Vintage Vacation...Grand Canyon!

 

Isn't Life Grand?

One of the best things we ever did was buy a condo in the Las Vegas area...actually it's in Henderson at the foot of Black Mountain...a rocky desert peak inhabited...supposedly...by big horn sheep.  We do know that some of our neighbors are rattlesnakes and scorpions...lol...and not just the ones who use our parking space when we're not there.  Having a base in Vegas means that we are in day-trip distance of many interesting southwestern attractions...like Death Valley and especially the Grand Canyon.  Also, it's nice to have a warmer place for a retreat when our mountain winters get too frosty.

A few weeks ago we were able to take my sister and her husband to the Grand Canyon...her first trip there in almost 50 years.

 



1910 Postcard View.

 

 Patti's hubby is afraid of heights, which made it difficult for him to get photos with sweeping views...although he bought his camera especially for this trip.  Patti is still a bit skittish about the overlooks.  When we were children we followed the Bright Angel trail to the overlook...pretty steep dropoffs in places.  Our Dad...still suffering from adolescence in his late 20's...thought it would be hilarious to pretend to throw us off.  He did this often...Yellowstone Hot Pots, Goosenecks of the San Juan...any place dangerous enough to give us nightmares.  Don't get me wrong...we were pretty happy most of the time.  Remember "fun" is buried somewhere in the word "Dysfunctional!"

El Tovar Hotel...

Rim Trail with El Tovar in the Background

 

We enjoy parking in the main lot at the Visitor's Center and following the 2.5 mile trail along the rim.  It was a lovely day...cool and sunny, with hardly any wind.  We took our time...stopping along the way to take photos of the breathtaking views and of the many "nearly tame" elk napping under the trees.  Finally...coming around a curve we saw the stately El Tovar Hotel in the distance...as dignified in her old age as a dowager empress.  I love the old national park lodges...like the El Tovar and the Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone.  The feeling is  rustic "Craftsman" one of my favorite decorating styles with handcrafted wooden furniture and Navajo rugs hanging on the walls. 

El Tovar in a 1910 postcard.

I found these cards at Treasures Antiques last week.

 

The El Tovar Hotel, on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon was opened in 1905.  Up until this time, vistors had to "rough it" in tents and primitive cabins, traveling to the canyon on bumpy dirt roads.  El Tovar is a "Fred Harvey" hotel...one of only a few still operating.  One hotel is the La Posada in Winslow Arizona on the old Route 66.  El Tovar got its name from Don Pedro Tovar, a Spanish conquistador who probably never even got as far north as the Grand Canyon.  It was popular to give southwestern hotels romantic spanish names...I know they appeal to me! 

 

The hotel looks like a rustic hunting lodge with a European influence...wonderful!  The Grand California Hotel at Disneyland reminds me of these old lodges.  We had lunch in the main dining room which has tables with spectacular views of the canyon.  The food was really good...Continenal and Southwestern...and not as expensive as we expected.  After lunch it was easy to just hop on a shuttle bus and head back to the Visitor Center parking lot...no more hiking for us!

 

Sisters!

We had a great time...a nice bonding experience. 

 

Our Grand Canyon Honeymoon...

Our Beetle...nicknamed "Wolfgang"

 

George and I were married in November of 1975.  Being poor BYU students...which is a cliche around her...we didn't have a lot of money for a honeymoon, so we decided to spend it at the Grand Canyon.  We traveled down historic old Highway 89 in our red and black VW Beetle.  89 is not quite as romantic in legend as Route 66...but we had a great time!  There is so much to see along that highway! We traveled through Kanab...once known as Little Hollywood.  Many famous westerns were filmed there...more than 100...and the TV show Gunsmoke.  Hotel signs bragged "John Wayne slept here!"  I hope to write more on Kanab and Old Highway 89 in the future...more Vintage Vacations!  The road led us to Page, Arizona and Lake Powell, then down through the Navajo Reservation to Flagstaff.  After such a lovely sunny drive, we were surprised to find snow in Flagstaff!   Then we turned west for Williams and the Grand Canyon turn-off...and warmer weather.

Blurry pic...but was happy to find it!

I'm wearing my favorite Turtlebax jeans and one of my comfy flannel shirts.

The weather was perfect...cool and sunny.

 

George was always "Joe Cool" back then...in his cowboy hat!

On the way home we stopped at Bryce Canyon...for a quick Clark Griswald looky look.

We had to hurry...we had wedding gifts at home waiting for us to unwrap.

 

 Hope you enjoyed this Vintage Vacation!

 

Wish you were here....

