Monday, October 08, 2007

Wild Horses...

Talia spent Friday and Saturday night with us. I worked some overtime on Saturday, but it was non-production, so we started at noon and I left at 8:30 though they were offering more; I wanted to get home in time to watch a movie with her before she wen to bed. She let me pick, and I chose "Buddy" with Rene Russo and Robbie Coltrane. She loved it, and perhaps learned a bit.

Earlier in the week I had read of a museum in Leavenworth, KS I thought she might enjoy, and since Dillon and Caleb had both gotten to do some special things of late, I asked for Talia to share it with her first.

I had never realized that carousels had been manufactured locally, so when I read of the C. W. Parker Carousel Museum having opened in 2005 with not only a restored ridable Parker carousel, but also the oldest operable carousel in the world, I was intrigued! Since it is open from 1-5 on Sundays, the half hour drive seemed worth it. I never dreamed we were in for such a treat!

That oldest operable carousel was made between 1850 and 1860, and though operable they don't let anyone ride it at this point, for good reason!



This is just one pair of the beautiful restored horses I photographed...




They said that Parker was the only one to ever include these in his "menagerie"!



Before Grandpa actually put down the camera and rode one of those jackrabbits, he tried to catch a girl awhirl...



Before the afternoon was over, we had the makings of a real cowgirl!



Besides the little souvenirs that Talia wanted, and a t-shirt for her, Grandpa came home with a miniature carousel horse of his own...Grandma thinks he's a bit crazy...

It was a great afternoon! There is a beautiful riverfront park across the street, and Talia got to play there awhile along with waving to the engineers of several trains as they rolled through.

I told Dottie as we left that I would be happy having my birthday party there...of course, the last week of December it may be hard to get everyone there. We'll see!

alan

16 comments:

Connie in FL said...

What fun!!!

Looks like a wonderful museum.

Dr. Deb said...

What a great day! I love looking at the handcraft and woodworking of true carousel horses. Such pieces of art.

Jennifer said...

I love carousel art! We have a very pretty one at our local mall -- complete with rabbit (but the zebra is my personal fave). At $1 admission, who can resist, especially with grandchild in tow?

Green tea said...

What a neat way to spend time with your g kids..
Your a good Grandpa Alan..

Julie Zickefoose said...

From one carousel freak to another, thank you for those amazing photos. The old carousel looks so simple and funky! If I'm ever in Leavenworth I will absolutely check the museum out. There is an amazing carousel with sea monsters and hares and giraffes at Golden Gate Park in SF, and a really superb one in Sturbridge MA. I could gaze at them all day, and I have stacks of pictures of my kids riding them. Thanks for this!

CrackerLilo said...

A wonderfully fun yet educational weekend for all! Lovely pictures, as usual. I'm glad you and Talia enjoyed it.

fineartist said...

Grandpa sounds like a lot of fun, even though he is contemplating dragging his entire family out to a freezing cold park complete with trains at his birthday in December...but hey as fluky as our whether has been it might be warm, ya never know.

That carousel is cool as heck, and Talia does look pretty darned comfortable on that filly.

alan said...

"There" meant inside the Carousel Museum, lol! I'm not so good in the cold anmore...I used to dream of living in Alaska, but now know I'll only ever visit!

:o)

alan

Puffer said...

Looks like a fun day!
Glad you got to take home something for you!

Jo said...

What a beautiful carousel :-)

Barbara said...

What a terrific outing for you and your grand daughter! My favourite childhood merry-go-round used to be at Pallisades Park in New York. I've been told that the park no longer exists but years ago I heard a rumor that the merry-go-round from there was restored and installed at Canada's Wonderland north of Toronto.

I too my daughter to Canada's Wonderland when she was 2 just to ride it.

JLee said...

I have always ADORED carousels and my daughter had a life sized one in her room for years (until recently) Takes me back :)

alan said...

And I thought you would all think me silly because I enjoyed this so!

:o)

alan

HAR said...

Carousels remind me of everything good about my childhood.

Those in the photos are the real old fashion kind. So dramatic and magical. Talia must have really enjoyed seeing the whole process.

Lori said...

Beautiful! I love those old carousels. I wouldn't mind taking a spin myself, even though I have awful equilibrium!

When is your birthday? My husband's is Dec. 29th....

alan said...

December 29...

along with my wife's next younger sister, one of her older cousins, and a deceased favorite Uncle!

I can't believe your husband's is the same day!

alan