Visited Burlington, Vermont yesterday. It has enough interesting things
to keep one busy for awhile. Started at the Shelbourne Museum which is
a large complex of buildings and gardens. One building built rather
like a horseshoe has an extensive collection of a minature circus
parade which stretches for over 500' or the equivalency of 2 miles.
What a wonderful thing to walk along this and see all the stuff that
used to be in circuses long before I ever attended one. Made me a tiny
bit envious to see all the exotic animals and wagons and bands and
"scenes". Wagons were American or European or Asian and had scenes on
them to represent that area. I never saw a circus like this parade and
it just looked so exciting. Would have been the best thing to come to a
small city in those days. The museum also had a small carousel beside
the circus horseshoe. A nice lady was running it and called for us to
come ride. We both hoped onto a horse and she ran the carousel for us
only. days gone by for sure. Haven't been on a carousel horse in many
years.
The U.S.S. Ticonderoga is also at the museum. Poor boat is
sitting on dry land now but her glory days of being a paddle steamship
on Lake Champlain will be remember from the photos and the restoration
of the ship. She is a very nice boat. We got a sneak glimpse of the
hidden whistle when we were in the forward lounge and they guy came to
tout it. quite loud but quite melodeous as well.
An exhibit by Louis
Comfort Tiffany was also in the Webb Gallery and such beautiful work.
As I am also a stained glass builder, I love looking at his work. If I
had the money and the assistants like he did, perhaps I could also
churn out such glorious pieces. no matter.
And finally, at the
museum, was an exhibition of motorcycles. The entry barn had some old
motorcycles on the top level then some choppers on the next level.
These choppers are also incredible works of art. I cannot imagine ever
riding something so beautiful and odd. cannot believe that any of them
would be comfortable to ride for any length of time. I'll stick with my
faithful little cruiser who doesn't leave me exhausted after a couple
of miles.
After leaving the museum, we headed down the road to the
Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. this company started because Teddy Bears,
named after Teddy Roosevelt, were no longer being made in the United
States. The founder has made a thriving business out of the bears and
now they are well loved and quite expensive. But it was fun to see how
they are made, hear the patter, and get one. Yes, I bit the bullet and
bought a bear but it's quite lovely.
When we left there, it was pouring rain so that stopped any outdoor activities but a lovely day.