Art & Inspiration A cool roadside attraction!

AHHHHHH, not another YELLOW one . I've seen that one there for years, I asked about it awhile ago and they really didn't know anything other then it was the owners/business. I think it's fate is like the cars at Ruby's......yard art. I hope it's staying safe with all the protesting going on.

One day I'll see it up for sale......it would be a flip though since it's yellow .

 

Hello,

In this day and age, roadside attractions are part of our history. We all used to have the freedom to go where we wanted anytime, anyplace. We still do have the freedom, it has just been altered for a while. These days, while being locked in place, this thread is not to tell people go out for a drive to the attractions, but to keep in mind that there are still COOL ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS that are waiting for all of us. For the most part, they will still be there when the pandemic is over and we can all take those trips again without being the cause of spreading anything or catching anything.

In one of the nicest cities in So Cal, along the ocean, the city thrives on traveling families and business people. From all over the big harbor and bay, it provides one of the nicest city skylines. The views from most Western bayside hotels shows the San Diego city skyline in its character. During the famous Comic Con event, the big corporations decorate the tall skyscrapers to show off their cinema/tv product or show. That is very cool when viewed from the water.

A great photo shot by C. Ryan Mac on Shelter Island, San Diego Bay, facing the downtown as background…fireworks anyone? Thanks Jim Reid, Prowlers of San Diego for the idea.

The attractions abound in San Diego, so the opportunity being in So Cal, an hour away had its advantages for us. One of the most unusual attractions has many facets in one location. Everyone has heard and possibly has been in the famous San Diego Zoo. But, right in the most liked space in the huge approximately 2 square mile area, Balboa Park in San Diego, are two side by side museums.


One is the San Diego Automotive Museum, while the other is the San Diego Air and Space Museum. They are practically next door neighbors. Of this huge place in the city of San Diego, our family stayed in this section of the giant Balboa Park all morning, looking at the exhibits. The time spent in the SD Automobile Museum and the Air/Space Museum seemed like it took most of the day, with a lunch break in between.

Usually, at some museums, our son used to do what my wife and I call the “head bobbing” look at the historic exhibits. So, when we go somewhere, we joke that it is a head bobbing display of sorts. The head bobbing comes from the time spent on any museum display for interest or lack of interest. The faster the head bobbing, the least fun that display is/was for the viewer.

But, for this section of the Balboa Park, besides the great food vendors, it was the highlight of our all day road trip from the OC. As far as my son was concerned, if the Rueben H. Fleet Space Theater and Science Center (at the northeastern end of the park) were located in this Southwestern portion of the whole park, that would have been fine with him. They were his three favorite buildings and displays. The others, well let’s say they were relatively fast “head bobbers.”

Jnaki

San Diego is a destination spot for just about everything. The big attractions are the zoo, big harbor/bay and the pristine beaches all along the coast down to the Mexican border. Companies are/were attracted to the giant Convention Center complex and the surrounding places to stay range from low cost to high dollar, 180 degree views of the bay and ocean. So, the whole area is a COOL ROADSIDE ATTRACTION for most people. If you are in a boat, power or sail, the cruise down the shoreline South is almost an all day excursion, with plenty of places to stop and enjoy the surroundings. Plus, you get to sail under the tall Coronado Bridge both ways.

When the locked in place directive is over, it is a family destination with plenty to offer and so much to see. It is truly, So Cal at its finest. The flavorful restaurants fill the void for any tastes and styles. From converted old San Diego wooden homes to modern bay front glass/stucco structures to restaurants on creaky old pilings over the bay water, they all make restaurant dining worthwhile for an extended road trip.

When everything is safe and sound, “Get Your Motor Running…”
"Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure
And whatever comes our way..."

 

I thought I'd check back here to see if there had been any new post added. Thanks { JNAKI } I really enjoy your stories and photos. My grandson is a head bobbler too. Lol I hate seeing our statues being destroyed. It's been a crazy, and sad year. I hope these statues stay safe. I cain't wait to hit the road again. Ron.......

 

Once again, it is closed as per the So Cal pandemic rules, but it is waiting for those making the full Western destination in the Route 66 journey… when everything gets back to normal.



