Terry and I enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving weekend with our nephew Brian and his wife, Vicky. They flew in from Milwaukee on Thursday morning as I was clearing the driveway of the 6-8 inches of snow we got Wednesday night. (They also brought their dog, Sadie--part chihuahua and part rat terrier, all energy--much to the consternation of our four cats!)
In the past, they would either go into NJ and pick up Grandma or Terry would go get her and we'd all meet here at the Aerie for Thanksgiving dinner. Not long after the pies were served, Grandma would have her coat on and be heading out the door dragging Brian and Vicky off to Atlantic City so they could hit the casinos on Friday. This year, with Mom gone, we had them to ourselves for three days.
Thursday was, of course, dominated by The Feast. Roast turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing, mashed butternut squash topped with cranberries and walnuts, some asparagus and kernel corn rounded out the main meal. That was followed by pecan pie, pumpkin pie and apple pie. Oh, and there was wine.
Later we had hours of conversation and more wine as we relaxed in the living room. Dinner was left over turkey sandwiches, pie and, yeah, more wine.
Friday we piled into the Jeep Compass and went off to Corning to visit the Corning Museum of Glass and the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Brian and Vicky had never been to either and really enjoyed it. The Glass museum had a wonderful demonstration of glass blowing and several new displays s well as the history portion. And, in the spirit of Black Friday, the gift shop was having a huge sale. The kids picked up some gifts for Christmas and Terry and I ordered a Frank Loyd Wright/Craftsman style floor lamp...at 75% off ($300 instead of $1200).
The Rockwell has undergone quite a few updates since the last time we were there. They redid the Lodge and renamed it the Remington and Russell Lodge. There were works by both artists. One side room was converted to a display of Mr. Rockwell's antique firearms, some of which predated the Revolutionary War. The special show at this time was of works by Charles M. Russell. Unlike the works on display in the Lodge,the works in the special display were of wildlife and wilderness.
Between museums we had lunch at Anna's just down the block. Great pastrami sandwiches!
After the museums we headed home to let Sadie (the dog) out and relax with a glass of...wine. Our evening meal was left over turkey, stuffing, and what ever else we had remaining...and pie.
More conversation after dinner with wine and bourbon and cheese.
Today the cats woke Terry and I at 4 AM and the six of us (four cats, remember) enjoyed some dog free hours before Brian, Vicky and Sadie got up and joined us. When they did, two cats disappeared into the basement to avoid that vile creature--Dog. We had some conversation over coffee and then had an early lunch before Brian and Vicky (and Sadie) headed out to catch their flight back home.
Showing posts with label Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Show all posts
Saturday, November 29, 2014
Saturday, September 14, 2013
A Few Things to Do With Company
at the Aerie
We had company starting Wednesday afternoon when a couple we met on our Alaska trip came west from near the Cape Cod Canal to spend a few days here at the Aerie and the environs. Terry and I took them up to Corning to visit a couple of museums and then west into Potter County to visit some of the Lumbermen's Museum and some of the natural sights of western Tioga County. Terry enjoyed having company because she got a chance to cook for someone other than me.
Thursday afternoon, after I finished my morning physical therapy, we went up to Corning, NY where we were able to stay indoors while it was raining--often quite hard.
The Corning Museum of Glass is, perhaps the premier museum for the history of glass in the world. The exhibits are fantastic and educational. One thing that's always enjoyable to see is one of the "gaffers" (glass blowers) demonstrate his or her skills.There's a lot of new construction going on and the museum will be expanding in the next year or so.
We also visited the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Their special exhibit at this time was of classic National Geographic photos. It was nice but I still like the art from Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. (I did not take any photos at the Rockwell. I've done so in the past but just enjoyed walking around and looking at the paintings and bronzes this time out.)
Both museums required a lot of walking and I put my new knees through the wringer. But there was more to come....
