuGZYA_oEZ1nzrXFVeQFe_4V_2VkqZbGBQQv5DILZrLcdwkS8lXJkfdzNuhfbj5D6BAohzgW-AGxX-3IZN7D8O9jD0yMUN8mrFm04GChL9nUuqOjsxl5XPQGz39Mhfrnh4Y4iddwMATfc4x1BMzMgV-SI-rC2Gusn4/s1600/F8_ShediacToDarmouthDrive.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="1600" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Pi7X1Iv3O6ZHgvHVf1dZyOUuGZYA_oEZ1nzrXFVeQFe_4V_2VkqZbGBQQv5DILZrLcdwkS8lXJkfdzNuhfbj5D6BAohzgW-AGxX-3IZN7D8O9jD0yMUN8mrFm04GChL9nUuqOjsxl5XPQGz39Mhfrnh4Y4iddwMATfc4x1BMzMgV-SI-rC2Gusn4/w640-h194/F8_ShediacToDarmouthDrive.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As we traversed the last leg of our drive before reaching Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, we came across several interesting sights. In <b>Grand Barachois</b> just East of Shediac, we spotted a giant metal minion wearing a Montreal Canadians hockey cap sitting on the front town of a house. He also had the Toronto Blue Jays logo on his tie. The town of<b> Amherst, Nova Scotia</b>, which was the first town after the border of New Brunswick, was so beautiful that we had to stop and walk around for a bit. I have always been fascinated by the different design of water towers across Ontario and the one in <b>East Hants, Nova Scotia </b>was one of the more uniquely coloured ones, striped red and white like a candy cane.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJzfHAjGJ3qgdIlQodkxdV-78Kz3QKx2VdM4gejaE73FE5dvl1tVwH1fujdQKwiOiqweyUvg-lsGFsH1HS_CCxL5m0QfSulHas9oz7NJUQSJ0KU8cSkyh64xnkVkMxdGO0pliMwpkbnYJw2ZJP2pNSSY4Q8QEvCoCSOpeQ4V1CCsWxrXn4nlv6M4k/s1600/F8a_Amherst1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="385" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAJzfHAjGJ3qgdIlQodkxdV-78Kz3QKx2VdM4gejaE73FE5dvl1tVwH1fujdQKwiOiqweyUvg-lsGFsH1HS_CCxL5m0QfSulHas9oz7NJUQSJ0KU8cSkyh64xnkVkMxdGO0pliMwpkbnYJw2ZJP2pNSSY4Q8QEvCoCSOpeQ4V1CCsWxrXn4nlv6M4k/w640-h154/F8a_Amherst1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Amherst, N.S</b>. was an important region for shipbuilding during the 19th Century and became a major manufacturing town in 1865 with the arrival of the Intercolonial Railway. Many beautiful historic buildings still line the downtown area. Most prominent is the recently renovated<b> First Baptist Church</b>, built in 1809 and designed in the Richardson Romanesque architectural style with multiple turrets and an exterior of red sandstone that came from Amherst quarries. It was too bad we could not get inside to see the beautiful stained-glass windows including the large rose window. Other majestic buildings on the main strip included the <b>Amherst Court House</b>, the original stone Beaux Arts <b>Bank of Nova Scotia</b> building erected in 1907 and the <b>Amherst Train Station</b> that ran from 1908 to 2012 and is now a restaurant. There are also some gorgeous heritage homes in Amherst but unfortunately, we did not have time to look for them. If we are in this area again, we will definitely spend some more time here.</div><div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCPYMrt9mnjHx7jPMtPUdZuqIaUi42gms0rt2OCcA-prH3KUgZsUCb9L4Ez99XIcnOIWaZbOWwEnrGWX1wOva-JYoolsvgbwOsRci3lhy27-F2rmrlQdrwrNk34dZBKLpYZyjccnCOV3bxxJdZ2SIykkzsP12cYYjf8eyZ0KXHSlcV4Da93OaI4db/s1574/F8a_Amherst2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1574" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgCPYMrt9mnjHx7jPMtPUdZuqIaUi42gms0rt2OCcA-prH3KUgZsUCb9L4Ez99XIcnOIWaZbOWwEnrGWX1wOva-JYoolsvgbwOsRci3lhy27-F2rmrlQdrwrNk34dZBKLpYZyjccnCOV3bxxJdZ2SIykkzsP12cYYjf8eyZ0KXHSlcV4Da93OaI4db/w640-h170/F8a_Amherst2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Across the street from the First Baptist Church in Victoria
Park was a wooden sculpture of a fashionable 19<sup>th</sup> Century Victorian woman
