Travel Tips & Adventures

Rose Big Horse was asked to demonstrate her weaving skills at the Wupatki National Monument in Arizona recently. Her efforts and designs are part of a long tradition in her Navajo Tribal family.

Rose shows traditional family "storm" pattern

Although her weaving time is confined to evenings and her spare time, the intricacy and proficiency of her work is exceptional. She learned the skill from her mother, who is a published author on weaving. Her mother’s special pattern is called the “storm” pattern. If you think that these works are easy, you would be wrong: it can take a year to produce one rug. (more…)

In no particular order, I plan to review places I’ve been, things I’ve seen and restaurants where I’ve dined that have stuck with me – favorites.  Some of the places already reviewed are favorites, but I’ll be highlighting some new places, as well as adding new details about those we’ve already shared.

First up – Ogunquit, Maine

Although I have a great fondness for many places on the East Coast of the US, I returned to Ogunquit, Maine several times.  I loved the mix of sun, sand, waves, theater, seafood and a certain peaceful attitude you don’t find in every resort town.

Walking on the beach, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean was a restful, meditative experience.  Choosing lobsters, then sitting down in a very easy-going way to enjoy our food was another fun experience.  The arts community’s work in Ogunquit is a pleasure to see.  (more…)

Next on our recipe week tour of the USA is Santa Fe -

Red adobe and old world charm make Santa Fe the city you envision when you think of the old Southwest.  Artists find the area inspiring and most visitors will, too.  There are shops galore, history around every corner and artists displaying their wares, even on the street. (more…)

Once you’ve had a chance to see the art and architecture on the grounds of the Getty Center (see yesterday’s blog), head inside for some tours of the different pavilions.  

Tours around the Getty Center will provide some enlightening and entertaining background on the art on display.  The great thing about the Getty is that the tours are free and the tour guides are lively and interesting. (more…)

Before choosing to visit the Getty Center in Los Angeles, I asked a friend who had been there recently if it was worth traveling there.  Sometimes things are just hype, after all. 

Well, I’m happy to report that the Getty Center is absolutely worth visiting (as my friend said).  Especially the buildings, which are works of art themselves.

Arriving from the 405, which can be backed up with typical LA traffic, the Getty Center is reached by a tram from the parking garage.  Even the tram ride is an efficient, clean and scenic experience.

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When people think of art museums, they think of stuffy places with art that is centuries old. At Phoenix Art Museum, they’ve have a collection of older works, but have expanded their exhibit space to include a light-filled new wing with an eye appealing collection of modern art.

(The centuries-old masters are there – even a Gilbert Stuart portrait of George Washington, for example.)

 
But, head to the back because the new wing features riveting and thought-provoking modern art.

Experimentation with mediums is the name of the game. Felt, resin, plexiglass, burnt wood, mirrors, metal buckets, lights, blown glass, books, plaster, pottery, ceramic, and the more conventional – oil or acrylic on canvas- are all on display.

Modern artists are anything but stuffy!

Feet as art - Seascape #14 by Tom Wesselman

 Who would think that a giant, plexiglass foot could be so appealing?  Tom Wesselman’s “Seascape #14” is three-dimensional and just jumps out at you.  Colorful, to say the least!

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What better way to celebrate USA’S birthday than a visit to Washington, DC!

Imagine standing in bone-chillingly freezing weather near a large, manmade lake (The famous Tidal Pool) with two impressive monuments across from you, just waiting for sunrise.  That was the scenario for me several years ago in Washington, DC during the spring cherry blossom season.

Almost on a dare, I decided to try photography at sunrise since I’d always heard it was the best.  Well, it was, but the cold was so numbing that I almost couldn’t get my fingers to push the camera shutter.

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Jefferson Memorial at Sunrise

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Boston, Massachusetts conjures up images of the fight for United States independence, history and old buildings.  It’s all of that and much more.  With the 4^th of July this week, Boston seems a great place to celebrate the USA’s birth.

Quincy Market - where street performances happen often

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Frank Lloyd Wright is an iconic figure in the world of architecture. His buildings, which blend into the landscape, use geometric shapes to create eye-pleasing designs.

Taliesin West with the pool

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Despite the critics and naysayers, Phoenix, Arizona finally joined the modern world by developing and running a light rail, which debuted in late December, 2008.  Although I’m lucky that I don’t need to commute daily with the light rail, trying the rail sounded like fun! (more…)