Hello,

Despite one of the most popular beaches in Los Angeles County being closed during the 4th of July, it still is a destination spot that will still be there after the all clear in the pandemic rules. In a recent comment most apropos, “have patience in the trying times.” What we liked before will still be there after it is safe to wander around. These posts are to show what is available when it is all clear to enjoy them as we used to a long time ago.

The Route 66 starting point or ending point for all visitors is at the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica. We have all seen and heard about the Santa Monica Pier and its history. Being So Cal residents all of our lives, it was just a place to go and have fun. In the water, maybe not so much for great surfing, but the beach is one of the best, on either side. It just gets a little crowded on any normal Summer day. (before the covid 19 pandemic) there are plenty of parking spaces on either side of the pier and inland across Ocean Avenue.

For those that have access to a power boat or sailboat, the view from the water is nice, too. That is as far west as you can get from the end of the pier.

Vnak photos …views from the water


Ocean Ave. and Colorado Ave. starting point or end point

Right next to the last “on the pier” parking area is the historic end of Route 66 sign. But the short walk to the end of the pier brings you as far West as you can go on the pier, unless one is sailing on the water.

On the beach sand parking lot, next to the pier and under the Venice (South) side of the pier lots are available for beach and pier access, if you do not want to park on the pier.

Jnaki

As So Cal residents, we just seem to take for granted, the Santa Monica Pier, until we see it in a movie/TV show or drive by on our many road trips North along the coastline. It has tons of history and is a definite destination for everyone.

After an all day event, most everyone takes a sunset photo from the beach, hotel across the street or anywhere with the pier in the background. It is, something to look forward to, as the finish of a long trip from the Midwest or anywhere one joins the Route 66 roadway headed West.

Note: There is always a controversy about the pronunciation of the word ROUTE:

ROUTE AS A NOUN
A traveled highway… It is the main route North… Route 66 (Root… is the pronunciation)
An assigned territory that is covered: a newspaper route (Rout… is the pronunciation…)

ROUTE AS A VERB: ROUTED, ROUTING

To send by a selected route : The race was routed along the scenic shore road. (Rout… is the pronunciation…)

 

Hello,

Despite the locked in place directive for older travelers due to the higher chance of exposure, there are still places that one can place on their to do list. The California coastline (Highway 1) has always been a route for travelers not wanting to go faster and from point A to B in a fairly straight line. (Highway 99 and I-5 inland California) Plus, the aroma of the sea is much better than the aroma of cows lounging around a dirty mud pit or whatever it is that is by the 99 and I-5 roadway. That alone would at least make a family or couple go on Highway 101, if the coastline is not your cup of tea.

My wife and I have been coming to this region since we first met in college in 1966. On one of our first trips up to Big Sur and the famous Nepenthe Restaurant, we fell in love with the whole area and coastline. It was scary driving on the narrow road with a hillside on one side and the cliff drop off to the ocean below on the other. Plus, it was not a straight road, but multiple curves and low speeds for sharp corners. The drive is not for the faint of heart or distracted drivers as there is minimal protection for an hundred plus feet fall to the rocks or ocean below.

Jnaki

That aside, the area is wonderful with the resorts and rest stops, as well as the plentiful beautiful restaurants, make a believer of traveling tourists on this part of the coastline. It is hard to beat a restaurant table on the edge of a cliff looking down to the rough Central Coast waves and currents. It was a little daunting, but the meal/companionship was well worth it.

In a recent TV streaming show, the whole coastal area of Big Sur was part of the plot and action. From the editing of those classic film makers, one thinks that all of the buildings and places are along this part of California. They are not, but one gets the idea that those film makers and their location people are very good at weaving in locations that look the part. The show was Ratched… but be forewarned, it is not for the faint of heart or to most people’s liking. It was hard to get through the first episode, but the beautiful scenery just made us watch the first and that was it.

Old cars as depicted during this time period were spot on and played an important part of the show. But the story line was supposed to be a pre “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” story and it showed how Nurse Ratched got started.

