Romance Of The Horse at The Tennessee History Museum
By carlvaleri | June 22, 2010
Captivated by its beauty, alacrity, and power the majestic horse galloped gracefully through the grass covered field. Growing up near the Lord Sterling Stable in New Jersey, I would spend hours watching these wonderful creatures run jump and play. I watched with amazement as the powerful horses moved their enormous bodies with such ease. That same feelings returned as I wandered through the “Romance Of The Horse” exhibit at the Tennessee History Museum.
A variety of artists and mediums are on display and interwoven with tales of the horse and its importance to Tennessee history. Numerous farms in Tennessee provide a variety of equestrian training including thoroughbred racing to other forms of equation including hunters and dressage, best described as horse ballet.
An impressive painter of the horse, Bernard De Clavière, is currently on display in conjunction with the Romance of The Horse exhibit. One of the worlds premier animaliers, artists known for their realistic portrayal of animals, De Clavière paintings caused me to blurt “wow!” I wandered the exhibit. Not hearing the docent walk behind me, I jumped when I heard a voice over my shoulder say, “impressive isn’t it?” He then went on to explain how Clavière renown exploded world wide when the French commissioned a gift for the Queen of England, painting her mare and dog in front of their residence at Windsor Castle.
The Romance of the Horse is one of the best exhibits I have seen at the Tennessee History Museum. It will take up to an hour to view the exhibit and if you visit the entire history museum give yourself at least two hours.
For More Information:
Bernard de Clavière : Nashville Arts Magazine
Bernard de Clavière: Animalier Extraordinaire
Romance of The Horse on View until August 22
Artwork by de Clavière:
Recommended Reading:
Topics: Equestrian, Museum, Nashville, Tennessee | No Comments »
The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, New Jersey
By carlvaleri | June 20, 2010
An undulating sea of green accented by large brown cattails indicates summer is approaching at the Great Swamp Wildlife refuge. The fresh breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers, lulling me into a catatonic state as I slowly pedaled my bicycle towards the new visitors center. Luckily I didn’t fall when my tires hit one of the many potholes on this rustic road.
After crossing a bridge and rounding a corner my ride became smooth as I entered a paved road leading up to an old white farm house. The house is now the home of the Helen C. Fenske Visitor Center of the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.
Slowly walking towards the building I was greeted by a friendly and excited volunteer who wanted to know if I was taking pictures of the building for posterity or if studying the trees. I told her I had been riding my bicycle on this road since the early 70’s and was excited by the recent changes especially the new visitor center.
The meticulously preserved and recently updated farm house sits on a beautiful piece of farmland. As I entered the bright foyer more volunteers greeted me and where eager to relate the natural and political history of the Great Swamp.
Who would have know this was a planned site for a large international airport. As the volunteer described the struggle of local conservationists lead by Helen Fenske I viewed the many display cases full of animal specimens and diagrams depicting the rich history of this park.
The volunteer related their many educational programs for both children and adults. The reading room contained an extensive array of books relating to the plant life, birds, and animals found in the swamp and throughout New Jersey. After buying a baseball cap in the gift shop it was time to leave the modern air conditioned building and enter the humid heat outside.
A large picnic pavilion overlooking a field and the woods of the swamp behind seems a perfect place for a relaxing afternoon lunch. I can’t wait to come back again to take pictures of the many migratory birds in this 7,700 acre wildlife refuge.
For More Information:
Friends of The Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge
New Jersey Division of Fish & Wildlife
Recommended Reading:
Topics: Basking Ridge, New Jersey, Wildlife Refuge | No Comments »
“Flight Seeing” Over Tampa Bay, Florida
By carlvaleri | June 5, 2010
Turquoise waters slide below as I fly towards an inlet where strong currents have turned the white sandy swirls into a secluded bird sanctuary. The din of the airplanes engine is barely heard as I lose myself in the wonderful views of pristine waters surrounding a barrier island below. As if on a magic carpet I’m gliding above the colorful waters during my aerial tour of Tampa Bay.
Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Aviation, Florida, Tampa | 1 Comment »
Sunken Gardens: One Of The Oldest Tourist Attractions in St. Petersburg, Florida
By carlvaleri | May 24, 2010
The cool breeze carried the sound of birds chirping as I stood on a low bridge above a babbling brook meandering through a lush tranquil garden path. Shards of light flickered on my shirt as the breeze swayed the large trees from side to side. This tropical oasis is a stark contrast from the city I drove through a few minutes before.
