North Adams, MA

We spent too long and drove too much getting from Harrisburg, PA to North Adams, but have one memorable reward.  Unfortunately, we have no photo of the fall leaves reflected in a lake during a moment of perfect light.  Just create your own perfect image of fall foliage and you too might see what we saw.  Regardless, in the am, we were able to see where we parked the RV.

Some might say things got worse this morning when we awoke to rain.  The water drops were accompanied by leaf drops, not a good sign for foliage viewing.  However, being who we are we made “lemonade from the lemons” and headed off for a day at a museum.

Our lovely campsite is in the north Berkshires, an area filled with outstanding art museums, galleries and studios housed in the remains of 19th century factory buildings.  On a previous trip we spent a day at the renowned Clark Museum of Art.  This time we went to the Mass. Museum of Contemporary Art.  Those who know Jerry are familiar with his attitude toward most contemporary art.  Well, this time he was impressed with most of what we saw.  Below we share our favorite collections.

Jerry made a bee-line for the wood creations of Jason Middlebrook.  He uses reclaimed wood as well as other collected materials.  “Falling Water,” named for the F. L. Wright home, is made from large blocks of Styrofoam.but appears in a state of decay.  It hints of the buildings of this area and of the effects of the super storms of our time.

The art of Xu Bing is “jaw-dropping.”  That is what happened when we entered the 300-foot-long main gallery and gazed up at two soaring phoenixes. 

Originally commissioned by a Beijing real estate developer, the “Phoenix Project” was controversial because the material used reflected poorly on the Chinese economic state.  Bing planned his pieces to contrast with the modern buildings they were intended for.  He made them from the collected debris from the construction sites, intending to show the contrast between the luxury of the new financial building and the waste left behind.  Today the massive and magnificent pieces are on long-term display in an abandoned warehouse turned art museum, a fitting home.

Xu Bing’s “Tobacco Project” is made of a half million cigarettes.  Irony plays a role in this piece also.  The artist was in residence at Duke University in Durham, NC when he started “1st Class.”  The Duke family made some of their fortune from selling cigarettes to the Asian market in the 1900s.  In China the tiger is a symbol of both luxury and colonialism.  The artist’s tiger is also a symbol of the indulgence in and risks of tobacco.
 

We walked through a long, dark tunnel to view Sol LeWitt’s geometric shapes.

We still sought a bit more art and went to Eclipse, a former factory turned into studios.  The photographic artist Chad Kleitsch reminded us of the lecture we enjoyed back in DC (earlier entry).

Extended Family Time

Cousins Barbara and Bob met us at the National Zoo to see Cheryl’s seals and sea lion exhibit.  The exhibit is part of "American Trail" that displays North American animals.

Bennett is already an expert on what is there and delights in his favorite part, the tide pool.  He says Mommy did a great job of providing a cool break for the visitors.

He enjoyed telling Bubbie all about it.

After the zoo, we all went to Jean and Ron’s for a relaxing time to talk, enjoy Bennett and have a delicious soup and salad dinner followed by one of Jerry’s famous apple pies. 

Jean, Barbara, Ron and Anna Lee all graduated from East High School in Denver a long time ago so we needed a photo of Angel alums.

A couple of years ago, Jean admired a blue denim purse Anna Lee had bought.  She has been making ones like it for family and friends and Anna Lee got a lovely new one.

 Anna Lee has taken up mahj jong.  Goldie, Jean’s mom, kindly gave her old set to her.  Her friends at home will enjoy this treasured set.

Family Get-together

Our son Jeff came down from New York to join us for the weekend.  We enjoyed excellent dim sum then Bennett was getting ready for his Niners tryout.

 Afterward, we went to a photograph lecture on Understory by Jackie Bailey Labovitz at the Botanical Garden, her photos of tiny flowers were beautiful.

wandered through the Crafty Bastard Faire filled with a range of practical and decorative arts made primarily from recycled items

and played games entertaining for all ages,

But sometimes the conversation bored Bennett so he took a nap.

Each fall the adoption agency hosts a picnic for their families.  Bennett enjoyed playing in the park with his cousin Robyn.

 Cheryl enjoyed winning a big Costco Bag filled with household goodies.  Jerry's favorite store. 

Fredericksburg

Next Jerry and Anna Lee spent a lovely day in Fredericksburg, VA with RV friends Paul and Carol (last visit in Asheville in May).  We learned a lot about early America and the Civil War (War of Northern Aggression here) on our trolley ride around the historic district.  Founded in 1728 the town was a significant location during colonial and revolutionary times.  The city sits along the Rappahannock River which was a major shipping lane with a significant port and later the dividing line and death trap for soldiers on both sides of the Civil War.  Many original structures are still occupied as homes, churches or businesses. 


Hugh Mercer  whose statue occupies an important place in town, owned an apothecary shop that  was known for its advanced medical methods of bleeding, the use of leeches, and medicine laced with alcohol.  The nurse beckons for treatment.

Even back then taxes were a bane and to be avoided if possible, so many of the buildings are narrow.  Property tax was based upon the width of the property.  Narrow meant lower taxes.  (See another example in previous blog entry.) 

