Tag: Museums

Tucson – November 2022 – Toy Trains

Museum, Transportation

The Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum is housed in a purpose built 6000 square foot building in northwest Tucson. It has numerous layouts with tracks of all gauges.

The 130 volunteers for this non profit museum have spent countless hours adding an incredible amount of detail to the layouts.

The volunteers continually monitor the collection to make sure everything is running smoothly.

The layouts are under constant expansion and improvements (note the ‘glue tower’ next to the building – it blends in nicely).

In addition to the trains, there are other items of historic or amusement value.

Outdoors are the larger scale trains.

The volunteers at the Gadsden Pacific Toy Train Museum are passionate, and the result is a great venue for photography, and to check out the scene.

Virtual Travel – Wisconsin

Architecture, Art, Festival, History, Museum, Nature, Sports, Transportation, Water Features

You are in Wisconsin doncha know. Our state tours are coming to an end but there is plenty to see and do in Wisconsin, and beyond.

 

2015 09 06 108 Hurley WI

 

 

State Capitol

1947     1953     1966

 

 

Madison is the State Capital. The Capitol building dates from 1917.

2012 07 15 1 Madison WI

 

 

State Symbols

State Dance – It seems nearly every state has square dancing as the state dance, but not Wisconsin. Let’s play the Beer Barrel Polka

 

State Pastry – Kringle

 

 

Madison is a pretty city situated between two lakes. The state animal, and nickname for the University of Wisconsin sports teams are the Badgers.

 

 

 

 

Towns and Cities

1940     1967     1972     1983     1997     2001    2003    2008     2017

 

Milwaukee – Wisconsin’s largest city is a Lake Michigan port city. There are a number of museums and parks along the lakeshore.

2014 09 20 8 Milwaukee

 

 

Racine is a smaller port city near the Illinois border.

2014 09 20 96 Racine WI

 

 

Ashland is located in northern Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Superior.

 

 

 

 

Wisconsin Cultures

1948     1958     1969     1987

Government State Wisconsin 1948

 

 

The Northern Great Lakes visitor center celebrates life on the Great Lakes.

2015 09 06 146 Ashland WI

 

 

The German culture thrives throughout the state. Beer, brats and cheeseheads! (photos from the internet)

Bavarian Bierhaus | © VISIT Milwaukee

look at that cute cheesehead!"-a packers fan #greenBAE #greenbay ...

 

 

 

Wisconsin Roads and Attractions

1970     1971     1973     1976     2006     2010     2011     2012     2013

 

Government State Wisconsin 2006

 

 

Wisconsin Dells – A popular tourist attraction in south central Wisconsin. While there is natural scenery there is an abundance of man made attractions. (photos from the internet)

Trips on a Tank: Wisconsin

Facts | Wisconsin Dells | Media Information

 

 

Harley Davidson Museum in Milwaukee

2014 09 20 34 Harley Davidson Museum Milwaukee

 

 

Wingspread – A Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece in Racine.

2014 09 20 102 FLW Wingspread House Racine WI

 

 

 

House on the Rock is located in Spring Green. This amazingly quirky structure was built as a result of a feud between a man named Alex Jordan and Frank Lloyd Wright. When Wright told him he wasn’t qualified to build a crate, Jordan set out to build this home.

Many question if this story is true or not, but regardless this place is like nowhere else. It is filled with automated musical instruments, strange collections, circus features including a massive carousel, and many other collections. The highlight is the ‘Infinity Room’, cantilevered out over the valley below.

2012 07 14 92 Spring Green WI House on a Rock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Travel – Virginia

Architecture, History, Museum, Nature, Sciences, Transportation, Water Features

Today’s visit is Virginia, starting in the Washington DC Suburbs.

2016 11 05 148 Arlington VA

 

History

1962     1972 – State Capitol     1975 – Houdon Statue of Washington in the Virgnia Captiol     1977 – St Johns Church Richmond     1981 – Yorktown Battlefield     1982 – Stratford Hall  Plantation Westmoreland County Robert E Lee Birthplace     1984 – Monticello     1988/1989     1990/1991 – Appamattox Court House     1998 – Mount Vernon     2000

 

The Virginia State Capitol dates from the 1780s, housing the Virginia General Assembly. This group is known as the oldest elected legislative body in North America, having been founded as the House of Burgesses in 1619. (Photo from Wikipedia)

Virginia State Capitol - BCWH

 

State Symbol

State Spirit – George Washington Rye Whiskey.  George was a whiskey producer, and this product is in tribute to that.

 

 

Jamestown – The first permanent English settlement in the New World.

2016 11 08 92 Jamestown VA

 

 

Antietam Battlefield – The Battle of Antietam is one of the costliest day in American history, with over 22,000 dead and wounded in the battle.

 

 

Roads & Bridges

1954     1958 – Hampton Bridge and Tunnel     1964     1965     1966     1967     1970     1973 – Interstate 64     1992

 

 

Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnels. The area around Norfolk has numerous bridges and tunnels, including the 23 mile long Bay Bridge and Tunnels.

