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.