Halloween, 2013

It was a short trip driving parallel to the Hudson River to Albany NY.  On a rainy day it was a good day to stay indoors, so we visited the Capitol building.

After many years in the building and over budget,  finish work on the inside was stopped and basically called good.  It was determined that the building could not support a rotunda and the plans for completion was scrapped.  It is an elaborate building with a lot of hard carving of many famous historical people's heads. 

Tomorrow, New England just around the corner.  Fresh Maine air and Apple Crisp are not far away.

OK, Charlie Brown's Great Pumpkin show is on...gotta go.   Save some candy for us.

October 30, 2013

We spent the night at our usual place in Pittsburgh.  It is at the Air Reserve Base right next to the Airport.

If you ever get to the city, there is plenty to do and boat tours along the river.
Boat tours

We left town and headed Southeast to visit the Flight 93 Memorial in Stoystown, PA.  It is off the beaten path in what used to be coal mining land that has been closed for many years.  Currently they have a wall with the names of the 40 people that died.  One can only surmise how many more might have perished if it were not for their bravery.

 If one looks along the wall in the previous picture, there is a wooden gate that separates the wall area from a rock in the clearing where the plane went down.  The only people allowed to enter the area are relatives of those who died.

There are plans for a visitors center to be completed in 2015.  The groundbreaking took place in September. 

We set off for Harrisburg, the state Capital to visit the State House.  It is by far the most ornate of all that we have seen.  Many areas of the interior are covered with gold leaf.

The Senate Chambers.  Fifty members still vote the old fashioned way.

 The Supreme Court room which is not used in that capacity any more.

Two hundred three House members occupy this room during sessions.  The Members of the Senate and House are full time positions.

Just 4 of the many ceiling panels, again in gold leaf.

The main staircase above the Rotundra.

A sign in one of the politicians office door. Gotta love it.

The offices of the Legislators.  New digs for all.

A view out over the soldiers grove in front of the Capitol building.

This pic includes the main portion and one of the huge wings.

A wonderful day for travel.  It reached 67 degrees today.  

Have a great day all.

October 29, 2013

We headed for Columbus Ohio where the agenda included a tour of the Ohio Capitol and the Jack Nicklaus Museum on the Ohio State Campus.

Because the floor had to be redone, an outline of the state, with counties identified, made a unique map.

When the building was being built, it was done about as cheaply as possible.  The ground under the area included a lot of clay.  Surprisingly, one of the things built before the Capitol was the state prison.  The clay was free, the labor was real cheap and the interior design was quite plain...and the land was donated.

 Instead of war memorials, there are walls that include letters from friends of soldiers.

 The offices of the legislators are in a close by building that includes the Governor's office on the top floor.

 Like the Rotunda?

A short drive to the Ohio State University campus to the Jack Nicklaus Museum.  It was very well done and had a lot of pictures and golf memorabilia from a great career.

 Some of Jack's Masters memorabilia.  Six times a winner.

 A winning Ryder Cup Captain.

 A replica of the "Family Room" in Florida. Grammie enjoying the video.

 What talent.  Arnie, Ray, Tom and Jack.

 The Master at work.

The van turned over 10,000 miles today.  Our grand daughters birthday was today and we got started late and didn't get a chance to call Ivy today and wish her a happy birthday, so,  Tom called up school, got Ivy on the phone and we sang Happy Birthday to her.  Happy 7th Ivy.  Thanks Lori.

Pittsburgh tonight.  Should I be taking orders for Yeungling?

Have a great day all.

October 28, 2013

On the way out of town from Louisville, KY to Cincinnati, we visited the Kentucky State Capitol building in Frankfort, KY.  The building has been selected as the 3rd best beautiful Capitol building. 

 The dome in the rotunda changes colors each 5-5 seconds.

 We were surprised to see a copy of the Ten Commandments in the rotunda.

 The building was well lit, spaceous and built under budget.

 In one hallway there were pictures of Kentucky's famous women...not necessarily all politicians.

 A representation of the counties in the state with a needlepoint panel of a unique feature or industry in that county.

Before we left town...a quick stop at the Rebecca-Ruth Bourbon Candy store.  A pic of an old fashioned candy extruder. Much of the work done in the factory is still done by hand.

We finally made it to Cincinnati where we spent the evening with a neighborhood friend who just happened to be a former student.  The meal was delicious as Jane is a wonderful cook.  The Apple pie made us miss home.

