John Lennon’s Psychedelic Bentley at the Nations Oldest Car Museum.
By carlvaleri | January 5, 2010
Memories of road trips and family visits occupy my thoughts as we stroll past the historic cars. Entering the Classic Car Museum in Sarasota, Forida, we are drawn to the multicolored Bentley once owned by John Lennon. Tracing the lines and colorful patterns with my eyes, I felt a slight dizziness as I tried to make sense of the many shapes.
Nearby a large steel encased structure, fins protruding from the rear, reminded me of a ship steaming through the water instead an automobile. The era of big lumbering cars of the 1950’s and 60’s is what many envision as a classic American car and comprises one of my favorite eras in car production.
Post WWII era cars are prominently displayed and are popular collectors items amongst the baby boomers. I enjoy the judicious use of chrome, large quarter panels, and interiors with huge seats and sturdy metal controls. The large size of the car’s radio must have made it a challenge to tune while driving.
The true Classic Cars, built between 1925 and 1948, and the older antique cars on display are well maintained. The collection includes cars from famous owners such as the Beetles and the Ringling family.
Modern classics include a Plymouth Road Runner, Ford Shelby Mustang, Jaguars, and BMW’s. The Plymouth Super Bird Road Runner with its huge spoiler and shark shaped nose is a real attention getter.
This is a terrific museum for both the car enthusiast and the curious onlooker. Each display has a detailed description of the car explaining any unique design elements, listing prominent owners, and detailing the production history.
A wide variety of unique automobiles are displayed including cars made of stainless steel with gull wing doors, to small go cart size vehicles. One car even has the passenger door on the front of the car with the steering wheel attaching to the door as it opens.
Bring the family for short informative and fun tour of the many unique cars. I suggest giving yourself one to two hours for your visit. If you are a car enthusiast you it will take a few hours to study the history and nuances of each model.
During a tour of this museum you are bound to point to a car and say “I remember that car”. This museum will lead you down memory lane, entertain, and educate you. That is why the Classic Car Museum is one of my favorite historic attractions in the Sarasota area.
For More Information:
Topics: Florida, Museum, Sarasota, Transportation | No Comments »
Recommended Read: Colonial Inns and Taverns of Bucks County
By carlvaleri | December 29, 2009
The country road meanders along the swift moving waters of the Delaware river, occasionally coming treacherously close to the steep river bank. Along this historic road, I follow the steps of William Penn and Revolutionary soldiers.
Around a sharp corner a large colonial home comes into view. The sturdy structure with painted wood shingles and dormer windows overlooks the swift river. This serene setting is perfect for the old home now turned bed and breakfast.
Topics: American, American Revolution, Civil War, History, Pennsylvania | No Comments »
Freeport Maine, More than L.L. Bean
By carlvaleri | December 21, 2009
A wonderful discovery during our coastal lighthouse tour is the vibrant village of Freeport, Maine. Unique shops, a variety of restaurants, pristine parks, quaint inns, and historic buildings will keep any visitor busy for days. Less than twenty miles from Portland we decided to take the more scenic Route 1. We where entertained by the unique tourist attractions and shops as we drove, daring not to stop and risk spending the money we saved to use at L.L. Bean.
Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Freeport, Maine | No Comments »
Bring Your Library When You Travel: Amazon Kindle.
By carlvaleri | December 9, 2009
Have you ever been sitting quietly, reading light on engulfed in a great book when you feel as if someone is watching you? It happens to me often when I am reading my Kindle.
Usually when I get this feeling, I slowly take my eyes of the book I’m reading and look up only to realize the person next to me staring at my Kindle. As our eyes meet I hear the inevitable question, “is that one of those kindle things?”. I smile because he is about to hear a dissertation on what I feel is one of the greatest technological advances since the invention of the computer.
Topics: Recommended Reading, Travel Gear | No Comments »
Christkindlmarkt: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
By carlvaleri | December 2, 2009
Cheerful Christmas music plays above the din of excited shoppers moving from one elaborately decorated display to the next. The smells of hot chocolate, cinnamon, roasted nuts waft through the air permeating my clothes and leaving their scent for later enjoyment. Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Bethlehem, Christmas, Holidays, Pennsylvania | No Comments »
Christmas Gingerbread House Display at Peddler’s Village, Lahaska, Pennsylvania
By carlvaleri | November 29, 2009
Children run excitedly from one ornately decorated shop window to the next. Christmas music emanates from hidden speakers, white lights adorn evergreens, and candles glow in the windows of this bucolic colonial village. I’m at Peddler’s Village in Lahaska, Pennsylvania during the Christmas season and the village reminds me of a movie set from It’s a Wonderful Life.
Topics: Christmas, Lahaska, Peddler's Village, Pennsylvania | No Comments »
Thanksgiving an American Tradition
By carlvaleri | November 26, 2009
Plymouth Colonist sharing a feast with the local Indians, football games, and sharing a large dinner of turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce is what I envision when I think of Thanksgiving. Pondering these wonderful thoughts I wonder how Thanksgiving became a holiday in America and why we celebrate on the last Thursday of November. Read more / View Photos »
Topics: American, History, Thanksgiving | No Comments »
Discover Why Meteorites Collide with Earth at Moncton History Museum.
By carlvaleri | November 24, 2009
Ever wonder why meteorites collide with Earth and what happens when they do hit the earth? Well you can learn the answer to these questions at Riding With Meteorites at the Moncton Museum of History.
Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Canada, Moncton, Museum | No Comments »
Indiana War Memorial Museum
By carlvaleri | November 20, 2009
You will have to go to Washington D.C. To see more Memorials honoring our War Veterans making it a fitting place to house the national headquarters of the American Legion. A large monolithic structure similar to the Washington monument sits across the manicured grounds of War Memorial Plaza.
Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Indiana, Indianapolis, War Memorial | No Comments »
Celebrate the Holidays at Tybee Island and Savannah, Georgia
By carlvaleri | November 19, 2009
Savannah Holly Day’s
Savannah is a wonderful place to visit any time of the year but the city really comes alive during the Holidays. Stroll along the Savannah River and enjoy the various decorations outside the many boutique shops. Take a Holiday Trolley tour of the city rich in history and full of stories.
Read more / View Photos »
Topics: Georgia, Savannah, Tybee Island | No Comments »