Wednesday, October 20, 2010

" Our ADVENTURE to "Cedarhurst for the Perfoming Arts"

I have been longing lately to go visit Cedarhurst. It is only 1.3 miles from my house. Jake and I had taken Katie there once so long ago that she doesn't remember. I find it strange that we often times don't frequent special places in our own home towns.

We drive by Cedarhurst several times a week. It is a combination art museum and sculpture park. This is a truly beautiful place to visit is you are ever in Mt. Vernon Illinois. I believe that it was once touted as the largest sculpture park in the states. If you are interested in it's history here is the link...  http://www.cedarhurst.org/index.php?page=home

What I really wanted to do was take my grandchildren with to run free around the ninety acres. But since my Daughter-In-laws sister is getting married this weekend, everyone is in a bit of a frenzy!

So after school today I asked Katie if she would like to go with me. Her response was "Sure, I don't have anything better to do."! Alright, I'll take what I can get. So off we went. 

I have to tell you that we arrived just an hour before closing, so we pretty much RAN through the grounds to take photos. I plan on going back soon when I can take my time and enjoy it. My husband said he'd like to go back there too.

I took many photos, too many too post here today. And we didn't have time to see them all. There are many trails through the woods where you will be surprised by a sculpture. Still, even though our time was limited, I managed to take many photos. So without further ado, I will post a few of them today.



This one is called "Wrench Wench". I would suggest clicking on them to really get a good look!



 This one is "Knot".



I couldn't find the name of this one. One of the great things about the sculpture art here is that they are always adding new.





I couldn't help myself with this photo. There were sculptures in the distance, but it was the beautiful colored leaves that caught my eye this time!








This sculpture was amazing. I couldn't quite do the entire pond justice with my camera. There is also a waterfall in this pond and a bridge that goes over the pond. Again, time restraints! But I think the next photo will give you a better idea of this water sculpture.






It is called "Dancers". As you walk around the pond, it becomes more obvious.







One of the beautiful paths through the woods. You stroll along, perhaps sit and rest on one of the many benches....




You get up to stroll once more and there is another surprise around the corner!



This is a bird sanctuary. Inside it has information about the many birds that visit here. Along with many bird feeders hanging on the trees.





The weather and the woods were beautiful and calming.










Another sculpture "Hidden" in the woods. This one is simply titled "Vertical Form" it is made out of Granite.






I had to share the above photo with you as it is the only one that Katie took. She was on her phone the entire time and didn't seem to care weather we were there or not. Not to worry, I had a good time anyway. I also found a "Nice" young college age girl that happily took a photo of me next to "Aviatik"!






I suppose that someday Katie may enjoy these moments. What do you think? Another ten years maybe?








I found this sculpture to be one of my very favorites. You must click on it to get all of the detail. I don't have a name for this one. It must be new. I didn't look on the little sign in front of it. Many of the sculptures are permanent at Cedarhurst yet some are on loan. This makes it more interesting as you never know what you may come across.








I have many more sculptures to post so I will have to do a part II ! The sculpture above is called "Kimball". It is made out of chrome car bumpers. There are two more chrome sculptures in this town. One of which I will post next time. The other, well it has a very interesting history that involves a murder. Just down the road from our old house.
If you're really good, I may hunt it down and tell a bit of the history of the third chrome bumper sculpture!


I hope you enjoyed the "Cedarhurst" tour. I have saved some of the best for last. I hope you'll be back to see more of this interesting art.



18 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

What a neat place! Thanks for taking us along on your visit. :)

Anvilcloud said...

A very cool place.

WRT Katie being on the phone, have you ever heard the line that youth is wasted n the young.

Diana said...

Hi AC,
Ain't that the truth!
Love Di ♥

Lynilu said...

Gosh, what a beautiful place! I'd plan going back, too! Wow!

As for Miss Katie .... I was thinking that she has moved from total rejection of anything relating to parental units to being mildly disdainful! LOL! I know that doesn't sound good, but IMO it is. I remember my kids graduating to a new, more tolerable level from time to time, and when I realized it, I was so elated each time! Kids!! They crack me up .... easy for me now that I have none in their teens!!!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, Di!! I'm so jealous!!! How wonderful to have such a fabulous museum nearby!!!! I'd be there all the time!!! So glad you had an opportunity to enjoy it!!! Hope you are feeling well...you are daily in my prayers!!! Love you!!! Janine XO

Bernie said...

You look great in your photo Di, I am so glad you are feeling better.
What a treasure you live so close too, I love these kind of Fall days and it looks like you do too. Great pictures, looking forward to more pictures......:-) Hugs

Wanda..... said...

All that so close to your home is great Di. Such a variety of things to view, plus the paths to walk.
I agree with Bernie, you look great, Di!
♥Wanda

Brenda said...

What a beautiful day and a great place to go wander around. I checked and saw that it is five hours straight south of where I live--a little farther than I had hoped. Now that you have rediscovered it, enjoy it often whevever you have another day like today.

Barb said...

Hi Di, I thoroughly enjoyed my hike with you - the fall day and the sculptures are amazing. I can't believe this place is so close to you - you must go there when the seasons change and take photos. I bet you felt relaxed while you walked. Will look forward to seeing the other pics. (PS It was great to "see" you!}

Jackie said...

Di....You have outdone yourself with your photography skills! These are GREAT photographs.
The ones of the leaves are my favorites....AND the one of the statues in the pond....great reflection capture. MY MY!! You have done a superb job with these....I love them all (and wonder how the sculptor got those knots to cooperate....what an amazing piece of art!)
Love,
Jackie

La Belette Rouge said...

I lived in Illinois and I had no idea such a place existed. I missed out. But I very much enjoyed your tour.

Bonny said...

Beautiful photos, looks like a wonderful place to visit.

Rebecca said...

This is DEFINITELY my kind of place! (Another item on my "bucket list".) I believe Katey WILL look back on this with fondness... Your pictures are good, Di! I WILL be back for more.

Can I assume there is an admission fee? Guess I could go to the web site to find out.

Diana said...

Hi Rebecca,
There is no admission, at least to the sculpture park. The museum, I'm not sure, haven't been there yet.
Love Di ♥

Arlee Bird said...

This looks like a wonderful place and your photos were excellent. I was in Mt. Vernon a couple years ago long enough to get off the freeway and go to a store to get something that I can't remember what it was now, but we didn't stay long. It had recently snowed and we were anxious to make Eastern Ky. before it had gotten too late. I used to frequent that part of the country back in the late 70s and 80s, but haven't been there much since.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Ginnie said...

Wonderful ! I loved the dancer sculptures in the pond and the way they reflected in the water.

Amity said...

I love to be in the woods Di...to take a walk with my beloved...that sure is a romantic place ...:-)

Thanks for sharing this beautiful photos of you!

Teresa said...

Hi Di,
So glad to see you are up and around and enjoying life around you.

This is such a wonderful place to walk. Is there a charge to get in? If not, I think I would walk the paths everyday. Can you take your doggies there?

I think one day Katie will enjoy walking with you through the park...you should have asked her to leave her phone at home, or at least in the car.

These are great photo's, I can not wait to see more!

(((HUGS))) T