Saturday, October 05, 2013

SATURDAY - Around the USA

Some people like to go to Asia, or to Europe (I call it Yurp), or they head south of the border. But there is plenty to do and see here in the good old USA!

Let's go to to Fairfax County, Virginia to see Mount Vernon - the home of George Washington. The land belonged to his family all the way back to 1674. George started building this particular structure in 1757 and continued to expand it for years. It is located near the banks of the Potomac, in case George had the urge to throw a silver dollar across the river (or cross it while standing at the prow of a boat). After George's death, the house gradually fell into disrepair, but it was acquired by the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, and has been fully restored. (The photo is from July, 1951).


Speaking of Washington, let's head about 50 miles southeast of Seattle to see Mount Rainier - the tallest mountain in the "lower 48" states. This picture (from 1957) shows a happy couple posing for a goofy photo op in front of the Gateway Inn, which is still open for business today. The photo op is gone, almost certainly deemed to be insensitive by today's standards.


Want to see the Grand Canyon, Bryce & Zion Canyons, Lake Powell, and other natural wonders? Then you might want to stay at Historic Parry Lodge in Kanab, Utah. It's been there since 1931, and was a popular temporary home for many actors who starred in classic Western films (Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Frank Sinatra, Barbara Stanwyck, Lana Turner, etc). If it's good enough for them, it's good enough for me!


4 comments:

  1. The first photo makes me think of the CircleVision film, "America The Beautiful." In that second photo, the papoose on the lady's back reminds me of papoose "jerky" from the shores of the Rivers of America....except this papoose appears to have a hand growing out of the spot where it's face should be! And the third photo reminds me of one of Mildred's restaurants from the movie, "Mildred Pierce"...with the exception of the red rock landscape in the background.

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  2. I love old Eastern U.S. architecture.

    TokyoMagic! - You're right. It looks very much like one of Mildred's restaurants from the film "Mildred Pierce". Is that Veda's new car out front?

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  3. @ K. Martinez-

    I don't know if that's Veda's new car, but this does appear to be a watering hole for Oldsmobiles. To wit: The bronze beauty is a 1957; the green goddess is a 1960; and the tan temptress is a 1958 station wagon.

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  4. @ Nanook -

    No, it can't be Veda's new car. She got it in 1945. She must've traded it in for a newer model. Probably the bronze beauty.

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