Sunday, August 21, 2016

Field Trip to Monticello Sculpture Gardens, Through the Looking Glass

Who loves to go on a field trip? I do!

A field trip with friends is not only fun and relaxing, it also stimulates the brain.

This month I've gone on two outings, the first was a trip my friend and former co-worker Barb planned, which included a walking tour through the Monticello Sculpture Gardens on the historic campus of Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey, Illinois.

The college's 2016 "Gardens Through the Looking Glass," Summer Garden show, celebrates the 150-year anniversary of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” books.

The college offers free guided tours, or you can do as our group did, and visit the sculpture gardens on your own at your own pace.

According to their website, "The Monticello Sculpture Gardens have been designated by Missouri Botanical Garden as one of their Signature Gardens in Illinois. Here, the traditional edges between art and landscape blend to create a seamless partnership between sculptor and landscape architect."

Here are some photos from the trip.


I'm taking a photo through the looking glass
with my friend Patty waving and looking on

Here's a lovely centerpiece fountain with an egret
and some of the many limestone buildings in the background

My sister Kathleen and I take time for a photo op

A fountain surrounded by flowers - delightful!

Breathtaking sculpture of Sacajawea
carrying her child on her back

A bit of history about the original Monticello Female Seminary,
founded in 1838 by Captain Benjamin Godfrey, who championed
education for females

Horticulture Manager Ethan Braasch took time to
highlight some features of the gardens
My friends and fellow co-workers: Fran, Nancy, JoAnn,
Judy, Barb, Kathleen (my sister), Donna (me), and Patty
For information about the garden tours, call Ethan Braasch, Horticulture Manager, phone: (618) 468-3140 or e-mail him at ebraasch@lc.edu

If you're interested in learning about the history of the Monticello Female Seminary, here's a link to the Monti Memories blog.

After our sculpture garden tour we took a quick drive across the street and met up with two more friends, where we enjoyed lunch at the magnificent Josephine's Tea Room and Gift Shop, I had the special quiche, salad, and lobster bisque soup, after which I was as full as a tick. For dessert, I bought a slice of lemon meringue pie to go. On the drive home, we stopped at one of the many roadside farmers markets along the way, where farmers displayed freshly picked tomatoes, watermelons, peaches, and other delights.

The field trip to Godfrey with my friends was a wonderful way to feed my mind, body, and soul.

How about you? Have you had any interesting field trips or vacations this summer that inspired you?

10 comments:

  1. I spent the day in the art museum writing. THAT was inspiring.

    Donna--Thanks for sharing your two most recent field trips. We live so close to Godfrey... it's nice to know about interesting (and free) things to do that are close to home...

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    Replies
    1. Funny you should mention the Art Museum. Talk about inspiring! That's the second tour I went on just last week. I'll post about it next week.

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  2. Sounds like a fun trip and fun place I would like to visit in the fall. It looks so inviting. And now you have me craving lemon meringue pie.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A trip in the fall would be bright and brisk. and the lemon meringue pie was delish.

      Delete
  3. I went to the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma.

    http://samnoblemuseum.ou.edu/permanent-exhibits/

    That's not exactly in our backyard. But the 9.5 hour trip was to take The Pony to college.

    I complained about Hick dragging me through the museum for several hours (I mean he dragged me for several hours, not that I complained for several hours. My complaints are rarely as short as several hours!)...but I did enjoy the exhibits. Even though for a science teacher, it was kind of like talking shop.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The museum looks interesting. I've never heard of Sam Noble so I'll have to check him out.

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  4. It sounds like a lovely trip!

    Lobster bisque - yum! :)

    The statue of Sacajawea really is striking, and I bet even more so in person.

    ReplyDelete
  5. That sounds like an interesting trip, makes me want to go this fall. A museum that inspired me this summer was the Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum at Big Cedar Lodge at the Top of the Rock. I didn't have nearly enough time to finish going through it, so I want to go back.

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  6. What fun! It looks like you had a wonderful time and the scenery is beautiful. I've got to get around more.

    Pat
    Critter Alley

    ReplyDelete

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