 

 

Udvar Hazy Air Museum. The National Air and Space Museum at Dulles International Airport in suburban Washington DC.

 

 

 

Oceans

1980 – Norfolk     1986- Sailing ship The Godspeed     1994 – Assateague Island Lighthouse     2004 – Eastern Shore     2006 – Jamestown Settlement ship Susan Constant     2012 – Virginia Beach     2016 – Chesapeake Bay – Tangier Island

 

 

Assateague Island & Lighthouse. This island is shared with Maryland, and contains wilderness area and the feral horses.

2016 11 07 148 Chincoteague VA

 

 

 

 

Mountains

1978 – Mabry Mill     1992 – Bicycling     1996 – Grayson Highlands State Park     2008 – Mountains Ravens Roost Overlook blue Ridge Parkway Nelson County     2010 – Blue Ridge Parkway  Crabtree Falls      2014 – Virginia Forestry 100th anniversary. Swinging Bridge Willis River Trail – Cumberland National Forest

 

 

The Skyline Drive was one of the earliest scenic parkways completed in the United States. It opened in 1935, and runs for 105 miles along the mountains in western Virginia.

 

Mary's Rock Tunnel on Skyline Drive Shenandoah National Pa… | Flickr

 

 

Virtual Travel – Tennessee

Architecture, Art, History, Nature, Transportation, Water Features

Welcome to Tennessee.

 

 

State Capital & History

1958     1974     1977     1978     1993     2008     2015     2017

 

 

Nashville is the state capital, with the capitol building dating from 1859.

2015 09 26 279 Nashville TN

 

State Symbols – Tennessee is the ‘leader in the clubhouse’ with over 60 state symbols, including 10 state songs and 3 state trees. Among the most unusual are:

State Cowboy Poet Laureate – David Nelson. A 16 paragraph resolution has identified David ‘Buffalo Bill’ Nelson, a humorist and performer the State Cowboy Poet Laureate.

David Buffalo Bill Nelson

 

The State Bicentennial Rap Song.

TENNE-, TENNE-, TENNES-SEE!
Oh, how proud we are of thee!
Volunteer State since 1812 –
Glad our fathers picked here to dwell!
Presidents, Presidents – proud are we!
Jackson, Polk, and Johnson – three!
Crockett, Forrest, and John Sevier;
Alvin York and Hull lived here!
Baker, Gores, and Kefauver,
Served our country with honor!
U.T., Memphis and Vandy U.,
Tennessee Tech and Sewanee, too!
Appalachian Mountains, mountains high –
Reaching up in the smoky sky!
Tennessee River, flowing through –
We will cross near the Choo Choo!
Dollywood and Walking Horse Show!
Opryland and the Opry Show!
Whisky, whisky – sipping smooth –
Moon, Moon Pies and Goo Goo Goos!
Reelfoot Lake and cotton fields,
Natchez Trace and Civil War fields!
Mocking birds and raccoons grow,
And tulip poplars and iris show!
Bessie Smith and Memphis blues –
W.C. Handy and Elvis, too!
Eastman, Oak Ridge, and TVA –
Nissan, Saturn, and Country Music pay!
Chickasaw, Sequoyah, and Cherokee –
Cumberland Plateau and Mississippi!
BIRTHDAY WISHES ON 200 YEARS –
GIVE TENNESSEE A BIG, BIG CHEER!

 

 

 

As most people know Nashville is the center of country music,, with many tributes and landmarks around the city celebrating this history.

 

 

Memphis – Tennessee’s largest city, and one of the home of the Blues.  (All Memphis photos from the internet)

Relay Memphis

7 Surprising Stops Between Memphis and Franklin | Franklin, Tennessee

Memphis Hotels, Events, & Attractions | Visit Memphis, TN     Memphis travel | USA - Lonely Planet

 

Graceland – Elvis’s home.

Ticket Information | Graceland

 

 

 

 

Bridges & Bi-ways

1972 – Reelfoot Lake     1988     1993     2001 – TN Highway 96 Double Arch Bridge – Natchez Trace Parkway     2002 – Nashville Speedway and Stones River

 

 

Travelling about the Tennessee countryside reveals some unique and quirky sights.

 

 

Lane Motor Museum in Nashville has a great collection of micro cars.

 

 

 

Beech Aircraft Museum in Tullahoma has a fantastic collection of aircraft.

 

 

 

Mountain Roads

1979     1981 – Lookout Mountain     1993     1994     1995 – Greay Creek Bridge on State Route 40 Polk County     2000     2003

 

 

Central Tennessee is home to numerous waterfalls.

