Mackinac Island

Lot's of history to explore at Mackinac Island.  Of course you know there are no motorized vehicles, except for the golf carts that the resort allows on the greens.  Don't think that's quite fair - Do you?

Views from Arch Rock

 

Views of the Grand Hotel - Where they filmed "Somewhere in Time" with Christoper Reeves and Jayne Seymour.  Est. in 1887 this a true delight.  Room rates start a $235.00.  These are tiny old rooms, such as they were back then.  Think Waldorf-Astoria or the Homestead.  Much character and charm, but tiny accommodations.  Not for the noisy crowd either - that would be us!

We had a nice beach front room.  Not that we got in the water.  Way too Cold!  Nice views of the lighthouses and the boats going back and forth.  Found these two lonely little yellow flowers just blooming where they were planted.  Of course there's the beach rats, which mom and Di find hilariously funny to feed.  I've been having this bird feeding problem with those two for the last twenty years.  If they spot a gull they feed em!  One of these days someone's gonna get their eye poked out or pooped on and it won't be funny then, Missy!

Lilac festival is around the 1st week in June, but you can enjoy them through mid month.  Like our tour guide said "Thank goodness for the lilac's - you get a whiff of them through one nostril to compensate for the pee-u whiff of the horse doo in the other!"  Little Stone Church and the Governor's mansion.

If you like antique you'll Love Mackinac.  These are some great old carriages and a fire engine carriage from day gone by.  Field of wild flowers that I just wanted to float on.

Fort Mackinac & lilacs in bloom

I took some shots of these old pictures with the horses pulling sleds full of supplies out to the island during the winter.  Thought it was absolutely fascinating!

Another photo shot of a barge delivery hay to the horsey's on the island

Found this in one of the shop windows!

It was really just an awesome trip to be able to spend with your closest family gal pals.  I'll treasure these memories for a lifetime - end that's all you have.

So that concludes the Early Summer JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour!  Who knows where we'll end up next year, or maybe this fall, or heck summers still here there's surely something on the horizon!

Ciao for now Caravan Cruisers!

Rhinelander Wisconsin - Home of the Hodag

Betcha don't know a Hodag - or maybe you do!  He's the scary guy in the picture, no not him, the green monster.  Contrived in 1893, he later became the mascot for Rhinelander Wisconsin.  They have a huge Hodag Country Music Festival there in July.  The beautiful dome is from the Rhinelander courthouse.  Just love Courthouses.  I always take pictures of them if I get the chance.  Oh, I  Almost forgot why we went up there.  To visit McNaughton Wisconsin and see where my grandfathers old cabin use to be.  It wouldn't have been a proper trip if we hadn't stopped at some of the watering holes while we there.  Not sure but I think we might have made the bartenders day.  Mom and Di had a blast visiting all the old place they vacationed at as little kids.  We even got to do some junking while we were there!  Di picked up a beautiful pair of Lefton wall Cherubs, you can check them out in her store if your interested.  

Back Home Again in Indiana

I’m Back!...........

Yep that’s me riding that Chippy Vintage Pink Elephant – go figure – I couldn’t resist!

It’s Good to be home, but I’m still floating like I could ride that pink elephant all day.  I so needed that break.  And I think it will be healthy for me to feel like this - ‘Whole Summer' Truly IS a Vacation! 
       

I love writing and blogging here, but I realized, as I sat down to tell about my VaCa that I’m probably not as good as some.  I don’t take a lot of pictures – I’m too busy laughing and yakking it up to remember to snap photos or run a video camera.  I did however manage to capture Aunt Di on video after 4 drinks.  It’s pretty darn funny.  I’m still debating on if my life worth posting it – lol

I also didn’t want to bore everyone with the blah, blah of all the details and stupid shots.  So I’ll try my best not to be too boring.  I’ve put some pic’s into collages so that it doesn’t drag on too much.  And although we did Junk up and back, I don’t have one shot of any of that.  I’m lucky I caught what I did!  I’m also lucky that they actually let me photograph them.

I told you we were going to stay at that old retro motel well I absolutely adored their sign.

Is that not 30’s perfection?

