The Breakers
We visited the Breakers of the famous Cornelius Vanderbilt family. He was an American railroad and shipping magnate. This is one of three Vanderbilt mansions that are still open to the public. Fred Vanderbilt’s mansion at Hyde Park, and George Vanderbilt's Biltmore Mansion in Asheville, NC. The Biltmore Mansion is the largest home in the United States. The Vanderbilt family and descendants have built 45 such properties in their lives. Opulence and splendor were the expected norm, and we were not disappointed.
I was totally impressed with this 'cove,' and how private it would be for an evening chat.
This photograph was taken from inside the main parlor through the glass doors. The door framed the setting.
I'm not sure what the four faucets might operate, but man what a tub!
AH! AH! Tom Schoenewald, our trusty Tour Guide came back and answered the "four faucet" question. (2) are for hot and cold water, and (2) for hot or cold SEA WATER. How about them apples! Sea Water I'd of never quessed that in a million years. Thanks again Tom.
Look at the wall and bed covering in this room. It is right next to the large bathtub. I asked my wife, if she was impressed enough to consider making wild passionate love in such a setting.
She said NO! ????
Now I've captured the same scene, but on this time outside on the veranda. This setting just grabs one's heart.
I love to work in the kitchen. This would be paradise. Grab a pot just any ole pot.
The caretaker’s home.
In the main covered entrance where I would assume carriages used to stop to unload passengers, this bronze lady caught my eye. It was like she was welcoming just me.
Mystic Bay, Connecticut
Mystic Village is not really a city, as it has no independent government; but it is an area on the Mystic River flowing from the Long Island Sound. The Mystic area has been the leading sea port of Connecticut for years going back to the times of the Pequot and the Iroquois tribes.
Listen to the quiet sound of" NO Government', how sweetly the sound rings to my ears.
The Mystic Seaport Museum
The Seaport Museum was interesting in that there were actual shops where these vessels have been built and are being resorted. Or maybe better replicas of the original vessel are being built. The shipyard, its facilities and the work in process were as impressive to me as the reproductions.
Having recently visited the Viking Museum in Oslo, Norway, this bow immediately caught my eye and the Viking influence in the shipping industry.
The replica of the Mayflower II that sailed to Plymouth in the fall of 1620. The name Mayflower was a popular name, as there were 26 vessels bearing the name Mayflower in the Port Books of England during the reign of King James (1603–1625). This is Grand ship, but it seems rather tiny is our minds. Remember that when they sailed the Atlantic in the 1600's the chronometer had not yet been invented so they sailed by latitude navigation. They cross from Europe to North America is 64 days riving a Cape Cod November 19,1620 with a crew and a passage load of 130. OH! don't forget on board was their food, as well as building and farming tools, cannon, shot, and gunpowder, as well as some live animals, including dogs, sheep, goats, and poultry. Just a Wee Bit Compact. By the way the same King James had the Bible translated at Oxford University; the bible we grew up with known as the King James version of the Holy Bible.
The Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts
The Norman Rockwell museum was the high light of this tour in my eyes. It may that my esteem for him goes back to when at about 9 years old I was a Saturday Evening Post delivery boy. As I recall when you signed up and purchased your first 5 magazines you were given an ‘Official Saturday Evening Bag’ and maybe even a cap. You paid them 45 cents for the 5 magazines and then were off to deliver or sell you 5 copies in the neighbor. Each magazine was sold for 10 cents and if you sold all 5 copies then you had made 5 cents. This was big money as it only took a nickel to go to the Saturday matinée movie. No popcorn as being this was in WWII corn was not wasted on Popcorn.
But the nickel profit only lasted till the matinée, and our goal was to be a Professions and buy 10 Posts to deliver and sell. This would make one movie solvent and have enough to for a treat. I think they even gave us a star pin at this level. Thus, my first lesson in the free enterprise system. After a couple of weeks at the 5 copy level per I jumped to the Professional level only to discover that finding 10 ladies who would buy the Post was far different than just finding 5. It meant an expansion of territory and to where one wasn’t known. Too, I discovered the meaning of competitors. My first week as a Professional was a disaster. I only sold 7 copies. My wages for that week were 3 extra copies and a loss of 20 cents of my working capital. I was devastated and in shock. No Saturday matinée’s that week. Fortunately, I recovered, learned and profited and through the 6th grade thanks, to the Saturday Evening Post, I got to go to the matinées and my pockets had a little jingle. My fondest memories of the Post were Norman Rockwell’s covers and the stories of Alexander T. Botts, the tractor salesman from Earthworm Tractor Company.
Norman Rockwell, “I showed the America I knew and observed to others who might not have noticed.”