wearing a blue dress accessorized by a large hat and purse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is one of many “<b>Tree People</b>” carved and
painted from the trunks of elm trees by local artist, sculptor and wood carver Bruce
Hebert.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to his <a href="https://www.brucehebert.com/20042005carvings.htm" target="_blank">Facebook page</a>,
this one was carved in 2006 but apparently, he created many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also in the park was the most practical of the “giant Adirondack
chairs” that seem to litter every North American town and city. This one had steps leading up to the seat, unlike
all the others that I have encountered where one had to hoist oneself or leap onto the
chairs. Off to one side was a chalkboard
sign which had a groaner of a joke written on it. I wonder if someone writes a new bad “dad
joke” each day? On the side of the
Dominion Public Building was a touching memorial mural celebrating the N.N.S.
Highlanders. And in a store window was a
“Stanley Cup” made up of hockey cards of past iconic players. Amherst was such a delightful town. I wish we had more time to explore it. But it was onward to Dartmouth to reunite
Murray with his family for a week visit while Rich and I headed on to Cape
Breton.<p></p></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-89945479709466487982022-08-19T18:22:00.032-07:002023-02-16T14:16:54.268-08:00East Coast 2022: Drive to Edmundston and Shediac, N.B.<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lnbFxMYiC0BO8Fk8eRDkVQnJOSt4IFSueWHb7-I5SQ4gPRhOeayU5wcmY1z8ksRWL_9_baxJqG87WjKWyTxRVSAQSMyOZoqCcLUmEKKG0Tz0CmfRcTrwyH3qSifZf9J_IdW_cm6ZjD4SDqUmrXvUbQ010KFuFM3oTFbYvgjEx5qdWcliEDl-MrlO/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston1.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="417" data-original-width="1600" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lnbFxMYiC0BO8Fk8eRDkVQnJOSt4IFSueWHb7-I5SQ4gPRhOeayU5wcmY1z8ksRWL_9_baxJqG87WjKWyTxRVSAQSMyOZoqCcLUmEKKG0Tz0CmfRcTrwyH3qSifZf9J_IdW_cm6ZjD4SDqUmrXvUbQ010KFuFM3oTFbYvgjEx5qdWcliEDl-MrlO/w640-h166/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>When planning our <a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2022/08/east-coast-2022-road-trip.html" target="_blank">2-week trip to the East Coast</a>, Rich and I allocated 3 days to drive to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia where we would drop off our friends Yim and Murray before heading out to explore Cape Breton Island on our own. We thought if we could push the pace and distance on the first day to reach <b>Edmundston, New Brunswick </b>which is just past the border of Quebec. That this would leave us more time on the second and third days to make some leisurely tourist stops in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. According to Google Maps, the driving time alone from Toronto to Edmundston would be around 12.5 hours. Adding another 1.5 hours for bathroom breaks, stretching and eating, the total travel time would be around 14 hours. This seemed doable with Rich and Murray taking turns at the wheel every 3-4 hours. If we left around 6:45am, we would arrive in Edmunston between 8:30-9pm. I found a bar that stayed open until 10pm, so we could grab a quick bite before checking into our motel. <div><br /></div><div>Mapping out tentative rest points, we would stop at the <b>Big Apple</b> near Colborne, Ontario for a quick breakfast, then again somewhere around Lancaster Ontario, Laurier Station, Quebec and finally Edmundston, New Brunswick. With four of us packing for a 2-week trip, the trunk of our car was stuffed with not much room to spare. This would become an issue by the next driving day, but more on that later. In the meantime, Yim and I had to keep ourselves occupied for the lengthy drive, so she had her knitting project making headbands and a doggie sweater and I had two lacey crochet tops that I was alternately working on.