Chihuly Garden and Glass - Seattle, Washington

The photos in this post were taken by the Dining Companion's hermana

Along with our visit to the Space Needle, the Dining Companion's hermana and I, visited the Chihuly Garden and Glass Exhibit. The exhibit is near the Space Needle and you can purchase one ticket that includes both attractions.

Dale Chihuly studied glass working at the University of Wisconsin, the RI School of Design and the Venini glass factory in Venice, Italy. Chihuly, a native of Washington, was invited to create a glass installation in the city of Seattle. His design included an Exhibition Hall, a Garden installation and a Glasshouse.

The artist's signature

In 1976 Chihuly was in a car accident. In the accident he lost the vision in his left eye. He continued to blow glass after his recovery until he dislocated a shoulder surfing in 1979. No longer able to hold the glass blowing instruments he began a cooperative phase of his work that involved his oversight and ideas with the physical work being done by others.

Out of this loss came the Drawing Walls; a way for the artist to convey his thoughts and ideas to his team.

The exhibit is amazing. The beauty of it is breathtaking.

These Ikebana and Float Boats are the only things lit in a dark room. The effect is stunning.

Chihuly's work can also be seen at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. His piece titled “Fiori di Como” hangs from the lobby ceiling.

Picture of the artist with “Fiori di Como” Bellagio, Las Vegas, Nevada - Photo from the Las Vegas Review-Journal

I'm a fan of the artist and was thrilled to get a chance to see this exhibit. I haven't had a chance to visit the installation at the Bellagio but it is on my list. If you're in Seattle make the time to visit Chihuly Garden and Glass. It's a definite must see.

Happy travels!

NOTE: Next week we wind up our journey with a trip to Pike Place Market and the original home of Starbucks coffee. After that it's fun in the Big Easy.

Down on the Corner - In four places at once

I want to travel out west and stand at the Four Corners Monument. It's something that I've always wanted to see. I've been doing some research and trying to figure out the best way to accomplish this goal.
I'm thinking we would fly into Las Vegas and then drive. Maybe see the Grand Canyon and the Hoover Dam too.

I realized the other day that I have a handful of states left to visit to complete the contiguous 48. (Alaska and Hawaii are on the list too with Alaska being most likely to get visited first.) I still have Arizona, New Mexico, Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Denver, Washington and Oregon. Having been all over the Northeast, the South, and the Midwest, this is whats left.

 I had the idea at one time that we would see the west by train. I still would love to do that. There's just something about train travel that lends itself to adventure. For now I think we'll stick to the fly/drive route. But I haven't counted train travel out, not at all.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the western part of the US. Is there anyone of us who hasn't dreamed of driving Route 66? I want to see Cadillac Stone Henge, the Painted Desert, Arches National Park. And Roswell! Aliens, the age old debate of green or red chilies (both please). So, so much to see and do. 

The Four Corners, the Grand Canyon and all points west. Get out your best sunsets, your tastiest food and roll out the welcome mat, cause we'll be coming for you soon.

Happy travels! 

Las Vegas - 3am Omelettes and a bottomless cup of Joe

Las Vegas was one of those places on my someday list. I was in no hurry to visit but I knew I would get there "someday". Well someday rolled around in the guise of an invitation to meet up with some friends.
Friends of mine from California were going to drive out to Vegas and we would fly out and meet them there. And so it was we spent three days in Las Vegas at a resort off the strip and had a great time.

Our time was spent between lounging by the pool, plugging a few quarters in the slots and visiting Fremont Street. One of the best parts about Las Vegas is that the place is going 24/7. So when I woke up at 3:00am there was always something to do. Jet lag? Time change? No problem! You're in Vegas, you can eat drink and make merry at anytime of the day. Gotta love it.

Next time we visit Vegas, and I'm pretty sure there'll be a next time, I'll stay on the strip, and experience the Vegas everyone whose been there talks about. But for a first visit I couldn't have been happier than staying where we did, lounging by the pool, drinking tropical drinks (brought right to my lounge chair, thankyouverymuch) and just relaxing.

It was Vegas 101, an easy introduction to all that the city has to offer. Next time it's a room with a strip view, dinner at a famous chef driven restaurant and a great show. The traditional Las Vegas trifecta and one I'm looking forward to hitting.