Norman Rockwell was the Illustrator for Boy's Life, the magazine of the Boy Scouts. He maintained a lifelong association with the Boy Scouts.
Enlarge "Tiny Tim & Bob Cratchit" 1934, Enlarge "A Scout is Helpful" 1941, Enlarge "The Outward Bound" 1927
This was Rockwell's first Saturday Evening Post cover, "Mother's Day Off," and was published in May of 1916. His prior cover on the Post was in 1918 in the middle of WWI. Rockwell published 323 original covers for The Saturday Evening Post over 47 years.
Enlarge "Mother's Day Off" 1916 Enlarge The Red Cross Magazine "Generations"1918
Enlarge "No Swimming" 1921
In 1943, during World War II, Rockwell painted the Four Freedoms Series. They were inspired by a speech delivered by President Franklin D Roosevelt, wherein Roosevelt described and articulated the Four Freedoms for universal rights. Rockwell then painted Freedom from Want; Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, and Freedom from Fear.
Enlarge "Freedom from Want" 1943, Enlarge "Freedom of Speech" 1943
Enlarge "Freedom of Worship" 1943, Enlarge "Freedom from Fear" 1943
I love the EYES! And I understand Rockwell played for several weeks deciding on their exact location. Oh, they are saying, I like what you are doing Young Man.
Enlarge "The Art Critic" 1955
Enlarge "The Recruit" , Enlarge "The Runaway" 1958
Enlarge "The Country Doctor" 1947
Norman Rockwell enlisted and used local people as models for the scenes he visualized. This second painting shows the exactness he wanted, when you look at the book props supporting his feet. This was the exactness that Rockwell was intent on capturing.
Enlarge "The Doctor" 1958, Enlarge The model in place for the "Picture Hanger".
I placed these two covers just for fun. the first is so typical of the lesson we learned in life. "Thrown from the Horse" If you get thrown off, get back on and go again.
The second was the Post published in August 5th of 1933. I was one month and one day old, and Miss Dottie was just 6 days old. But neither of us remember this particular issue.
These two paintings just go together as Rockwell was well known for his Patriotism, and with 'Rosie the Riveter" he captured the model's wonderful independent attitude. She was doing her part for the War effort. However, she was a rather petite lady and was somewhat surprised when she saw the arms that Rockwell had given her in his representation of Rosie the Riveter.
His last commission for the Boy Scouts of America was a calendar illustration entitled The Spirit of 1976, which was completed when Rockwell was 82. This concluded a partnership which generated 471 images for periodicals, guidebooks, calendars, and promotional materials. His connection to the BSA spanned 64 years, marking the longest professional association of his career.
Enlarge "Rosie the Riveter" 1943, Enlarge "The Spirit of 1976"
Enlarge Home for Thanksgiving 1945, Enlarge Before the Date 1949
The eyes, the eyes. OH! how Rockwell captured the moment. Just look at the eyes of the Referee, and then with the young lady he added the smile of confidence. One can just read her thoughts, "diddly squat on being at the Principles office, I won!"
Enlarge "Coin Toss" 195o, Enlarge "Shiner" 1953
My Flower Lady enhancing the Hydrangeas.
We travelers are from all across the US, and we are from Indiana.
We ladies are from the State of New York.
We are from out west and call Oregon our home.
My name is Maple Leaf, and I represent the Fall that is about to come. Be sure to come back when we show our Glory!
Hi I'm from Illinois.
Norman Rockwell's son John did this sculpture . I'm a little maple trying to show you my best!
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Enlarge Sculpture by Peter Rockwell, Norman's youngest son.
Howdy, we're from Georgia.
These lamps were on display in the cutest shop along our way. Oh! what an artistic touch. I've wondered for years what to do with my old clarinet. It helped me through College in the Aggie Band, but neither our kids nor grandkids don't want it. The lamps gave me an idea. Clever ever so clever!
What is the purpose of making a relaxing and informative journey, if one doesn't have the time to "Stop and Smell the Roses"? Wise use of our QTR!
So little but so mighty!
And yes, after we had proceeded to our rooms to relax, the bellmen, at all of our hotels, went to work to get our luggage delivered to our respective rooms. To my knowledge there was never a miss in our 7 days of travel. Well done Joel and Company!
You have had a good time cruising with us, so stay hitched. We're off to explore the wonders of Vermont's Green Mountains, New Hampshire's White Mountains and the City of Portland, Maine.
And now as we do in New Mexico, when we pass .......................... we'll wave.
ADIOUS ~ Amigos
Remember to wisely use your QTR!
QTR - Quality Time Remaining
Come on Willie sing us another verse, and we’ll move on down the road.
