September 24, 2017 - Crocker Art Museum and Walk around Sacramento

Title: September 24, 2017 - Crocker Art Museum and Walk around Sacramento
Hike Info : Description :  Background :  Extra Photo's : 

Hike Info:

Type: Hiking :  Car

Destination:Crocker Art Museum, State Capitol

Distance:  5.22 miles ¹

Elevation Rise: 376 '

Maximum Elevation: 47'

 ¹Using Google Earth’s route I plotted there.

Description:

Stairwell

We got a good night sleep. Woke up a bit late at least by my standards. We went down and had the hotels continental breakfast. By the time which we finished washing up and taking care of the morning business it was about 10. Too late to walk to church Downtown.

We decided that the first place we wanted to see was the Crocker Art Museum. This was based upon a recommendation by Cathey. This is a walking tour day,  so we retraced our steps to Old Sacramento, then continued on until we reached O Street. Then we turned eastward until we hit the museum. Upon reaching it, we stood outside not sure what we were seeing. There is a modern building but attached to it is as old historic looking house. The old house had a sign saying Crocker Art Museum. But so did the new looking building. We went into the new looking building and got admitted for $10 a piece.

From Papua New Guinea

We thought this was probably about an hour, maybe two hours on the outside, looking around seeing things and then coming out. Four hours later, we were really glad we had visited Crocker. To start with you go up some stairs that they have some pretty looking lights beaming down on the walls making it very attractive looking; creating fascination with the display. Then there is a exhibit from Papua New Guinea where we probably spend about 20 30 minutes looking at it. Not only that but it docent came over and talked with us about the role of missionaries played in bringing the art over.

Straprans painting

Next on the list of exhibits was a gallery featuring Raimonds Staprans work. I can honestly say I did not understand nor appreciate his work. To me they were just a bunch of rectangles painted different colors, maybe with a unifying color, but nothing more than what could have been done in high school art. Of course I did not know since I did not take art in high school. The quote which they provided sort of explains a framework he worked in but it did not give me an appreciation of him. I never paint from nature. I construct things. As far as I could tell, there is no Beauty in the work and if there was a message it must have been “we are what we construct” which I do not think is true.

Yosemite by Thomas Hill

Following the corridor around, we transition into the old building from. Sort of follows the line of thought of going from the new world to the old California. We are now in Crocker's old home. The atmosphere definitely takes on a older and more classic experience. The ceilings are high, woodwork abounds, and the furniture and the artwork corresponds to it. We probably spend at least an hour and a half in this area. Well, I was a little bit disappointed that there wasn't more in the way of historic or natural art in this area. It was still a fascinating looking around.

We continue to look around once we leave the old Crocker residence and come across more more modernish stuff. That's at least was interesting such as one he's ever had sculptures designed to trick your eye into seeing something else than what was there. It was stimulating just seeing what was there and what they were trying to say to us.

 After 4 hours of wandering around, we thought we are getting hungry and definitely a bit tired. So we exited and started our walk downtown. We eventually came the K Street Mall, which didn't really show us anything which we were interested in for eating. Onward we continue down K Street, until we come to the Cathedral of the Sacrament. But before we go in, there is a cafe which looks like it's closing up. Its name is Ambrosia Cafe. Looks inviting so we go in we order some sandwiches and a Nutella croissant. Food was pretty good. Good to get off of our feet and onto a chair, watching the masses move outside.

After lunch we slipped into the Cathedral of the Sacramento-which is what Sacramento is named after. A church service was going on-imagine that on a Sunday. So we went into the foyer, not into the sanctuary. The stain glass windows looking from the foyer were beautiful. We could peep into the sanctuary, but did not want to be intrusive, so we just moved on to the State Capitol. We marked this to go to on another day.

State Capitol

We have been to the State Capitol several times. The north entrance was closed, so we walked around to the south. After going through security, we started roaming the hallways. There was a display commemorating Native American veterans. That held our attention for a few minutes, along with the dome of the Capitol. We walk along the displays of the counties. Our thoughts are that Stanislaus, while less glitzy than Fresno is more likeable. Then it is up to the second and third floors to see the Assembly room. I notice that there are Dell laptops on the legislature’s desks. We get our picture take with Arnie, that would be his picture. By now, it is time for us to leave.

Assembly Room

First Presbyterian Church

First Presbyterian Church is across the way. There has been a concert going on for a while. We are content to rest for a few minutes just soaking in the sunshine on the grass. But now it is time to go back to the hotel room and ponder what to eat.  In our wanderings back, we pass a tall building which has the American flag rippling in the wind. You cannot do anything but stand in awe with the red, white and blue flying there starkly against the blue sky.  We move on till we come to the Tower Bridge. Looks like a whole festival is going on-something about from the farm to the table. Then we walk the mile or so back to the hotel room.

Tower Bridge

The big question is where to celebrate our 41st anniversary? We decide that it would be OK to go to Buca di Beppo, driving instead of walking. So we drive about 7 or 8 miles to Buca. There we have Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken and a salad-we are not terribly hunger. But we splurge on having Tiramisu for dessert. Well worth it. Now we are glad for the drive instead of a walk. Time for bed.

Background

Ambrosia Cafe

After walking around Sacramento, we spotted this cafe close to the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament. We were hungry as it was past 2pm and no lunch yet. It looked like they were starting to close, but were still serving customers. We were deciding what we wanted to have: I choose the Ham and Gruyere Croissant. When a server walked by with a sandwich, my wife asked what is that? Albacore Tuna and Cheddar Melt. Mine tasted real good and because I did not want anything heavy, it served me well. My wife’s mouth just melted with her sandwich. The service was friendly and helpful. This is one of those places which you are glad to have stumbled into.

Buca di Bepo

I don’t think we ever have gone to a Buca which was bad. This Buca serves some pretty good food, even by Buca standards. The Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken was wonderful. Then we topped off our dinner with a Tiramisu dessert. Most Tiramisu have a bit too much rum, but this Buca’s Tiramisu is moist with only just a hint of rum. Would I go back again? You bet!

Crocker Art Museum

After seeing an art museum in Seattle, I was thinking I would not be to impressed-usually newer art is something which gives me headaches. But today’s adventure was one where we started with an exhibit of south Pacific Island creations-the docent said this was throw-away material for the natives, but missionaries saw the worth and sent it back home. We wandered through an artist I was not impressed with and then found ourselves in the California collection. This collection has the double bonus of being in the Crocker Mansion. Fascinating. All in all, we spent over four hours going through these and other exhibits. Well worth the time.

State Capitol

It is hard to evaluate something which you have gone to so many times. But once you are in the building, we realize why we return to see the State’s Capitol building. Whatever your politics are, this is where our laws are made, where our futures are established. From pictures of our past governors to the assembly and senate rooms, there is an aire to the place which demands respect. So for that alone, it is worth going to see.

The Capitol Building was built with the US Capitol in mind. While not a replica, it does retain the sense of awe of the DC building. Inside the building are exhibits from each county. They range from pretty sophisticated to somewhat cheesy. There are free guided tours which you go on. They start in the basement. Very interesting.

Extra Photo's

Gary and his pet bear

Entrance into Lt Govenor's Office

Capitol Dome

Gary and the statue in the center of the Capitol

Painting by Fredrick Schafer

Sherri, Gary and Arnie