March Equinox

​The March Equinox marks the brief time span when the sun crosses the Celestial Equator (sky dome) and some claim that, the astronomical first day of Spring, one can balance an egg on a flat surface. 

​America’s third President, Thomas Jefferson, was interested in many subjects including astronomy and it is stated history that Jefferson had one of the most extensive book collections among his American contemporaries. ​

​The grandfather of Virginia wine, Jefferson, experimented with growing a vineyard then has morphed into today’s The Monticello Wine Trail. One local gem along the trail includes UNESCO Thomas Jefferson Monticello, the beautifully scenic countryside where Jefferson was born, retired and died.  A guided tour is a splendid experience because they point out insightful stories about Monticello’s displays of scientific objects, experiments, instruments and tools such as a telescope in his study room.

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This year’s Spring Equinox I will be looking up at the skies where I live and where Jefferson had once star gazing. Coincidentally, I also had lived in the vicinity of both, 17th c. astronomers, Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei.

The era of 17th c Scientific Enlightenment included Scientific Revolution and Modern Science which culminated in a European cultural shift. Vanguard scientists such as German Kepler and Italian Galilei planetary theories were controversies and spread all over the social circles including the English colonies. Jefferson may have read about these forward European thinkers’ academia applications being applied, the mathematical physics and equations, to the universe. 

Groundbreaking universal researches from both astronomers Johannas Kepler and Galileo Galilei had two completely different personal outcomes when their enlightened scientific theories, regarding the plants, sun, universe and Earth, became public knowledge.
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German born Kepler was from the same German town as Reformationist Martin Luther’s star student; therefore, their culture easily embraced science accademia growth and well..not for Italian Galilei. The omipresent Italian Catholic power were up & down the country’s boot and negatively spotlighted the towns where Galileo was born and studied, we can presume he was persona non grata.

Johannes Kepler place of birth Weil der Stadt, Germany.

The preserved medieval fortified walls and a couple of remaining towers reminds us that this prominent town has a long rich history.

​Most military wars from the past spared the bombing of this historical town because of the respect for particular historic icons born here including Astronomer Johannas Kepler.

​The house where Kepler was born is now a museum about his life and studies.

I know it’s touristy but a thrill to take a break in the Kepler Café.

Most German towns will have their local museum, Stadtmuseum, showcasing their long rich perserved history.

​Weil der Stadt is often called ‘Gate to the Black Forrest’ because the town is located at the foothills of the Black Forest. Bavarian region and this area food is the regional Swabian cuisine. 

The local sausage culture

​I learned that different sausages are eaten at particular times during the day. For example, a Bavarian mild sausage in light broth is served for breakfast. From this pic we, being newbies, are obviously tourists.

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I like the German’s lighter fare foods and prefer their biers on the lighter side. When I was introduced to the local ‘bier cocktails’ scene, from then on they were on my radar, a true fan. My favorite is Radler (mixture of beer and lemonade) and Bananaweizen (mixture of bier and banana juice). During the hot summer these iced cold bier cocktails are refreshing. 

During his time Kepler too enjoy drinking bier in his neighborhood Biergarten.

​On the opposite side of the Modern Science acceptance was Italy. One of the cultural consequences from Luther’s 95 Theses broke up the Catholic Church exploiting practices of their economic empire. So steadfast in their beliefs trying to replace the current cultural norm of superstitiously natural phenomena with scientific reason, many astronomers such as Galileo Galilei sacrificed themselves under their Church laws. 

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Pisa, Italy

In addition to Pisa, Galilei also walked though Padua’s university and around the quaint towns along Padua’s countryside. I too followed Galilei’s footsteps from the locations where he gazed up at the stars and planets.

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One of my favorite past times was to plop down center view and watch people go about their day.

​​Many ancient and contemporary scholars have walked on Padua University floors. Many old traditions are still practiced today. Once we stayed down the street from the University of Bologna graduation night; oh my what excitement. 

Driving around Padua’s country side are the hills of Colli Berici and Colli Euganie. The Italian scientist Galilei spend much time glaring up at the sky through his telescopes. Now private property, this place is said to be one of those locations and a splendid view it is.​

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When I drove around that area this view of the scientist hideout happens to be perpendicular with a roundabout. I would drive around the roundabout a few times pretending to be lost, accidentally missed turn my turnoff, and acting coy towards the pissed off locals just to drive around and around and linger a longer view.

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​One of the Galilie tourist spots is the cantina that produces and markets Galilie Galilieo wine.
​​#bucketlist eating a carbonara pasta dish at a restaurant in the town named Carbonara, Italy.

​I read this book years ago and must read it again for a different perspective. 

Thomas Jefferson’s travels through Europe and its influences were brought back to Monticello in his retirement years.  UNESCO Thomas Jefferson Monticello showcases many of his scientific innovations and a nice piece of American history when experiencing Virginia Wine Tourism. 

​Balancing an egg or superimposing a historical moment with your five-cent coin on the Monticello Dome, during the Earth’s orbit around the sun, are some of the many gems offered on The Monticello Wine Trail. Historic, bucolic and alcoholic fun.