City Of New Orleans...

...here we come...first stop, Union Station in Chicago, courtesy of Coleman's Shuttle Service.  They do an excellent job, have very reasonable rates, are courteous and professional.  Our driver, Ruth, is personable and competent.  I highly recommend them.  Check them out at Coleman's Shuttle Service.  You'll be glad you did.

Unlike last year when we were rank novices, this year we knew where to go and what to do once we hit the station...so down to the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge we went and checked in sans excitement.

The lounge is reserved for business class and sleeper car passengers.

Once checked in we verified the schedule for the City Of New Orleans train....

Right on time, so we grabbed some complimentary refreshments and relaxed while waiting to board...

Marcellus and Sarah at the table, Karen in the background.

We boarded at 7:30 Chicago time...

Our car attendant, Carmel.

...and settled into our rooms for an 8:05 pm departure...well, a bedroom for Karen and Sarah, a tiny roomette for Marcellus and me.

After listening to a short rendition of the classic Willie Nelson tune, "City Of New Orleans" - not the Arlo Guthrie version, but good nonetheless - they announced the conductors would be by to check our tickets:

That must be for coach class passengers only...they checked ours before they let us on the sleeper car.

In short order it was time for dinner in the dining car:

Dinner was very enjoyable...

...and even the table setting and lights were elegant...

in honor of Easter, I guess...

here's what it looks like sans bunny napkin...

Time for lights out...later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera...

...we're gonna miss this...77 degrees and sunshine in early March...

Even though we lost a day due to inclement weather and travel snafus, it's been a fabulous vacation.

Our last full day here was spent much like the previous ones...early morning hot tub and pool, coffee and breakfast, some touristy stuff in the morning, then lounging around the pool and fire pit for the rest of the day.

Today's "touristy stuff" involved a trip to a fabulous vintage shop called "Wonderama":

Not sure if the bison is for sale, but it sits outside of the shop as a unique reminder you've arrived at someplace special:

Our big find today was an original 1950's "Galanos" coat for Karen:

James Galanos was Amercia's leading fashion designer, a true "haute couturier" who designed for stars like Rosalind Russell and Marilyn Monroe, as well as leading political figures like Nancy Reagan.  He's now retired, 90 years old, and living in Palm Springs...and we found one of his creations that fits Karen perfectly at a price that didn't break the bank.  Score!

We also wandered downtown in the evening and visited the Palm Springs Art Museum:

A very cool, mid century modern building, but we were in between exhibits, so not much to see...however, we did spot this Shag "mad men" type painting, number 1 of only 200:

Shag is a famous "mod" painter who has exhibited around the world, and has a shop in Palm Springs. His painting captures my mom and dad's world back in the late 50's, early 60's...they had a sense of style and class that's largely missing from much of today's world.

One place where it's not missing in action is Palm Springs...and no place encapsulates that mid century modern vibe better...

Hate to sound like a paid advertisement, but if you're a mid century modern fan looking for someplace warm to escape the winter doldrums, you can't do better than the Desert Riviera Hotel...Judy, Steve, and Traci are the best and will do everything possible to make your stay relaxing and hassle free...and owners Rick and Martha are regularly onsite making sure their guests are comfortable and happy.  As I've said before, there may not be heaven on earth, but Desert Riviera Hotel comes pretty darn close.

We fly back to the frozen northland tomorrow, but right now I hear Arturo Fuente and Jim Beam calling me...

the green ash tray is from Wonderama, too...

Last night in paradise...

Later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera...

...a garden resort...welcome to Day 2 of our vacation.

As mentioned in the previous post, we were finally able to wing our way from the icy climes of Michigan...

the frozen coast of Lake Michigan

...to sunny Palm Springs, California.

The accommodations at the Desert Riviera are so lovely it's tempting to just hang out at the hotel and relax...

the beautiful pool all lit up at night...

fun at the fire pit every night...

turns out the Keebler elves hang out here, too...

It's amazing what some sunshine, warm temperatures, a new hat, and some Jim Beam can do to improve your attitude...

So on day two we decided to take a trip up the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, a short 20 minute drive from the Desert Riviera Hotel...

Trams head up the mountain about every 30 minutes, so we had a short wait in the stylish lobby...

...before we climbed on the stallion we rode up the mountain...

It's about a 10 minute ride up, and the floor of the car slowly rotates so you get a 360 degree view...

The view from the top is remarkably like home right now...

We received dire warnings from everyone at the hotel about how cold it is...but hey, we're from Michigan and this was like an early spring day.  The tram operator said, "It's currently 30 degrees at the top and wind chill makes it feel like 20, so good luck with that."  Really?  Come to Grand Rapids...shirt sleeve weather, buddy...

Overall a very enjoyable excursion...we enjoyed a drink at the bar...here's the view...

Impressive to think how much work it was to build the tram and the welcome center at the top of the mountain...well worth the time and money.