In the first episode, the gas station where Ratched stops when she's heading to Lucia, was filmed in the Toro Place Cafe Restaurant on the Monterey Salinas Highway.

Is this not the most scenic bridge in California? (the Golden Gate aside...) Located on the Big Sur coast, the Bixby Creek Bridge was also featured in the opening credits and several driving scenes of the streaming series, Big Little Lies.

"Perched on a cliff over the Pacific, the Sealight Inn is a real motel called the Lucia Lodge. This family-run resort opened in the 1930s and is situated adjacent to Highway One, between the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. There is also a restaurant and a large panoramic deck not featured in the series. The small village of Lucia also really exists and is located here, 48 miles south of Carmel and Monterey."

"The Lucia Estate Mental Hospital exterior is the King Gillette Ranch historic mansion. Located in the heart of Malibu Creek, this Spanish Colonial Revival complex was designed by California’s Golden Age architect Wallace Neff in the late 1920s for razor magnate King C. Gillette. Nowadays, this is a 588-acre public parkland and wildlife sanctuary that you can visit near Calabasas."

So, stay locked in place, social distance daily and get your motor ready for some serious running. When the end of the pandemic arrives, hit the highway for some memorable road trips. This is a future road trip after you do the Route 66 trip out West to Santa Monica.

Now, plan on driving up the Coast Highway 1 to see some great places along the Pacific Ocean in California.

 

from a previous post: event cancellations

Hello,

Several years ago, the rainstorms played havoc with the California coast. The awesome scenic coastal highway 1 that runs along the Big Sur Coast was damaged and closed for quite some time. Any events in and around the area had to bypass the giant slide into the ocean.

This past week’s powerful rainstorm almost the same thing. It washed away a giant “V” section across the highway, closing down the north south traveling. It is called the Rat Creek Slide.

The old slide was larger and this time, the road is closed, but no one knows when it will be reopened. So, the Monterey Coastline to the North and the cities will possibly have some events, but this scenic road trip portion will have to be altered to the inland freeway to go North or South. During the pandemic most events have been postponed until further notice. If 2021 is better than 2020, then we are not out of the problem as yet, so most events will still be closed. Masks or not…

The slide is right around the Limekiln State Park and just South of the famous cliffside restaurant, Nepenthe. That is a must for anyone traveling North or South during any time of the year. This year, you will have to get to Carmel/Monterey and drive South, because of the current road closure and slide.
S.F. Chronicle
Jnaki

Our coastal northbound road trips had always included the Highway 1 through this coastal area since 1950 and 1960s . It is 1000x times better than taking the inland freeway. But, if it is heights that are some hindrance, then drive North. Going South the cars are on the cliff side and the drop off is just a mistake away. See below.



Hello,
When one of California’s most treasured coastal highways came tumbling down again last week, it shut down the best ocean influenced drive in just about any coast line. The lanes offer continuous views of the vast Pacific Ocean, coming around various curves and dips, brings the drivers some great locations along the rugged coast line. There are numerous state parks, beaches and lots of lookout points for the almost 180 degree views of the whole highway/coastline/ocean.

Ever since it was open, our dad took us on the winding road to get to friends in Monterrey and San Francisco. As little kids it was amazing then and as 20 somethings driving along that road with my girlfriend/then wife was one of the best experiences ever. It was always a must drive and continues to be the best way to enjoy the whole California driving experience.

But, as nature can be such a powerful force, the weather struck again and did almost the same thing it did several years ago. The washout was not as large and as damaging as the first one, but it did shutdown the road for the north-south travelers of the coastal highway.

Jnaki

Well, this time Caltrans has deemed it fixable by summer and hopefully, the pandemic slowdown and cases will allow us to resume our summer time road trips in this area. The small shops and restaurants have taken bigger hit than most other locations.

So, with this headline in the news outlets, “A Cool Roadside Attraction” (the complete coastal roadway) will be repaired and open for all of us travelers anxious to … “Get back on the road again.”

