Annual Alphabet Tribute to 2014 – Part IV — MUSEUMS (OF THE SMALL SORT) through PARKS (OF THE NATIONAL SORT)

M IS FOR MUSEUMS

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Tower at Grand Canyon © 2014 Bo Mackison

I love museums. Natural history museums, science museums, art museums…  And often the tiniest of museums provide the most surprising discoveries and treasures!

A museum often overlooked — the Watch Tower interior at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.

From the National Park website, a description the Watch Tower: “the walls are covered with murals. The most distinct images, painted by Hopi artist Fred Kabotie depict various aspects of Hopi mythology and religious ceremonies…The tiny windows of the tower let in a minimal amount of light which adds to the cave- like, mystical atmosphere of the space…circular balconies and the hundreds of prehistoric images inundates the viewer with an overwhelming sense of the southwest.

It’s a mystical place to experience architecture, art, and culture on the very rim of one of nature’s glories — the Grand Canyon.

N IS FOR NEW YORK, NEW YORK

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Orange Lights at Times Warner © 2014 Bo Mackison

There was a time, not all that many years ago, when I would never have penned “NYC” on my to-visit list. Being a small town girl who spent a couple of nerve-wracking years in a BIG city (Chicago) before moving to a smaller big city (Milwaukee) and then to a smaller university city (Madison), I was never naturally drawn to bright lights, big crowds, tall buildings, lots of action.

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On the Sidewalks of New York © 2014 Bo Mackison

Until my daughter moved to The City for a two-year teaching fellowship. And then attended a New York law school. And then got a New York job. And then married a New Yorker and bought a home in New York. And then had a New York baby!

So in the last decade I have found many good reasons for repeat visits to New York, all parts. And I have grown to really love my visits, always taking advantages that a metropolitan city offers. And I admit that I am glad my trips to NYC are visits, just enough goodness to fill my big-city yearnings!

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Broadway’s Matilda © 2014 Bo Mackison

We usually don’t visit New York City in winter, but went in for one planned special occasion — a baby shower for my daughter. And then we returned two weeks later for an unplanned occasion — the early arrival of baby Whitaker!

Oh my! How often can I sneak in a visit to New York, and one of its newest inhabitants, now…

O IS FOR OFFICE IN THE DESERT

Exploring Brown Mountain in Tucson Mountain Park

Office in the Desert at Tucson Mountain Park © 2014 Bo Mackison

“When I look in the mirror, I see a woman with secrets. When we don’t listen to our intuition, we abandon our souls. And we abandon our souls because we are afraid if we don’t, others will abandon us.”  ~ Terry Tempest Williams

When in Arizona, I go to the desert to work. I settle into a place of sunshine, heat and silence, spaciousness and solitude. It’s not the place most people would choose as prime office space, but it suits me fine.

I experience a boost in my mood. My imagination switches to on, and I find my work projects more captivating. Perhaps it is simply a change in scenery. Some find a quiet niche in their local library, head to a busy coffee shop to write with companions, set up a sewing table in the midst of their garden, or paint in a park.

But me? I head to the desert. I bring my backpack filled with writing materials and my camera, and settle in one of the covered shelters scattered throughout Saguaro National Park. These stone and “cactus-wood” shelters were built in the 1930s and still provide a shady place for me to set up a day desert-scape office.

 P IS FOR PARKS (OF THE NATIONAL KIND)

Grand Canyon -Kaibab Plateau

Grand Canyon – Kaibab Plateau © 2014 Bo Mackison

When my three children were of family vacation age (and surprisingly, even beyond) we would take off across the country in our SUV pulling a pop up trailer and stop at any National Park or Monument within reasonable driving distance. (Sometimes this reasonable driving distance was several hundred miles, but what the heck — we gawked and admired our way through hundreds of parks!)

The habit has not died. I still plot my driving itinerary to include National Parks and Monuments and more. And many more parks are destinations.

The year 2014 included these highlights — the North Rim (the hidden, off the main track) of the Grand Canyon. Oooh. Aaah! Glorious place. Must.go.back!!!

Grand Canyon National Park - North Rim in the Morning

Grand Canyon National Park – North Rim in the Morning © 2014 Bo Mackison

 More North Rim. It is just such a magical place. And not crowded – compared to the Canyon’s South Rim. Worth every extra mile and extra minute to see the beauty, experience the place.

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Painted Desert © 2014 Bo Mackison

I traveled through the other main parks in Arizona during last winter and spring, including a visit to Painted Desert/ Petrified Forest National Park in northern Arizona as I was heading out of the state on my way to summer in the Midwest. It was a cool day in May, with great cloud formations rolling across the desert, a few thunderstorms, and the spaciousness of scenery that thrills my heart.

King Canyon, Saguaro National Park

King Canyon, Saguaro National Park © 2014 Bo Mackison

Living only a few miles from Saguaro National Park when I am in the Southwest for the early part of the year, I traipse through this desert scape several times a week. Climbing Kings Canyon and picnicking at the CCC site located high in the mountains — a picnic area built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s — is a favorite way to spend a day!

Ajo Mountain Road, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Ajo Mountain Road in Organ Pipe Cactus NM © 2014 Bo Mackison

And of course I have to travel west to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument a few times for overnight camping explorations. Feels like wilderness.

White Sands National Monument, New Mexico

White Sands in Southern New Mexico © 2014 Bo Mackison

And finally, a park I visited at the beginning of 2014, as I was traveling to Arizona. White Sands National Monument in southern New Mexico is another new favorite. Sparse. Quiet. And always surprises to delight and amaze.

