Art and science intertwined in the Renaissance for a large number of reasons, not just within the realm of pure mathematics. For the first time since the fall of Rome, the people of Europe were prosperous enough to begin looking at their world with more than just a practical survival mindset. The enlightened nobles of Europe funded people to explore the world around them (and inside of them!) in order to enrich the lives of that nobility. Mathematical principles were rediscovered or generated wholly from the efforts of those that had the benefit of strong minds and good patronage.

People like da Vinci were given the resources to study Man and the things that make him what he is. They were able to determine the proportions of the effects of changing those proportions. For example, the normal human body is roughly eight and a half heads tall, (that is you can stack that many heads on end next to the human and get their rough height.) In a number of sculptures (including David,) were altered to make them seem more heroic and wound up closer to nine heads tall.

The Vitruvian man is da Vinci's take on establishing proportion and range of movement. This established most of the accepted proportions and the way to estimate them in relation to other body parts.

Lack of technology and distractions in the old ages, gave people the opportunity to focus on learning new things. They were eager to learn and always were striving to be the best. I wish we had less gadgets. We could certainly learn from the Romans. Good Job.

I think some of the technological advances of the time actually helped the efforts of artists and scientists. Crop rotation and hardware innovations (brought in from outside of Europe) helped increase yields and productivity so that there was less wasted effort. New crops from the Americas also changed the diet and lifestyles of many people. My feeling is without these innovations, the Renaissance would not have occurred.

The tradition-bound Western image of a he-man,
masculine God may already be thousands of years out of date, says a
Westchester rabbi who believes he has unlocked the secret to God's name
and androgynous nature.

Rabbi Mark Sameth contends
in a soon-to-be-published article that the four-letter Hebrew name for
God - held by Jewish tradition to be unpronounceable since the year 70
- should actually be read in reverse. When the four letters are
flipped, he says, the new name makes the sounds of the Hebrew words for
"he" and "she."

This is a much shorter drive! We even have Mysteries and did I mention Food?

Here are some of the things around the picnic site to do:

Avalon-Glen Artney-Orange Grove – This area offers hiking, picnicking, mountain biking, canoeing, bicycling, tubing, rental pavilions, fishing, equestrian trails, ball fields and playgrounds. The Orange Grove Scenic Area has a two mile drive along the Patapsco to the Swinging Bridge. A fish passage has been installed at Bloedes Dam. This area is known for several historical sites – the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, the Thomas Viaduct, remains of the Orange Grove Mill, Avalon Iron and Nail Works and Bloedes Dam. The Avalon Visitor Center houses exhibits detailing 300 years of Patapsco history.

Directions to Patapsco Valley State Park

* Pickall Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Security Blvd. (Exit 17) westbound. Go 0.5 mile and turn left on North Rolling Rd. Take next right (Fairbrook Rd.). Go 1 mile, turn left on Johnnycake Rd. Go 1.5 miles. Park Entrance is on the left.

From Rt. 40 take Rt. 40 to North Rolling Rd. toward Security Square Mall. Go 2.5 miles, turn left onto Fairbrook Rd. Follow above directions.

* Hilton Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Frederick Rd. (Exit 13) through Catonsville to South Rolling Rd. Turn left and make first right onto Hilton Avenue. Bear left and follow Hilton Ave. 1.5 miles to the park entrance on right.

From Howard County follow Frederick Rd. through Ellicott City into Baltimore County, turn right at South Rolling Rd. and follow directions above.

* Hollofield Area - From the Beltway (I-695) take Rt. 40 West (Exit 15). Follow Rt. 40 West 2 miles to the park entrance on the right.

From I-70/Rt. 29 take Rt. 29 South (Exit 87) to Rt. 40 East 2 miles to the park entrance on the right.

* Avalon/Glen Artney/Orange Grove/Lost Lake Areas - From the Beltway (I-695) Take Rt. 1 (Exit 12-A) toward Elkridge. Follow Rt. 1 South about 3 miles to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.

From I -95 take I-195 to Rt. 1 (Exit 3) toward Elkridge to South St. Turn right. Park entrance is on the left.

From Howard County follow Rt. 1 through Elkridge and into Baltimore County. Turn left onto South St. Park entrance is on the left.

* McKeldin Area - From I-695/I-70 West take I-70 to Marriottsville Rd. (Exit 83). Go north on Marriottsville Rd. for 4 miles to the park entrance on the right.

From I-70 East take Rt. 40 to Marriottsville Rd. Turn left. Park entrance is 5 miles on the right.

From Rt. 26 take Rt. 26 to Marriottsville Rd. Go South 4 miles, park entrance is on the left.

Patapsco Valley State Park
8020 Baltimore National Pike
Ellicott City, MD 21043