Visited Burlington, Vermont yesterday. It has enough interesting things to keep one busy for awhile. Started at the Shelbourne Museum which is a large complex of buildings and gardens. One building built rather like a horseshoe has an extensive collection of a minature circus parade which stretches for over 500' or the equivalency of 2 miles. What a wonderful thing to walk along this and see all the stuff that used to be in circuses long before I ever attended one. Made me a tiny bit envious to see all the exotic animals and wagons and bands and "scenes". Wagons were American or European or Asian and had scenes on them to represent that area. I never saw a circus like this parade and it just looked so exciting. Would have been the best thing to come to a small city in those days. The museum also had a small carousel beside the circus horseshoe. A nice lady was running it and called for us to come ride. We both hoped onto a horse and she ran the carousel for us only. days gone by for sure. Haven't been on a carousel horse in many years.
The U.S.S. Ticonderoga is also at the museum. Poor boat is sitting on dry land now but her glory days of being a paddle steamship on Lake Champlain will be remember from the photos and the restoration of the ship. She is a very nice boat. We got a sneak glimpse of the hidden whistle when we were in the forward lounge and they guy came to tout it. quite loud but quite melodeous as well.
An exhibit by Louis Comfort Tiffany was also in the Webb Gallery and such beautiful work. As I am also a stained glass builder, I love looking at his work. If I had the money and the assistants like he did, perhaps I could also churn out such glorious pieces. no matter.
And finally, at the museum, was an exhibition of motorcycles. The entry barn had some old motorcycles on the top level then some choppers on the next level. These choppers are also incredible works of art. I cannot imagine ever riding something so beautiful and odd. cannot believe that any of them would be comfortable to ride for any length of time. I'll stick with my faithful little cruiser who doesn't leave me exhausted after a couple of miles.
After leaving the museum, we headed down the road to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory. this company started because Teddy Bears, named after Teddy Roosevelt, were no longer being made in the United States. The founder has made a thriving business out of the bears and now they are well loved and quite expensive. But it was fun to see how they are made, hear the patter, and get one. Yes, I bit the bullet and bought a bear but it's quite lovely.
When we left there, it was pouring rain so that stopped any outdoor activities but a lovely day.
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