Art Smart – December 2022

Art Smart’s Articles for December 2022

Art Smart is a regular contributor to EastTexasExposed.com and iExposed.us.  Each month we submit a blog article that contains a link to some of Mr. Smart’s articles contributed during that month.

Caddo Lake in the Winter

By Art Smart

Caddo Lake, located in Northeast Texas and adjacent to the Caddo Lake Wildlife Refuge, is a stunning destination in any season, but it is particularly beautiful in the winter. With its cypress trees, Spanish moss, and calm, still waters, Caddo Lake has a serene, almost otherworldly quality in the colder months.

As you take a leisurely walk or drive around the lake, you’ll notice that the trees are adorned with hoarfrost, giving them a magical, almost fairy-tale like appearance. The air is crisp and refreshing, and the silence is broken only by the occasional birdcall or the crunch of leaves underfoot.

But Caddo Lake isn’t just a place for peaceful contemplation. It’s also home to a wide variety of wildlife, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. The Caddo Lake Wildlife Refuge, which spans over 7,000 acres, is home to over 300 species of birds, including egrets, herons, and woodpeckers. It’s also home to beavers, otters, and even the occasional alligator.

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The Don CeSar – A must visit

By Art Smart

The Don CeSar, also known as the “Pink Palace,” is an iconic resort located on the beautiful St. Pete Beach in Florida. This luxurious property is a perfect choice for a romantic getaway, offering stunning oceanfront views, a secluded beach, and a variety of amenities and activities to choose from.

One of the highlights of the Don CeSar is its award-winning spa, which offers a wide range of treatments and services to help you relax and rejuvenate. Whether you’re in the mood for a massage, a manicure, or a facial, the spa has something for everyone.

The Don CeSar is also home to some of the best dining in the area. The Maritana Grille, the resort’s signature restaurant, serves gourmet cuisine inspired by the flavors of the Mediterranean. The hotel also has a variety of other dining options, including a poolside bar and a casual café.

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Sea Ranch Chapel

By Art Smart

The Sea Ranch Chapel is a breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful place located along Highway 1 in Sonoma County, California. Nestled between San Francisco and Mendocino, this isolated chapel is the perfect place to stop and take a moment to reflect and meditate during a long drive.

As soon as you approach the chapel, you’ll be struck by its stunning exterior architecture. The building is constructed from cedar shingles and glass, which creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The chapel is surrounded by beautiful, lush green trees, which provide a sense of privacy and seclusion.

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The Ginocchio

By Art Smart

The Ginocchio Building in Marshall, Texas was a longstanding fixture in the downtown area, with its distinctive red brick exterior and ornate architectural details. For years, it had been a source of pride for the community, with many locals reminiscing about the times they had spent there as children. However, over the years, the building had fallen into disrepair and was in desperate need of a renovation.

Enter Allan Loudermilk, a local businessman with a passion for restoring this historic building. When he first laid eyes on the Ginocchio Building, he knew he had to take on the challenge of bringing it back to its former glory.

With the support of the community, Allen set to work on the renovation, determined to do whatever it took to restore the building to its former splendor. He spent countless hours researching the building’s history and carefully planning out every detail of the renovation.

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Ferndale — The Victorian Village

By Art Smart

On December 20, 2022, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck Ferndale in Humboldt County in California. This was very sad news. I have visited Ferndale many times and have fond memories of its unmatched architecture.

Ferndale, known as the “Victorian Village,” is a small town with a rich history dating back to the mid-19th century. It was founded in 1852 by New Englanders who were drawn to the area by the abundance of natural resources and the possibility of a new life on the West Coast. These settlers established dairy farms and raised livestock, which became the mainstay of Ferndale’s economy for many years.

As the town grew and prospered, a number of Victorian-era buildings were constructed, giving Ferndale its unique character and charm. Today, these beautifully preserved buildings serve as a testament to the town’s history and are a popular attraction for visitors.

One of the most iconic buildings in Ferndale is the Ferndale Museum, a Victorian-era building that was once a livery stable. The museum houses a collection of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of Ferndale’s history, from its early days as a dairy farming community to its present-day status as a popular tourist destination.

