The fun-tastic photos of the Enchanted Forest at Clarkland Farm from Lucinda Lunacy have me itching to take a family vacation… Located in Ellicott City, Maryland, the theme-park-slash-petting-zoo will open on Saturday, March 31, for the 2012 season.
January 17th, 2012
The Circle Of Kitsch
Remember back, when the Internet was young, and the most fascinating thing was to search for the exotic… Finding pages published by people far away from you, on subjects and things you’d never heard of before. Now, one of the most important things is to find things right in your own backyard. Things you know about — enough to want, anyway. If the price is right. Things you want, and at the best price; thanks, Internet.
Sure, some of the exotic thrills are still a large part of our daily Internet use. But beyond the entertainment and educational value, so much of our time is now spent comparison shopping — and we seek the added bonus of supporting our local economies. Well, maybe it’s just the convenience of saving on shipping combined with the instant gratification of a local pickup. Tomato, tomatoe; the results are the same.
I was tooling about such a place, www.CentrSource.ca, “Things you love, where you live.” Unexpectedly, however, I found myself discovering the delightful Kitsch Hotel, a youth hostel in Lisbon, Portugal. It’s not near home, but it is a thrifty way to travel. And it’s loaded with kitsch!
Photos via The Kitsch Hostel Blog. A number of clever ideas seen here sent me back to CentrSource for project supplies. …Ah, the circle of kitsch.
Amusement Park, Contemporary Kitsch, Kitsch En Sink, Kitschy Kitschy Craft | 
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December 2nd, 2011
This Is Where I’ll Be Found Dead
At Nevada’s Clown Motel. If you’re brave, or just foolish, check out Cheetah Velour’s post to see lots more frightening photos of the joint.
She also notes the following:
I realize that clowns make some people uneasy & that’s ok. I’m not judging. If you can’t handle looking at clowns, there is always the cemetery across the parking lot.
How conveeeenient.
October 25th, 2011
Selling Schlitz Beer In Japan At The Turn Of The Century
I’ve posted lots of ads and information from this antique Japan travel guide, but I had to share this pair of advertisements from Pope & Co., who don’t want you to go hungry! I guess their solution is for you to be good and drunk on trips to the interior. I guess numb will keep you dumb to your hunger, so drink up the champagne, the whiskey and the beer! And cigars; smoke ‘em if you got ‘em — and if you don’t have them, buy them from Pope & Co.
October 9th, 2011
That Annoying Kid On The Bus…
On the plane, in class… You know, that guy with his feet on the back of your chair? Well, he’s just avoiding strain on his back while sitting.
Photos from Care Of The Back, Industrial Edition, William K. Ishmael, M.D., F.A.C.P. and Howard B. Shorbe, M.D., F.A.C.S., Distributed by Safety Department with Approval of Abbott Skinner, M.D., Chief Medical Officer, Great Northern Railway Company.
October 6th, 2011
A Big Thumbs-Up From The Flying-A Gas Pump Jockey
Cover of a vintage map of California from Tide Water Oil Company, “You’re always welcome!” at Flying A Dealers; circa 1950.
October 5th, 2011
Vacation Hell: Trapped In A Trailer With Guitar-Playing Dad
Photo found inside Vacation On Wheels booklet, by Maury Delman, distributed by National Research Bureau, Inc. No date; circa 1970s.
October 3rd, 2011
Boys Love To Motor Boat
Photo inside a vintage travel brochure from Three Lakes, Wisconsin. (More pics & fun if you follow the link!)
October 2nd, 2011
Travel To Mexico, Get Gasolmex
Isn’t that why you shouldn’t drink the water?
Vintage ad for gasoline found in The Gazer Pocket Guidebook To Mexico; issue is number 44 (of the XV year No. 772) dated for the week of March 5-11, 1965.
October 1st, 2011
Here Ye Be Deer (And Other Things To Shoot At)
The Sportsman’s Map Of Wisconsin shows you where the deer are. Well, the maps shows you where the deer — Pheasant, Prairie Chickens, rabbits, ducks and fish — were, as these are vintage maps from the 1940s.
From my auction listing:
This auction is for two vintage maps for sportsmen looking to find the best hunting spots in Wisconsin.
According to the one with the original cover, these maps were “based on aerial pictures and State of Wisconsin highway county maps.” Offering “detailed information on fishing, hunting boating, resorts, and recreation.” Elsewhere on one of the maps, as statement that the Sportsman’s Map was also based on aerial photos and info from the Wis. Forest Service, U.S.G.S. Quadrangles, as well as “authoritative sources” compiled by The Star Map Service. The maps shows you where the deer, pheasant, Prairie Chickens, rabbits, ducks, fish were.
Neither map is pristine. One has both front and back cover pieces, but the front piece is no longer attached. It seems in good shape, a few tears. The second has no front cover, the map is torn along folds, yellowing tape is present and even it fails to hold pieces together. What I’m trying to say is that there are enormous signs of wear — but these were used in the field, ya know what I mean? Just be glad there’s nothing icky left on them like fingerprints from grubby bait-holding hands, or guts or anything *wink* — and be glad these vintage maps survived at all.
The map in worse shape, is for “Section IV,” Marinette, Oconto, Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Calumet, Manitowoc, Winnebago, Outagamie, and parts of Shawano and Waupaca Counties. This appears to be the first of this series of maps as it bears the following statement: Sportsmen Attention Other sections of Wisconsin will be available shortly. Star Map Service, Milwaukee, Wis. It is dated 1946.
The other map, in nice shape, is for “Section IX,” Fon du Lac, Sheboygan, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Jefferson, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha Counties. I did not spot any date on this one, but I didn’t want to fiddle too much with them… Best guess as to age lies in the fact that one the side of the map with traditional road map, there is a note that the population figures came from the 1940 Census — this is also on the IV map.
