The Cincinnati Chronicles - Art, Boats & a Very Impressive Storm

We paid a quick visit to the Cincinnati Museum of Art, greeted by a very large sculpture of Pinnochio.

The building itself is a work of art, with a grand double staircase and beautiful exhibit rooms. According to their website, it's one of the oldest institutions in the country, opening in 1886, and housing some 67,000 pieces of art.

 

There are hundreds of classical paintings, sculptures, etc. but this is Cincinnati and Pete Rose is still an important part of its history.

The tomb effigy of Elizabeth, wife of painter Frank Duveneck.

Steampunk style (one of my favorites) glasses and art deco lamps.

A pair of angels stand guard at the entrance to one of the exhibit rooms.

Art of a different kind and in a different place - Kiss Gene Simmons stage outfit on display at the Hard Rock Casino. We had a late supper there the evening we arrived because it was close to our hotel. It was fun seeing costumes on display that belonged to Lady Gaga, Barbra Streisand, members of Kiss, and several others, plus Eddie Van Halen's Porsche.

I always say, "art is everywhere, in everything!" 

Probably everyone's favorite activity was the riverboat ride on the Ohio River. Fifteen minutes before launch, we were standing outside on the deck. The breeze cooled and felt so wonderful after the high temps. Then my husband noticed clouds gathering down-river. Pretty soon they were clumping together and getting dark. Then things got exciting. 

I'm taking pictures and he says we better get inside quickly. We barely made it in (sound familiar?) and a gust of wind whammed past, even blowing a chair downstairs. The wind and rain looked like a small hurricane whipping the trees on the shoreline next to the boat. My biggest concern was that we wouldn't be able to launch and couldn't reschedule because we were leaving the next day (these cruises aren't cheap!) But it whizzed on by and fifteen minutes later, we launched right on time. Unfortunately, as it gathered power on land, it became an F2 tornado and did some damage in a little town northeast of the city.

We all enjoyed the river cruise very much. It's a great way to relax while seeing the city and hearing its history. But there was more excitement to come. The storm knocked power out for 10,000 people, including our hotel and many area restaurants. We eventually found one in the suburbs and by the time we got back to the hotel (and walked 5 flights of stairs to our room) we were only without power for 30 minutes. And I was thanking the Lord and my husband/coach for encouraging me to keep up our garage gym workouts!

Next up - a castle in the city.