Sunken Gardens in St. Petersburg, Florida has been entertaining visitors for over 70 years and provides a tranquil respite from the busy roads. The gardens are “sunken” because a lake was drained and transformed into a tropical paradise.
Topics: Florida, St. Petersburg | No Comments »
Historic Hampton Roads; Norfolk, Virginia
By carlvaleri | May 9, 2010
It was a wonderful cloudless day as I strolled along the wooden docks in Norfolk, Virginia. Numerous benches overlook the deep blue waters of Hampton Roads. I couldn’t help but relax while watching red tug boats slowly guide large vessels into the shipyard.
My gaze changed to a blurry vision of old wooden ships traversing these waters. I envisioned the the new white naval fleet proudly displayed at the1907 World’s Fair. Fortunately, my vision of this historic event became reality since Norfolk has a museum which allows visitors to experience the storied past of Hampton Roads.
Topics: Military Museum, Museum, Norfolk, Virginia | No Comments »
A Bohemian Enclave; Short North, Columbus, Ohio
By carlvaleri | April 26, 2010
Crisp spring air, warm sun, and a brilliant blue sky made it a perfect day to venture through one of the more unique art districts in the United States, Short North in Columbus, Ohio. Contrasting images and a cacophony of music caused sensory overload as I walked slowly down the historic Art district, attempting to absorb all that is part of this wonderful enclave.
Strolling down the large sidewalk it is evident many are attracted to the Bohemian lifestyle afforded to those who call Short North home. Large murals painted on buildings display both traditional and modern recreations of paintings including the famous “American Gothic”.
Topics: Columbus, Ohio | No Comments »
The Airshow Season Begins at Sun N Fun, Lakeland, FL
By carlvaleri | April 18, 2010
Thunderous explosions with plumes of flame and black smoke billowing upwards punctuate the opening act of the Sun N Fun airshow. Antique aircraft to modern fighter jets can be viewed up close at the annual Sun N Fun Fly In at Lakeland, Florida.
Billed as “spring break for pilots”, Sun N Fun is an event for everyone in the family. For me Sun N Fun is an annual aviation gathering where I get to visit my friends and fellow aviation enthusiasts. I like to describe this event as an aviation convention with an amazing airshow.
I would recommend this event to anyone who likes airplanes or has kids. You will surely be amazed at the exciting aerobatic performances, especially by the Thunderbirds!
For More Information:
Topics: Air Show, Aviation, Florida, Lakeland | No Comments »
Bartow Air Museum
By carlvaleri | April 7, 2010
Flying allows us to see the beauty of the world from a unique vantage and affords many the opportunity to visit destinations both near and far. As many of you know aviation is my passion and has enabled me to visit places I would never have dreamed of.
Most of my journeys on this website have included places you can get to by car, train, or airline. Today I will begin sharing with you my travels using a small general aviation aircraft. General aviation is all flying other than airlines.
The first stop on my journey is the Bartow Airport and the Aviation Museum. The museum was found serendipitously when I stopped to pick up a friend at the Bartow airport. I wandered into the brand new building to discover a treasure trove of pictures and artifacts from a time when the airfield was used as a military training base.
Topics: Aviation, Florida, Museum, general aviation | No Comments »
The Belugas are Back at The Georgia Aquarium
By carlvaleri | March 7, 2010
The playful Beluga whales twist their rubbery white skin with ease as the massive mammal glides effortlessly through the large tank. Performing acrobatic maneuvers while passing in front of the crowd, claps can be heard from the onlookers. I sit mesmerized as the mammals performed their intricate maneuvers.
Part of the Cold Water Exhibit at the Georgia Aquarium the tank of Belugas had been undergoing restoration last time I visited. Now open with an impressive 1700 pound Beluga named Beethoven joining the Maris the new tank.
Topics: Atlanta, Georgia, Georgia Aquarium | No Comments »
John Lennon’s Psychedelic Bentley at the Nations Oldest Car Museum.
By carlvaleri | January 5, 2010
Memories of road trips and family visits occupy my thoughts as we stroll past the historic cars. Entering the Classic Car Museum in Sarasota, Forida, we are drawn to the multicolored Bentley once owned by John Lennon. Tracing the lines and colorful patterns with my eyes, I felt a slight dizziness as I tried to make sense of the many shapes.
Nearby a large steel encased structure, fins protruding from the rear, reminded me of a ship steaming through the water instead an automobile. The era of big lumbering cars of the 1950’s and 60’s is what many envision as a classic American car and comprises one of my favorite eras in car production.
Topics: Florida, Museum, Sarasota, Transportation | No Comments »