Since the last post we have not moved very far spending 2 days here, 2 days there, relaxing from opening the suitcase...closing it up again. We have been at Joint Base McChord, near Tacoma WA since Wednesday afternoon.
Today we went to Tacoma to visit the Museum of Glass. The museum features works of glass art with some pieces going back centuries. There is a Hot Spot that creates pieces of art at the museum.
Outside the museum, there is a glass display by Martin Blank titled Fluent Steps. The artist used 71,000 pounds of molten glass to create the display. This particular part represents wisps of air rising from a cup of tea.
A view of part of the city from a viewing area. Tacoma lies along Commencement Bay.
This display is on the Chihuly Bridge of Glass. Chihuly was born in Tacoma and currently had a display next to the Space Needle in Seattle. Chihuly display in Seattle.
This display is also on the Bridge of glass.
Inside the museum, there is a Hot Spot where one can sit and watch the process of creating glass art.
The furnace is kept at 2300 degrees.
A little extra heat to keep the glass molten.
The ovens run off natural gas, however, quick heat is supplied by acetylene.
This is part of a display of glass art by James Mongrain. It is owned by collector George Stroemple. It is amazing to see the intricate detail in the glass.
There pieces were done in the last 5 years by Mongrain, however he used pieces from Italy as the source of inspiration as shown in the next picture.
Pieces of glass done over 200 years ago.
More ancient pieces.
The tools of the artist.
This chandelier hangs in the Washington State University Library. It is over 19 feet long and contains over 900 pieces of hand blown glass.
Pieces of Chihuly's work on the Bridge of Glass.
From the Museum of Glass, we headed over to the Lemay American Car Museum. see Lemay American Car Museum The museum features over 300 cars, in very fine condition.
A much sought after Indian motorcycle...especially Mike Wolfe from American Pickers.
We musn't forget the places that kept old vehicles on the road.
2005 Ford GT
Ferrari race car.
A 1942 Chevrolet "blackout" in unrestored original condition. A blackout is a vehicle made in January 1942 that could not use any brightwork metal other that chrome for bumpers. This was to conserve metal during the war.
Back to the future.
A 1967 Ford Shelby GT 500
Many of the cars in the museum were either donated, or on loan from private collectors.
At the end of the museum viewing, we were such good visitors, they let us test drive a 1923 Buick Touring Car. Photo courtesy of Lemay ACM
There were 2 more cars at the museum. Grammie's is on the left.
Thanks for keeping an eye on Grammie's whereabouts.
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