Wainwright Tomb

Early in the New Year, means a trip to the family plot in Bellefontaine Cemetery in the northern section of the City of St. Louis. Founded in 1849 as St. Louis’s first rural cemetery, Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum (the first west of the Mississippi) became a unique garden landscape for prominent figures like William Clark andContinue reading “Wainwright Tomb”

Father Christmas

St. Charles, Missouri, is an old 18th Century river town and trading post. Main Street, which runs along the Missouri River has been nicely restored, and is the sight of many Christmas activities. Diane and I drove over there from St. Louis for dinner in one of their many unique restaurants. While walking down theContinue reading “Father Christmas”

Empty Bandstand

The Nathan Frank Bandstand on a cold winter day. We had a brief snow but not enough cold weather to freeze Pagoda Lake. A snowy day is a great time to visit Forest Park with the geese and ducks still swimming around and sledders on Art Hill. The park is only a few miles fromContinue reading “Empty Bandstand”

During special events at the Missouri Botanical Garden, they like to project images like this, set to music. This is called Architectural Projection Mapping which projects images on a building aligned with the building’s features. This is from this year’s Garden Glow. Built in 1849, Tower Grove House is Garden founder Henry Shaw’s restored countryContinue reading

Getting ready for Christmas at the Botanical Garden

A nice way to start the season is to visit Missouri Botanical Garden’s Garden Glow. A walk through the park gives you scene after scene of the upcoming holiday. See the Climatron with its reflecting pools, walk through Henry Shaws home, see the beautifully decorated gatehouse and endless holiday lights. The grandkids love the trainContinue reading “Getting ready for Christmas at the Botanical Garden”

St. Louis Art Hill: A Fall Marvel

A favorite fall scene. This is an area known as Art Hill in St. Louis’s Forest park. In the background is the Art Museum looking over Art Hill which is lined by these trees. Like clockwork, every fall these trees turn a bright red. In the distance is the statue of St. Louis on hisContinue reading “St. Louis Art Hill: A Fall Marvel”

Groundskeeper’s House

Exploring the Missouri Botanical Garden, this is one of my favorite buildings. In 1895, the Cleveland Avenue Gatehouse, now named the Herring House, was constructed in accordance with Henry Shaw’s will to be a residence for the Garden’s groundskeeper. The surrounding new landscape design was inspired by influential British horticulturist Gertrude Jekyll. The rear garden willContinue reading “Groundskeeper’s House”

Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal

Here is a view of the Sturgeon Bay ship canal from the Front Pierhead Light. Next to the canal is the Sturgeon Bay Rear Canal Light. Both lights lead the way into the canal. The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is a ship canal connecting Sturgeon Bay with Lake Michigan across the Door Peninsula in DoorContinue reading “Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal”

Washington Island Stavkirke

The Washington Island Stavkirke was modeled after the Borgund Stavkirke constructed in 1150 near Laerdal, Sogn. That church was chosen since it is the best preserved and least altered example of this style of church architecture. The building has twelve 18-foot “stavs” or masts, all from Washington Island. Eleven are Pine and one is WhiteContinue reading “Washington Island Stavkirke”

Stylized Art of Cana Island Lighthouse in Door County

This is a closeup of the Cana Island Lighthouse. Near the northern tip of Door County, the light signifies the area between the straits into Green Bay or Baileys Harbor. The photo is stylized with software I have been experimenting with that gives it the look of a painting. The lighthouse is surrounded by LakeContinue reading “Stylized Art of Cana Island Lighthouse in Door County”