<p></p><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHna-HhbzuUMCXaUELA7G2Dba3w2CqTrvr_KpdA1DpLQcYyXJshY2N_0zOqS-x5Ec4J_m0zJJxGLUrol47axlGf97kZ-gg8hp3e1Z3WuWJQ2mLGvUlrJ6TTvJ31fPyh37xx6tSTEqvDz2riO5E5Os5Kosne7xk-J8JX87X9KHT380SrCxAws_e4VMK/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston2_Big%20Apple.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHna-HhbzuUMCXaUELA7G2Dba3w2CqTrvr_KpdA1DpLQcYyXJshY2N_0zOqS-x5Ec4J_m0zJJxGLUrol47axlGf97kZ-gg8hp3e1Z3WuWJQ2mLGvUlrJ6TTvJ31fPyh37xx6tSTEqvDz2riO5E5Os5Kosne7xk-J8JX87X9KHT380SrCxAws_e4VMK/w640-h172/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston2_Big%20Apple.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first stop was at the <b>Big Apple</b> where we would grab a quick breakfast and have our first restroom opportunity. For some reason, the Big Apple has “western-themed” washrooms. The people depicted on the signs for men vs women each wear a cowboy hat and a neck ‘kerchief. In the women’s washroom are large signs indicating “Outhouse”, Saloon, “Wash House” and “Laundry Room”. The wooden stalls have horseshoes hanging on the door. Prior to entering the large retail store and restaurant, you walk by a window that reveals the bakers busily preparing the signature Big Apple fruit pies, with a running counter indicating how many pies and Apple Breads have been sold to date (over 8 million total). While we were there, Rich and I picked up our usual staples including the famous Apple Bread, “apple pie” flavoured caramel popcorn, a jar of “Apple Pie in a Jar” and my tart cherry sparkling (non-alcoholic) apple cider. We also selected some jam, an apple cake loaf and some more popcorn to bring as a hostess gifts for Murray’s mom, whose apartment we would be staying a few days at in Dartmouth.</div></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXElCy-YffwvlMcCMPFlx5W0UGF7-wfjry8lbtiGzN1vPFR-j0RZk0GLd4cXXDipOgAyqe6poTXmaqtiViM9LBGpV1vTj-o-4mzvHagXbp0J-98By2aJMxLFUvuISAbfjLutVXUPAM6uColR4AcCwAQOSR5tzodI5EErn3MEVSMcTZq68_3OaiZ_9-/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston2_Big%20Apple2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="386" data-original-width="1600" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXElCy-YffwvlMcCMPFlx5W0UGF7-wfjry8lbtiGzN1vPFR-j0RZk0GLd4cXXDipOgAyqe6poTXmaqtiViM9LBGpV1vTj-o-4mzvHagXbp0J-98By2aJMxLFUvuISAbfjLutVXUPAM6uColR4AcCwAQOSR5tzodI5EErn3MEVSMcTZq68_3OaiZ_9-/w640-h154/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston2_Big%20Apple2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div>All four of us have been to the Big Apple multiple times, but we never realized before that you could go inside and up to the top of the giant structure. As we were eating our breakfast out on the patio deck, we saw others enter the Apple and so we followed suit. At the base of the Big Apple are giant sculptures of papa, mama and baby bear, ready to enjoy a freshly baked pie. Several flights of stairs lead to an observation deck at the top where there is a nice view of the grounds and surrounding regions. We could see the mini putt, ping pong tables and petting zoo on the property. At the landing of each flight of stairs, the walls are adorned with cartoon depictions of members of the “Apple Family”. We ended up spending a bit more time at the Big Apple than we originally intended, but it was a fun way to start our long road trip.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXcL3bvqkgLkKyod1QrXEHw0-IuiqE5I8tataZKC3F9iBAzGfzB7nB8N5CMHTvYCCo29hSZePRwu9G-jYsUWurHq-_JjYMAguGVJ0SeKI4DdiHCSFGJo3VOwYAKDRZJn5FIEbmqsenMFVAMAhdks08TwXIBW1h25bLcYzN2uYHLSOtWWTe4KxsAbt/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston3_RivereBeaudette.