 

 

Great Smokey Mountains National Park. Home to some of the tallest mountains in the east, this park was dedicated in 1940. It was created in response to the clear cut logging that was occurring, destroying the area. (Photos from Pintrest)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park to reopen, but not all of it

List of areas to open in Great Smoky Mountain National Park announced

Best Camping in and Near Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 

 

 

Flowery Tennessee

1985     1989     1999 – First Lady Promoting Wildflowers along Freeways     2000 – Cerobala Skyway     2005     2007 – Tennessee State Flower     2011     2013

 

The Tennessee State Flower – the Iris. (photos from internet)

Tennessee State Cultivated Flower | Iris

 

Tennessee Interstate Conservancy

 

 

Nashville’s Cheekwood Botanical Gardens (photos from Pintrest)

Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Art Museum Tour - Waterfront ...

Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in Nashville

Seasonal Festivals in Nashville | Cheekwood Estate & Gardens in ...

 

 

Roane Mountain near Asheville is home to the largest Rhododendron Garden in the world. (photos from Pintrest)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roan Mountain Rhododendrons - Mountain Vista Pano - Advanced Fine Art

Roan Mountain Rhododendron Report 2016 - Mitchell County Chamber ...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Virtual Travel – New Hampshire

Architecture, Art, History, Museum, Nature, Sciences, Sports, Transportation, Water Features

Welcome to the Granite State – New Hampshire.

Daniel Webster stands guard over the state capitol in Concord.

2019 08 01 234 Concord NH.jpg

 

The city of Concord is one of the smaller state capitols, with only 43,000 residents. (photo from Wikipedia)

 

 

New Hampshire has their fair share of unique State Symbols. (photos from Statesymbols.org)

State Amphibian – Red Spotted Newt

Red-spotted newt

 

State Beverage – Apple Cider

 

 

 

Mountains & Seasons

1962     1973     1977     2001     2010

 

 

Most of the small state of New Hampshire is mountainous, as a northern portion of the Appalachians. Being just a few hours drive from Boston, the state has been a tourist attraction for 150 years.

The maps have often celebrated this physical feature of the state.

The highest, and most famous is Mount Washington. At 6288′ (1918m) it is one of the tallest mountains in the east. It is legendary as having the strongest recorded wind in the country, 231 MPH (372 KPH) before the anemometer blew away. (all photos from Wikipedia)

Driving Mt Washington Auto Road, New Hampshire: The surprising ...

 

The Mount Washington Cog Railway has been a tourist attraction since 1868. This was the world’s first cog railway, and remains to this day as the 2nd steepest railway in the world, having some grades as steep as 37%.

Worcester Living: The Cog Railway celebrates its 150th year of ...

 

 

 

A much smaller mountain in the far southern part of the state is home to the Andres Art Institute. Since 1996 Paul Andres has invited artists from all over the world to come to this former ski area to create their stone and metal sculptures.

It is a workout to see them all, but well worth the effort.

 

 

The most popular tourist season is fall, with the changing of the leaves. The Kancamagus Highway is one of the most scenic routes in the state, having been designated as a National Scenic Byway. (photo from Tripsavvy.com)

 

Among the attractions along this route are the Albany Covered Bridge.

Autumn at Albany Covered Bridge, Albany, New Hampshire, USA

 

The Flume Gorge

Flume Gorge, New Hampshire

 

Sabbaday Falls (photo from NewEnglandWateralls.com)

Sabbaday Falls, New Hampshire

 

Finally – we visit Rocky Gorge. (photo from Alltrails.com)

Photos of Rocky Gorge Scenic Area Trails - New Hampshire | AllTrails

 

 

 

Lakes and Rivers

1970     1972     1974     1976      2006

 

 

There are numerous lakes and rivers throughout the state. The largest, and most popular is Lake Winnipesaukee. This lake is 69 square miles, and has over 250 islands scattered throughout it. (photo from Wikipedia)

Mtmajorsummitbig-2007-1022a.jpg

 

 

There are a number of large rivers throughout the state including the Connecticut River – separating New Hampshire from Vermont. This river travels 406 miles from it’s start at the Quebec border to the Long Island Sound.

There are an amazing 15 dams in the 406 miles, most in the upper areas of the river. The largest of these is the Moore Reservoir Dam, providing electrical power, flood control and recreation. (photo from EcoPhotography.com). Interestingly the dam, and many others, are owned by a Canadian company.

The Moore Dam and Moore Reservoir on the Connecticut River in ...

 

New Hampshire has a small, but well developed, Atlantic Coastline. The shore is only 13 miles long, wedged between Massachusetts and Maine.

The largest town along the coast is Portmouth. (photos from Boston Magazine.com)

 

 

Non Natural Attractions

The largest city in the state is Manchester. In the early 1800s a canal was opened around a natural waterfalls that spurred the development of water powered cotton mills, prompting one of the early developers to proclaim it is ‘The Manchester of America’ . The former mills line the waterway to this day. (photos from Wikipedia)

Clockwise from top: Manchester skyline from above Amoskeag Falls, Hanover Street, a Fisher Cats game at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium, the Arms Park Riverwalk and Millyard, the Mill Girl statue at the Millyard, and City Hall.

 

The small town of Warner is home to the New England Telephone Museum. This small, but comprehensive museum has a large collection of telephones, and telephone company equipment from the earliest days through the 1990s.