The glass house

Last fall when we were in the area we tried to go see the Glass House but all the tours for the year were sold out. Now we came back to CT to see it and were very excited that we were able to get tickets this time.

We got up early and went across the street to the Glass House visitor center. From there, they take you up to the Glass House in a small bus, about 10 minutes away. www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org

The Glass House is actually a 47 acre property with 14 buildings spread about, all designed by Phillip Johnson. The weather was gorgeous and it was a perfect day for an adventure. We were fascinated by the unique and creative designs of all the buildings. It was quite an experience to step into the Glass House. Once inside you don’t really feel that exposed, even though all the walls are glass.

Next we went to see the other FLW house in CT, the Rayward House, which was built in 1955. Unfortunately, you can’t see this one from the road so we were greatly disappointed.



Then we headed south on 95 while debating how to get to New York City to see a few things we missed the last time we were there. We decided to just drive there. First we drove around Central Park and then went to find parking. After going several times around the block, we found a parking spot on 91st Street and paid the meter.



From there we walked south on Fifth Avenue to 72nd Street where we entered Central Park. We went to see Strawberry Fields, the section of the park dedicated to the memory of John Lennon.

The sidewalks were full of people and vendors. The park was full of people picnicking, running, walking, riding their bikes, and all kinds of musicians and performers. There were people everywhere. We even saw two different wedding parties at opposite ends of the park. Men in tuxedos and women in evening gowns and brides in white dresses carrying flower bouquets, walking in the park.

We walked north again through the park up to 89th Street and there we went to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum. On Saturday evenings admission to the museum is "pay what you wish". We entered and went all the way to the top in the elevator and then walked down the rotundas while admiring the FLW exhibition in celebration of the Guggenheim's 50th anniversary. www.guggenheim.org

After that we were tired and our feet hurt. We dragged ourselves back to Bella and as we were leaving the city, we drove by one of the Papaya stores and decided to get a couple of hot dogs to go. Mar really liked their hot dogs the last time we were here. Then we crossed over the Lincoln Tunnel and went to the Walmart in Secaucus NJ to park for the night.