January 15, 2013
To borrow from Dr. Seuss ... "Oh, the places you'll go"! I don't really think we had hunkered down ... maybe slowed down ... maybe resting ... maybe lazy. But, it felt like we were just sitting around doing same old same old. We desperately needed a new adventure.We needed a little something to wedge in between the dental, hair appointments and such that seemed to be running our lives. Springfield MA was my choice. Oh, the things we'll see!
Springfield has an interesting approach to museums. It has created somewhat of a museum zone and a one prices sees it all approach. It eliminates the running all over town searching for different buildings and cursing the wrong turns instigated by our Garmin and the wrong turns I claim for myself. Basically, there were four museums and the Dr. Seuss National Memorial. The museums were small and I figured we would be able to see them all in a day.
Choosing a time to go was a little more difficult than I had anticipated. Taichi on Tuesday morning would hold us up up until 10:00 AM. Anne had a air appointment on Wednesday. Snowstorms were heading in for all day Wednesday as well. We bit the bullet and headed out Tuesday after taichi ... we would just have to come back again if we couldn't see everything we had hoped in the time we had available. Arrived about 11:00 AM and headed to the Science Museum to get our tickets ... our senior citizen tickets. We have grown to resent businesses, galleries, museums and the like that define senior as 65. Don't they realize that we are on fixed incomes? The nerve. The Springfield Museums use 60 as their benchmark and gave us our reduced price tickets with no issue. We tried not to be offended when the desk personnel failed to challenge us. Clearly this was a matter of inadequate training of staff. I shutter to think how often the museum is ripped off by people pretending to be eligible for senior tickets because the staff was negligent in asking for proof of age. Although Anne and I were old enough for those tickets, we certainly did not appear to be eligible. Enough, I will clear up that problem with my visitor comment card. 
We are not big fans of science museums for two reasons ... replica this and replica that and school groups. We breezed through the African Hall, Planetarium and Live Animal Center. I do, however, enjoy anything to do with dinosaurs and fossil remains so we slowed down in those areas. There were some nice displays and a lot of information on dinosaur tracks and remains found locally along the Connecticut River corridor. Unfortunately, a new installation on the history of the guitar was opening on Saturday. We would have enjoyed seeing that. 
The Smith Art Galley (based on a personal collection of the family) was located just behind the Science Museum. It was small enough that we were able to wander the entire museum, starting with an exhibition of Japanese weapons and armor and other exhibits of Chinese cloisonné and ceramics.
There was a sizable plaster cast collection that we liked. Anne seemed to be drawn to the pieces depicting young males removing their clothes and scandalous nudes. I tried to avert my eyes, but had to peek to avoid running in to statues.
The Smith Museum had a quite a few Tiffany windows, many of which had recently undergone refurbishing. There was a good display of the intricate process of cleaning and repairing stained glass windows as well. We were able to browse through the new American Painting Salon. Only a small portion of the painting were hung and none had accompanying display cards. It looks like the exhibit is going to be an interesting one when it is fully done.
Let me stop for just a moment to apologize before I proceed. We went into the Discovery Center. I know it is for children. But, we went in. It was so colorful ... so busy with images ... things to touch. On another topic, Anne says my scarf looks like a "girly" scarf. Do you think it looks like a girly scarf? Enough of that ... back to the Discovery Center.
In the center, we could dress up in colorful, shiny costumes. Not me, too girly!
The sign clearly says that the costumes are for Children Only. Rules do not apply when you are a Princess. I could tell by the look on Anne's face that she had no remorse.
I, on the other hand, conducted myself with appropriate restraint and decorum ... even if the hand puppets were not!
We left the Smith in disgrace and headed for the L'Amour Museum of Fine Art. It featured work by leading Italian, French, Dutch, and American painters, but few of the really high rollers. There was a good exhibit called Modern Dialect that was like an American version of Diego Rivera work. Another exhibit featured a contemporary installation utilizing advertising refuse that had been repurposed. I really liked this.
Just outside the Museum was an exhibit by Patrick Dougherty. Several years ago, Dougherty did a piece in the park across from the BMAC in Brattleboro. The work is usually accomplished by a host of volunteers under his leadership and can either be outside or site specific inside a building. 
Next on the agenda was the Wood Museum of Springfield History. It contained several exhibits featuring products that had been produced in the area during the heyday of industrial production in the Northeast, and the achievements of noted Springfield residents over the years. We went to play in the childrens' area of the Milton Bradley exhibit and especially to see the Rolls Royce, Indian Motorcycle, and Smith and Weston exhibits.
What better way to finish the Springfield portion of our adventure than at the Dr. Seuss National Memorial.
Time for a brief rest ... my feet and legs are killing me ... my kingdom for a place to relax for just a moment before leaving Springfield. Voila ... a comfy bench on which to perch!
From Springfield, we raced to Northampton for a quick visit to the Raven (got a book for Anne on Ireland) and dinner at the India House Restaurant. Food was great by the way ... especially the tandori-styled chicken wings with lime juice dipped in a yogurt and cucumber sauce followed by Les Miserables at the movie theater in Hadley. Les Miserables ... great ending to a great adventure.
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