Dali Daytripper + Meanwhile Back at the Ranch...

We took a train to Figueres for a day trip to visit the Salvador Dali museum. It's a weird one, as should be expected. Dali converted a theater in his home town into a museum of his works, but also kind of a work of art in and of itself. Depending on your definition of art, it is either genius or madness or both. We started out in Barcelona, most of the morning trains were sold out, so we waited at the Las Arena Mall. It used to be a bull fighting ring, but Catalans have never loved bull fighting, didn't appreciate being forced to assimilate "Spanish" culture, and outlawed bull fighting at the first opportunity. They transformed the arena into a shopping center which was a good place to grab lunch and walk around the top for views of the city.

Then we head to Figueres! To say this museum is weird in an understatement.

Dali did not want an audio or written guide to his museum. According to him there are 2 types of people: those who don't deserve a guide and those who don't need one.

Beethoven, painted with squid ink.

In person it is very difficult to tell what this picture is. Unless you have change for the vision fuzzing binoculars, or can just take off your glasses, it looks like the bare behind of Gala, Dali's wife. But...

 With a little distance, this camera can clearly see the subject of the portrait! America's favorite president, Chester A. Arthur! Just kidding. It's obviously Lincoln.

The grey slab in the floor marks the spot where Dali is buried.

 The Mae West Room is the face of the iconic star made out of furniture...

And of course one of Spain's greatest ceilings can be found in Figueres.

 Dali worked in every medium you can think of, including jewelry. You can see a collection of Dali's jewelry designs at the adjacent museum. The door was so unassuming, we weren't sure it was the right place.

This piece seems to be one of his most iconic throughout Spain.

 Dali's eccentricity and wild mustache is as famous as any of his art, I think. How could it not be? It is the worlds most fabulous mustache!

Now, by this point you may be wondering what our kids were doing while we were gone. They were having the time of their lives at Grandma Camp! Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

The kids got to play with grandparents and cousins in the snow...

They had a fun and delicious Thanksgiving Dinner...

They got to visit the Brick Store and build their own Lego mini figures...

They rode horses...

And they made a gingerbread volcano.

Who's to say who had more fun? All I know is we couldn't have done any of this amazing things without a willing and loving Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you guys!