Wilmington, NC is definitely not to be confused with Wilmington, Delaware. The Delaware city is home to many large banks and during my many business trips there was all about business. The North Carolina Wilmington is brimming with southern charm and operates at a leisurely pace. The first stop this morning was to the Airlie Gardens. It was closed throughout … Read More
Norfolk, Virginia (day 2)
Today was a long but very satisfying day. I’d read that Norfolk has an arts district, “NEON,” and that it had a lot of murals and street art. That I could not miss. It surpassed my expectations—it covers a large area, with artwork by lots of different people and in many different styles. I’d walk and think I’d reached the … Read More
Norfolk, Virginia
While in Baltimore we had two iconic meals. At the Crafty Crab Sue had blue crabs and I had crawfish (I’m allergic to crabs). This morning we had a fabulous breakfast at Miss Shirley’s Café. When we arrived there was no line, but by the time we were leaving there was a LONG line. We understood why. Today should have … Read More
American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore, Maryland
Today was the first day of a road trip heading south. Baltimore is a city with many charms. But for me the place I must visit every trip here is the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM). The museum exhibits the work of largely unknown, untrained artists. This is the art I collect, so to have gallery after gallery of whimsical, … Read More
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2003
My friend Kim had use of an apartment in New Orleans’ French Quarter and invited me to attend the Jazz Festival with her. Off I went, anticipating great music, fabulous food, enthusiastic crowds, and heat. Correct on all counts. What I hadn’t imagined were the cooking demonstrations, local crafts (think voodoo), and other activities. The festival was so expansive it … Read More
Rocky Mountain Sunsets
Living in Manhattan I rarely see the blazing sun set into the horizon. That makes nearly all sunsets attractive. Really colorful ones, at the shore, in the desert or on open plains are a special treat. This evening I saw a fabulous Colorado sunset. At first, I didn’t think it would be much. But as the sun dipped behind the … Read More
Alphonse Mucha — North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
My friend Michael introduced me to the art of Alphonse Mucha when I lived in London in the early 1970s. Mucha, a Czech illustrator and graphic artist, lived in Paris and was known for his stylized Art Nouveau posters. I hadn’t seen much of his work since then. So, when we arrived at the North Carolina Museum of Art and … Read More
Sunday in New York City — Halloween
I will repeat something I’ve written many times—I love New York City. The plan for yesterday was to attend a matinee performance of American Ballet Theater, then return home and not emerge except for walking Pookah. After the performance I decided to run a couple of errands. The American Folk-Art Museum is across from Lincoln Center. I went there to … Read More
New England Coastal Road Trip – Day Eight
We are now traveling south, heading back to New York City. Our day was spent in Salem, Massachusetts, the stop we aborted last Saturday due to the traffic, crowds, and general mayhem. Today, a Tuesday, was significantly calmer, though the city was still filled with people. I suspect that ANY day in October will be that way, culminating on Halloween. … Read More
New England Coastal Road Trip – Day Seven
The forecast was for a cool, overcast day. Once again, the meteorologists got it wrong – fortunately in a way that was beneficial. On what turned out to be a warm, sunny day we tried to spend as much time as possible outside. We started in Portsmouth New Hampshire, a town I visited about a month ago and fell in … Read More