 

 

 

American Summer Circus!

Cirq du Summer!
May is moving faster than a bottle-rocket flies!  I can't believe it's almost Memorial Day.  I decorate for summer just after Mother's Day.  I believe an American Summer should be Red, White, and Blue...so my decor will be patriotic until August.  I've been playing around with the idea of a summer circus theme, but wanted to keep it on the patriotic side.  So I added some flags...some stars and stripes...and with the help of some items from a few of my favorite bloggers, I think it may be coming together.  To get in the crafing mood, I've been listening to an audiobook recommended by Tammy from Tammy's in Love called, "The Circus Fire."  Lol!  If that doesn't get you in a tragic mood...I don't know what will.  I should have saved it for my Halloween "Night Circus."

The circus will be performing daily in my office this summer!

The backdrop was made from a "science project" display folder.

I can get three backdrops from one 36" by 48" folder.

They come in easy 12" increments so that full sheets of

scrapbook paper will fit nicely.

I make them for different holidays as photo backgrounds.

Tammy's clown has new balloons!

Elizabeth's majorettes will lead the parade.

 

Carousel Circus Box.

Cupcake Clowns aren't scary...or are they?

Smaller box becomes a pedestal for Elizabeth's "Barker Boy."

I was so excited to find an elephant planter at the thrift store Wednesday.

She's become a patriotic pin cushion.

Circus shadow box is Meri of Imagimeri's creation.

Popcorn "ticket booth." 

After the big show Elizabeth's "Big Bang Theory" will conduct

the fireworks display.

 

The Summer Circus is still a work in progress that will probably be added to in other areas of the house.  I'm working on a circus theme for the front door with patriotic accents.  Yesterday I was hit with a brainstorm of hurricane proportions...my head is still spinning.  I only hope I can sort the brilliant ideas from the ludicrous...lol!

 



Have a perfectly lovely day!

 

A Sweet Nest Swap!

For Love of Nests...
Before the leaves unfurled on their branches, one could count the nests left empty when summer called it a day.  I never realized just how many little birds had made their homes in my yard.  There is something so hopeful about a nest...new beginnings and promises in little speckled eggs.  Easter came and went too quickly this spring...almost before we could count our colored eggs...leaving April out of the festivities.  Easter should always be in April...in my humble opinion.  There is more blue in an April sky...more hope for flowering things. 

So April became a month of nests.  We fuss about like mother birds...fluffling, arranging, and organizing our nests.  And we place nests in cozy corners....filled with eggs...or baby dolls...or fairies.  Then we exchange nests with others!  Vivian of viv out on a whim organized a large number of women suffering from Spring Fever...and we had it bad...into partners for a Nest Swap.  Each would make her partner the most "stinkin' cute" nest and send it winging on its way...but only when it was "too cute to give away."  That was the rule.  I am learning to make two of everything because I have a hard time parting with some of my creations.  I am sure I'm not the only one.  I have seen some beautiful examples of "thinking outside the box."  This community not only sparks creativity...it sets it ablaze.  Isn't it wonderful!

My Nest from Holly...

The Garland says "Happy" which is how this darling nest makes me feel!

The tiny pennants are only 1/2 inch in size.

Little Figaro patiently waits for the eggs to hatch...lol!

Cute Holly from Damita's Pretty Wrap was my partner in this sweet swap.

Peat Pot sweetly wrapped in burlap.

And she had another surprise in store for me...

 Beautiful silver nest with pearl eggs.
I have seen these on Pinterest and wished for one.
Holly made it herself...I could hardly believe it!
Thank you, Holly.  I love it so much!

My Supply Swap Pillow...

I told you I would be making something from this vintage card.

Dorothy of HensRule was my partner...who simply spoiled me.

Postcard printed on fabric.

Sewn to white burlap...I left the polkadot fabric's edges raw.

Colors are brighter than the picture shows.

Jo-Ann has some fabric that is supposed to take the ink better,

but I am pleased with how it turned out.

 

And I like how it looks on my comfy office chair.

Thanks, Dorothy!

 

Have a lovely evening!

 

 

Coulrophobia...fear of Clowns!

Warning...this post may contain clowns!
When I was a child I was terrified of clowns.  That's really not much of a news flash...many children suffer from "coulrophobia" or fear of clowns.  It's a relatively new term..."coulro" is from the greek meaning "stilt walker" I guess there are some clowns on stilts...but none in MY nightmares.  I don't think that adults get the concept...children HATE clowns!  A few studies have shown that children do not want to see murals of clowns in hospitals, day care centers and doctors offices...yet adults keep putting them there!  And they invite them to birthday parties!  I know...right?  I am trying to think of a time when I might have enjoyed the comic antics of our red-nosed, painted-faced friends...nope!  Can't think of one.

