Sunset on the Mississippi

I took these sunset pictures from an outlook at Mississippi Palisades State Park.

Mississippi Palisades Sunset

Mississippi Palisades at sunset

Mississippi Palisades Sunset with Railroad

Mississippi Palisades with railroad tracks

Campbell Center

Recently, I took a week-long course at the Campbell Center for Historic Preservation Studies in Mount Carrol, Illinois. Not only was the course highly informative, I also had a blast exploring the early 20th century campus. One evening we were able to go into the old gymnasium that hadn’t been used since the seventies.

Campbell Center Gymnasium

The gym is not very exciting from the outside but wait until you see inside!

The old pool in the basement of the gym

The old pool in the basement of the gym is in remarkably good condition, don’t worry about the mold in the corners, it adds character

Bathroom Sinks

The bathrooms were not so well-preserved

Bathroom Stalls in Abandoned Gym

The dilapidated bathroom stalls

Early 20th Century Gym

I am not sure what this room was used for, maybe it was a locker room?

Basketball Court

The basketball court, complete with basketball

Theater in Gymnasium

There was even a theater at the end of the basketball court, painted on the wall were the names of the crew of “The Silver Whistle” performed in 1959

Basketball Court and Theater From Above

This was taken from a small room overlooking the basketball court

Ping Pong Table in Abandoned Gym

A Ping Pong table in the room overlooking the basketball court

Shower Stalls in Old Gym

This was the old shower room

Sinks in ealry 20th century gym

I took this picture by sticking my arm around the corner because I could not walk into this room due to all the rubble

Old Room in Gym

I was not able to explore all of the rooms because the light was fading quickly, I pretty much just shot these last two photos on the fly while I was finding my way out of the gym

Last Room in the Old Gym

One last glimpse of the old gym

I loved being able to explore this old building, what a rare treat!

 

Hot Summer Day with Tiny Hippo

Tiny Hippo is Too Hot

Argh, it is too hot!

Tiny Hippo Climbs some Stairs

I must go inside to find something that will cool me down

Tiny Hippo in the Ice Box

Ahhh… this is very nice, but I was hopping for something sweeter

Tiny Hippo has Ice Cream

Yes, this is more my style

Tiny Hippo Scoops Ice Ceam

Now, to make the perfect cone

Tiny Hippo's Ice Cream Cone is Not Right

It is missing something…

Sprinkles Come from Above

Thank you, Sprinkle Fairy!

The Perfect Ice Cream Cone

Now it is a masterpiece, I must take it outside and enjoy it quickly

Tiny Hippo Eats Ice Cream Cone

Delicious, the dino sprinkles really make it

Tiny Hippos Love Ice Cream Cones

Nom nom nom…

Tiny Hippo gets Brain Freeze

BRAIN FREEZE!

Tiny Hippo is Pleased

Nothing is better than a vanilla cone on a hot summer’s day. I need a dip in the pool, I have made a bit of a mess.

 

 

The George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland

The George Peabody Library is a beautiful library that is a must see for any bibliophile in the Baltimore, Maryland area. The library, designed by architect Edmund G. Lind, was opened in 1878.

Stacks of the George Peabody Library

The stacks of the library are impressive and awe-inspiring

George Peabody Library

Five tiers of balconies surround the reading area of the library

George Peabody Library Skylight

The cathedral-like space is heightened with the giant skylight that stretches the width of the room

George Peabody Library Staircase

The public is not allowed to go upstairs into the stacks, but there is plenty to entertain the curios on the first floor

George Peabody Library Card Catalog and a Tiny Hippo

You can browse the card catalog, they didn’t seem to have any books on Tiny Hippos, though

George Peabody Library Tables with Tiny Hippo

There are plenty of study tables that can be used for research purposes

George Peabody Library Magic Lantern

I found this strange Magic Lantern device, is it bigger on the inside, perhaps?

George Peabody Library EXIT Light

We had a great time in the beautiful George Peabody Library

 

Baltimore Sculptures

While visiting Baltimore I made sure to take sometime to see the bronze sculptures that grace the parks around the Washington Monument in the neighborhood of Mount Vernon (at the intersection of North Charles Street and Mount Vernon Place).

Baltimore's Washington Monument

The Washington Monument stands tall behind the Marquis de Lafayette atop his noble steed.

Seated Lion by Antoine-Louis Barye

The horse wasn’t the only dignified creature gracing the parks of Mount Vernon, this seated lion was very stoic, if not a bit aloof.

Boy with Turtle Fountain

There was a wee turtle and a child playing in a fountain

Naiad Fountain by Grace Turnbull

A pretty lady was doing stretches in one of the fountains

Military Courage by Paul Dubois

I found this soldier with a smashing good hat

Military Courage by Paul Dubois

Isn’t that a great dragon?

Antoine-Louis Barye Force Sculpture

There was a series of four sculptures representing different themes. This one is Force, he seemed very stern.

Antoine-Louis Barye War Sculpture

The War sculpture had a helmet that was the perfect for protecting a Tiny Hippo

Antoine-Louis Barye Peace Sculpture

The Peace statue was very relaxing

Antoine-Louis Barye Order Sculpture

Order was the most frightening statue, I had to run away from a very large cat!

The sculptures and fountains that grace the parks of Mount Vernon are definitely worth a visit, see you there!