REFLECTIONS OF CRYSTAL BRIDGES EXPEDITION!

The very first article I ever published about Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, (www.crystalbridges.org) was over a decade ago, and there have been several more since then, with the most recent being dated October 14, 2017, and the first being December 12, 2011.  (These can still be found in the archives of this blog).  

However, no matter when I go, there always seems to be something new to see at this amazing facility, located on 134 acres of parkland, in Bentonville, Arkansas.  On my most recent visit, I took the photo below, through the glass walls of one of the current galleries, that shows a major expansion, currently being constructed on the north end of the building.  They are adding 114,000 square feet of galleries, studios, dining options, and event spaces.  The opening of the expanded galleries is planned for June 6-7, 2026.  

I think of Crystal Bridges as a treasure chest for the senses, and the translucent glass treasure chests displayed there, is just one example of artistic masterpieces.

There are also artistic masterpieces whose vibrant colors were created by the Master Painter in heaven, then artistically arranged by a gifted curator here on earth.  

When the exhibits include seashells, I feel compelled to be pictured with this souvenir from the sea, since I have been a collector of seashells, from childhood onward.

With 2026 being the 250th anniversary of the signing of the USA Declaration of Independence, this room-sized display of those famous words is very appropriate.  What makes it even more meaningful, is the fact that the words are written by the placement of thousands of multi-colored shoestrings!

Northwest Arkansas is famous for its poultry industry, since it is the headquarters of the Tyson Corporation.  Where would we be without chickens??!!

Crystal Bridges is not only a free museum for all to enjoy, it provides grants for schools, to pay for bus transportation, to bring students on field trips to the museum!   The museum, which was founded by Sam Walton's daughter, Alice Walton, is a non-profit facility, known for its stunning architecture by Moshe Safdie.

At one time, Northwest Arkansas led the entire country in new construction projects, and the accompanying landscaping needed for new construction.  Therefore this colorful "room divider" made of an assortment of colored implements, might make the budding sculpture artist, reconsider throwing out the old metal tools, they may have inherited from their parents!

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Has anyone every made a wish, by blowing on the "lighter than air" spires of a dandelion?  Perhaps, that was the inspiration behind this magnificent work of metal art!

An Arkansas find, the giant crystal on the left of this photo, was a nod to the word "crystal" that is the namesake of the museum.   The colorful glass balls, floating on the water feature, were part of a Chihuly exhibition.  

The huge mirrored heart that hangs from the ceiling of the restaurant at Crystal Bridges, is always a magnet, for folks wanting to get their photo made with it.  

One of the outdoor ponds on the property has been the location of an installation called "Narcissus Garden", by artist Yayoi Kusama.

There are nearly 1800 mirrored spheres, recalling the story of Narcissus, the self-obsessed hunter in Greek mythology, who is lured to a pond where, upon gazing at his own reflection in the water, he falls in and drowns.  

Being photo-obsessed myself, I tried to get as close to one of the spheres as I could, without falling into the water.  In the photo below, I got down on my knees to get a low-angle shot.

  Having survived the low-angle shot, I stood up try a different viewpoint.  

The photo below shows that these spheres truly are floating on actual water, and as such, they are not only reflecting what is above them, but the unseen (to us humans) that is below them!

It was not until I started writing this blog post, that I realized I have an exact replica of the Crystal Bridges silver spheres, on the top of my bookshelf at home.  It has been there for decades, as a souvenir I carried home from a scuba diving trip with my husband, in Cozumel, Mexico.  (The items on each side of the sphere are candle holders my father made, back in the last century, where he cut the bottom off of two-liter soda bottles, to make lanterns for the wooden stands the bottles sit in.)   The water at Crystal Bridges reflects its surroundings, the silver spheres reflect their surroundings, and the candle holders reflect my father's heart for wood crafting projects.  Therefore, I am using these items as a visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart."  Proverbs 27:19

This visit to Crystal Bridges and these reflections, give me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia

COLER PRESERVE EXPEDITION!

Coler Bicycle Preserve is located in Bentonville, Arkansas, and is a wonderful location for numerous types of outdoor activities.  It is one of many properties in Northwest Arkansas, made possible by the philanthropy of the Walton family, whose patriarch, Sam Walton, founded the Walmart Corporation.  A bicyclist who assisted me in finding the preserve (after the navigation system in my vehicle could not locate it), advised me I would have two choices of where to park.  He advised me to try to park in the lower parking lot (probably after seeing I was of the "senior citizen" class), because parking in the second available lot, would result in a challenging (for me) uphill climb on the way out.  I took this photo as I was exiting the parking lot he recommended, because it was completely full.  Then I followed the road shown in the left of the photo, and found the second parking lot he mentioned, which still had plenty of spots available.   

There was a very nice pavilion at the parking lot, which had electrical outlets, tables with chairs, a water fountain and restrooms.  