The town is half way between Washington DC and Richmond, the Union and Confederate capitols; therefore it was the scene of four major battles during the Civil War.  It is on the edge of the site of the Battle of Fredericksburg, where the CSA set up a slew that ensnared Union troops. 
The South burned the existing bridges across the river so, to attack the town, the North had to have another way to cross the river.  The bridges they built to cross the river cost of thousands of lives taken by Southern sharpshooters.  Yet, at quiet times troops on both sides would trade tobacco and coffee between forays.  When the bridges were complete, General Burnside marched lines of soldiers through mud and muck across a mile of open field to attack a fortified position.

 
 They were easy targets for the Confederate cannons and rifle fire.  The Confederates stood behind the rock wall and fired downhill on the advancing Union troops.  15,000 soldiers died.  One Southerner soldier, Richard Kirkland, was so anguished by the cries of the wounded and dying that he disobeyed orders and risked his own life to comfort them with sips of water.  At the end of that battle, troops from both sides stood to honor him.  He was killed weeks later. 

Four designated battles took place within the town or a few mile away and 100,000 troops died in the area.  The town changed hands ten times during the Civil War.  On the edge of the cemetery, filled mostly with unknown soldiers, is a spire built in honor of Mary Washington. 

George Washington spent his youth here and had family in the area for generations.  His mother, Mary, widowed with 10 children, was honored with this the only monument to an American woman funded by American women.

This monument honors the first amendment, Freedom of Religion, first written into the Virginia Constitution.  Thomas Jefferson considered this the most important one and used it as the basis of the First Amendment.

War was not the only the only tragedy the town experienced.  Repeatedly, and as recent as 1972, floods ravaged the area.  This 1813 Old Stone Warehouse is four stories high but silt has buried three stories leaving the main entrance on the first floor.  It is a small architectural museum still lacking water and heat.  The “curator,” a private archeologist, has been collecting artifacts throughout the area.  He explained the origin of the term “clip joint.”  Back when money was in “bits,” some unscrupulous shop owners would clip a bit or short change the customer, hence the term.

The building still carries signs of the Civil War.  Several holes made by cannon shot are visable along with some cannon balls.

This 20th century church has three windows designed by Tiffany. 

We visited on National Hug Day and Paul and Carol got a group hug.

Back with Bennett

We left you in June in Virginia where we also left the motorhome.  In the interval, we had a hot summer in Sacramento eased by the visit of our family. 

In July, son Jeff rode part and son-in-law Dave rode all of the Death Ride near Lake Tahoe.   For the non-bicyclists, the Death Ride is an annual event in the Sierras, a 130 plus mile tour over five mountain passes with over 15,000 feet of climb.  And yes, it is done in one day.

While they were climbing steep mountains, Bennett, Cheryl, Jerry and Anna Lee were enjoying Sacramento.

Now we have returned to DC for more time with our grandson.  Our first activity on arrival was a 10K walk in Vienna, VA.  The historical aspects of this walk included a small log cabin built in the 18th century and now located in the backyard of a lovely home.

and this cemetery built by the commander of troops honored in the movie Glory.  Among the stones are ones marking the graves of persons born as slaves.



 

The mural depicts the town as a major railroad hub in the 19th century

and the oldest library in Virginia. 

Reader Comment Requested: Let us know if you own more books than could fit in this library (about the size of a small bedroom).
                                       
Okay, it’s been long enough.  After our walk, we headed over the river to Bennett’s house where we were greeted with big hugs.  On Friday we got to spend the day spoiling him.

 In the late afternoon, we  followed Cheryl on her weekly trek to the farmer’s market.

 To give Mom some free time on Sunday, Bennett joined us for his first 10k volksmarch.  It went through Annapolis and included lovely neighborhoods with amusing art like this "Pablo Chicaso"

the historic district with its narrow buildings (the blue one on the corner is one home) (explanation in next blog entry)

and The US Naval Academy with this statue made in the likeness of the figurehead of Tecumseh on the prow of a ship.

Wrapping it Up

We spent our final days in DC getting the motorhome ready for storage in Virginia and enjoying family time (really Bennett time).

Visitors to DC see all the museums and government buildings that are the center of this big city.  What most of them don’t know is that just beyond the concrete bustle is beautiful Rock Creek Park filled with trees and paths.  We joined the runners, walkers, bikers, skaters and even a zumba-er in beating the heat for an early morning walk for us, run for Dave and Cheryl.  

Then it was home to keep cool.  Bennett and his Zaidy reaped the benefits of their hard work by putting together a water table that was a first birthday gift.  

Bennett splashed while Jerry squirted everyone with the water balls (sometimes it’s hard to separate the man from the boy).

Back in the house, Bennett fulfilled his social responsibilities of signing his thank you cards for his birthday gifts.  His mother is teaching him well.

At the beginning of the trip we explained that we were transporting the toy box Jerry made for Bennett.  It is now in his room where he can push the boxes around and keep his toys.

Before going to the airport to return home, we stopped by the National Zoo to visit Cheryl.   Bennett had to have a ride on their new carousel but it was difficult choosing between the lady bug and the penguin. 

 Our farewell was easy because all our family will be joining us in California in July.  The next task for us is to baby proof our home.

This journey continues in the fall when we return to DC to rejoin the family and travel again in the RV.