T Stands For Hic Sunt Dracones and Ted Geisel - Part 1

I mentioned in passing I had traveled to the Wilds of Western Massachusetts. To a Bostonian, this is the edge of the world. On a map, it would say Hic Sunt Dracones. Here There Be Dragons. This attitude comes from the simple fact that Boston is not nicknamed the Hub because the city is laid out in a spoke and wheel pattern. It's because Boston is the Hub of the Universe. Bostonians only need a brief walk or  a short subway ride (if the trolleys are on time and don't derail!) to art, history, sports, music, theater, universities. We don't really need to leave the city to find entertainment or education.

Bostonians also measure distance in terms of time. How long will it take me to get from here to there? !0 minutes, 20 minutes, but if it's an hour or more, that moves into the realm of an expedition requiring snacks and a change of clothes.

As I am now used to (well, sort of) living in the Land of Hic Sunt Dracones, I bravely drove an hour West of where I live.

My friend, Al (now living beyond the end of the Earth in Portland, Oregon) was visiting her family homestead in Springfield, Massachusetts. She was house and fur baby sitting for her brother. She invited me for a play date at The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum and Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden.

Ted Geisel is better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, celebrated writer and illustrator. We started our visit at the museum with lunch at The Blake House Café. Rather than show you pictures of my half eaten lunch as I was too busy catching up with Al to take a picture, there is an image of a cup in the many photographs I took. That will be my drink reference.

Can you find it here or there? Can you find it any where?

We started our tour of the museum in the sculpture garden.

The museum is in this house.

This was my favorite sculpture. Ted at his drawing board with the infamous Cat in the Hat as his muse.

Behind Ted's chair is Who-Ville.

This is me helping Sam-I-Am carry the platter of Green Eggs and Ham. This was the very first book I learned to read all by myself.

another Who-ville house.

My Christmas alter ego.  The Grinch, not his dog, Max.

The first floor of the museum was geared to children with many interactive exhibits. The first floor was about Ted and family and growing up in Springfield.

Play the labyrinth game to get Ted from his house to school and back again.

Ted and his big sister, Marnie.

Ted's childhood book case.

The Cat in the Hat and I look alike.

Another of my favorite Seuss books. One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish

I do not like green eggs and ham!

Did you spot the cup?

Next week, I'll take you upstairs to see Ted's studio and some of his amazing artwork and notes to family and friends.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.