 

When it began...

Pop goes the Weasel...

Baby's First Nightmare!

 

They seem so tame and innocent...those evil Jack-in-the-Boxes!  Baby turns the little handle...the music box plays a cheerful tune.  Turn, turn, turn....then BOOM!  Up pops a sinister little clown.  Mom laughs.  Dad laughs.  Baby needs a new diaper.  Big Shirley still can't bear the suspense of the pop-up clown!  I also have a heart attack when balloons pop and the Pillsbury biscuit package explodes!  Thanks Mattel!



 

My Childhood Clowns...

Bozo the Clown

This was one of the least-frightening poses...lol!

Clarabelle the Clown

Terrifying!

Early children's TV programming seemed to be filled with hideous and terrifying clowns.  They clomped around on their ginorous feet, making horrible noises with their red bulbous noses.  And what big hideous grins they grinned.  Actually...the two scariest grins on TV weren't clowns per se...but Liberace and Jimmy the Mouseketeer used to give me nightmares!  Too many teeth! Way too many teeth! 

 

The Dee Burger Clown

My parents loved the 5 hamburgers for a buck!

 

My first really frightening experience with clowns took place one Halloween night after the school carnival.  We were all high on sugar and exhausted from trick or treat.  Four of us shared a room back then and someone had been jumping on the bed and pulled the curtain off the window again.  After being threatened with the loss of our candy...what was left of it...we finally settled down.  Just then my little sister let out a blood-curdling shriek.  A clown was scratching at the window!  Now I don't know if this was a sugar-induced hallucination...but I believed her!  Hello, Coulrophobia!

 

My parents thought my fear of clowns was hilarious.  One parade day in American Fork, I was keeping a close watch for unicycles and go-carts...popular clown vehicles.  I spotted one about a block down the street...which gave me plenty of time to hide in the car before he got to where we were sitting.  I crouched on the floor of the front seat...waiting for the clown demon to pass by.  At a knock on the window I looked up...and there he was grinning down at me...the most hideous face since Liberace!!  Thanks Mom and Dad for telling him where to find me...that explains the bed-wetting incidents.





 Flower Power...

 

It was the Age of Aquarius and I gradually outgrew my aversion to clowns.  I am pretty sure I was over it...except for one very strange incident which took place when I was about 15.  It was spring and the lilacs outside my bedroom window were in bloom.  I have always loved the scent of lilacs.  There was a bit of a breeze, so I thought I would open the window to let the "romantic fragrance waft gently through the billowing curtains."  The window was stuck...I pushed and pushed until...CRACK!...the glass gave way and sliced the palm of my right hand.  I must have been a bit shocky as my mother drove me to the doctor for stitches.   For I saw as clear as day...on every corner of Main Street...a clown holding a single flower.  Not more than one clown...the same clown!  Yikes!

 

So...now that I am grown, they don't bother me so much.  I enjoy the idea of circuses and making circus-themed crafts...working on my Summer Circus decor right now.  I can almost say that I was over my fear of clowns for good...until HE came to town!

 

"They all float down here..."  Pennywise from "It."

 

That's it...I'm done!

Can't Sleep...Clowns will eat me!"  Bart Simpson

 

 





Supply Swap...Full to Overflowing!

It's Here! It's Here!

Dorothy's Supply Swap Box has arrived!

 

Dorothy, the smart and sassy librarian behind the blog Hensrule was my partner for this fun swap hosted by Elizabeth of Creative Breathing.  Miss E is currently convalescing from knee surgery and I wish her a speedy recovery...along with all of our bloggy friends.  It was so much fun to return home from my trip and find TWO packages waiting for me.  I purchased Elizabeth's patriotic treasure box and it was double the fun to unwrap.  The box from Dorothy was ginormous!!!  My sister was green with vintage envy watching me unpack the boxes.

The beautiful box!

 

Dorothy just posted some wonderful pictures of the box I sent her.  I worry that I won't be able to adequately express how much I loved the vintage treasures she sent me.  There were two boxes simply bursting at the seams with the most wonderful supplies...many of which I have never been able to find. 

Box detail...bluebird and mushrooms!  Two of my very favorite things.

 

 

The "blue" package.

There were several wrapped packages done in color themes.

 

The "pinks"

"Patriotic"

The most beautiful rosette.

Box Two.