I didn’t photo the inside because it was nothing special to write home about.  Mom wanted her own bed so we ordered a roll away for me.  Now I was a bit leery of this thing, expecting musty ghosts from 30 years ago and today wasn’t going to be a good night for me!  But it smelled so fresh and clean like they had taken the upmost care with this bed.  I was so impressed.  And Comfy too!

Our first stop in the Dells was to the Lost Canyon.  We were very well behaved as we walked up to purchase our tickets.  Quiet, no giggling, when our tour guide for the ride walked up, took one look at us and said “Oh no, there’s trouble!”  And my mother the consummate comedian, who kept trying to one up the funny, hysterical tour guide – said “Gosh how did you know!”  She made sure to keep his keen observation intact through the whole trip.  I hope everyone else on the tour enjoyed our personal ride through the Lost Canyon with ‘Our’ personal tour guide.  Same thing happened in Mackinaw – you can’t take these girls anywhere!

Yes, that's primarily what we looked at, two horsey behinds, as we made our way through the canyon.  The other horses ___, oh I meant, our cool tour guide, is pictured too.  Don’t ask me his name I don’t remember.  Be sure to visit this place if you go to the Wisconsin Dells.  They are privately owned, and maintain this beautiful ravine so that you can enjoy it.  The city is trying to take it away so they can build condos and hotels, and people will no longer be able to enjoy it’s breathtaking view and history.

Of course we did a little shopping

Have no idea what’s so fascinating

And We ate, We ate some more ...  Ok, we ate A LOT

Yummm, chocolate!!!

Couldn't miss doing the Jet Boats with the 360 spins!  Diane shouldn’t have drunk the rest of her beer before we left.  No she didn’t pee her pants, but it was sounding like a good alternative the longer we were out there. (Boy she's starting to sound like a real lush and the poor girl doesn't even drink!)  This tour guide must have known they were the mouthy ones cause he put them right up front under the windshield, where they were Sure to get Wet!  

Make sure you go to Capt. Ron’s Jet Boats.  The are a bit further out, but well worth the drive (10mins).  They have a little bar with an outside covered patio, but wait that’s not all they also have a bar boat on the river!  They are also a family owned business.

We also did the classic Tommy Bartlett Water Ski Show

The other pictures are of other acts, like magicians, the crazy horn guy – he has a website – he kept telling us, but I’ve since forgotten.  And these crazy Russians who actually walk on the outside of this contraption as it spins around.  I think he likes to pretend to slip just to make you have a heart attack!  They were the best part of the show.  If you're not five you won't get ski show.  Actually you could go across the river to some restaurant - sit out on their deck and watch the whole thing for free! 

And of course when in

 

This say's Rome, of course you can't read it on here.  Kind of ruins the whole effect!

do as the Romans do

 

Doesn't it look like he wants to punch me?

And go to the Casino!  We went to the Ho-Chunk.  We didn’t stay long, cause they managed to take the Whole Chunk while we were there.

Trip was too long to cover in one post.  Next time Mackinaw!

Ciao!

Vintage Fraction Cards in the box from Chicago Somerset Co. 1903

Ok, one last post before I have to get organized around here.  Then I really do need to start packing and getting things straightened out before I leave.  I've always said sometimes it's almost not worth it (vacations) for the amount of work you have to do before you leave and the catching up you have to do when you get back!

So here are some treasures from last weekend.

 

I have a great project in mind for that AweSome Green Monogrammed hand towel.

Also,Unexpectedly found that the Oil lamp still had oil in it - that was a treat!  Thank goodness it didn't get on the hand towel

More great Rose Moss Chintz patterns on the Fingertip Oil Lamp, personal ashtrays and bell.  Check everything thoroughly, before you purchase.  As I was cleaning the ashtrays I discovered one was broken in two with a chip missing.  I searched the box and the floor and everywhere imaginable, so I know it had to have been that way when I purchased, but I didn't lift them all out to inspect each one.  So be it.  Live and learn!

This was another overlook on my part.  I was so taken with these colors and the design that I failed to note the fine line crazing on the top of the sugar bowl.  If you set it up eye level you'd never know, so it doesn't really make a difference.  I would have still gotten them anyway.  Just little things that you learn along the way.

