sanctuary ring

 

The sanctuary ring on a church door ensured any laying hold of it safety. In early times fugitives from the law could seek sanctuary in a church. If they could reach a metal ring on the church door they could claim sanctuary & under law they would remain free from prosecution for a period of time, usually 40 days. Another interesting feature of medieval churches was the lepers' window, a small opening in the chancel wall were lepers could attend mass and receive communion without entering.  The Stavkirche or Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City has both features. It is an exact replica of the  Borgund stavkirke of Laerdal, Norway, built around 1150.

 

Stavkirche

Rapid City, South Dakota

6.11.2014

  

seattle's best in south dakota

 

Seattle's Best Coffee Shop in the Alex Johnson Hotel is a cozy place to get out of the rain while sight-seeing.  This historic hotel, which is listed on the Historic Hotels of America, a National Trust for Historic Preservation  was built in 1928 and features Native American motifs, including carved Indian heads like on the famed nickel.  Unlike the six Presidents who have stayed here, I am at the Howard Johnson up the hill.

Alex Johnson Hotel
Rapid City, South Dakota

dumpsters as art

 

A designated alley in downtown Rapid City is full of graffiti, framed art and other creative works. Even the dumpsters are part of the art. Art Alley has been described as a "totally post-modern art gallery, wherein one can view artworks that range from the total abstract, to pop art, to photo montage, installation art and skilled works that obviously found their origins in the passions of urban graffiti."  Despite the prose and some interesting pieces, it still looked like spray paint gone wild to me.

 

Art Alley

Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City