October 27, 2013

Hi everyone.  Today was a crash and burn day. We are now on eastern time and it catches up to you after a while.  Tom played golf and Alice slept in late..at least until 8:30.  It was one of those days where you don't really feel like doing much of anything.  We didn't even think of hauling out the camera.
Tomorrow we are headed to Cincinatti to see a former neighbor to Newport but even though not living there now,  still a neighbor for life.
Day 60 on the road has come and gone and we are closing in on 10,000 miles.  It seems that the closer we get to the east coast, the van goes closer to 80 than 65.

Ready to watch the ball game.  Have a great day all.

October 26, 2013

This morning was spent at the National Quilt Museum.  Two large rooms were for the permanent collection which is about 400 quilts.  The 3rd room was a for quilts on temporary loan.

They do not allow pictures in the museum so no quilt pictures for you to see.  Most of the ones currently on display were from 2007 forward.  Many were hand quilted but there were a lot that were machine quilted. For the real curious click here for their website.  National Quilt Museum

Before we got to the museum we took a little walk down to the Ohio River where it looks like Grammie is shivering.

The Tennessee River on the right flows into the Ohio.

 Along the River there were about 3 dozen murals depicting Paducah's rich history.

 Riverboat tours still operate today.

 Repairs of boats were also done in Paducah.

 Grammie patiently waiting to get inside.

We don't think the trees are ever going to turn here.

After a 4 hour tour of the museum, we hit the road for Louisville.

Still a few more places to see on the way.

October 25, 2013

Toured the Jefferson City Capitol building this morning and then traveled to Paducah, KY.  The building has a lot of artwork in it.  The artwork was done because the budget for completion of the building was over budgeted.  The art work was done by people from Missouri, Italian artists and also N.C. Wyeth.

On the first floor on each wing was a museum section which featured State History and the states engagement in the Civil War.  The picture is of a Sweet Gum Tree mortar.  The hollowed out tree could last for as much as 24 hours until it finally exploded.

 A more conventional cannon that was originally located outside the building. 

 Each Capitol building usually has some fact to attribute to the building whether dome, marble, granite, height...etc.  This is claimed to be the widest set of stairs in any building in the world.  Thirty three feet wide.

The rotunda was very colorful.  The paintings you see were the ones done by Italian Artists who never visited the building.  They were completed in Italy and sent to the US to be placed in the Rotunda.

This huge continuous painting is in the House Lounge and was done with Tempura Paint with egg yolk mixed with water to add richness to the color.  When it was completed it was criticized by many because of some of the ideas portrayed, but in the end was finally accepted.  It centered on events of the states history.  Artist...Thomas Hart Benton.

 This part portrayed Jesse James.

For more, visit   Lounge murals 

 A new low in gas prices today.  Bummer, we had a full tank

The weather was clear this morning but below freezing.

October 24, 2013

Just a short drive down the road from Salina is the President Eisenhower Boyhood Home, Museum and Presidential Library.  It was an excellent display and strongly recommend it to anyone that comes near Abilene, KS.

On the way to the Museum, which opened at 9, we passed a Russell Stover factory and Candy store,  which wasn't open yet.  Sorry, they lose.

 
The Dwight D. Eisenhower boyhood home.  The home is located on the original site with the contents all original artifacts.  Six boys were raised here and all became successful in their adult lives.

 
 Need a copy of your birth certificate,  and you know who you are...make a copy of the family bible.

 

 Eisenhower family picture

 A letter which was sent to the soldiers before the beginning of Operation Overlord.

 General Eisenhower's Staff car which was retired, bought by friends, sent back to the factory for a makeover and presented to General Eisenhower after the war.

The museum was separated into 2 sections.  The first was his war years and the second was his presidential years.  The 2nd large button on the bottom row reads  Democrats  Republicans for Ike. 

 Fall leaf peeping season...Kansas style.

 Kansas Capitol building in the middle of repairs.

 The old mechanical elevator is still in use today per state resolution.

 The inside of the building is lined with Copper that has recently been polished.

These Copper columns in the chambers of the House and Senate are hollow.  The vents on the bottom add ventilation to the room.

In the Governor's ceremonial office there are photographs from 4-H members that are part of the Governor's photo collection.

A photo of the home where Dr. Brewster Higley was visiting a patient in 1842.  The home inspired him to pen the words to the poem "My Western Shore"  which became the Kansas State Song  "Home On The Range".

Once completed, visitors will be able to climb the stairs almost to the top of the dome.  Notice the railing under the staging.

The railroads contributed to the success of the State of Kansas.  Before the railroad came through, the population was about 200.  Topeka is  well known for the landmark United States Supreme Court case
Brown vs Board

Driving around out west, there are many cars still on the road that would have rusted out back home.  Tom has seen several "88" Caprice sedans and Chevy Luminas still on the road.

 A water tower.

Busy day tomorrow.  Headed to Paducah Kentucky.  Many of you will know why.