But, like all good folks, we are waiting our turn, following the pandemic rules and isolating, until the whole thing is kaput. So, take care and this is just an opportunity to see what is available out West. YRMV

Highway 1 washout near Big Sur expected to be fixed by summer

Crews dig debris from a washed-out section of Highway 1 at Rat Creek, south of Big Sur, on Feb. 10. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

“Caltrans is estimating it can reopen Highway 1 — and reconnect Southern California with Big Sur and points beyond — by early summer.

The highway closed Jan. 28 after a 150-foot section at Rat Creek was washed out by heavy rains that caused debris flow at the creek in Monterey County.

In a release Thursday, Caltrans Director Toks Omishakin said, “We’re focused on restoring travel on this section by early summer.” The repair cost is estimated at $11.5 million, involving “the manipulation of tens of thousands of cubic yards of material.”

However, officials also warned that more wet weather could slow the work.”

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/event-cancellations.1187305/page-15#post-13927084

 

Hello,

We have never tried KOA campgrounds except for a couple in Oregon. It was one time during our road trip south from Portland. We were wanting to go to the giant Portland swap meet at the raceway and the adjoining swap meet in the arena nearby. We went almost 30 miles North and could not find a place to stay for the few days we would be in the Portland area.

So, we headed South to stop at almost every sign we saw for motels and resorts. As we were nearing our wits end, we thought of a KOA campground sign we saw in a small area just outside of Eugene. We pulled in and the whole place was packed with no spaces left.

Then we continued heading South to find a place to stay. Now, it was a frustrating event, so we were not going back up North even if we did find a place. So, a few miles more, we tried one more KOA Campground in Grant’s Pass. But, this place was packed, we were told, of river enthusiasts and not from the crowded Portland scene. So, we asked for a nice motel nearby. Alas, there was one small place and it was heaven to a couple of weary travelers.

Jnaki

The most popular KOA in California? The one near Joshua Tree National Park around the Palm Springs area. During the pandemic, the national park is open, being an outdoor arena, so the travelers in So Cal are taking advantage of the pandemic. During the nearby Cochella Festivals, it is also booked to the limits. So, beware and make early reservations.

We are not advocating traveling even with the color tiers in So Cal or elsewhere. These Cool Roadside Attractions are just those that should be kept in a file for future travel without any restrictions. The whole area is a traveler’s wonderment, from Palm Springs to Joshua Tree and farther South to the Salton Sea Area.

Desolation travel is at its best in the Salton Sea area. Joshua Tree has isolation areas, but one must contend with other masked and unmasked travelers, too. For us, it is not worth it as yet…safety first. YRMV

According to those that have been there, photos do not do the place justice. It is a single shot of something nice, but it is the whole area that melds together to create an outstanding experience. Our granddaughter and family went to see the other grandmother (after their two covid shots) for a long time visit that was missing from the year long pandemic restrictions. She said that the Joshua Tree National Park is a place that was “magical”… this coming from a knowledgeable teen with a great head on her shoulders.

She said that it would be a place that deserves many visits, not just one. So, after the pandemic is over, we all might take a long road trip to that area for a well-deserved respite from the covid restrictions. Bring a camera, for sure…

 

thanks for your story
I always enjoy them
we have visited Joshua Tree National Park twice now on our visits
what a wonderful place
Noel

 

My wife and I visited Joshua Tree when we were attending the SCTA event at El Mirage a few years ago. We had a picnic lunch in the shade of a Joshua Tree (which is hard to do). We have visited every National Park in North America including the 8 in Alaska. We have seen a lot of roadside attractions.

 

Hope everyone made it through the pandemic okay. Maybe you'll do few road trips this year? If you do? Snap a photo or two, and then post them back here. I'm ready to at least visit friends again. Ron....

 

Water tower home with panoramic views of Southern California hits market for $5M
(or part of a coastal hot rod road trip location at no cost)


Hello,
This place has history and the location is part of the grand hot rod coastal tour all up and down the So Cal coastline. This is the start/finish area of the Orange County/Los Angeles County borderline. Driving North to Belmont Shore/Long Beach and South to the San Diego coast line drive tour.

A while back there was a post about this unusual home sitting high above the coastal Highway 1. It had 360 degree views of the whole So Cal area from the “mountains to the sea…” All while sitting just close to the long and interesting coast Highway 1 running down through various communities. Back then in the 50s-60s it was just a water tower and before that it actually worked doling out water to thirsty trains that ran up and down the beach and coast lines.