The concrete sidewalk I used, was only one of the ways a visitor could explore the park.  Notice the elevated ramp on the right of the photo, that bicyclists can use.

The sidewalk meanders downward through a mostly deciduous forest.  The fact that there are no leaves covering the sidewalk, is an indication that diligent attention is being paid to blowing fallen leaves off the sidewalk.  I volunteer with the Arkansas Master Naturalists (www.arkansasmasternaturalists.org) in working on keeping area trails free of leaf build-up, so I know this task does not happen without effort!

At the bottom of the hill, I reached what is called "The Plaza".  It serves as a staging area for meet-ups, and photo opportunities.

The custom-made sign at the Plaza, is different from the one in the parking lot, because it has a map of the park, etched onto its metal surface, winding through the letters C O L E R.  

I visited on an unseasonably warm day, which was the day after Christmas, so not surprisingly, there were many families together, out enjoying the beautiful weather!

This colored arch way, is one of the "OZ ART" installations, and can serve as a landmark, for visitors wanting to mark their location.  

I liked the way the design of the metal roof and sides, to make this covered bridge, mimics the design of old-time wooden covered bridges.  

Although camping is not allowed anywhere you want within the preserve, there is a designated camping area that has received nice on-line reviews, for those who want to be the first on the trails, when the sun comes up!

The park is dog friendly, but of course, dog owners are asked to keep their pets on leash, and clean up after they "do their business."

One of the reasons I was eager to visit the Coler Preserve, is because I had read of its unusual coffee shop, that can only be reached by biking or walking.  No "drive through" window at this location!

One of the reasons I had trouble locating Coler Preserve, is because when I put Airship Coffee shop into my search engine, a downtown location was coming up.  When I phoned the number shown, the person who answered said there are TWO Airship locations, and I was phoning the one downtown, and  yes, it is possible to drive to the downtown location.    

The Airship location in Coler Preserve has clean restrooms, and water fountain, with adaptation for re-filling water bottles.  It has a ramp, making it handicap-accessible, for those using wheelchairs on the sidewalks, to get to the location.  

The roof top of the coffee shop, is set up to make a very nice out-door patio, with chairs and tables for guests.  

A kind, random stranger, agreed to take a photo of me, so I could remember the beautiful environment and weather, where I found myself, on December 26, 2025!

The area adjacent to the roof patio, is equipped with overhead lights, and additional picnic tables.  

The front of the coffee shop is equipped with big chair swings, so visitors can look out across the valley.  

I tried sitting in the swing, but decided that was a scenario perfect for spilling my coffee, all over my white blouse!  

From the rooftop patio of the coffee shop, one has a good view of the old-timey barn, of the original homestead.  There are placards that tell about the history of the family that lived in this valley, and how that history relates to the name "Coler".

The old barn has been retro-fitted, to make it a wonderful area for youngsters (and those young at heart!), to climb around on rope ladders, and explore the second story.  The facility can be reserved for birthday parties, and other special events.  

I really wanted to try to climb the rope ladder, but did not want to wait in line, to make the attempt.  (or at least, that is the excuse I told myself!)

Rope climbing is not the only activity one can participate within the barn.  This visitor was taking advantage of the electrical connection to work from his notebook computer!

The shadows made by the spaces between the boards of the barn construction, make for a type of "Shadow Art" installation!

Beside the barn, examples of antique hay harvesting equipment make another type of vintage metal farm equipment "sculpture".   It provides an opportunity where youngsters can learn that GPS-guided harvesters, were not available to the family that homesteaded this valley! 

In front of the barn, there is a concrete pad, equipped with bike-washing water supply, and other items one might need, to make minor bicycle repairs.

The Quiver mentioned on this sign, is yet another example of an outdoor activity that has benefited from the generosity of the Walton family.  It shares the same website as the Coler information, although The Quiver is all about archery opportunities.  

Just as the neon sign says on this re-purposed outbuilding of the farmstead, one may feel as though they are in "paradise", when they are outside enjoying all the natural beauty of this preserve!

I saw several different people enjoying this hammock beside the stream, and I cannot think of a better location for "live streaming"!

The stream that flows through the valley adds a wonderful ambience to the preserve, but for the original homesteaders here, the stream would have been a necessary water source for livestock and crops---not just something pretty to look at!

Reading this sign near the entrance, is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge about Coler Bicycle Preserve, and will improve your understanding of all the opportunities you can add to your life by visiting here.  

Furthermore, if you read and abide by these "Rules and Regulations", it will improve your chances of adding "accident-free" days and years, to your life.  Therefore, I am using this as the visual aid for one of my First Place 4 Health (www.FirstPlace4Health.com) memory verses that says, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  Through wisdom, your days will be many, and years will be added to your life."  Proverbs 9:10-11

This visit to Coler Bicycle Preserve gave me "MILES OF SMILES"!  Tricia