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For more articles and photographs visit oud websites:

EastTexasExposed.com

iExposed.us

St Giles Cathedral – 26 July 2022 – Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

We stopped and explored the St. Giles Cathedral during our Royal Mile walk. The Cathedral stands out in my mind for two reasons: 1) the purpose of the Thistle Chapel and 2) the carvings within the Chapel.

History says a church has stood on this spot since 854 but the Cathedral building mostly dates from the 15th – 19th century.  A primary reason for very little of the first churches remains being available to view is invading English armies torched these churches twice in the 1400s.  St. Giles was built as a Catholic church but today is considered the primary church of the Church of Scotland and the “Mother Church of Presbyterianism”.

The Reformation reformer John Knox (1514 – 1572) preached his sermons from St. Giles.  Knox led the Scottish change from Catholicism to Protestantism.  The Scottish Parliament in 1560 decreed Scotland was a Protestant country.  Knox also played a role in the dethroning and eventual beheading of Mary Queen of Scots.  In today’s world Knox would be called misogynistic but in his time he held the common (male) thought that women were not capable of being leaders, etc.

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The Royal Mile – 26 July 2022 – Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

Yesterday was a Rest Day – I went to the grocery store and Nancy did laundry and we both caught up on emails, reading and resting.  Our one-bedroom apartment is large, contemporary in furnishings, and comfortable with lots of windows. 

Today we have decided to tackle the Royal Mile using Rick Steves as our guide or at least his tour outlined in his guidebook.  We Uber’ed to Edinburgh Castle to save our legs for a long day of walking.

Mistake on my part was I didn’t make a ticket reservation for Edinburg Castle and no tickets were available for the following three days we would be here.  Reservations is a way of travel in the UK – damn.

I like the justice system for determining witches.  If accused, you were tied up and thrown into a swampy lake.  If you sank (and drowned) you were innocent.  If you floated, you were guilty of being a witch and burned at the stake.

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The Border Abbeys – 24 July 2022 – Scotland, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

We overslept this morning – I set my alarm for 7:30 PM instead of 7:30 AM. I was awake about two minutes before the owner of the Horse and Hound knocked on our door at 9:00 AM letting us know we were late for breakfast. However, by 10:00 we were driving the winding single lane roads with abbeys to see and Edinburgh to sleep as our goals for the day.

We enjoyed the Horse and Hound Pub because of its name not its small room. However, we thought the small room was a great room because it was the only room within 25 miles or more that was available to two Americans who aren’t used to making reservations more than 24 to 48 hours in advance. The pub had beer and pub food which means the beer was good and the food was OK.

Leaving Horse and Hound we had less than an eight-mile journey which I drove in less than 30 minutes. What was amazing about this trip was I made no wrong turns and there was a parking space in front of the abbey ruins – I am not sure which was the bigger miracle.

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York and National Railroad Museum

York and National Railroad Museum – 14 July 2022 – York, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

It was a beautiful day for a bus ride. So, we decided to take the Hop On/Off Bus tour and stop for the National Railroad Museum. The Railroad Museum is something we most likely wouldn’t have visited but all the guidebooks gave it high ratings and we found the ratings well deserved. I believe we spent close to two and a half hours at the Railroad Museum.

We have done several Hop On/Off Bus Tours. Some have been great such as Hong Kong. Others not so great such as Cape Town. The information is always good, the presenter or audio is always a crap shoot, and if the bus can’t or isn’t allowed to navigate to the sights then the ride is boring.

Note his jacket, the person sitting to his left with hood up – it was cool. Five days later the hottest recorded day in York’s history was 101 degrees.

Clifford Tower was a part of York Castle which no longer exists. This is the second Tower or Castle Keep. The first was destroyed in 1190 when the City’s Jews took refuge inside and eventually committed suicide to avoid being murdered by Christian rioters.

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York City Wall — 13 July 2022 — York, United Kingdom

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We are in York; luggage is in our apartment and therefore it is time to go exploring.  

I hadn’t taken 20 steps when I could see Monks Bar in the very near distance poking out above the buildings in front of me.  Monks Bar is one of the primary gates through the old city wall.  Monks Bar was built in stages in the 1400s with the last stage – top story – completed by Richard III in 1484.  Monks Bar originally was constructed with a gated barbican and a series of murder holes from which defenders dropped rocks, etc. on to attackers.

The City Wall was primarily built in the 13th century and extensively renovated in the 1800s.

