Dot and Abbey Enjoy an Extra Spring

Hot on the heels of Paul (who left Auckland in April for a mammoth world trip peddling Vernon in 5 countries over a 6 week period), Abbey and I took off to Chicago in early May for the American Association of Museums Conference. With 6,000+ delegates this was billed as the biggest AAM Conference ever - and the Vernon Stand was humming with clients, prospective customers and our ever-growing throng of US admirers.

Chicago plunged back into winter temperatures during our visit, despite the promise of spring. We braved the cold and were rewarded by the stunning architecture and fascinating historical perspectives from Diane Gutenkauf (native Chicagoan, newly elected Alderman and long-time friend of Vernon) during a private guided tour of the city.

One building that stays in my memory is the Tribune Tower, designed by Raymond Hood (who later built the Rockefeller Center in New York) and John Howell. Built in the 1920s, this gothic structure incorporates at ground level chunks of some of the world's iconic built heritage, including the Taj Mahal, the Great Pyramid, the Berlin Wall, the Colosseum, the Great Wall of China and the Alamo. I shudder to think how these exhibits were collected (perhaps a 'hit list' sent out to willing pillagers?).

©Jeanne Grunhard -http://www.flickr.com/photos/84882238@N00/

After AAM Abbey left for Canada to visit family, and I traveled south to San Antonio, Texas. That weekend I visited the remainder of the Alamo and strolled the Riverwalk -a charming re-development in the centre of the city with miles of footpath following the banks of the San Antonio River, a riverboat taxi service and dozens of eateries.

I spent the week installing Vernon CMS and training the Registration team at the McNay Art Museum (link http://www.mcnayart.org/). The Museums founder, Marion Koogler McNay, was a gifted art educator and heiress. The bequest of her Spanish Colonial Revival-style home and extensive art collection became the first museum of modern art in Texas when the McNay Art Museum opened in 1954.

I caught a Latin music and dance extravaganza one evening at the Arneson River Theatre on the banks of the river. The smorgasbord of local talent included a Mariachi band, tango, salsa, flamenco guitar and Mexican dances.

With great company from the McNay crowd, mojitos, fajitas, mole sauce and other Mexican delights, my week in San Antonio was highly enjoyable! I'm happy to be back home now - though it's taken some adjustment to the winter weather.