Spent most of yesterday exploring museums in the city of Roanoke. The drive up was nice having to travel via backroads through the town of Ferrmun and Rocky Mount and on into the downtown area of Roanoke.

   First on the agenda was the 'Taubman' art museum, a small museum in a beautiful newer building all out of concrete and stainless steel. Most of the exhibit was taken up with what they were calling '50 Important American Artist's of this Century'. Made up of from one to a dozen paintings from 50 different artists, some I liked immensely and others didn't do a thing for me. There were none though that I didn't like at all, and I wonder if some that didn't touch me would be better if there had been someone else along who had liked them or been able to explain what the idea was behind some of them.

    They did have one exhibit there at the museum though that everyone should go see, especially since it doesn't cost anything to get into it. This exhibit was made up of about 30 jewelled boxes and purses created by Judith Leiber. She was evidently an early entrepreneur who created a business in New York that would create high priced purses , snuff and jewelry boxes for the rich and elite. It seems that many of Hollywood's 'A-list' actresses carry these to the Oscars and Golden Globes..... Anyway; they are just stunningly beautiful objects of art. You can see several of them by going to the Taubman web site and checking out their permanent exhibits section.

    Once done there, it was time for some lunch, so I headed a couple of blocks away to an 'Indian' restaurant that had been recommended to me. A plate of lamb saag and some nan along with some ice tea and I was good to go again.

    From there it was just a short walk over to the O. Winston Link  museum, just across the tracks from the art museum. The museum pays homage to a man who created some of the best photo's of steam trains ever taken. If you have ever seen an old black and white photo of a train that just takes your breath away... well you have seen one taken by this man. I spent more than an hour there wandering around the various galleries housed in the old Roanoke train station. Again, you can see a few of the photo's if you go to the museum web site. www.linkmuseum.org/collection.html

    Headed south down hwy 220 in the late afternoon, I wanted to take a new way back to the state park just to see some new scenery. Got a call from my friend as I was taking a break and having some ice cream. She wanted to see if I was up for a short hike in the evening, so there was a change of direction back towards the town of Floyd. A very nice walk along an old dirt road and then a cup of hot tea while the sun went down. It is really nice to be able to just do something on the spur of the moment... I sure like being retired. ‎