This one is my Crazy Cool Fab Find.  These vintage fraction cards in/with the box.  Copyright is 1903 from Chicago.  Love Em!

Ok, you won't hear from me til Mid June, after I return from our JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour!

Ciao!

Junking at Antique Stores in Indiana

Today was road trip day.  Stan & I were heading north to visit family and decided to hit a few shops along the way to Valparaiso.  He knew of some really cool ones to go scope out.  Being a piano tuner he's been all over the state, but I think this knowledge stems from him being an old JunkYard dog.

At our 1st stop 
I spotted these two girls hanging out together.

Normally on the double rag doll both of the heads are made of material but this one had an actual doll head.  The one to the right was one of those story book dolls, where the story is printed out on the front of the bib.

Orange Tin Cake Pan

but this one's different - it's small, for an 8 inch cake.  Just a wee baby tin!  Be great for taking one of those small personalized cakes to a friend for her birthday.

Looked at this Fisher Price Cash Register

But they don't seem to be moving well, and this was a bit more beat up than some I've seen.  Some of these still have their coins!  I think they'd make a really neat addition for a 'Cool' kids boho room.

Here's a few more items I should have picked up.

 

  

Next Road Trip, If they're still there (doubt that) their Mine!

Me leaving with all my Treasures!

You'll have to wait to see what's inside.  Maybe for quite awhile.

I have to get home and pack for VaCa!!!

Vintage Rose Swan Planter

 

Oh, isn't she precious?

Then I came across this awesome bowl

The curves and lines!  And the colors are just so right!

The greens, pinks, yellow and smidgen of bronzing

I like it standing up to show off those great lines.

Retro Rachel Ray Orange Enamel Cookware & Vintage Orange Bowls

Today I'm thinking Rachel Ray Orange Enamel Cookware, to go along with these Vintage Orange Enamel Bowls.

 

  

Can't really judge by the computer colors, they look kind of off color here online.  But I think they might work.  I'll have to go take a look at the cookware set just to be sure.

Love it when I'm out junking and I get back and see that I've actually been working on a theme and didn't even know it!  Like this cute little Folk Art Bird

He just plays against those Enamel Orange Bowls like he was destined to be with them. 

Even the old Kellogg's tin has just enough orange to tie in with bowls and the Bear is almost the same color as the bird!  Some days just flow like that

Big Cat Rescue

Let's do something different today?  Let's go to that Big Cat Rescue up past Monticello.

I didn't even know there was such a place here in Indiana, till I picked up some brochures while I was in Monticello one day, and found a flyer for them.  I was pretty excited, I haven't even been to a zoo in many years and Love animals.  So off we went.  It's was a pleasant drive, only about an hour or so long.  All I had was an address and Stan's knowledge of the lay of the land.  As we approach their location we actually drove right by.  No Big Sign, like the graphic above - No it look more like a someones junky house with a bunch of crap strewed all over the place, and a bunch of junky barns and tin roofs.  Before this point I'm still thinking zoo.  You'll understand as I go on.  So we turn around and go back.  Looks like one other family is there.  And a few grubby looking guys.  I'm still thinking zoo!  Nice clean uniforms.  We pay $15.00 for the two of us to tour - or at least that's what I thought.  $15.00 to tour This??  A very nice young man took us back to where the tour guide was located, along the way we started to catch glimpses of these monster kitty's being kept in not Zoo like conditions.  I'm wondering to my self why does this place look so rundown?  I was about to find out the real truth behind the Big Cat Rescue of Indiana, and other rescue shelters around the states.

These big Kitty's are Very well Cared for and Well Loved!

Great Cats of Indiana, is a Privately Owned facility that functions as a rescue sanctuary for large cats and other carnivores that are displaced due to neglect,  abandonment, or abuse.  They even take these precious animals from zoo's who no longer want them, have closed down, or have been shut down.  They receive NO State Funding - this gentleman provides for these animals through his own means and through the Gracious Donations provided by supporters, caregivers and volunteers.  Some is through monetary donations, others like farmers bring livestock, and some volunteer their time to help with the never ending various chores.  They don't have enough help and they don't have enough money, they struggle each and every day to properly care and provide for these large cats day in and day out, 24-7 - and the do an OutStanding Job!


