Back in early 2023 I shared a blog post that was a collection of random photos from the previous year. It was a round up of places and events that didn’t make the cut as a full blog post, but still had merit. The tradition didn’t continue with a round up of 2023 photos because, well, I didn’t really have any loose photos from that year some how! But as for 2024, I have a few to share! So here we have the remnants, remains and random snapshots from 2024.

AMA Donuts. 1057 E. Mission Boulevard, Pomona. Operational.

Baking in the Pomona sun you’ll find what is said to be the seventh McDonald’s, built in 1954, according to Roadside Architecture, but today is a donut shop The arches that once graced the top are now gone, but the intact tile on the side and the amazing sign still remain. Meanwhile the location of the first McDonald’s, located in nearby San Bernardino, is a museum. Want to grab a burger at the oldest sill operating McDonald’s? Then you’ll want to visit the McDonald’s in Downey!

Silver Saddle Motel. 6235 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood. Supposedly operational, but looked questionable during our visit.

Burger joint. 6223 Lankershim Boulevard, North Hollywood. Abandoned.

Bitter Squeaks at Old World Village. 7561 Center Avenue, Huntington Beach. By appointment.

In July the Muzeo worked with Bitter Squeaks to show off a portion of her impressive Edward Mobley collection. After the exhibit shuttered, she relocated the items, and many more, to her studio at Old World Village in Huntington Beach, and hosted a small opening. It’s my understanding you can shop by appointment, but I think it’s best to order via her Etsy shop. Old World Village is another location probably worthy of a blog post at some point, as it is akin to the now gone Alpine Village. Built in 1978, it’s full of odd shops, restaurants, a church, and even apartments, as well as a ton of hand painted murals.

Concept art for Susie, the Little Blue Coupe, by Mary Blair. Hilbert Museum.

Not too long ago I wrote about going to the Hilbert Museum. However that was my second visit. My first was with my friend and talented artist Melissa of Amuseboosh, when the museum offered an incredible Mary Blair exhibit. Included in it was this darling piece of concept art from one of my favorite shorts, Susie, the Little Blue Coupe.

Christmas Story Time with Deadpool. Disney California Adventure Park.

In a bizarre case of Disney catering to what’s popular, and not necessarily kid-friendly, for the first time (I think) characters from R-rated films landed at the Disneyland Resort. To promote the film Deadpool and Wolverine, the Odd Couple-like duo arrived at California Adventure, but not in the traditional meet-and-greet style. Instead they hosted a story time where they retold various classic fairy tales, but with a twist. The unique entertainment offering was suppose to just be for summer, but it was so popular it returned for Christmas. With a tiny stage set back in the old queue for the no longer used Hyperion Theatre, Deadpool and Wolverine gave their spin on A Christmas Carol and A Visit from St. Nicholas, also known as The Night Before Christmas. Utterly hilarious, and shockingly kid-friendly, but not without a few under-the-radar jokes, the show actually got me to go over to DCA, which I’m notorious for ignoring. The last snapshot is from when Deadpool told me he loved me, which made my day! Sadly Deadpool and Wolverine have since left the Resort, but it certainly calls into question what Disney will do next with character experiences.

Clearman’s North Woods Inn San Gabriel. 7247 Rosemead Boulevard, San Gabriel. Operational.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to blog about a North Woods Inn location. But every time I fail for one reason or another…These snapshots come from a yet another failed blog post when we went to spend the evening with Charles Phoenix in an end-of-year get-together with friends. There are a handful of North Woods Inn locations in California, each a giant lodge with faux snow atop them. This is the San Gabriel location, built in 1966. Sprawling with multiple dining rooms, where you throw the peanut shells on the floor, you’ll find the walls are covered in antiques of every variety, from rifles to penny farthing bicycles to nude paintings, and of course taxidermy. During the holidays Santa hats don the heads of the various mounts and Christmas lights are wrapped around odds and ends throughout.

Who knows what 2025 will hold and if I will will do another one of these next year! But I hope you enjoyed these photos and the little bit of info on them as well as this peek into the blogging process.