1968 Vnak photo

We used to surf right in front (Anderson Street) and down to the first jetty (in the winter) you see in the background, which is still inside of this gated community. The access to the beach was limited until they made parking available. When the water tower opened up as a home, it was the most unusual house anywhere.

But over the years, it has become an “Airbnb” place to rent for the weekend or a staycation for longer periods. Now, it has changed hands and has come back on the market.

The only reason this place is well known is that the Coast Highway has/had brought so much daily driving for all of us in So Cal. Plus, for anyone back in the old days going to San Diego or Mexico for a vacation of any kind had to drive past this community and the ever-present water tower.


Jnaki

It is called the world’s largest single tower, living quarters not including a lighthouse or forest fire lookout tower. As time passed, it turned into a home for an eccentric person and the sold to a corporation that charged $658 per night rental.

But, as a cool coastal roadside attraction, it still has those historic aspects to the unusual tower and local lore. If you want to live there, start saving your cash.

Extras:

The photo taken around 1961: shows a view of the Anderson Street entrance to the private, Surfside Colony Beach Community. The Pacific Ocean is to the left. The famous Pacific RR water tower on the right.

 

That water tower home is really neat! Reminds me of an old brick industrial building just down the street from where I grew up in Rockland, Maine. Situated across the street from the harbor, it had been vacant long before we moved there, and had sat empty until about ten years ago. Someone renovated it into a beautiful home, and I heard it sold last summer for something like $7 million.

 

Pontoon Bridge Long Beach to Terminal Island

Hello,

A long time ago, we had to cross this pontoon bridge to get to Terminal Island from downtown Long Beach. Over the years, a tall bridge was made to replace this bottle neck in the flow of the Los Angeles/Long Beach/Wilmington Harbor areas. So, we were without an unusual way of crossing the water channel, but, could now go across in freeway style with views unseen in prior years. Actually, it was a little scary on the outside lanes and it was noticed that the inside lanes were usually crowded. So, it wasn’t just us.

So, for many years, our travels to San Pedro, Palos Verdes, and the South Bay Region with plenty of views all around included going over the Gerald Desmond bridge. But, since the shopping worldwide has defined bigger, larger ships, the local LA/ LB/Wilmington/San Pedro harbor areas have a new addition to make the access less of a problem. The total height of the new bridge will give access to the deeper harbor docks for the worlds biggest freighter ships… that we now see parked in the whole LA/Long Beach/Orange County bay.

Looking from San Pedro toward the Long Beach shoreline and downtown. From bottom to top, the new bridge over the Back Channel, the L.A. River, then, downtown Long Beach with the Sports Arena, ocean and shoreline.

This was the scene on the grand opening day last year. Hot rods and a brand new bridge fit perfectly.

This is the cool attraction for this year. “The blips” and the view of those that litter the whole ocean area near the coastline.

The marine traffic satellite images tell the true story for the jam up in the Long Beach/Los Angeles/Seal Beach coastlines. All freighter ships have to have a marine satellite tracking device. We used the tracking website prior to sailing out in the ocean during those big coastal races, just to make sure we were not going to be in the mainstream tracking/sailing areas.

Alamitos Bay Harbor Breakwater/Seal Beach on upper right (break in the shoreline)

Jnaki

In 2014, there was a similar shipping problem, but not to the extent of this year’s situation. As we sailed our sailboat out of the Long Beach Harbor, we had to sail between the anchored ships waiting for their turn at the nearby harbor’s, deep water docks in San Pedro, Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Those ships look small from a distance, but they are like skyscrapers when close up. As we sailed around the Palos Verdes Peninsula headed north, there were more ships on track coming from the North. The rest of the sail to Marina Del Rey was normal as there were no deepwater docks in that area.

A similar bridge view Long Beach/Los Angeles Harbor

The situation is far from over, but the solution to the massive amount of ships is to go unloading 24 hours and to find an empty facility that can store the 40 foot containers 4+ high instead of 2 high. But, at least, the ships are not just sitting running their motors 24 hours a day. Until the authorities put the 150 mile waiting slots limits in place, the latest count is 110 boats waiting in line all over the So Cal coastline.