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="405" data-original-width="1600" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijXcL3bvqkgLkKyod1QrXEHw0-IuiqE5I8tataZKC3F9iBAzGfzB7nB8N5CMHTvYCCo29hSZePRwu9G-jYsUWurHq-_JjYMAguGVJ0SeKI4DdiHCSFGJo3VOwYAKDRZJn5FIEbmqsenMFVAMAhdks08TwXIBW1h25bLcYzN2uYHLSOtWWTe4KxsAbt/w640-h162/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston3_RivereBeaudette.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Continuing our drive east, the next rest stop was supposed to be a truck stop at Lancaster, Ontario just over 3 hours from the Big Apple. As we approached, we realized that it was on the other side of the highway, and it wasn’t worth trying to get there. Instead, we crossed over to Quebec and found a truck stop at<b> Rivère-Beaudette</b>, but ran into more bad luck. While the restrooms were open, the Saint Hubert restaurant was not so there was no hot lunch available for us. Instead, we drove a couple of blocks off the highway to an A&W. This worked out just fine since we were able to have a quick lunch and Rich and Yim each enjoyed a large, frosted mug of root beer. What made this stop even more interesting was the cool merchandise in the convenience store attached to the fast-food joint. We were awed by the number of shelves full different brands of beer that would rival any liquor store. In particular, I was fascinated by the pin-up girls on the cans of beer from <b>Archibald Microbrewery</b> with provocative French names such as “Chipie” (translation bitch or harpie), “Désirée” (Desire) or “Frippouille” (scoundrel). Even more surprising were the boxes of board games. There was the French guessing game <b>Culotté </b>(meaning cheeky) where you signify that you want to guess the word depicted in the image on a card by pressing a buzzer shaped like a buttock. Each answer will contain the sound “cul” (meaning ass) in it and the word to be guessed is gratuitously printed on top of the rear end of either a man or woman wearing underwear or bikini briefs. Even more intriguing were the role-playing sex games including one called “<b>Hunting Widow</b>”. Let your imagination go wild!</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD_CObVwORMMVW9pG64uOX9yCVb2GXnbI6JOLcYBDdmC9QlA1b8WMQpkVL-mHRMmsPdCmAi72nPydP4d5TeKHwjD9g_tWpLOMJZZbyIxiWhufmLZ1-9O48lYlGavR0zQzPi_izZBsamwANbbv2ZXTSqPh10j6Ngh70XZNdpiYwiwege1bH2CtNygj/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston4_LaurierStation.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="1600" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjD_CObVwORMMVW9pG64uOX9yCVb2GXnbI6JOLcYBDdmC9QlA1b8WMQpkVL-mHRMmsPdCmAi72nPydP4d5TeKHwjD9g_tWpLOMJZZbyIxiWhufmLZ1-9O48lYlGavR0zQzPi_izZBsamwANbbv2ZXTSqPh10j6Ngh70XZNdpiYwiwege1bH2CtNygj/w640-h168/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston4_LaurierStation.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We drove another 3 hours to our third stop which was <b>Laurier-Station, Quebec</b>. This was just a very fast stop to stretch our legs, refill the gas tank, use the restrooms at the gas station and to change drivers. I was delighted to find giant sculptures of a bull and a McDonalds-like box of French fries by the gas station. We had actually spotted other huge sculptures enroute during our drive through Quebec including a giant dog that was half the size of an electrical pole, and a giant roll of Royale toilet paper. This brought Rich and I fond memories of our “<a href="http://arenglishtravels.blogspot.com/2012/07/north-west-ontario-road-trip-biggest.html" target="_blank">Big Things” road trip</a> tour of north-west Ontario that we took when we first retired back in 2012.