After that we spent the rest of the day and evening relaxing...

a Palm Springs full moon...

...and hanging out poolside...

There may not be heaven on earth, but the Desert Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs comes pretty close...

Later, mcm fans...

Desert Riviera Hotel...

...at last...not our smoothest journey, but the destination makes it worthwhile.

We attempted to exit Grand Rapids, Michigan two days ago, but after 8 hours of standing around the GRR airport our flights were canceled...we rebooked for yesterday, out of Kalamazoo (AZO).

That's a much smaller, friendlier, and cooler airport...less than an hour away...we'll definitely consider flying out of there again.  Here are some pics from inside the airport:

...and these random, "far side" type characters scattered hither and yon:

We were flying on American Airlines...

...and it was no picnic with many winter weather issues...bottom line, we were supposed to arrive at the hotel Sunday night around 10 pm Michigan time...after canceled flights, rebooking, and late planes, actual arrival time?  Tuesday morning at 3 am, Michigan time...

But...we're here...it's worth it...and here's why:

More to come, mcm fans...

Love...

...letter from my granddaughter.  Miriam wrote this to me and melted my heart.  What a cutie.



Today we journeyed to Douglas and participated in the black arts of ten pinnery again...

Ok so that's not the Douglas bowling alley...I just like the art deco sign...

Enjoyed our attempts but we were less than excellent, unfortunately...no excuses...we're just not that good...but there were too many mechanical issues with the lane / pinsetters to get any kind of rhythm going, and then the Brady Bunch took the lane next to us and the fun was definitely over after that.  We finished our drinks and called it a day.

Another reason why we need to install a lane in our home...

Later, mcm fans...

The Spirit...

...Of Detroit, the Marshall Fredericks sculpture in Detroit.  I love this piece, and wish they sold miniatures of it.  The Bible quote is from 2nd Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the LORD is that spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is there is liberty."

In his left hand is a bronze orb representing God; in his right is a family.  Fredericks explained he was expressing God, through the spirit of man, manifests Himself in the family, the most important human relationship.

Whether you like his theology or not, it's a fabulous mid century modern sculpture, and I'd love to own a replica.

Recently bought a Fuji Instax mini-8 camera, which is really cool.  Fuji has mastered instant film...they produce great pictures that develop before your eyes in a minute or less...the Impossible Project has not come anywhere near the quality of Fuji instant film.  Really wish Fuji would make film for the old SX-70 cameras...it would be fabulous.

Here are a few of the little pics taken with my Instax mini camera:

My Marx Atomic Reactor toy with some little Toy Story, 3 eyed aliens scattered hither and yon.

Franky and son, with Yeti to his left...more Marx creations from the early 60's

my Monkeyshines picture...that's the Jolly Chimp; a King Kong bank where the little gorilla climbs the Empire State building and deposits a coin; a small windup King Kong; and a larger battery operated Kong.

The Marx Merry Makers band...circa 1939, with their original box.

The 1966 Rock'em Sock'em Robots by Marx.  This was my Christmas morning dream come true many years ago.

The Marx Big Parade...a very cool marching band toy, complete with conductor's wand.

Two for one in this pic...to the left is a 1960's Monster Magnet; to the right is a 1990's Toy Story alien.  #5 son was enamored of all the Toy Story characters as a young lad when that movie first came out.  Woody, Buzz, the Alien, etc...we bought most of them for him back in the day.

Recently made the acquaintance of another vintage electronics aficionado, and got me to thinking about my humble collection of vintage radios and tv's, to wit:

a little bit of various and sundry, including old transistor radios and a replica telechron clock.

an Emor Globe radio, and my tv's...my favorite is the RCA 621TS from 1946 on the bottom left.

my 1970 Weltron 8 track / radio / phono in the foreground; a 1959 Predicta Barberpole tv on the left; a Weltron 8 track player / radio on the top shelf; and a Philco Boomerang, Emerson 744B, and Travler radio.

my phones and art deco radios from the 1930s and 40's...favorites all, but I really like the ivory Colonial New World Globe radio, and the 1936 Sparton Bluebird.  Also snuck in a Wondergram portable, battery operated record player on the second shelf on the right.

Later, mcm fans.

The Future's So Bright...

 

...well, you know the rest...if not, look up Timbuk 3's 1986 hit...that's Sean, by the way, son of my #4 son.  He's a cutie and becoming highly mobile now.  I miss those days and I don't...I no longer possess the requisite energy to chase the little guys around like I had to back in the day...but those were good days.

Recently had to relocate where we store our dynamite:

For some reason we had it tucked away on shelf all by itself, but realized we really should keep it next to my jump spark cigar lighter..."I wish I had a million bucks!" (Retired Brigadier General James Stewart in "It's A Wonderful Life")

It's been awhile, but here's a favorite item:

A pair of kitschy cats from the late 50's, early 60's...not usually a big cat fan, but I like these two guys sitting on my fireplace mantle in my loft.

Later, mcm fans...