Misc things that sprout in my mind
This is a needed “lighten up” day so I thought I would give you some more facade pics of my recent uRV trip to New Harmony Indiana. When so many small towns are piling on the dust bins of history it is nice to see that some are almost flourishing. (as usual click on any image below to see a larger slideshow version) Continue reading New Harmony
In the old days, during my college years that is, State Road 52 was the main route between Indianapolis and Lafayette Indiana. I know I traveled it several times going back and forth to Purdue. Since gas mileage was so poor back then it had many gas stations and such along the route. I recently took a trip that included that section of highway and came across this past gas station/diner combination that has probably been abandoned for years now. (click on any picture to see a larger slideshow) I’m sure it was open during my college years but I … Continue reading Diner/Gas Station from the Past…
There is nothing childish about make believe, it should stay with us our entire lives. It makes us more aware of the diversity around us and in our history. I found these two at the Vincennes Rendezvous walking the grounds. I’m sure they both had this event on their calendar with a big star next to it. Playing the part of some of their heroes…. Continue reading Playing a Part…
I had the pleasure of attending the Vincennes Indiana Rendezvous over the past weekend. I just love re-enactments with all the muskets blazing and this is an especially good one. All the vendors, food and otherwise, were selling things that were common for the period (early 1800s). Continue reading Rendezvous – Vincennes
The above scene it all too common on main street in rural America. Buildings which once housed thriving small businesses are now abandoned to the ravages of time. I wonder what it would take to re-purpose these sites to bring them back into use. It takes a creative person to figure that out but it is being done in some small towns… Continue reading Re-Purpose…??
Mail Pouch signs are part of Americana. They might be faded now but still show up on many rural buildings. This one was recently found in the small town of Lyons in southern Indiana. But chewing tobacco is really a dirty messy habit.. :) Continue reading Part of Americana…
I made my first camping trip for the year last week. I went to New Harmony Indiana and camped in Harmonie State Park. Only about 10% of the campground was filled. A camping I will go, a camping I will go. Hi, Ho, the Merryo…. Continue reading The Camping Season is Here…
At one time these buildings were the standard for gas stations. Some of have been re-purposed but many, like the one here recently photographed in Vincennes Indiana will soon disappear.. Continue reading Old Time Gas Stations…
One of my recently discovered passions is to document the facades of small town America before they crumble into the dust of history. This one was found on the main street of New Harmony Indiana on a trip there this week. I have always been fascinated about facades but this discovery will cause me to start collecting them from my archives and adding more on my frequent road trips around the Midwest. Continue reading Facades
Rust Belt is a appropriate term used to describe the once thriving mill towns of the Midwest. As Wikipedia says: The Rust Belt is a term for the region straddling the upper Northeastern United States, the Great Lakes, and the Midwest States, referring to economic decline, population loss, and urban decay due to the shrinking of its once powerful industrial sector… Pittsburgh is perhaps the epitome of that term. During my youth and beyond they were simply know as the “Steel Town”. They like many others in the area are gradually becoming a more diverse economy but Pittsburgh in particular … Continue reading Rust Belt
I discovered something very basic about me recently. I am obsessed with reflection, doors, windows and other such things. I now have a photo portfolio that exceeds 18,000 pictures and many of them are of this genre. As above, I love to take my photo editing tools and create something that wasn’t quite there. The picture above was taken in Ottawa Canada about 5 years ago. Continue reading Reflections, Doors, Windows & More
I love to visit historic sites that have reenactors that is people who play roles of the historic event or site. Fort William in Thunder Bay, Ontario Canada is one of my top ten in that category. Yes Canada is very much in my search for America…. Continue reading I Love Reenactors
You don’t know America if you have never eaten at a small town cafe. This one in Ennis Montana like so many others is proud of its heritage. We had breakfast there, a big place of sausage gravy and biscuits so didn’t have a change to try their strawberry pie… The biscuits were kind of hard but the gravy was very good. Continue reading Small Town Life
Nothing could be more American that the Corn Palace in Mitchell South Dakota. My first time there was on a family vacation in the 1950s. I have been there three other times and except for the date on the front of the building it has not changed one iota over the years. Continue reading The Corn Palace…
I certainly enjoyed my recent trip to Disney World, especially the Star Wars elements. Today May 4 being Star Wars day I thought it appropriate to give you a picture of a major exhibit there. May the fourth be with you…. :) :) Continue reading Star Wars..
RJ's Corner - Having My Say 