12.25.10 – Christmas Fireworks, Cincinnati, Ohio

Technically this footage was shot last week, but I thought I'd save it for Christmas. Christmas used to be a far simpler affair -- Bing Crosby movies, carols, lots of food, and upset family members (and me skulking away to the TV). Now everything is a production. Here in Cincinnati, the downtown Macy's store has a repelling Santa (thankfully I missed that; not sure I'm ready for Santa as action hero) and fireworks.

As beautiful as the fireworks are/were, I'm not sure that's really what the Christmas spirit is all about.

Happy Holidays.

12.11.10 – Mt. Adams Reindog Parade (Cincinnati, Ohio)

What I’ve found from living in the Cincinnati area for a long time is that Cincinnatians need sanctioned events in order to cut loose, party, and act ridiculous. Parades are of particular fondness to the area citizens, and, this time of year, there is a penchant for dressing up your dog to add more frivolity. Yes, today was Reindog in Mt. Adams, a now relatively affluent neighborhood (not originally, of course), where I used to work, with a terrific view of the river and downtown. Somehow I had always missed, if not plain avoided, such events, but a friend suggested we go, and the weather cooperated enough for us to venture out.

There were a fair number of pugs, as would expected for the neighborhood, but also many golden retrievers and every other variety imaginable. There were more weimaraners than in a William Wegman book. My friend noticed the antlers on the dogs seemed to always be pointing down, but then I was surprised the dogs even stood for them on their heads to begin with. It's also surprising there wasn't more mayhem what with the mail men, Santa, bagpipes, carolers, and all the kids.

The weather has been uncooperative for a travel blog (bad timing), and it looks like tomorrow brings more snow (ugh), so there may be a brief hiatus with future posts.

11.27.10 – Newport, Kentucky and Brighton (Cincinnati, Ohio)

No, I did not camp out or get up before dawn on Black Friday to shop and I nearly stayed home today to either watch movies or finish reading Patti Smith’s Just Kids, but, even with the cold weather, the sun was out and the sky was blue. Still, it seemed a good idea to stick close to home and to find less congested locations, and, as I was out of my Elmwood Inn Kentucky Blend Tea, I stopped at the Kentucky Haus in Newport. Yes, it is very close to home (less than 2 miles), but I did have to cross the Licking River to get there. This is a lovely store on the corner of Monroe and 10th Street (not far from Newport on the Levee) with pretty much everything Kentucky you could possibly desire, from Bybee pottery to Elmwood Inn Tea to bourbon candy. Most Saturdays they have tastings, so they are well-worth attending. After a second sampling of the chocolate nut pie, I added it to my purchase. Hopefully mine will taste as good as theirs. The last time I visited I was able to have my tealeaves read. Today there was a pottery demonstration by one of the artists represented. Luckily I was unable film my try at stamping the clay or else you'd think I had overindulged in the bourbon candy. It is much harder than it looks. If you live in the area you really should stop in to the shop.

I then headed over to Brighten to see the Semantics and U-turn gallery shows before they ended today. Somehow crossing the bridge into another state makes me feel I have journeyed somewhere, even if it really is only a quarter of a mile across. Both galleries have openings next Saturday, so check them out.

11.20.10 – Loveland, Ohio

I had to do some work this morning, which cut into travel plans, but there’s always something interesting close to home if you look. I went out to Loveland, Ohio this afternoon, home to Chateau Laroche, a handmade castle built by one extremely obsessed man. Many of the rocks were found along the Ohio River, but others were given to him by visitors who heard his story. I visited the castle years ago in college, while taking an architectural history course. It’s still both bizarre and magical. When I visited Denmark in 2003 I overdosed on castles, so much so that when I next went to London, I just couldn’t bear one more. Enough time has clearly passed, and this one is much smaller.

Next I visited Grailville, which is a retreat center nearby. I’ve always heard about it, but never had a reason to go. I learned they had a labyrinth, which I thought might be fun to walk. Of course with my bad sense of direction I thought for certain I had made a wrong turn, as it seemed to take me forever, but it was worth it to get to the center. It, and the brief bit of nice weather, inspired me to do a bit of whirling dervish. I still feel a little dizzy.

I had thought about a longer trip next weekend, but with all the crazy people going, mostly unhappily, to their families and back, I’m thinking it will be safer to stay indoors with the stack of DVDs I checked out from the library and plan something the following week.