After being there just a few minutes and learning a just a bit about all the care & maintenance that goes into providing for these great cats if felt ashamed by my initial judgmental thoughts that were based solely on appearance.  I can't even fathom how much money it takes this man to care for all these lions, tigers & bears - Oh my!...


If you have one of these great cat facilities in your area stop by and support them with a visit, send a donation or go out an lend a helping hand.  If you're out junking and you see any old bathtubs, large troughs or tubs they can always use more.  Besides holding water the animals like to play with them!  If you're a hunter, give them a call they may be able to use any game your not going to keep.  If you're a farmer and you have leftover, well anything from fencing to boards to livestock they may have a need - just give them a call.


These large animal care facilities deserve our gratitude for providing a sanctuary for our societies discarded animals.

 

  

  

Did I mention that they like to play in them?

Funny part about our visit - As we were going to all the lion and tiger cages everyone was very careful not lean or get near the cages.  Everyone kept a good distance away.  As soon as we got to the bears, you should have seen how elbow rested up on the railings and people leaning over!  Yes they are a bit more animated, but their claws and their teeth are just as big!

Hope you enjoyed the Big Cats, and that you get a chance to visit one near you!

Ciao for now!

Keep those old door knobs

Our house that we're remodeling (slowly) has all those old dark steel door knobs, No not the real intricate beautiful ones - the one cheap flat ones from the 30's.  But their better than some of that new tinny brass stuff they sell now, and I didn't want to fork out the money to replace them all, so we painted them.  I think they turned out ok.  We're painting all the registers as well.  They don't even make these old heavy steel one anymore.  If we needed to replace one I think we'd have to go to a salvage yard.  Anyway I think they turned out nice.  Poor, sad, neglected door knob - New, shinny, silver door knob  : )

 

Kind of cool how I flip flopped those so they face each other.  Like I planned that - not!

JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour Scheduled for June!

Just got word today that the Spring JunkYard Gypsies Caravan Tour is scheduled for June!  My mother, Aunt and my Aunt's daughter and I are taking 12 days on the road to do a little Junking, a whole lot of Eating and of course taking in the Sites.  The 1st purpose of the trip is to go to McNaughton Wisconsin to see what use to be my Grandfathers old cabin and property on the river.  Di is Sooo looking forward to that.  So were heading up to Wisconsin Dells and staying at a really old funky Inn.  It's one of those real old motels that use to be really swank in the day.  You tell by the old house and the property (like in nice big sprawling lawns) - Not by the rooms mind you - they usually are Very clean and Extremely Old.  Truly cottage rooms and usually dark wood paneling or knotty pine and dank.  Not what most are use to these days.
We'll stay there for 3 days, then we're off to McNaughton to reminice, and check on the locals.  After that a long drive up to Mackinaw Island.  Looking at trying to hit the Lilac Festival at the 1st of the month.  No we're not staying at the Grand.  Too pricey.  We have a place on the water with a little beach area.  Not that we'll be swimming mind you.  Wee bit Cold in June.  Heck it's a wee bit cold in the height of summer!  Then not sure.  Maybe hit a harbor town, Holland Michigan or who knows.  They are still working out the details of the last leg.  Can't wait to go make some memories and do some Junking!


Ciao, for now caravan cruisers!

Remember These?

Not since the Cabbage Patch Doll shopping wars had we seen such a ruckus.  We thought we had laid the bad shopping habits to rest.  But in 1996 it reared it's ugly head again in the form of Tickle me Elmo.  That crazy, laughing, tickle monster doll.  Who could have guessed?
 

Then in 2000 the Robot craze began.  Remember the movie AI-Artificial Intelligence? Tech gurus came out with the perfect pet - the robot Cyber Puppy!    The new puppy pal was off to great start and then what happened?  Kind of died.  Guess the robot alternative of the real thing isn't what it's cracked up to be.  So take that, David, you'll never be a Real Boy!  


I'm thinking if I keep putting stuff up like this, that your kids might really like my blog too.  Like family reminicing time online.  Hey, were is that dumb dog any way?