Coca-Cola with coffee

Perverse? Or a step in the right direction?

Widdle V.

The works of Maurice Widdle V. - also known as Maurice Utrillo - have adorned many walls on various continents. You may have even seen some in the movies. The popular French painter of Montmartre cityscapes was not surprisingly born in Montmartre. His mother, Suzanne Valadon, was briefly in the circus until a trapeze accident forced her to quit. For many years thereafter she modeled for various painters, the most famous of them Pierre-Auguste Renoir. She later befriended Edgar Degas, who recognized her artistic talent and encouraged her to launch her own painting career. By all means it was a success, as she became the first woman admitted to the Société National des Beaux-Arts. 

Cleveland, TN

The rest of the drive to Louisiana went pretty fast. In a town called Cleveland, on the outskirts of Chattanooga, I found another TownPlace Suites by Marriott. At a nearby Asian fusion restaurant I got some sort of bean curd with veggies concoction that I enjoyed back at the room.

West Virginia

Furthermore West Virginia has more mountains and forests compared with Ohio, along with fewer people and less traffic. The highway was curvier at times, but the foliage and scenery made it worthwhile.

Parkersburg, WV

Even though the GPS wanted me to go through Ohio, and I have a family connection to that state, it didn't feel as right as driving directly south into West Virginia. I think it was a good decision - the newly built TownPlace Suites (a new Marriott brand) was clean and pleasant and right in downtown Parkersburg, WV.

 

Café Phipps

 

What we did do is have a pleasant, healthy lunch at Café Phipps which is located right off the circular atrium that serves as the entrance to the conservatory. As the sign above says, this is one of the best museum restaurants in the country, having won awards for their healthy, sustainable food.

Phipps Conservatory

It was certainly meaningful to pay a visit to the Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens since I grew up next to another Phipps family garden. While we didn't do the full tour of the conservatory, it was enough just get a glimpse of these beautiful glass structures dating back to 1893. They are lovingly preserved and no doubt point of civic pride for Pittsburghers, whose city the steel magnates Carnegie, Frick and Phipps left a deep imprint on.