Before we continue with the regular blog post, I want to salute our Veterans, since today is Veteran's Day! I was caught a bit unaware, since I'd written the rest of the post many months ago, but Sue kindly reminded me. And GDB pal Chuck generously contributed this photo of himself in his Air Force uniform! Look at all those ribbons, pretty impressive. Thank you for your service, Chuck.
A while ago I scanned some old snapshots for my mom's 90th birthday, and among them is this photo from 1958, with my mom (still with a ponytail), and my dad in what I assume is his Ensign's uniform. I am unclear as to whether he was still in NROTC at USC at the time of this photo; the two would be married toward the end of the year. They are standing in my grandparent's backyard, that tangelo tree behind them was part of my life for decades.
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I've never met anybody who didn't love Disneyland at night. And if I ever do meet such a person, they will feel my wrath!
Going through a lot of slides from the summer of 1972, there were two pretty images from after the sun set. This first one has some issues (blur), but it is otherwise very appealing to me. The last bit of light is still in the sky, but all of the park's lights are blazing; I'm not sure I knew about the flames that burned above the Frontierland Shooting Gallery to the right - that looks great. I was wondering about the eerie green light in the distance, but it is probably just white light on green trees. I'm using my noodle!
Now it's fully dark, and we're in the heart of Fantasyland - right near the Mad Tea Party, the Carrousel, and that fun little ticket booth. Sleeping Beauty Castle can barely be seen in the distance, though some of the windows are lit. This sure evokes some great memories. Pay no attention to the poltergeist in the upper right corner.
Major-
ReplyDeleteDoesn't Chuck look elegant-? Even more so than that lovely nighttime image of Fantasyland - with a somewhat eerily-lit image emanating from within the ticket booth.
Happy Veteran's Day, everyone. And a special thanks to all those who serve. (And thank you, Major).
Hey, Chuck's uniform still fits! Good for you, Chuck. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMajor, I like your mom's coy, tippy-toe pose. And your dad is literally glowing in his uniform. Reminds me of "The Man in the White Suit" with Alec Guinness.
This dusk photo of Frontierland reminds me of Lothlórien in the Lord of the Rings movies. I will imagine the guests as stately elves. A beautiful picture, even with the blur (as you noted).
Ordinarily, I would say that the poltergeist is the best part of the photo, but not today. All the lights illuminating the darkness create a wonderful mood. It gives me a sense of belonging, like I'm meant to be here.
Beautiful nighttime images, Major. Thanks.
Major, thank you for the salute to veterans. We are grateful for their service.
ReplyDeleteI love that pic of your dad and mom. Chuck is looking sharp there too.
Disneyland at night is at least 75% better than Disneyland by daylight, even with poltergeists. Even the trash cans are more magical.
Thank you!
JG
A respectful Veteran's Day to all. Nice to see photos of those uniforms. So many Boomers like me had parents who served in WWII and it was such a big part of their lives -- even for the vets who hardly ever spoke of their time in the service.
ReplyDeleteThanks Major for Disneyland at night. That general area between the shooting gallery and Rainbow Ridge is very special at dusk... I can still remember about a dozen years ago being in the Big Thunder line at dusk, I think the western sky there just works out great, and the river and trees and a special nature element to the fantasy.
Nanook, I gotta admit, Chuck looks pretty snazzy! I’m saluting my computer monitor as I speak (I’m typing with my left hand)! Maybe the light inside the ticket booth looks eerie because it’s greenish? Everyone knows green=spooky.
ReplyDeleteJB, I joked with Chuck that I was reminded of an episode of The Munsters, where Herman has to go on a crash diet so that he can fit into his old uniform for an Army reunion. I realize that that this joke might have sounded mean, but I didn’t want it to! Yes, my mom looks very young and girlish in that photo, she kept her ponytail until around when I was born. I see what you mean about that one photo looking like Lothlorien (I’m too lazy to put in the o with the accent). Elves don’t need Lightning Lanes, they can just walk right on to any ride. I’m glad you liked these pix!
JG, I know that the Navy was good to my Dad, though he did make many sacrifices. I still remember the weird feeling of him being gone when he was in Vietnam, and talking to him long-distance via ocean cable, with a terrible delay, we were always stepping on each other’s sentences. Part of “Disneyland at Night” is the association with fireworks and Tinker Bell!
LTL, vets not talking about their time in the service is a real phenomenon. My sister interviewed my dad about Vietnam, and he mostly muttered and looked at his thumbs. He was not “in the jungle” as they say, but it still must have been very traumatic. I wish I remembered the Disneyland of this era… I have vague, watery memories, but not as vivid as it seems so many Junior Gorillas have!
And I have many memories of those times at the Park during that era! Looking at the first shot taken at dusk....that was a very special time when the Park began to turn truly magical. And being in Frontierland, the surrounds would easily transport one back to those times. My guess is that the green tree is in Casa de Fritos, and highlighted by the lighting of the outside eating area.
ReplyDeleteAnd Major...it looks like we have a REAL major posted today. That being Chuck, who looks darn dapper in that uniform. I am impressed. And I can't figure out those wings on his chest...let alone all that colorful hardware. It's USAF. Thanks for your service, sir!
Now, the picture of your Mom and Dad is a real treasure. Where were your grandparents located? Again, thank you for his service as well. One of my uncles who, after 25 missions as a B-17 navigator, returned home soon after the Memphis Belle. He didn't want to talk about the experience and Mom said he came back a different man. He retired with 30 years service. Part of the Greatest Generation. KS
Wow! Chuck : that’s an impressive display of service bars!! Thank you all veterans with us and no longer with us for keeping the United States … and the world safe ! We wouldn’t be here with out you!!
ReplyDeleteMajor, your Munsters reference hits closer to home than I would like to admit. I have two of these coats, my “fat coat” from when I was heavier mid-career and my “thin coat” from when I got back into shape. I retired 12 years ago. Guess which coat still fits?
ReplyDeleteKS, the top badge is the Master Cyberspace Operator Badge (the star and wreath, or “toilet seat,” denote the master level of the badge with 15 years of experience) and the bottom one was called the Air Force Space Badge when I was awarded it, although it’s now known as the Space Operations Badge. Either of these badges and $3.00 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks’.
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ReplyDeleteGee, Chuck....if you applied yourself more, maybe you could make something of yourself. ;o) All joking aside, we are proud of you and thankful for your service. As Mike said, "We wouldn't be here without you" and all the other service men and women. THANK YOU!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful night shots in Disneyland - thank you, Major!