The city wall fortifications consisted of two sections of wall, one swamp, and one lake (for the king to fish).  The stone wall is very narrow and not particularly high.  However, most of the stone wall is built on top of a previous dirt mound fortification so that from outside an opposing army was looking at 20’ of a very steep dirt incline and then 10 to 15 feet of stone wall.  This made it very difficult to bring siege machines close to the wall and almost impossible to lean a ladder against the wall.  I wouldn’t want to be part of an attacking force.

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Black Top Farm to Manchester – 10 July 2022 – United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

While we were eating breakfast, Jane came out of the kitchen and asked us where we were going today.  I answered we were driving to Manchester.  Immediately she said she would write out the most scenic drive for us to take to Manchester.  Then Jane’s visiting girlfriend from Manchester said not only would it be scenic but no slower due to all the Sunday traffic on the highway.  I knew anything scenic meant narrow roads but I am slowly getting used to closing my eyes, steady on the gas pedal, and praying for divine intervention.

During yesterday’s walk from the farm to Hartington and back I had a heart-to-heart talk with myself.  I reminded myself I had survived six months of driving in India – a country where driving is the art of the insane, roads are narrow with everything on them but cars, certifiable crazy taxi drivers everywhere, and don’t forget cows, oh yes and buses.

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The Peaks – 9 July 2022 – Hartington, The Peaks, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

On 8 July we arrived mid-afternoon at The Black Top Farm two tenths of a mile outside of Hartington. We checked in for two nights and unloaded our stuff. Then drove back into town to find dinner – Jane, our hostess, told us without reservations we may have to drive to another town for dinner. That was all the motivation we needed to immediately get back to Hartington.

Our first stop didn’t serve meals but the second did. Most importantly the second said if we would sit down they would serve us before all their tables were filled with guests from their lodge or tonight’s other reservations. Didn’t have to ask twice.

The next morning we were downstairs eating breakfast by 8:30. The word, hearty, hardly describes all the food. The following morning, we let Jane know we didn’t need the beans or the meat. My favorite was the oat cakes, flat like our pancakes but with a very different taste to them. Nancy liked the oat cakes but said the eggs may have been the best tasting she had ever had; this from a person who eats eggs for breakfast at least 29 mornings out of 30.

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Out in the Countryside – 7 July 2022 – East Anglia, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

A Note from Tom – July 17, 2022

Yesterday the high was 71.  Today the high is predicted to be 88.  Monday 96.  And Tuesday 103.  But Wednesday its back to 73.  Keep in mind our apartment has no air conditioning.  

Nothing like being in the UK when it is having one of its hottest hot spells.  My favorite headline: Climate models predicted current heat — in 2050.  The climate deniers continue to be correct — the models are not perfect; the models keep predicting cooler weather than is occurring!

Stay cool, safe, healthy and avoid the Covid.

Out of the city and into the countryside.  Life is better: no jet lag, Nancy’s bag finally arrived, and we are walking paths not cobblestone streets and sidewalks.

U-turn and continue walking the broad pathway with very little to look at.

The plan for today is to stop at three Royal Society for the Protection of Birds nature reserves.  The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) was begun in 1889 and is the largest nature conservation charity in the United Kingdom.  There are more than 150 reserves spread across the UK.  For more on the RSPB go to: https://www.rspb.org.uk

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Windsor Castle – 4 July 2022 – England, United Kingdom

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By Tom Allin

I am a fan of Rick Steves but I believe he mislead me.  His book on Great Britain notes Windsor Castle as being in the surrounding area of Cambridge.  I booked two on-line tickets and then Google mapped our route only to discover it was a two-hour one-way trip.  Not exactly what I envisioned or had in mind for an in the neighborhood drive.

We presented our tickets and were passed through to security.  I had forgotten that in England and most likely all the United Kingdom (and of course any airport) a pocketknife is treated as a weapon of mass destruction.  It was bagged, tagged and I was told I could pick it up after we left the Castle.  All this for a pocketknife: have to wonder what would happen if a concealed gun packing American tourist showed up.

At the top of the rise in the first photograph is a gated entrance into a portion of the castle grounds. The gate is locked, no entry. From here you complete what is a walking U-turn and continue walking the broad pathway with very little to look at.

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