Two years ago, Ed and I stopped in Bella Vista for a visit with our friends Bob and Jean. A short drive took us to Bentonville and Walmart Museum housed in the original five and dime store that Sam Walton founded. While there we got directions to Crystal Bridges Museum of Art that was currently under construction. The Museum was finally opened on 11-11-11. When Jean and Bob suggested that we stop on the way home to visit the museum we jumped on it.

Alice Walton, Sam Walton's only daughter is the driving force behind the museum. If you want to read more about the museum go to http://crystalbridges.org/

Ed and I were both suitably impressed when we saw the finished building. The building itself is a work of art and it is set in "natures art". It's worth the trip just to see the building. Currently, admissions are covered by Walmart which is an added bonus.

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The museum restaurant is set in a "pod" with glass walls overlooking the water and the museum pods.

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The "last supper" is reproduced upside down using spools of thread suspended on cords (or some such thing). Looking through the sphere sharpens the image and turns it right side up.

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This bird looks like it's going to fly out of the picture and reminds me of the movie "The birds".

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We walked outside and enjoyed the gardens and the view of the museum.

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One of the many outdoor works of art.

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Looking down from the restaurant area at a lower patio and two of the pods containing part of the American Art Collection.

After dinner we drove over to Bob and Jean's house to admire the Dog Wood Trees.
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Zaph was happy when he found a stick under the leaves.

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Zaph and Gypsy. Something must smell good here.