 

Hello,

Over three years ago, I wrote this story about a cool place to visit in So Cal. It is/was just off of the 73 Freeway in Newport Beach/Costa Mesa/Santa Ana borderline, near the Santa Ana Airport. When I wrote the story, the building could be seen while driving down the 73 freeway on the way North to the 405 Freeway and Long Beach. That was three years ago.

73 freeway and adjoining the southern end of the Santa Ana Orange County Airport.

Recently, we drove to that area for some errands and the sign off of the freeway was gone. We instantly thought the pandemic caused the closure as there were other for sale or for lease signs on other industrial buildings in the area.

So, we were sad, but we understood such a place staying in business. Crevier Classic Cars has a long standing history in all types of cars, car dealers and now this venue for classic cars.
(originally set up as a showroom for selling classic cars of all kinds...the format has changed over the years to business meeting place, a wedding venue, graduation parties, etc. )


Started in 2006, Crevier Classic Cars features a rotating collection of about 120 vehicles. Some are for sale or lease, while others are being stored and still others come from Crevier’s collection.

Jnaki

So, we drove to the backside of the OC Airport in the vicinity of the old Santa Ana Drags location and the new venue of the Crevier Classic Cars was there in a larger building.

“Formerly located on Clinton Street, Crevier purchased a new and larger property on Airway Avenue and recently secured permits to host events for up to 300 people.”

Events for auto themed weddings, graduations and just business dinners with the backdrop of classic cars, including hot rods, woody station wagons and sporty cars. Plus, for those that are at any event held here can be informed that the old Santa Ana Dragstrip history started just a block or two away.

It is too bad no one has the business acumen to sponsor a sign, large boulder with the historic information of the Santa Ana Dragstrip. If anything, similar to the Rendezvous Ballroom sign and rock.

For hot rod, automobile folks, A Cool Roadside Attraction...

 

Hello,
For those of you that are coming out West to do some pandemic traveling or coming from all points California, it would be wise to wait a while longer. But for those that just have to be out there, the latest from California “Cool Roadside Attractions” is that the damaged Hearst Castle roads and property is now fixed and open for business. As of Friday March 25, the tours have started again… stay safe.

The place is huge and has been giving tours for ages. Before the pandemic was even heard of, my wife and I visited the historic attraction. For those that have never been there, plan on making it almost an all day event. If you are driving your hot rod, plan on the normal security of an open parking lot. You cannot drive up to the castle and park. There is a tour bus to take folks up to the castle and bring you back downhill. The actual castle is 5 miles of a winding road with some great views, but don’t look down on the curves.

Your car/hot rod/cruiser will be unattended in the lower coastal parking lot for the whole time you are touring the 5 miles away, castle grounds. It does take a while to see the various areas as per tour package.

Jnaki

Would we go again? No. Was it to our tastes? No and the rooms are decorated with some historic pieces, but trapped in the rooms is also a historic smell in every room and hallways. It is something one has to get over, or you will not make the whole tour. We were there a couple of years prior to the pandemic, but the rooms and people were stifling . During this continued pandemic, learn the rules about distances and masks. The rooms are crowded and questionable. But, it is historic and on most people's wish list.

Besides the drawbacks, it is a historic place from our early California history. Saved photos? Not so much, other than the standard posing shots just for posterity. But, the coastal area surrounding the location is one of the best hot rod cruising areas as the views are masterful. Beware, the distracted views can lead to some problems in driving or drivers. The Big Sur coastline aura is one of a kind and well worth the hot rod drive, as a once in a lifetime event.