******
Friday the weather forecast was a bit better and we went west where the museums and state parks would have us outdoors much of the time. It was still overcast and cloudy with a few sprinkles but it was better than it had been on Thursday. The ride along Route 6 was enjoyable by itself, but our westernmost destination, the Lumbermen's Museum was under construction for a huge expansion. The main exhibit building was closed. It hosed a great exhibit about the CCCs and was the major reason for our visit. *Sigh*
The out buildings were (mostly--the mess hall was locked) open and we still got a chance to walk around to see some of the equipment used during the heyday of lumber activity in Pennsylvania.
Leaving the Lumbermen's Museum, we continued west to Coudersport to have lunch and then turned back east to visit Leonard Harrison State Park and the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Even with the leaves still green, the view is magnificent. In about three weeks when the fall colors arrive, it will be even better.
Afterward we stopped at the Mansfield farmer's market and went back to the Aerie for dinner. As we were eating, the skies opened up and it poured--despite the earlier forecast that it wasn't supposed to rain again this weekend. It rained all Friday night and into the wee hours of Saturday. In all we got 0.25 inches of rain--that wasn't forecast or even recorded by weather.com. That was on top of the 1.15 inches we got Wednesday night and Thursday. We seem to have timed our touring pretty well.
Sue and Bruce left early Saturday to wend their way back east. The sky eventually cleared and the sun came out after noon.
Thursday afternoon, after I finished my morning physical therapy, we went up to Corning, NY where we were able to stay indoors while it was raining--often quite hard.
The Corning Museum of Glass is, perhaps the premier museum for the history of glass in the world. The exhibits are fantastic and educational. One thing that's always enjoyable to see is one of the "gaffers" (glass blowers) demonstrate his or her skills.There's a lot of new construction going on and the museum will be expanding in the next year or so.
New glassblower's demonstration stage.
Cameras and large screen TVs (upper right) give you
an excellent view of the details of the gaffer's work.
an excellent view of the details of the gaffer's work.
Today they made a flower vase.
We also visited the Rockwell Museum of Western Art. Their special exhibit at this time was of classic National Geographic photos. It was nice but I still like the art from Frederic Remington and Charles M. Russell. (I did not take any photos at the Rockwell. I've done so in the past but just enjoyed walking around and looking at the paintings and bronzes this time out.)
Both museums required a lot of walking and I put my new knees through the wringer. But there was more to come....
******
Friday the weather forecast was a bit better and we went west where the museums and state parks would have us outdoors much of the time. It was still overcast and cloudy with a few sprinkles but it was better than it had been on Thursday. The ride along Route 6 was enjoyable by itself, but our westernmost destination, the Lumbermen's Museum was under construction for a huge expansion. The main exhibit building was closed. It hosed a great exhibit about the CCCs and was the major reason for our visit. *Sigh*
New addition on the museum should be finished next spring.
The out buildings were (mostly--the mess hall was locked) open and we still got a chance to walk around to see some of the equipment used during the heyday of lumber activity in Pennsylvania.
Sue & Bruce at the Lumbermen's Museum.
Small shuttle engine at the Lumbermen's Museum.
Shay engine used to haul logs out of the woods at the Lumbermen's Museum.
Sue & Terry on the Shay engine.
CCC Cabin & statue at the Lumbermen's Museum.
Leaving the Lumbermen's Museum, we continued west to Coudersport to have lunch and then turned back east to visit Leonard Harrison State Park and the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. Even with the leaves still green, the view is magnificent. In about three weeks when the fall colors arrive, it will be even better.
View North from the view point.
View South from the view point.
View West from the view point.
Afterward we stopped at the Mansfield farmer's market and went back to the Aerie for dinner. As we were eating, the skies opened up and it poured--despite the earlier forecast that it wasn't supposed to rain again this weekend. It rained all Friday night and into the wee hours of Saturday. In all we got 0.25 inches of rain--that wasn't forecast or even recorded by weather.com. That was on top of the 1.15 inches we got Wednesday night and Thursday. We seem to have timed our touring pretty well.
Sue and Bruce left early Saturday to wend their way back east. The sky eventually cleared and the sun came out after noon.
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