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvHGndBUPGzFEy73ulu5H9YERdbp9NAX6-kFXvzmR4zW2xyJvvPhdYRgSgkCDKpd0qlwoE5jy8-ua2ok4umruUT-FX79Gup5S2OWHt9YBJSp1eE3uvVEDNvSlc1giSN2qQU7QfnjOq0Lkdq5-cx5_nqEzaMk_knrqWDUP247jXVW1eRtUBniCO_ET/s1600/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston5_RivereDuLoup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="470" data-original-width="1600" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIvHGndBUPGzFEy73ulu5H9YERdbp9NAX6-kFXvzmR4zW2xyJvvPhdYRgSgkCDKpd0qlwoE5jy8-ua2ok4umruUT-FX79Gup5S2OWHt9YBJSp1eE3uvVEDNvSlc1giSN2qQU7QfnjOq0Lkdq5-cx5_nqEzaMk_knrqWDUP247jXVW1eRtUBniCO_ET/w640-h188/BDrive%20to%20Edmunston5_RivereDuLoup.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Leaving Laurier Station around 5pm, we had a final drive of just over 3.5 hours to reach Edmundston, New Brunswick where we would spend the night. We were a bit behind schedule after spending extra time at the Big Apple but were still targeting to arrive by 8:30pm which was a reasonable time to have a quick dinner before heading to our motel. To our surprise, when Rich programmed in the destination for this last leg into the car, it gave an ETA of past 10pm! We were perplexed for a minute as to why it would take so long to drive this distance. And then it hit us! We had forgotten about the <b>1-hour time change</b> that happens as you cross the border from Quebec to New Brunswick. Losing the hour meant that we would not get to Edmundston in time for dinner. Making a quick adjustment in plans, we decided to stop in <b>Rivière-du-Loup</b> for dinner instead. This was only 2 hours and 10 minutes away, and still in Quebec, so before the time change. Rivière-du-Loup has a pretty Main Street with historic buildings, restaurants and shops. Had we more time, it would have been fun to explore further, and we made a note to return if we were in the area again. The restaurants were fairly full, and we were unable to get a table at the first few that we tried. We managed to secure a table at Le Loft which was a restaurant and bar but because the joint was so busy, we waited over an hour before our food arrived. </div><div><br /></div><div>By the time we were done dinner, it was dark, and we were still about 1.5 hours away from our motel. When we finally arrived at our destination for the night, we had been travelling for over 15 hours and it was almost midnight with the time change to the Atlantic time zone. Luckily the Days Inn was still staffed, and we were able to easily check in for a well-deserved good night’s sleep.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsgp2P3oQCTCSBhTYAjYG28ZQhrm9UmOg8ukshvV1njJ5Aisjq2sLaPirKMsA2ItffdCamsuFA2W55YBHbFYw3dUVlikDGvxSvTZSR0vM45pcCo_0Gu7SLYEk-RGAeHuWEn0aji_8AYKnesqo-yL8qB7I95SnoJ-AO5MJK9MlnMYahpBvkC1VfokU/s1579/1a%20-%20Edmundston%20to%20Shediac%201.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="693" data-original-width="1579" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCsgp2P3oQCTCSBhTYAjYG28ZQhrm9UmOg8ukshvV1njJ5Aisjq2sLaPirKMsA2ItffdCamsuFA2W55YBHbFYw3dUVlikDGvxSvTZSR0vM45pcCo_0Gu7SLYEk-RGAeHuWEn0aji_8AYKnesqo-yL8qB7I95SnoJ-AO5MJK9MlnMYahpBvkC1VfokU/w640-h280/1a%20-%20Edmundston%20to%20Shediac%201.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next day, we started out bright and early but had a much more relaxed day planned. We would only be driving 5.5 hours plus a few stops along the way to get to Shediac, New Brunswick where we would spend our second night. While it was just happenstance that we came across various large sculptures on the previous day’s drive, we scheduled several stops on this leg specifically to see more “big things” including a potato, an axe and a lobster.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrmNUKNv0JY3Fe9kCH3D-EJHiILmAefmSmU7TRQKqQeUXd5ZvzMZqECyGkKExF1kZu-pC1aojxuvCbVmPtaow6qrq7wYuTb1Z3BmdTXB1ShV0tCuG69oOaNJBKLKcD8BN7F6udPqs2diePz1ABPA4y85nmKxCpBq60e3ane0dcISGnuOXYeldSILz/s1600/C1_CoveredBridgeChipFactory.