Reminder: After leaving your station wagon, hot rod or cruiser, the bus will take everyone up the steep road to the castle. You cannot drive your car/hot rod to the site. So, plan ahead… make sure you have a cool place to stay before and after as the tour takes up a long time. The drive up to Big Sur, starts here.
YRMV

 

Nearly every summer,after WW2,we made the trip from Miami Fla. up to NY,so Dad could build new homes { Hole blocks at a time}with his Dad n Brothers. Dad super hated cold weather,we'd drive back to Miami as soon as it started to get cold. That went on from about 1946 to 1952,so long road trips both ways every year,Mom made him stop too see the sites she picked out along the way. Mom's ideas of sites to see was pretty wide an at times odd. But there was one near home in Miami Fl. she would not go too! You guessed it,she hated snakes!. So made Dad take my Sister n I, to learn about snakes! After this placed closed down,the giant Snake was saved, an move too local S.W.High School as a masscott,of there Football team< still there to this day!!
https://flashbackmiami.com/2013/11/26/serpentarium-2/

 

A few years back I was on the way transporting out of California back east & I noticed this place in Kingman, Az on rt 66 (you can see it from I-40) & there was a one year OT car for sale out front, so I had to get off & backtrack a few miles to look at it...Ended up buying the car, but found out some of the cool history about the place as well. It is basically a junk yard now.

God Bless
Bill
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum...ar-transport-hauling-open-or-enclosed.614419/

 

Man what a wonderful thread. Thank for sharing your adventures.

 

root beer stand freshly restored near Sagatuck MI

 

worlds biggest pocket knife Radcliff KY

 

Cannonsburg Village home of the worlds largest cedar bucket Murfreesboro TENN

 

Was in Dallas Texas recently and found a couple neat things...
Next to the Dallas zoo is a neat McDonald's... 632 S R L Thornton Freeway Service Rd, Dallas, TX 75203


In downtown Dallas is the giant eye and founder's park...

 

And just down the road in Fort Worth TX is the Stockyards. Twice daily they block off the street and have a cattle drive down the road.

 

A little while ago, on a road trip with my wife, I revisited Mexia, Texas where I grew up as a kid. While checking out the town, I recalled Fort Parker State Park was about 6 miles south of town on State Road 14. The old fort is still there...... They meticulously rebuild certain sections of it every couple of decades so it's sort of like Davy Crockett's famous hatchet that he used to defend the Alamo that's had 6 new handles and 3 new heads since then.
It's not right on the road but it's close. It's in a quiet clearing with no gaudy signs, souvenir shops, snack bars, or crowds so it looks more like a movie set and not at all like a tourist trap. I had to break the usual photo format a bit because I couldn't park my car in the foreground, etc. when I took this photo.

 

Here's my sedan under the Angel's Ladies whorehouse sign just out of Beatty, Nevada. They have their own landing strip, but this one didn't make it years ago. They're stripped -- the engines I mean.

 

on one of our trips to USA,we visited the Castle, would we do it again NO
the tour guide had a partner and he was forever yelling at visitors "stay on the red carpet" "do not touch that"no photos"
he ruined the whole visit and we would never return or recommend site, we enjoyed the seals down the road

 

Hey L32,

That place is a little over the top. We had to go because we kept passing it by on our coastal road trips up and down the coastline to get up north. But, it was stuffy, smelled "mildewy" and it is a place these days that I would not step inside of it... let alone ride that crappy bus to the top and back. With the pandemic still raging in schools and other places, this place is ripe for a spread centered avenue to getting sick.

The best place was when we were allowed to go outside and hung around the outdoor pool area with the views.

Jnaki

It is historic, takes a ton of work to keep it going and with the gobs of visitors annually, it takes care of itself. But, you are right... once is enough and possible once was too much. We certainly did not like being herded like cattle and were made to see things we did not particularly like. But, like a college history class, there were times of wandering eyes and not much attention was paid to the narrator.

For those that have not been, it still is a Cool Roadside Attraction and it sits high up on a hill looking down on the whole area. So, it is up to you and your safety. We were not there during the pandemic, but just a normal weekday stop over. But the crowds were from all over the place. I cannot imagine what it would look like on a weekend.

A small Airstream Trailer weekend sounds much better to us and is on our next roadside attraction when it is safe to travel. YRMV

 

Virginia Harbor?

 

It's the { National Harbor } just across the Woodrow Wilson bridge, on the Md. side of the Potomac river.

 

I used to go to the Grand View ship hotel all the time. Now long gone tho