11.13.10 – Augusta, Kentucky

Things got in the way last week, but I decided to take advantage of the unseasonably warm weather for a drive in the country today. I also finally acquired a GPS, so hopefully I will never be lost again, although I may be more annoyed. A test trip last week proved the system likes to get you off the highway an exit sooner than you really should. When I chose to stay on the highway, I heard what sounded almost like a sigh come from the system before it said, "recalculating." I think what I like best about it so far is that it shows me that I am indeed going the right way, which my self doubts often have been the cause of me getting very lost. If only there were a system to let you know you are going the right way in your life and relationships.

Anyway, Augusta is a lovely river town about an hour southeast of Cincinnati. The GPS had me go through Ohio and then take the ferry over to Augusta, which made the trip seem really like a voyage. The free and easy parking, and shops and attractions, all within walking distance, make it a great day trip. I stopped off at the visitors' center, which is located in a converted train car and offers terrific river views. After seeing the word "fried" used way too many times on the recommended restaurant's menu (yes, I know I'm in the South), I instead stopped at the General Store, which allowed me to have pancakes (I could eat breakfast for all three meals) and admire their holiday decorations. Augusta is the home of Kentucky's oldest jail, which was news to me. It's probably better known for the Clooney connection -- Nick and Nina Clooney (George's parents and Nick was Rosemary's brother) live in Augusta. Nina also has a shop and I even saw her walking down Main Street today (no, I did not bother her). Before she died, Rosemary bought a riverside home here, which has been converted into a museum by Heather French, the former Miss Kentucky and Miss America, who is an Augusta native.

Still, the Ohio River was never out of my eye line for very long. Driving there and back it was constantly on my side and it was quite tempting to stay seated the rest of the afternoon and watch the water flow.

10.30.10 – Frankfort, Kentucky

I had planned to go to Frankfort, Kentucky (the state capital for those who don’t know) last Sunday, but it needed to be rescheduled for this Saturday. Early on, I discovered Mapquest is not very helpful when there are detours, but thanks to a librarian who could draw, but didn’t know any street names, and a few trick or treaters (they were trick or treating early in downtown Frankfort) I was able to meet my friend, Judith, at the state capital. Unfortunately none of the doors to the capital were open, even though the Frankfort website said there were weekend tours. Not a good sign, but it was a lovely, if windy, day. Families and their pets were enjoying the grounds, which reminded me of the some of the gardens at castles I visited years ago in Denmark.

More to take advantage of a much-needed restroom break, we went on the Rebecca Ruth Candy factory tour, which was less than a half-mile a way. I, of course, bought an excessive amount of chocolate, which I am eating right now. There is a help wanted sign in the window, if anyone is interested, and their chocolate is really good.

We then stopped at the only Frank Lloyd Wright house in Kentucky (it unfortunately is a private residence and not open for tours). I didn’t even know there was one. I have always loved his architecture, but with all my clutter, knew I could never live in one of his homes. As I stood, first across the street, and then, getting up my courage, on the sidewalk taking pictures with both my FLIP and my digital still camera, I realized another reason why I wouldn’t want to live in one of his homes or nearby. Luckily no one came out or yelled at me. Judith stayed safely in the car.

After passing way too many Rand Paul signs, we had lunch in the Kentucky Coffeetree Café, where they were airing the Rally to Restore Sanity on the big screen and to a packed house. It was a relief to know there are still sane people in the state.

Television westerns were very popular in syndication when I was young, and I remembered loving the Daniel Boone style hat. Thankfully my pleas for one went unanswered. I would hate to have that picture lurking around. Still, it did seem a good idea to stop at Daniel Boone’s grave while in the area. I was taken by both the interesting trees nearby and the palatial view he has in his final resting spot.

We attempted to stop at the Kentucky Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, but the GPS took us to the correctional facility. Neither of us wanted to enter the jail compound, especially with inmates playing basketball (in a gated area) nearby. That can wait for another trip.

10.23.10 – Cincinnati, Ohio: Northside

Due to both work this week and allergies, I wasn’t able to travel too far, but hope to get out of the tri-state area tomorrow. Today I visited the Northside neighborhood in Cincinnati where a sculptural event, put on by parProjects, was taking place. The talented glass artists at Neusole were showing off their skills in Hoffner Park, and even entertained the animals. If you’re in the Cincinnati area, this event is still going on tomorrow and next week, so check it out.

