Today's Snoozles are right on the edge! Not in a cool "extreme sports" way, instead they barely qualify as Snoozles. Yes, there are minor issues, but you could say the same thing about me. You never would though, would you? WOULD YOU?
In 1970, America was experiencing Canoe Fever. Teenagers (in particular) traveled by canoe as much as possible, often listening to "Layla", which is actually about a girl in a canoe (most people don't realize that). Speaking of canoes, here's one passing the Old Mill on Tom Sawyer Island. The reeds along the shore have grown so abundantly that the canoeists probably can't even see the mill. To the right, a raft loads up for a trip back to the mainland. The guests have all lost 20 pounds and have a feral look in their eyes.
Another canoe! Or is it the same one as in the previous picture? Only microscopic analysis can tell us, and my microscope is on the fritz (I used it to crush some walnuts). Seeing Cascade Peak makes me happy, the nearby trees have started to get a bit too big, but it's not out of control yet. If you look carefully, you can just see a bit of a Mine Train car to the left of the waterfall.
Major-
ReplyDeleteYou had me at Cascade Peak and Mine Train Car.
Thanks, Major.
Major,
ReplyDeleteYou had me at "crushed walnuts." ;-)
Thank you, for this week's Snoozles!
"Yes, there are minor issues, but you could say the same thing about me. You never would though, would you? WOULD YOU?"
ReplyDeleteNope, cuz you have Major issues.
(You asked for that one...I couldn't pass it up.)
Can you canoe, when short by two?
Looks like we lost a couple....I wonder where they went?
Fun day on Rivers of America. Thanks, Major.
Well, the picture is a little too blurry to see the "feral look in their eyes", but I'll take your word for it. I think you're right about the canoeists not being able to see the Old Mill through the tall reeds. At most, they might be able to see the crooked chimney pipe on the roof. At least they don't have to worry about any AEDs in the area; there aren't any!
ReplyDeleteThis appears to be a different Canoe than the first pic. The guests are wearing different clothing. I suppose they could've all changed into different clothing back there by the Friendly Indian Village, just to confuse us, all these years later. I think I spot one AED to the left of the Canoe, near the reeds.
Good one, Sue.
Thanks for the barely Snoozles, Major.
Did you know that if you flip over a canoe, you can wear it. It's "cap"-sized.
ReplyDeleteBoth pics are fun today. Thanks, Major.
That the canoes still exist is as happy as Cascade Peak. The second photo could be anywhere in the real wilderness. The "tailored but wild" landscaping is probably as perfect as it could be for me. I remember going inside the Old Mill and remember that it was very spartan yet authentic looking inside. I wonder what happened to the millstones? That the mill was TRE'd for the oh-so-popular melting dragon show hurts me on the inside. Couldn't they have moved it, or recreated in where those restrooms are now? It could have been like the "Mill and Restroom and bubble maker kiosk and ODV location". Money cures everything, but I think people would still buy their admission very happily without that nighttime show. Prior to my employment, I remember being on the canoes going past Cascade Peak and thinking it was (at first) the Matterhorn....and it looked so big from that perspective, I couldn't figure out what it was, and why I couldn't see it from other parts of the park. Where is that mountain?! The Mine Train had closed at that point, so there was no where to see it except from the Rivers of America. The river is tranquil still, but it was nice to hear the splashing of the waterfalls, and cooled you off to boot. I saw some photos of the "Liberty Belle" in the backstage area of the Magic Kingdom where they store those Electrical Light floaty-things....another thing that exists that amazes me: and a precursor to the Electrical Parade. I'm not sure how they floated it out there....through a lock, et al....and she was shown with a side of Tom Sawyer Island rafts. Some reports say that the ship will be dismantled, and others say...it will sit and wait for other decisions. Seems like such a historical shame, but "the people" dictate the future...and they all want their remote control cars...I guess? Hopefully, there will be some nod to historic significance when they build this "New Frontierland"....with it's mash up of Colonial America, a more genteel Frontierland, a Bayou, and a Thunder Mountain....throw in a big ol haunted house in there too. I think a Cars Land fits right on in to the chaos. Thanks for the Snoozles(tm) Major!
ReplyDeleteBU : the Tom Sawyer Island “old mill “ ( at Disneyland) was rebuilt decades ago : the interior wheels and millstone are the 1950’s original , but the exterior was rebuilt - it’s there to this day but has been labeled “will turners blacksmith”. I too am amazed the canoes are still there … however they are popular when open. Tom Sawyer Island is another issue … operations really wants it closed to guests …. I suspect after the 70th you’ll see something happen regarding that.
