Assiniboine Park: Sculpture and Music

I loved the concert in the park, surrounded by flowers, sculpture, and plenty of sunshine.

It was a lovely sound of light jazz, with just a single guitar player (very good, I might add) and a vocalist.

The sounds carried beautifully throughout the park.

Assiniboine Zoo: The Snowy Owl.

I have a deep fondness for owls.  I think they are quite amazing.   I've seen Great Horned Owls and Great Greys.  But, this was the first Snowy Owl.

They are beautiful.    

Summer Flowers in Winnipeg

I happened to be in Winnipeg for a wedding this summer.   And, my hosts were kind enough to take me to the Assiniboine Park and Zoo. 

These flowers were huge!  I am not sure what they are.  So, if you know, feel free to drop a note and let me know!

A Fair Day at the Arboretum

Meet TR!

He makes jewelry.  I liked his work a lot.   He even had a few Norwegian Viking pieces that were quite appealing! 

Check out his work here. 

Thanks TR!

Z Art

Meet the husband, of Tammy!

He was minding the booth while Tammy got something to eat.  

I rather liked the greeting card line!

The Arboretum: Edible Garden Art

Meet Jules!

He creates artwork out of seeds for the birds! 

I really liked it.  This is a great idea for bird watchers!

Thanks Jules

The Arboretum: Visitors in the Park

I didn't get this couple's name.  They knew someone I was with and we ended up chatting with them for a while.

They were having a lovely time.

The Arboretum: Music in the Park

Meet Nick!

 He had been hired to provide some lovely music in the park. 

 I've done some music in the park myself.   It can be fun.   It can be a disaster, depending on weather, humidity, the crowd, harley's going by.

 But, it was a good day for music!

Thanks Nick!

Mount Rushmore: Working Models

Gutzon needed smaller models during the carving processes.  And, over the years, he changed the models, as rock formations and cracks became more obvious.  These were in the visitor center and were about 2.5 feet high. 

I was most impressed with the very simplistic, and brilliant plumb bob and protractor method for converting measurements on the models to the mountain.   Essentially, using a protractor with a plumb bob on the model, measurements could be taken, and converted to the correct scale on the mountain.  It's brilliant.  And, it's been around for centuries.

Someone just needs to be lowered over the edge...to measure the distance to the eye...or bridge of the nose, etc.

SIMPLE!

Mount Rushmore: Just Hanging Around

To get an idea of how Mount Rushmore was crafted, take a look at the artist, Gutzon Borglum in the image below.  He has been lowered over the edge to survey the work.  This is a photo I took of the large photo in the Mount Rushmore visitor gallery.  But, if you don't like heights, this will still get to you.    This is the same harness that the carvers used while lifting heavy drilling equipment.

Taken today, park rangers survey the monument and look for cracks, wear, etc that need to be fixed.   The harnesses are much better today.  But, I am still not sure I would want that job.
 

 

Mount Rushmore: The Workers

I was pleased to see the workers, the stone cutters, were honored at the monument.  These are the men and women that risked their lives every day.

Most of the people who carved Mount Rushmore were locals.  Over the 14 years of the carving, almost 400 workers had touched the monument.

A typical day began at 7:30 AM.  But, before they could start, they had to climb over 700 steps, to the top of the mountain.   From the top, they were lowered over the side in swing seats while carrying heavy drilling tools and blasting equipment. 

Mount Rushmore: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt.

The four presidents on Mount Rushmore were chosen by the sculptor to highlight the founding, growth, preservation and development of the US. 

George Washington is there to symbolize the struggle for independence and the birth of the our nation.

Thomas Jefferson represents the territorial expansion of the US. 

Abraham Lincoln represents the permanent union and the equality of all citizens. 
And Teddy Roosevelt is there to represent the role of the US in the 20th century.

Mount Rushmore: The Faces

I have been traveling for about a week and decided to take the longer route home.  Mount Rushmore isn't exactly easy to get to.   The little town of Keystone manages to handle several million visitors a year.   And, certainly the surrounding community owes a lot to the tourist revenue generated by visitors.

Putting all of that aside, I was honored to have been standing here on Sept 11th this year.  I got there early.   It was quiet.  It was a moment of reverence.  And, the 15-20 people already there knew we were standing, paying homage not only to four amazing presidents, but to a country that, despite all it's faults, has done amazing things for the world. 

Millions have been fed.   Two world wars, costing millions of lives, were fought on different continents, with the blood of our men and women being shed.  

As I said, it was a moment of reverence.

Take some time.   Drive there.   See the beautiful country.   And be amazed at the many spoken languages that you will hear.  In the hour I spent there, I heard Japanese, Russian, German, Italian, and a good number of American dialects. 

Sometimes it is important to remember the good things that were done.   

Sept 11 16 Years Ago

There is no photo for today's post.   It is just a stark reminder of the attack that took nearly 3,000 innocent lives.  I remember it vividly.

Be safe my friends.   Never forget the vile and horrible acts that were done by religious zealots.  Never forget the attacks that continue, to this day,  here and in other parts of the world by other zealots.

PRIDE 2017: The Roller Derby

Meet Glory!

She was with the NorthStar Roller Derby.   And, she was there to ensure people knew about their sport, the schedule, and to encourage people to attend!

I have seen some very cool photos taken at roller derby matches. I may need to check this out!

Thanks Glory!

PRIDE 2017: An Anonymous Musician

This piano is sitting under a shelter and small building in Loring Park, downtown Minneapolis.  This is where the PRIDE festival is held.

This gentlemen just walked up and started playing. 

It was fantastic.

Nicely done!

Thank you, Sir!

PRIDE 2017

I didn't get this gentlemen's name.   But, I thought he looked awesome walking his dog with the boa around the dog!  The dog seemed to be having a lovely time and fit right in!

Thank you, Sir!

PRIDE 2017: US Unity Flag

Meet Christy and Amy

They were selling US Unity Flags.  

This is what they looked like.

Thanks ladies!  

PRIDE 2017: Jewelry

Meet Nicole and Jacob from Realia By Jen.

They create hand-made pieces of jewelry for men and women.   You can find them on Facebook and here.