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Next alphabet recap of 2014 starts with Q (QUESTIONS) and ends with T (TUCSON).  Stay tuned…

A Day at the Museum of Natural History in NYC

Welcome to the Natural History Museum

Welcome to the Museum of Natural History © 2014 Bo Mackison

On our last day in New York City, after three days of fun and activity with family and baby showers and NY outings, Manda and I decided to spend the day – the entire day – at the American Museum of Natural History. We had a late flight out of La Guardia, and so we checked out of the hotel early and headed to the museum. Considering it was a cold and rainy day, the chance to leisurely visit the many attractions in one under-cover space was mighty appealing.

First stop is always the entrance hall, named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, and holding the remnants of one large cast dinosaur, one of only two Barosaurus specimens in the world, and the only one in an upright position.

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Walkers © 2014 Bo Mackison

More dinosaurs. Love the juxtaposition of the “walking” dinosaur with the human walkers.

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Origami Tree © 2014 Bo Mackison

An annual tradition, the Origami Holiday Tree marks the start of the holiday season at the Museum, as it has for more than 30 years.

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Origami on the Origami Tree © 2014 Bo Mackison

The tree is decorated with handmade origami models inspired by the 2006 movie Night at the Museum, filmed in these museum halls.

Dinosaurus Wreath

Dinosaurus Wreathus © 2014 Bo Mackison

As we left the museum after a full day of exploration, we had to stop and take a shot of the Holiday Dinosaur, complete with festive lights and a glittery wreath.

What a great time we had this past weekend. And even more exciting, the next time we visit the Big Apple — mid January, give or take a few days — I’ll be here to say hello to my newborn grandchild. (Big smile!)

 

New York City – So Much to See, So Much to Do!

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Coffee to Start the Day © 2014 Bo Mackison

Start the morning with the largest cup of coffee in sight. A very good beginning.

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Harlem School Children’s Mural © 2014 Bo Mackison

Then a walk through the neighborhood, brightened by a long wall of children’s. There is something about community art that makes the whole street a happier place to walk

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MOMA Interior © 2014 Bo Mackison

Pre-baby-shower duties performed, we took a two break and visited MOMA. We arrived early enough to beat the Saturday crowd, and so had no lines to negotiate. Matisse’s Cut Out Exhibit was a surprise bonus (no photos inside the exhibit though.)

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Shower for Smudge © 2014 Bo Mackison

Baby shower fun and games. So happy we were able to be there to celebrate with daughter, soon to be mama.

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Tea Blossom © 2014 Bo Mackison

After the party, it was time to relax with a cup of tea. Specially brewed with a tea blossom – a bud of tightly wrapped tea leaves that opens like a flower when submerged in hot water. Beautiful.

Cloudy Skies, City Lights — and the Gift of Presence and Time

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December in New York City © 2014 Bo Mackison

There is something reviving about colorful lights, dangling stars, a mesmerizing light show, all against the backdrop of cloudy skies and rain-soaked streets.

There is something precious about a reunion of family, the reconnection of a mother and her two daughters, and a day that stretches forward at a leisurely pace with no plans, no hurrying, no outside commitments.

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Bakery overlooking the City © 2014 Bo Mackison

There is something priceless about an unhurried conversation, face to face. No cell phones, no Skype interface. Conversations that are funny, serious, full of hope and longing, conversations that range from the past, to the present and the future beyond.

There is something about a comfort food lunch. Grilled cheese and tomato soup. Rice pudding for dessert.

More stories and laughter, memories and wonder, questions and pondering and even an answer or two.

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December in NYC © 2014 Bo Mackison

There is something, oh so special, about the waiting, the anticipation of that first child. Something equally special about the waiting of your first child’s — your daughter’s — first child.  The endless wondering — will the baby be a boy or a girl, what names are still in the running, oh, and what will the next six weeks bring forth?

That is how I spent a part of this past weekend — in conversation and connection. With hope and anticipation. Soaking up the gift of the presence of time and  togetherness with my girls.

Priceless gift.

Experimenting – Actually, Mostly Playing – From an Airplane Window — Part IV, Approaching New York City

Flying from Madison to NYC

Aerial of Williamsburg Bridge and East Harbor

“Chapter 1.
He adored New York City. He idolized it all out of proportion…no, make that: he – he romanticized it all out of proportion. Yes. To him, no matter what the season was, this was still a town that existed in black and white and pulsated to the great tunes of George Gershwin.’

Uh, no let me start this over.

Flying from Madison to NYC

Aerial of Brooklyn and Harbor © 2014 Bo Mackison

‘Chapter 1.
He was too romantic about Manhattan, as he was about everything else. He thrived on the hustle bustle of the crowds and the traffic. To him, New York meant beautiful women and street-smart guys who seemed to know all the angles…’.

Ah, corny, too corny for my taste. Can we … can we try and make it more profound?

 

Flying from Madison to NYC

Aerial View of Manhattan and Williamsburg Bridge © 2014 Bo Mackison

‘Chapter 1.
He adored New York City. For him, it was a metaphor for the decay of contemporary culture. The same lack of individual integrity that caused so many people to take the easy way out was rapidly turning the town of his dreams in…’

No, that’s a little bit too preachy. I mean, you know, let’s face it, I want to sell some books here.

 

Flying from Madison to NYC

Descending into LaGuardia © 2014 Bo Mackison

Chapter 1.
He adored New York City, although to him it was a metaphor for the decay of contemporary culture. How hard it was to exist in a society desensitized by drugs, loud music, television, crime, garbage…’

Too angry, I don’t want to be angry.

Flying from Madison to NYC

“The City” © 2014 Bo Mackison

‘Chapter 1.
He was as tough and romantic as the city he loved. Behind his black-rimmed glasses was the coiled sexual power of a jungle cat.’

I love this.

Flying from Madison to NYC

X Marks the Spot – NYC © 21014 Bo Mackison

‘New York was his town, and it always would be.”

~ Woody Allen from Manhattan