I have a trio of Snoozers for you today, each one exhibiting a flaw of some kind. This first one (from March, 1962) is probably the least-flawed of the bunch, though it is not as sharp and clear as I'd like, and has faded to a slightly bluish shade, which is not that pleasant. Still, I always enjoy a view of Bear Country as seen from the trestle of the Nature's Wonderland Mine Train. How many bears do YOU see?
Next we're inside the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor, circa November 1957. You'd hardly know it because it is so darn dark, as if the picture has been dipped in old motor oil. Granted it was taken at night, but still. I enjoy some small details, such as the menus that now fetch up to $100 on eBay, or the decorative coffee mugs (I wish I could make out the design better). You can get a better look at this interior in a photo I posted before.
And finally another too-dark photo from November, 1957; this time it's an exterior taken during the day, so I really don't know why it looks this way. We can see a Horseless Carriage making its way up Main Street, with the Swift Market House in the background. But that's about it.
Well, I count nine bears. But there might be another just to the right, and slightly back from, the standing brown bear near the center. But I don't think it's a bear... it's Bigfoot!
ReplyDeleteAlso, that might be a polar bear on the left, playing with that fallen log at the river's edge.
Oh wait! I just saw the submerged bear! That makes ten. This is even more fun than counting trashcans!
Why does the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor have little fires lit on the counter? ;-) Some desperate guest must have wanted to brighten the place up... so they could see the menu.
The Horseless Carriage is jam-packed with little kids! (And some adults.) Is that an attraction poster in the 2nd story window on the sunlit side of the Swift building? I would guess the Columbia Sailing Ship, but this image has red sails.
Imperfection makes life interesting. Thanks, Major.
@ JB-
ReplyDeleteThat's something else other than an attraction poster. And besides... the window openings are too small for proper display.
I see nine black bears and one brown bear staring at me. Brown bear, brown bear, what do you see? Sorry, I just had a brief flashback to Kindergarten.
ReplyDeleteMore bears there than a July in Provincetown Mass. I have that same dead 1/2 tree in my backyard waiting for the termites. Damn the lightning that killed it, but better the tree than on the house or my head. My claim to travel fame is being struck twice by lighting....in an airplane...it's loud...people melt down. If it happens to you, it's actually not a gigantic deal.... so best to remain "pass the butter" calm. The rest of the passengers will make up for the melting you may be feeling inside. I tried doing my own photoshop on the Carnation photo. THAT is what that location SHOULD look like. The patio now is sweet, but can be sweeter, and the walkway between the patio and the mini mall of emporiumcafegymawatchacandytorium should be a skosh bigger. Last time at the rodeo there, there were 5 Rascals trying to get to the ladies room- all converging from different locales. I am surprised that it did not escalate into blows...there was a lot of colorful language...maybe they mark this restroom as the only accessible one (?) Rascals are also problematic in this small walkway. Things to work on Mr. Iger. Although I don't mind Starbucks at the Market House systematically...I do mind operationally...I tried to do it...I just couldn't. The Starbucks in the Shopping Mallatorium outside the gates possibly has won the prize for slowest Starbucks in the chain. I have been to many Starbucks, in many states, with various forms of "fast". I wish I had the same fortitude after the aircraft I was in was struck by lighting. It wasn't an ugly scene perse. But I did need to give some feedback in the moment. When I do not have coffee in me...it is ugly anyway. I was calm. But very very direct. With all those phone cameras there, I'd rather not appear on the front page of the Post or in a viral tic tock...despite my serene boyish exterior, my interior was that of a wild homicidal maniac. After I had my coffee...I had forgotten the incident...until now....thanks for the sense memory Major!
ReplyDeleteI too see nine bears, and the count of them is nine. Chief Many Bears nods approvingly over on the River. Nine bears, no trash cans.
ReplyDeleteI sense the fine hand of Marc Davis in the tableau with the Cub reaching for the wasp nest. We are waiting for the punch line.
Wait, is that a bear in the water? I think I remember a bear catching trout or salmon, is that him? Then ten would be the count, that’s a lot of bears. They will break into song any minute now.
One of the second floor windows in the Market House advertises a Gun Smith, bet that sign is gone now.
I think I remember going in the Carnation cafe once, it was really dark, I could understand how it would be hard to get a good picture there. That lady probably used her cell phone flashlight to read the menu.
Thanks Major, a mixed bag of flaws, i feel right at home.
JG
I actually like this set of pictures. JB said it well - “Imperfection makes life interesting.”
ReplyDeleteBu, the Market Housebucks is excruciatingly slow. I felt like I was going backwards…and the line serpentine was already to the door. I may have lasted four minutes in line. I am positive Mrs. Chuck and I got faster service and definitely better food and drink across the street at the Carnation Cafe…and I honestly think we were done with that meal before we would have gotten a cup of coffee and an indifferent pastry at the other place.
JG, with ten bears in the photo, it’s probably best there are no trash cans.
JB, yes, I count nine bears too, though (as you said), there might be another one or two lurking in the dark areas. Hard to say. Polar bears were nearly extinct in the lower 48 by the time Nature’s Wonderland came along, but you still might get lucky and find one going through your trash. The little fires in the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor are from a time when people liked to “flambé” everything. Gum, tacos, you name it. That one window does appear to be especially colorful, but it’s not an attraction poster. Maybe an early “window on Main Street”?
ReplyDeleteNanook, I concur, but I appreciate JB’s sharp eyes!
TokyoMagic!, I always wondered about the brown bear. Is it supposed to be a black bear at a different stage of its development? Was it a girl bear? Why is there only one brown bear??
Bu, I haven’t been to Provincetown Mass. in July (or ever), but I’m assuming there’s a lot of beards and flannel. Lightning hit your tree, cool! Not cool for you, but cool in general. You understand. The power of nature. I know that planes are regularly struck by lightning, but still, no thank you. I don’t mind things being a little cozy at Disneyland, it feels right, even if it isn’t really so great with today’s crowds. I’m not sure I understand why there was so much male demand for the women’s restroom, I mean… it’s a bathroom. Nothing very thrilling there. I don’t drink coffee, but I’ve heard from many (Nanook!) that their coffee is not great to put it mildly. Hey, add enough cream and sugar and I’ll like it, I’m sure. I’m sorry to have somehow evoked the scary memory of the lightning! I blame society.
JG, yes, nine it is, each spaced one hotdog bite from each other. I am almost certain you are right about the Marc Davis cub/wasp nest tableau, I think I’ve seen the artwork. Maybe in Chris Merritt’s book? I need to look at that again. I believe there were two bears in the water catching fish, so you’re right, that would make ELEVEN! Too many bears. I’ve seen a few good photos of the interior of the Carnation Ice Cream Parlor, but cameras can fool me, as I’ve learned. Glad you liked these!
Chuck, “imperfection makes life interesting”, that is so true. This is why I am incredibly interesting! Wow, I would think that a Starbucks, even in Disneyland, would have their process down to a science, able to churn out Grande coffees with lightning speed. Clearly not. I think you made the right decision to go elsewhere. See my comment to JG, if there really are two bears in the water (of which I am fairly confident) we have a total of eleven bruins.
It takes a lot of design and planning to make things look natural!!!
ReplyDeleteMike, then that explains why a lot of the new stuff looks “half-BTM.” :oD
ReplyDeleteSue
Mike, I wish Blogger had a way to give your comment a couple of thumbs up.
ReplyDeleteSue: that comment is ALSO going in your file!
ReplyDelete-but it was funny! Lol!