ReplyDeleteI have friends and family and acquaintances who are all BIG Disneyland fans . Some go all the time. But when I ask, “did you go on Tom Sawyer Island ??” : NO. “How about Main Street Cinema”
??” :NO…. “Did you ride a Main Street Horsecar??” : NO. And these people will be the first to moan and bitch when these attractions are shuttered. They all make sure not to miss Tiana’s , Rise of the Resistance… And mickeys Runnaway digital projection box, but they make no time for the “A” - “C” tickets. Years ago I used to ask these people “hey : did you go on Adventure Thru Inner Space ??…..Mike Fink Keelboats ?? The SKYWAY??”…….” No. Nope… oh we didn’t have time….”
I forgot to also ask: “ did you see TRANSTAR or TOMORROWLAND BRASS ( MAGIC KINGDOM KORPS) perform in Tomorrowland??!!” What? No?nope?
ReplyDeleteWe can just see the floating cask in the River ahead of canoe #1. We know now, thanks to KS that canoes must pass to the port side of that cask to stay out of shallow water. I wonder if that was an opening warning feature for the canoes, or if there is an untold story about a grounded canoe and guests who had to wade ashore?
ReplyDeleteLooks like the bulrushes grew almost out to that cask. Plenty of room for Moses and all his brothers there.
I want to say I can see the fire bell on Cascade Peak, but I’m probably seeing a speck of walnut shell.
Next time I visit, I’ll make sure it’s in the Spring so I won’t mind getting wet in the canoes.
Thanks Major, good show today! Glad Sue can help you work through those issues.
JG
Nanook, it’s too bad I had you at Cascade Peak and Mine Train Car, because I was about to say “warm chocolate chip cookies”.
ReplyDeleteTokyoMagic!, hey, we have fans of power lines and trashcans, why not crushed walnuts?!
Lou and Sue, D’OH!
JB, remember, I have the original high-res scans. All I have to do is tell my computer to “ENHANCE”, and it will zoom in 1000%, with crystal clarity. The looks in those eyes will give you bad dreams. I’m sure that’s the same Canoe, but in the old days it stopped halfway through and everybody exchanged clothing with each other. That fell out of favor, but gosh what fun.
K. Martinez, OUCH!
Bu, I agree, it is something of a miracle that the Canoes are still in Frontierland - they are a remnant of the old Disneyland that is somehow still with us, thank goodness. I peeked inside the Old Mill long ago, and was surprised that there was actually something to look at (in other words, a millstone and bags of “flour”), for most of my life I assumed that the Mill was just for looks (and those looks are great). I wish they’d moved the Mill (as you suggested), but I think that the Powers That Be didn’t care. I know there was a lot of excitement for Fantasmic!, and remember reading articles about it. “The river water will catch on fire!”. Well that sounds pretty exciting. Again, I like the Fantasmic show OK, I just don’t like the way Frontierland/New Orleans Square has been altered to deal with many hundreds of viewers every night. I’ve seen more than a few slides of Cascade Peak labeled “Matterhorn”, so you are not alone. Like you, I’ve wondered what will become of the Liberty Belle steamboat in Florida - based on how they’ve treated other things (like the subs from 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea), it would not totally surprise me if they let it rot for years. I hope that’s not the case of course. Could it be made into a restaurant? Better than nothing. Maybe.
Mike Cozart, I was happy to see folks enjoying the Canoes when I was there in early June. It’s a low-capacity ride, but adds so much to the character of Frontierland, and as I have said, is a piece of “Old Disneyland”, the kind of thing that is rapidly disappearing. I DID ride a Horse Drawn Streetcar last June, but I admit that once you’ve done the Main Street Cinema, it’s not something you want to do again and again. Or at least I don’t. I want it to be there, though! I also never missed Adventure Thru Inner Space, and the Skyway. But sadly never did the Keelboats, one of my many regrets.
Mike Cozart, more on TRANSTAR tomorrow (thanks to you)!
JG, the floating cask was full of whiskey just in case a passing raftsman was cold and needed a pick-me-up. Since St. Bernards were scarce in the Frontier. I feel like I’ve possibly heard a story of a sinking canoe, but I might be imagining it - I don’t think the sinking had anything to do with being in shallow water. Didn’t Huck Finn have a conversation about the “Bullrushers” or something? I haven’t read Huckleberry Finn (or Tom Sawyer) for many decades. Do people get wet in the Canoes?? Maybe a light splash, but hopefully nothing too bad.
”Do people get wet in the Canoes??”
ReplyDeleteThey do when a little kid sitting behind you with no idea of how to paddle slaps his down on the water with every stroke. I know from experience. And the water’s a bit cold in November.
I can smell that second one.
ReplyDeleteMS