October 28
Woke up to 65 degrees at 6am in order to get an early start today. Many of the people at this hotel are living here for a couple of months due to the rebuilding after Hurricane Mathew. Luckily we've not seen any of the damage along the coast other than a few downed trees in Savannah. However, there is a lot of construction so it's hard to tell. As we rolled our cart to the car, we looked like we must be one of them.
We hit the road at 8am after another free, mouth-watering breakfast. We've been watching the temperature steadily climb upwards the farther south we drive. A tour group was in line with us at the buffet and Pam overheard one woman say that her boobs had grown quite a bit on the trip from all the fried food. Wow- the Kardashians should take note!
On the way to see Norm's "Tampa sister" (we already visited his "Denver sister") we dropped in at St. Petersburg, across the bay from Tampa. This was to visit the "must see" Dali Museum located in St. Pete. With the exception of the Dali Theater-Museum created by Dali himself in his home town of Figueres, Catalonia, Spain, St. Pete's Dali Museum has the world's largest collection of Dali's works.
Starting in 1943, A. Reynolds Morse and his wife began a 40 year relationship wth Salvador Dali as patrons and friends with most of their art purchased "fresh from the easel", from the artist himself.
The storm-secure building that houses the collection, completed in 2011, is an internationally recognized design. It's 18" thick concrete walls and 1.5" thick glass panes will withstand hurricanes up to and including Category 5. All artwork is on the third floor in case water encroaches.
Situated right on the waterfront as this "pan" shot shows. Also, what a day.
The store and restaurant complex on the first floor. All things "Dali" for sale and after buying engage in what was his second love, food and eating - but no Mickey D's need apply.
Being a senior usually means a buck, or two off - what a deal, dollars for your years.
The maestro in a typically "maestro" pose. He was buddies with Picasso, another maestro. If you're in a crowd, you gotta stand out.
"Daddy Longlegs of the Evening - Hope!" (1940). Hoping for a successful end of WW II.
As could Picasso, Dali could paint "real" paintings also. These two studies of fish were done when he was 19, a natural talent since he had at that time received no formal training.
Hardly surrealism, although women do tend to be enigmatic.
"Anthropomorphic Echo" (1937)
Way in the distance, a bit more Lincoln-ish.
"Homage to Crick and Watson" (1963) - referring to the discovery of the DNA double helix. This fascinated Dali.
"Portrait of my Dead Brother" (1963)
Dali had a complicated relationship with his sister as explained overly long by our docent, with whom we lasted all of 10 minutes. She kept emitting these snorting half laughs at her own witticisms. As for the painting below, the top part was painted before they had a falling out, the bottom part three years later to show that she was two-faced.There, that's it.
"The Ecumenical Council" (1960).
Detail of the above. The old masters often painted themselves into their works, looking out at the viewer just like this. And why not?
The staircase inside the museum is in the shape of a double helix. Dali would be proud.
A curved mirror on a landing makes for surrealistic Trumps.
More staircase.
Detail, in "pan" shot, of the glass panes on the exterior.
A major temporary exhibit on food. Dali loved food.
Norm accepts a slice of wonderfully cured ham straight from the bone. Costco, eat your heart out.
"The Basket of Bread" (1926). Dali was 22 when he painted this - close up you see how finely done it is. It created quite a stir for its artistry when it was first exhibited.
Some car! - with its dive helmeted driver and mermaid theme. A Dali special.
Interesting artsy dress in the gift shop - looked like it was made of jigsaw puzzle pieces of metal.
Tampa by the Bay.
View from the yacht club where we had dinner.
Norm with his sister Tinka and her husband, Paul.
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