 

Dorothy told me that she inherited simply loads of vintage crafting supplies from a friend who needed to downsize for a move.  I am so humbled that she would part from some of the items she sent me.   It's hard to photograph stacks of supplies...so I don't feel I did them justice, but I will mention some of my favorites.  Mind you...these are only a few of the things she sent me.

 

1.  Millinery flowers and leaves...and dear little red and white mushrooms.

 

2. Old photos, postcards and brochures...and a wonderful Christmas issue of a 1950s Women's magazine.

 

3.  Vintage holiday supplies, chenille, wrapping paper, tinsel and reflectors. Pink plastic Easter baskets, ribbons and trims.  Valentines cards and doilies...oh, my!

 

It took all afternoon to sort it all out...what a fun time I had!

My favorite...Gnomes and Mushrooms.

This postcard was mailed from Barcelona in 1947.

 

I have a few ideas already for some of my booty.  The postcard will be scanned, enlarged and printed on fabric to make a pillow or wall hanging.  The wooden spools are earmarked for the feet of a patriotic themed box I saw on Pinterest.  The small wooden shadowbox might be used for a nest project I have in mind.  Oh, the possibilities!

 

Gotta Run! 

I have a glorious mess to create in my craft room!

 

Thank you so much, Dorothy!  You were a wonderful swap partner!

And thank you, Elizabeth for hosting this fun, fun swap!

 

 

Vintage Vegas....The Neon Boneyard!

 

 Vintage Vegas!

I love Vegas kitsch...it's so tacky it's cool 

 I made this header from individual sign letters from my Neon Boneyard photos.

A whole folder of letters...Vegas Font!

 

Hi!

Welcome to the Boneyard!

Sigh...I even love the sign.

I am sure most people know about the Neon Boneyard.  At one time it was just a vacant lot where old signs from demolished casinos were stored.  You've seen it in music videos...The Killers for example...and in movies and TV shows.  Clark Griswald's daughter Audrey danced on top of one of the signs in "Vegas Vacation".  In fact the park was closed right after we left...a TV show was going to be filming.  It was a big secret...so I don't know which one it was...lol! It's an amazing place...and it's impossible to take bad pictures there...the signs are too photogenic!

 

La Concha Motel...1961 to 2003

 

The lobby and gift shop of the outdoor museum is the salvaged lobby of the old La Concha Motel. It minded it's dignified business at 2955 South Las Vegas Boulevard.

 

Motel Sign...all that remain of the MOTEL letters are M-O-T.

I saw them lying on their side in the Boneyard...sad and forlorn.

 

The Letter "O"

 

This part of the sign has been fully restored to working order.

There are several restored signs in the park.

 

Stardust!

Stardust Casino...1958 to 2006.

Last of the Mob-run casinos.

The sign is ginormous!

I never realized the scale of a casino sign until I saw...

 

Each space-age letter is around 8 to 10 ft. high.

Look how small our guide is in comparison.

The lettering is "Googie" a futuristic "atomic age" style of architecture.

 

The pieces of the sign are so massive they are stacked all over the park.

 

We found these everywhere in random corners.

 

A Few Favorites...

I love the Sassy Sally sign...in the boneyard all you have to do

is point and shoot.  Every photo looks like an art collage.

This "B" with the star has a circus feel.

 

Lady Luck!

You just can't take a bad picture.

I plan to make a collage for the Vegas condo.

Costco makes large canvas wrap prints...I can't wait.

Ugly Duckling.

I chose some pics that were a bit less common.

You can find almost any sign in a google search.

 

Silver Slipper and Fremont Street...

Before...

This picture I found on Pinterest...it shows how the old slipper looked until recently.

Silver Slipper Restored

 

The Neon Museum has twelve restored signs throught the old Downtown Las Vegas...some can be seen on a walk throught the Fremont Street Experience.  Three others have been added to the median of Las Vegas Boulevard near the entrance of the Boneyard.  Our guide mentioned that in the future more signs will be restored and added to the median along that section of the boulevard.

 

Seen in Fremont Street...

 

If You Go...

Hours of operation:

The museum is open for tours 7 days a week. Hours vary by season. Guided tours available every half hour starting at 10 a.m. Guests should arrive at least 15 minutes before scheduled tour. The visitor's center is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Restored, electrified signs are on public display in downtown Las Vegas 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Cost:

$18 for adults; $12 for students and Nevada residents (with valid ID), senior citizens and veterans.

 

I hope you enjoyed this new installment of "Vintage Vacation."  I have another couple of posts on Vintage Vegas coming soon!  If you visit the Neon Boneyard, bring sunscreen and a water bottle and...most importantly...

 

Don't forget your camera!