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="429" data-original-width="1600" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrmNUKNv0JY3Fe9kCH3D-EJHiILmAefmSmU7TRQKqQeUXd5ZvzMZqECyGkKExF1kZu-pC1aojxuvCbVmPtaow6qrq7wYuTb1Z3BmdTXB1ShV0tCuG69oOaNJBKLKcD8BN7F6udPqs2diePz1ABPA4y85nmKxCpBq60e3ane0dcISGnuOXYeldSILz/w640-h172/C1_CoveredBridgeChipFactory.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Our first impromptu rest stop serendipitously turned out to be more momentous than we expected. Arbitrarily pulling in at a gas station in <b>Hartland, New Brunswick</b>, about 1.5 hours south of Edmundston, we realized that we were right across from the <b>Covered Bridge Potato Chip Factory</b>! Covered Bridge potato chips are made from locally grown dark russet potatoes harvested from the Saint John River Valley. They are kettle-cooked with the skin left on for extra crunch. Both Yim and I love potato chips, so we were thrilled to stumble upon a factory that produces them, plus a large store selling bags of many different flavours. Rich and I were debating how many bags we should buy when Yim pointed out the sign with the offer of “Buy 12, get 1 Free”. The rest of us quickly dismissed this idea, but Yim was adamant even though the trunk of our car was already fairly packed. Undeterred by the logistics of fitting 12 bags of potato chips into the car (since of course we would be eating the free 13th bag right there in the parking lot!), she convinced us and we started selecting our flavours. Somehow, we did manage to stuff most of the bags into cracks and crevices in our already full trunk, in between our luggage, plus a few bags in the back seat. We ended up snacking on a steady diet of potato chips for the rest of our journey to and back from the East Coast. All that salt was still in my system over a month later, much to the alarm of my doctor when I had my next physical! This was a fun and unexpected stop. Our only regret was that we did not have the time to take the tour of the factory to see how potato chips are made.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjHYTaX5IAq9qzBFq6i5B3qbI-tmiIAYiEcNNqrlPRpHXQRBhaTIeKpYB-g6KL016goGToyTP4h4dZ3iqR5AqK-Z0ZCT2K6YC2xeB7VO5en3JimbU3jRWy1t-qEuHLcHeqFqMtJ4rQhDboSDFLnk4I-38M1G20YNLllFQxPZD4x-7rSAEFLbWFDyq/s1600/C2_CoveredBridgesNB.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="461" data-original-width="1600" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjHYTaX5IAq9qzBFq6i5B3qbI-tmiIAYiEcNNqrlPRpHXQRBhaTIeKpYB-g6KL016goGToyTP4h4dZ3iqR5AqK-Z0ZCT2K6YC2xeB7VO5en3JimbU3jRWy1t-qEuHLcHeqFqMtJ4rQhDboSDFLnk4I-38M1G20YNLllFQxPZD4x-7rSAEFLbWFDyq/w640-h184/C2_CoveredBridgesNB.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>As per the name of the potato chip company, New Brunswick is known for its <b>covered bridges</b>, which are timber-truss structures with roofs and siding that are meant to extend their lifespan by offering protection from the hard Canadian winters in the Maritimes. At last count, New Brunswick has almost 60 covered bridges scattered across the province. On the property of the chip factory was the self-proclaimed “<b>Shortest Covered Bridg</b>e” which spans a mere 24 feet. This claim is a bit nebulous as while the structure is shaped like a covered bridge, it doesn’t really function as a bridge in the usual sense of the word. It was more like a shelter with a couple of benches inside and a sign that you could pose for photos in front of. On the other hand, located just a few minutes away from the chip factory was the <b>Hartland Covered Bridg</b>e, which is legitimately known as the <b>World’s Longest Covered