Everyone goes to Yellowstone and the surrounding area hoping to see bears. We were fortunate to see a grizzly snacking on an elk from a safe distance but not everyone gets to see a bear at all.
For those who don’t get to see (or perhaps would prefer not to see) a grizzly, there’s a scavenger hunt called Bears In The Basin that sends folks out looking for small bear statues hidden around downtown Cody, Powell and Meeteese.
There’s a clue sheet and you can sign up to win prizes. There are about twenty of them altogether and they’re the cutest darn things you’ve ever seen. Each statue was hand crafted by local artist Tanner Loren and, if you like western art or statues of any kind, you’ll want to know more about him. Click here to visit his website.
So if you make to to the Yellowstone area, download the clue sheet or at least keep an eye out for these little guys! Get more info here.
The one pictured above is in a high traffic place. You’ll likely find it without even trying.
There’s a statue on Mount Washington, high above Pittsburgh, that tells an important story, It depicts George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta in a tense dialog and is titled “Point Of View.”
The meeting took place in 1770 around a campfire as the two discussed the future of this region which was at the western edge of the British colonies. It was still wilderness and home to only about 200 white people.
This bronze sculpture was created by Pittsburgh native James West and dedicated in 2006. There’s a terrific narrative on this website if you are interested in the full history. Click here.
I want to point out how important this statue is. For one, public art of any kind is always special and this piece is particularly wonderful because it tells a story that is still relevant as we continue to have tense conversations regarding the future of this place we call America.
It’s also important because it captures one moment in time and tells a much bigger story that is not taught in schools. It brings to life something that might otherwise be just a footnote in a book. I’m a history buff and still often found high school history class an absolute snooze. I marvel at how we take interesting stories and reduce them to something so dull.
So it’s gratifying when art collides with a fascinating story like this one to create a powerful testament to our origins.
Also, know that you get a great view of the city from up here and that this is the best place to catch the sunrise.
If you go looking for it, know that there is not one online source that provides good directions to this statue. Not one. It is located on Grandview Avenue at the corner of Sweetbriar Street on Mount Washington. It’s a relatively short walk from the incline stations.
Remember the story of Sheriff Maude Collins? I told you last week about how she was the first female sheriff in Ohio and we were having a mural painted in her honor.
Well, it’s done! We dedicated it on Thursday night. Here she is!
This mural is located on the side of the Vinton County, Ohio Courthouse.
That brick building next door is the former sheriff’s office. That’s where Sheriff Maude lived and worked.
Want to read the first story about Sheriff Maude? Click here.
As September draws to a close, it occurs to me that many, many stories are left untold from my Labor Day trip to Pennsylvania. Today we will start at the Hagen History Center which serves Erie County, Pa. They have two campuses and we visited the one on Erie’s Millionaire’s Row.
The campus includes two historic mansions, a new building for exhibit space and a historic carriage house which is home to a gift shop and library/reading room. This is where you buy your tickets.
My friend had already been there and was excited for me to see a specific exhibit but she held her cards close. She didn’t show her hand until we were in the room and compared it to throwing me a surprise party.
What was so special?
They have Frank Lloyd Wright’s office.
You read that right. The walls, floors, furniture, typewriters, pencils and protractors. They have it all. It even has a unique smell that I couldn’t quite identify- aged wood, pipe tobacco, and brilliance?
And that remark about this being like a surprise party? This was way better than a party.
This is Frank Lloyd Wright’s San Francisco field office which he used while working on California projects. It was disassembled and sold to a private collector long ago before spending some time behind glass at the Heinz Architectural Center at the Carnegie Museum of Art in Pittsburgh.
Now at the Hagen in Erie, the office is no longer behind glass – you can walk through it! This is his desk! The office is relatively small with room for a desk, two guest chairs and a couch.
Those guest chairs, if you want to call them that, look rather unwelcoming to me.
This is the workroom. Notice the windows feature the image of the actual San Francisco view.
The view as you enter.
The secretary’s typewriter.
And her desk with the view.
And here’s the man himself keeping a sharp eye on visitors.
Walking through this space was near magical and I recommend going to see it if you are a fan of his work. Want to visit? Get more info here.
Also, come back tomorrow and we will have a look at his car!!!! It’s absolutely fabulous.
Chillicothe, Ohio has gained a new mural and it’s a fun one. It looks like a vintage postcard with every letter featuring a local landmark. It’s colorful, bright, and a nice addition to this historic downtown.
Interestingly, it was printed on vinyl by a local business called Square Ghost Creative. Then these vinyl panels were applied to the building using heat and glue. This is a very modern technique for a growing community rooted in history.
If you’re in Chillicothe, pop over by the Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce at 45 East Main Street. Be sure to stop in some local shops and grab a bite at a local restaurant while you’re there!
It’s Saturday which means it should be Adventure Day. I hope you are out experiencing something fun, interesting and fabulous.
Life isn’t meant to be spent in a cocoon. You owe it to yourself and your mental health to shake things up as much as you can – even if it’s just a different route to the grocery store or a walk around a nearby town that looks interesting.
Do something enriching every chance you get. Life is for the living and it’s hard to tell how many more Saturdays you have left. Do not waste them.
This mural is from Pittsburgh’s famed Strip District. It’s so vibrant and full of life, I find it mesmerizing! Plus, there’s a black cat!
