Adventure of the Day…

Destination
How do you combine adventure and music without going to a concert? I will share multiple ways in future blog entries, but for now, my best idea was to head on a mini-adventure to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. With my friend Beth alongside, we had a day of music history, food, and wine in our futures.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum

Journey
The Rock Hall offers a plethora of levels, displays, memorabilia, information, videos, and more. A person can spends hours upon hours scouring information or just hustle through if he or she wants to absorb the highlights. I’m more of a hustler—a non–dilly-dallier, if you will—so Beth and I made our way quickly through the displays, making mental notes that we need to frequent the museum on a regular basis. The displays change, and I really don’t want to miss a thing.

Left: Representation of Pink Floyd’s The Wall ● Right: Quote by Roger Waters of Pink Floyd

Inspiration
The main exhibit featured the work of Herb Ritts, a photographer and director known for his images of famous singers and actors, many appearing on covers of fashion and music magazines, as well as many popular music videos. (I think we all remember watching Chris Isaak’s “Wicked Game” video again and again. Isaak and Helena Christensen rolling around barely clothed on a beach? Hottttt!) Walking among the very recognizable photos, I felt inspired by the perfection of what the artist has captured. Why did I stop toying with photography after all of those classes? Why do many of us stop doing anything creative and artistic, like drawing or playing an instrument? Is it because we get caught up in life’s busy activities? The thing is, we all have an opportunity to start again. I can use the equipment I have, slowly replace with better gear, read the books, practice. It’s never too late to remember aspirations and make plans to focus on pursuing them.

Memory
A long time ago, when I was a writer for another magazine/website, I visited the Rock Hall to see The Doors Keyboardist Ray Manzarek speak in a Q & A session. It was definitely one of the most fascinating presentations I’ve ever seen, learning about the history of the band and Ray’s recently published book. Although fictional, The Poet in Exhile is a story about what might have happened if the lead singer of an incredibly famous and popular band had faked his own death. Why would he have done this, and where would he have gone? I loved the book, and it made me want to visit the location mentioned in the book. (I won’t give it away here, but email me if you want a spoiler!)

Boa Constrictor being “walked”

The Wine Mill

After-Adventure
Upon leaving the Rock Hall, Beth and I headed to a favorite spot in the Ohio City area, Market Garden Brewery. Before entering, we spotted a man who was walking and pulling his small children in a little red wagon … and carrying a humongous boa constrictor around his neck. Does everyone “walk” their snakes? This was something new for me. After a lovely meal, we headed south to The Wine Mill, an absolutely beautiful wine bar housed inside an almost 170-year-old building that was once an Indian mill.