Lisa's Notebook: July 2012

Another week of vacation, another adventure, this time to Fort Worth. Downtown has a cultural district that is best known for its group of art museums. I started my morning at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art, which had a beautiful, eclectic collection ranging from Remington and Russell's cowboy and Western art to landscapes of wilderness and beaches to modern pieces by O'Keefe and Wood. The museum seemed to tell the story of the last 150 years or so of American history, and except for skipping the exhibition (unfortunately I'm not into modernism) it was a great visit. I love to get prints of my favorite pieces, but unfortunately they didn't have what I was looking for in an affordable copy. Either of the two below would have worked nicely in my home, a beautiful flower and a gorgeous reminder of California.

Sunrise, Yosemite Valley, by Albert Bierstadt

Red Cannas by Georgia O'Keefe

As I left I walked toward the Will Rogers Convention Center, an older but still very interesting collection of buildings and tower, and the statue of Will in front.

I then took a break to have lunch at a small local soul food restaurant with a classmate, where we proved we have finally grown up by spending more time talking about our student loans then anything fun or frivolous...what happened to us?

Back to the art I went, to the museum I had heard the most about over my last year in the metroplex. The Kimbell Art Museum has a small but renowned collection- if you can name a significant artist, his work is probably on display. Because of this, the visit was breathtaking, but also quick. I was happy this time that my favorite print was for sale, and she will look beautiful with another one I own.

La Simplicite by Jean-Baptiste Greuze

With two museums done, the next museum not in my interest area (if you are into modern art, you should check out The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, I think), and the heat staying away by Texas standards, I drove down the road to the Fort Worth Botanical Garden. As I learned, it is divided into many sections. I started at the main garden, which had beautiful flowers, structures, and paths.

Sculpture at entrance

Attached to this garden was the conservatory, an enclosed (read: very humid) collection of tropical plants. Most of the flowers were completely new to me, but I was given a brochure to help out. Also, I learned the fun of photographing from behind a waterfall.

Palm leaf behind waterfall

Pond behind waterfall

Red ginger (I think)

Spiral ginger

Lemon lollipop

Flamingo flower

I drove to the other end of the gardens, where I found the rose gardens. The design was beautiful, but unfortunately most of the flowers had succumbed to the Texas summer.

For my final stop, before I also succumbed to the heat, I walked the Japanese gardens. These gardens are always fascinating to walk, as they are planned so differently from other gardens. The harmony of trees, water, and the paths was well done, and I tried to capture the moments that I felt were most peaceful.

There were also many animals in the garden that enjoyed the water and the shade. I made friends with a lizard...

and turtles...

and another lizard...

and a squirrel (I always find the friendly ones)...

and koi, very friendly ones (there was fish food for sale)...

and another turtle...

and a snake..

okay, so he wasn't my friend.

After the gardens it was time to return home. My camera started acting odd after I left, not sure if it was temporary due to a splash of water or if it is going downhill (or maybe it knows I'm planning on replacing it soon?0, but it is behaving better now. I need it to hang in just a little longer so I can get through a couple more trips this summer. Until then, enjoy the blog, enjoy the full album from this trip, and peace.

After running an errand at my old office, I wanted to take a short trip in central Dallas that I could handle in the midday sun. Texas Discovery Gardens fit the bill- part outdoors, part indoors, and just outside Fair Park.

First I explored the gardens- a beautiful landscape that was a calm escape from the city just outside. I walked around a pond, through some sitting areas with unique flowers, and ended up and a breathtaking fountain.

The garden was in view of the Ferris wheel that is the icon of the Texas State Fair, and occasionally I would catch a glimpse of it.

Next was the butterfly house- a multi-story indoor garden full of hundreds of butterflies. It brings out the child in everyone, watching them fly around to see if one will come close. Capturing one on film was a challenge (and made me realize that it's definitely time to upgrade my camera), but I learned a lot about patience. I also just had a wonderful time admiring their beauty.