Road Trip TwoGether: September 2014

Monday, September 29, 2014

Day 23: 9/29/14

Today will be a bit of backtracking. We will return to North Adams, MA for two reasons. First, is to visit with Mark and Jeff at Turboprop East. Second, is to drive up to the top of Mt. Greylock and see the Massachusetts War Memorial.

But, first-things-first. We had breakfast at Roses Restaurant next door to the motel. Linda thought this was the prettiest restaurant we were in on the whole trip. The inside was decorated in rose print wainscoting and every lamp over the tables had a rose attached.

We arrived back in North Adams around 10 AM and spent a few minutes talking with Mark. We realized that we had time to see the memorial before lunch, so we made the trip up to the top of Mt. Greylock.

It’s a very winding narrow road climbing along the side of the mountain for about 8 miles but well worth the trip. The monument is located on the highest point in MA. The view is breath-taking of the Berkshire Mountains.

The inscription on the monument reads:

“Erected by Massachusetts in grateful recognition of the loyalty and sacrifice of her sons and daughters in war. They were faithful even unto death.”

Three senior hikers.

The Appalachian Trail goes right up to and around the base of the monument.

Bascom Lodge on the monument grounds.

Here are some of the sights and foliage we saw on Mt. Greylock

After descending back into North Adams we headed for the airport again. Over lunch Mark, Jeff and I had a chance to catch up on the latest. I haven’t been to Turboprop in over seven years. They seem to be keeping busy which is as it should be. Linda and I shared details on our trip and “us guys” settled all of the world’s problems relating to aviation. It was a good visit. In the lobby of the hangar I showed Linda one of the Turboprop East pieces of literature with a picture of one of the state planes I used to maintain on the front. In the nearly 20 years I dealt with Mark, Jeff and the crew at Turboprop East I always received the best in professional service and workmanship. Thanks guys.

The Pros at Work.

Jeff, me, and Mark.

Near the town of Pittsfield MA is the man-made lake Pontoosuc Lake. With the mountains in the background and the colors reflecting in the water it was quite the sight to see.

From there we stopped for the night in Kingston, NY. We were here about 15 years ago for a tugboat exhibition. This time is just a stop on our way home.

Mt. Greylock: 42°38’14.12”N 71°09’57.57”W

Kingston NY: 41°35’36.17”N 73°59’50.00”W

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Day 22: 9/28/14
We spent much of the morning at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA. Rockwell did over 4,000 paintings; each had a study of several drawing prior to the finished painting. In the lower level of the museum there is currently a collection of all 360 Saturday Evening Post covers. His last Post covers was the John Kennedy Memorial issue.

He is known as an illustrator. An artist paints a picture...an illustrator paints a story.

The Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, MA.

Our docent.

Figuring the tip.

"Thanksgiving" In the first version the mother was looking at the turkey coming out of the oven. Rockwell realized that the mother would have her attention directed toward her son just back from the war. He started over with the above painting with only four days to delivery. When he delivered it he told the people at Saturday Evening Post "Don't touch it. It's still wet."

One of the favorite paintings of most everyone in the room was the triple self-portrait. A few thing that were pointed out: Notice there is no reflection in his glasses... he didn't want to see himself as he was (Aging). Notice there are no glasses on the painted portrait. The face in the painted portrait is much younger. (almost a Bing Crosby look)

The Four Freedoms
The four freedoms refer to President Franklin D. Roosevelt's January 1941 Four Freedoms State of the Union address in which he identified essential human rights that should be universally protected.

Freedom from fear.

Freedom of speech

Freedom from want

Freedom of religion

Bond purchasers received full-color reproduction sets. During the 16-city tour, which included various celebrities, public officials, and entertainers, approximately 1.2 million people throughout the United States viewed the paintings, which helped to raise $132 million ($18.533 million for the Second Loan Drive alone) for the war effort though the sale of war bonds. According to The New Yorker in 1945, the Four Freedoms "were received by the public with more enthusiasm, perhaps, than any other paintings in the history of American art.

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Kellogg Corn Flakes Kids

When asked if he ever made any paintings for Sun Maid Raisins he said "I don't think so". When shown the pictures he came back with. "I must have...That's my mother-in-law".

An advertisement for Raybestos Brakes.
Notice the expression of protective care
in the woman's eyes.

His first job as an illustrator was for Boys Life Magazine for the Boy Scouts of America.

Rockwell was asked to do a painting commemorating the opening of one of the dams out west. This was the picture he submitted. It was not published.

The Gossip

Norman's wife Mary.

The faces for this picture were of local towns people. His wife told him that this would stir up trouble. To lessen the impact one of the faces is his wife. The lady who started the gossip, in the painting, did not talk to Norman for over eight months after it was published.

As the artist examines the painting
the subject seems to enjoy the attention. A bit of Rockwell humor.

Our docent stopped to talk to us one on one

There were so many I just can't share them all. With my camera I could zoom in and eliminate the frames which gives a more straight-on perspective.

"The Discovery"This is one of Linda's favorite

After the museum we went to the Norman Rockwell Studio. The studio was relocated to the museum grounds from behind his South Street home. The move took two days. Some of the town's children had time off from school to watch.