Bridge</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnyTFv3XJ27ZFWKuyx7TRxvsp-sXwZY7vt9sLWTFXDTBlS1WwHVh_YBWvPc9v9EoaglkK6a9CbWzW0INNxnPeScueQ-fiGocygJnGAg5CDw9hYbY96_qfJZa9iYKfjLr7qO31yKeaLKMPy2kAMRvzschwiIGDCt58JL20C2y3i_3am3Q_1EW8moNM/s1600/C2_CoveredBridgesNB2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="464" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFnyTFv3XJ27ZFWKuyx7TRxvsp-sXwZY7vt9sLWTFXDTBlS1WwHVh_YBWvPc9v9EoaglkK6a9CbWzW0INNxnPeScueQ-fiGocygJnGAg5CDw9hYbY96_qfJZa9iYKfjLr7qO31yKeaLKMPy2kAMRvzschwiIGDCt58JL20C2y3i_3am3Q_1EW8moNM/w640-h186/C2_CoveredBridgesNB2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>This heritage bridge was built in 1921 and spans 1282 feet (391 meters) across the Saint John River. Concrete piers support a long, enclosed wooden bridge held up by a framework made of iron tension rods known as a “Howe Truss”. When you take the entry to the bridge that is near the chip shop, you are in the town of Hartland. But by the time you exit, you are now in the town of Somerville. We were not sure whether this fairly narrow bridge was intended for one or two-way traffic, especially when a large vehicle taking up more than half the width came barreling towards us from the other direction.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyjbsM0rIBkjWB7Qq4Y4FFEfRtWFyZ_P7-Hghk7K9T5Nj-01B4fdK0NOjLySQI71lDr1_J7wSgwJvyHn79LZXLViSr3Rcr2eckrmpVNuO9z7UXXKjXk_D7ZuW815G3SpZVq-BUcoo5hN9wldQ0skoOtPF7UuWwXkHCuH6PZeB51cBbJbkGVB1HrQW/s4726/D_Nacawick%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1186" data-original-width="4726" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMyjbsM0rIBkjWB7Qq4Y4FFEfRtWFyZ_P7-Hghk7K9T5Nj-01B4fdK0NOjLySQI71lDr1_J7wSgwJvyHn79LZXLViSr3Rcr2eckrmpVNuO9z7UXXKjXk_D7ZuW815G3SpZVq-BUcoo5hN9wldQ0skoOtPF7UuWwXkHCuH6PZeB51cBbJbkGVB1HrQW/w640-h160/D_Nacawick%20(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Carrying on with our drive, we arrived at our first planned stop. <b>Nackawic, New Brunswick</b> sits on the East bank of the Saint John River, 65km west of the province’s capital city of Frederickton. Meaning “Straight Stream”, Nackawic was once known for its pulp mill before it closed in 2004. Today, it is known as the home of the “<b>World’s Largest Axe</b>”, standing at 15 metres in height and weighing over 55 tons. Built in 1991, the giant axe symbolizes the importance of the forest industry to this town. After taking our photos in front of the axe, we walked around the beautiful Nackawic International Garden Riverwalk, bought some drinks and noshed on another of our 13 bags of potato chips while we admired the view of the river.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3sVoPmRUZ1XPJ6-FlQaQziQFwQInCOUPnFQOe4FizoLbNECBRCt6y0hf0i5MlCvi383Lga-zqkFZOpo50iEdUcQ609WtLf4OvXwaOKAq0kY-CJ8XYN3gG9v2kNs7RvVnPkIpL5e5x8_-tejjPeGAb0TFlOsialttX79924NrhXoQ9f-lHbo1qeMh/s4559/D_Nacawick%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="4559" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd3sVoPmRUZ1XPJ6-FlQaQziQFwQInCOUPnFQOe4FizoLbNECBRCt6y0hf0i5MlCvi383Lga-zqkFZOpo50iEdUcQ609WtLf4OvXwaOKAq0kY-CJ8XYN3gG9v2kNs7RvVnPkIpL5e5x8_-tejjPeGAb0TFlOsialttX79924NrhXoQ9f-lHbo1qeMh/w640-h168/D_Nacawick%20(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>We caught the last day of a week-long festival and sadly missed the car show, Ultimate championship wrestling, scavenger hunt, bingo, and crowning of Miss Nackawic on the previous days. We did get to see the bouncy castles, llama petting, a shooting range and some big crowd in the Nackawic Arena where people gathered to watch musical, dance and magic acts.</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqvb-F0sxJ-JdDe8e6jq7Fh_efY_n_m-0ssNDSbZXYtGol0JKHnbOm5Bmtfl2klkuoQ9UFXuHR_yoahnqXrQsPNfrg_mgTXmd9C3hJK_OLSgWoJ3Nmu0ju-QD48l0EQ8-T0FAMc8Ral30JQ46Hf3kUtIp-t3X8J9mc8nHLy3DvK990fDIrsLmjIxM/s1600/E_Maugerville.