The day ended with me being drawn again to the yellow and orange leaves, this time back in Covington. I did hear on the weather report this morning that probably in another week the leaves will be on the ground, so I suppose we should all enjoy them in the sky while we can.

10.17.10 – Yellow Springs, Ohio

I've been meaning to visit Yellow Springs for years, as it's the home to many artists and I was told it had lovely shops. This weekend they were having an arts walk of sorts, so it seemed to be good timing, especially as the weather was warm enough today for me to wear flip flops (making me ever so happy).

The area actually made me think of the Clifton neighborhood near the University of Cincinnati. In fact one of the shops used to be in Clifton. The shops were interesting and it was good to see many individuals creating and selling their work, although many places had way too much incense for my allergies to take. I was especially amused seeing the mystery section in the used bookstore separated by "Female Writers" and "Male Writers." Mostly I was drawn to the trees. I'm not much of a nature person, but the colors were amazing. I kept thinking Yellow Springs would be a great place to have a weekend country home, being that you drive about four miles through farmland before arriving at a quaint college town business district where there's ample cafes and shops within walking distance. That's my kind of country.

10.16.10 – Cincinnati, Ohio: Harriet Beecher Stowe House

Okay, Cincinnati is not a very far trip from Covington, Kentucky, but I still found a place to visit that I've never been to before (and I did have to cross a bridge to get there). I was recently looking through Traveling Literary America, which mostly contained sites in New England that I wanted to visit, but there was one listing in Cincinnati – the Harriet Beecher Stowe House. She and her family moved to Cincinnati when she was 21 years old (1832), and she lived in this house until her marriage in 1836 to Calvin Ellis Stowe. Harriet remained in Cincinnati until 1850, just a few years before she wrote Uncle Tom's Cabin. It's believed that witnessing slavery in nearby Kentucky, and her involvement with abolitionists in Cincinnati, helped in the creation of the book.

It is a lovely building with knowledgeable guides. Unfortunately the building was in other hands for about 100 years, so there's no original furniture. Still, it's a strangely tranquil building in a very busy section of Cincinnati near the University.

10.10.10 Louisville, Kentucky

Seeing that there was a Cincinnati Bengals football game (tailgaters were already out at a parking lot a block from me as I left this morning), Disney on Ice shows, and a Cincinnati Reds game all very close to where I live today, it seemed like a good day to be away. I ended up going to Louisville to visit my friend, Judith. It's about twice the distance of Dayton, Ohio, so I'm working my way into the traveling mode.

First, we went to the J. B. Speed Museum and saw a very small, but lovely, selection of Warhol prints, then wandered through the rest of the museum. I did get to realize that it's far easier filming when you're a passenger in the car (something I rarely am these days). We spent the rest of the afternoon at Cave Hill Cemetery, which has amazing sculptures, is the final resting place of a very famous "colonel," and I discovered that you should always look into peepholes in mausoleums.

10.7.10 – Dayton, Ohio

Recently a friend commented that she may be "too far gone" for liking a certain sci-fi gadget. I realized I was too far gone last night after staying up past midnight trying to decide if I should go to Pittsburgh today (almost 300 miles away one-way) in order to see a movie. The Harris Theater in downtown Pittsburgh was showing Akira Kurosawa's Ran, which was also a 25th anniversary print. It took me a long time to get to sleep debating going or not. In the end I decided to skip the movie and plan a trip to Pittsburgh later in the month or next when there's shows at both the Andy Warhol Museum and the Carnegie Art Museum that I want to see.

Still, I needed to escape for a little while today, and happened to notice recently an interesting exhibit that is about to close this weekend at the Dayton Art Institute, so that's where I was this morning. It was an exhibit of "Modern Masters" from the Smithsonian American Art Museum. While part of me still wishes I would have gone to see Ran, I did love the exhibit and discovered a few artists I wasn't aware of, so a good trip and short enough (55 miles one-way) to ease my body into traveling mode.

If you're in the Greater Cincinnati area, check out the "Modern Masters" exhibit in Dayton before it closes. Also, if you know what the beer bottle tops were about in the sculpture garden, please explain that to me.