Memorial Day Weekend Part Three (The End!) – Grounds for Sculpture

On to the final installment of our Memorial Day weekend visit to Doylestown, PA. Except this time we’re venturing not just out of Doylestown, but also out of Pennsylvania and into New Jersey. Our destination: Grounds for Sculpture just outside of Trenton. My parents had been there several times before and knew that we’d enjoy it. We’d tried to go on several occasions in the past, but our plans had always been thwarted by rain, cold, or wanting to go on a day when it was closed.

Not this time! We made it. And it was definitely neither raining nor cold. It was HOT. And sunny. I am sure that the sculptures and grounds would be more photogenic at a different time of day when the sun was not harsh. But what can you do.

There are a ton of peacocks all around the grounds. This one had some babies following her around! Also, peacocks are LOUD. Click the image below for a 6-second video clip with audio of the peacock chorus.

Can you count the peacocks? There are five in this tree. A sixth was walking along the path nearby.

Leo, of course, was excited about this sea monster.

Next up, my favorite image from the whole weekend. Did you know that if you look carefully at a person’s eyes in a photo, you can usually figure out what kind of light was used? An umbrella will look like a white circle (and where it was placed will determine in which part of the eye it appears). A softbox will create a small rectangle. Okay, okay, I am probably one of few oddballs that pay attention to these things… anyway, I love the way that the sculpture that’s in front of Leo here has created such unusual patterns in his eyes.

Jonas is really, really attached to my dad, “Pop Tony.” I’m nearly invisible when Pop Tony’s around. The two of them were taking a break in the shade and of course Leo wanted in on it, too.

Matt enjoys the shade of this beautiful walkway.

We found this nice swing in the shade. Jonas climbed right up, and I attempted to sit next to him. “No, don’t sit there!” he protested. I made a sad face and pretended to cry. “Please can I sit with you?” He gave one of those gestures where he lifts his shoulder in annoyance. One minute later Pop Tony plopped himself down. Jonas was all smiles. Way to rub it in, Dad!

Adorable-ness that should come with a warning label.

It was hot! When I saw this misty sculpture, my brain said, “guest cooling area!” I handed my camera to Matt and went right in. Then I realized from the “do not touch” sign that maybe this was not supposed to be interactive. Oops.

I’m pretty sure this was not supposed to be interactive, either, but you can see a boy’s arm in the top of the frame. I solemnly swear to tell the whole truth that the boy that the arm belongs to does not belong to me.

Last one: this was an indoor (and air conditioned!) exhibit of sculptures made from tires.