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="535" data-original-width="1600" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoqvb-F0sxJ-JdDe8e6jq7Fh_efY_n_m-0ssNDSbZXYtGol0JKHnbOm5Bmtfl2klkuoQ9UFXuHR_yoahnqXrQsPNfrg_mgTXmd9C3hJK_OLSgWoJ3Nmu0ju-QD48l0EQ8-T0FAMc8Ral30JQ46Hf3kUtIp-t3X8J9mc8nHLy3DvK990fDIrsLmjIxM/w640-h214/E_Maugerville.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>The next stop was more of a drive-by so that I could take a photo in front of the giant potato at <b>Harvey’s Big Potato Farm</b> (now known as Silver Valley Farms) roadside fruit and vegetables stand. The beloved sculpture of the spud with a big smile sporting a top hat was first constructed in 1969 by Winston Bronnum, who also created the giant lobster that we would see when we reached Shediac, N.B. Unfortunately the potato had suffered wear and tear through the years and was in need of “a hip replacement and new knees”. A Go Fundme campaign raised $10,000 to restore the potato to its former glory, just in time for us to visit.</div><div><br /></div><div>Our final stop of the day would be in Shediac, where we would spend the night before the last push to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.</div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3567479928303796610.post-69037688650165461192022-08-18T19:34:00.000-07:002022-08-18T19:34:34.797-07:00East Coast 2022 Road Trip<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD03bNTTGBaHx79eCLjilDsIyxTFA6ujOrEQ9HluJDn7jX73wzwp1eGTWxoufdglLaPimCty8-2TEZ35gRX1kB0vqieoobJA4DkoK-vLMRxlUegNDIwr1zEYR80KhYfk2QqsbCBJgx9Y_SLwe97iaN1m27CUw8ex9e8_6gNFIj9zS7tgDcQrq-YLT6/s3194/A_EastCoastDrive1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="3194" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD03bNTTGBaHx79eCLjilDsIyxTFA6ujOrEQ9HluJDn7jX73wzwp1eGTWxoufdglLaPimCty8-2TEZ35gRX1kB0vqieoobJA4DkoK-vLMRxlUegNDIwr1zEYR80KhYfk2QqsbCBJgx9Y_SLwe97iaN1m27CUw8ex9e8_6gNFIj9zS7tgDcQrq-YLT6/w640-h230/A_EastCoastDrive1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>For the first time since before the pandemic, my husband Rich and I will be taking an extended vacation that spans more than 2-3 days. While we are still hesitant to fly considering all the horror stories we continue to hear about long delays and lost luggage, we have been taking full advantage of our new car to take road trips. Up until now we have been driving around Ontario for brief stays. This time, we will be taking a 14-day driving trip out to the East Coast, touring parts of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia including Cape Breton.<p></p><p>We are driving out with our friends who have relatives in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. This will give us two capable drivers to share the load of the lengthy driving distance (and two equally capable backseat drivers to give “helpful” navigation advice). It will take us 3 days to reach Dartmouth with a big push on the first day to get to Edmunston, New Brunswick. This will be followed by a leisurely jaunt to Shediac, New Brunswick the next day, and finally reaching Dartmouth on the third day.</p><p>After exploring Dartmouth and Halifax for a couple of days, Rich and I will depart for a 5-day tour around Cape Breton Island while we leave our friends behind to continue visiting with family. Once we return, we will reunite with our friends to spend a couple more days checking out the South Shore and Annapolis Valley, before heading home. We will take a different route on the way back, following the south shore of the St. Lawrence River with overnight stays in Sainte-Flavie and Sainte- Eulalie Quebec.</p><p>Stay tuned for details of our upcoming adventures!</p><div><br /></div>A.R. Englishhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01658604333506067829noreply@blogger.com0