A fairytale castle with pink, purple, and blue details.

Exploring Oregon’s Strange and Adored Enchanted Forest

October 20, 2026, 1 Comment

Sitting just off Oregon’s Interstate 5 rests one of its most magical places, Enchanted Forest, a 20 acre theme park, owned by the same family that built it 55 years ago. I grew up going to Enchanted Forest, and it wasn’t until shortly before moving to California that I really began to appreciate it. Unlike…

Myself seated on a bench just outside the roller rink above you can see the pipe organ that hangs above the rink.

Oaks Park: One of the Last Trolley Parks is Home to America’s Oldest Roller Rink

October 7, 2026, Leave a Comment on Oaks Park: One of the Last Trolley Parks is Home to America’s Oldest Roller Rink

Located on the banks of the Willamette River is a true treasure of Portland, Oaks Amusement Park. Not only is it one of America’s oldest amusement parks, it is home to the oldest roller rink in the United States. In 1905 the Portland area was gearing up for the Lewis and Clark Centennial Exposition. Meanwhile…

A large wooden mill like building with a large water wheel and a sign reading "Hot fresh cinnamon bread made daily"

Roller Coasters and Rhinestones: A Visit to Dollywood

April 29, 2025, Leave a Comment on Roller Coasters and Rhinestones: A Visit to Dollywood

Patrick and I just returned from a week long visit to Tennessee, where we criss-crossed the state and did a whole lot, but also not enough! Today is the first of many blog posts from our trip! Dolly Parton is one of the biggest stars of the music industry, and one with a big heart.…

Myself, with my back to the camera, the back of my sweater visible which reads "The Twilight Zone" and in the background the elements from the opening sequence.

Putting Around the Twilight Zone

June 16, 2023, 1 Comment

The Twilight Zone ranks among one of the best television shows of all time, and one of my favorites. So when I heard there was an entire mini golf course dedicated to the show, I knew we had to go! Located in the basement of the Horseshoe, fans of the show and lovers of mini…

Myself, wearing a red elf had, and mint green dress with red and white stripe accents, and a peppermint candy necklace, standing in front of a red door that features decor mixing the Fourth of July and Christmas.

Christmas in July at Santa’s Village

July 28, 2022, 4 Comments

My dad has many fond memories of Southern California in the 1950s and 60s, especially of its various amusement parks. One such was a theme park a little further out from the greater Los Angeles area than say Disneyland. Roughly 80 miles east of LA, nestled in the San Bernardino Mountains sits Santa’s Village, a…

Myself, wearing a tan cowboy hat, floral print western wear shirt with yellow tie with horses on it, and black jeans, leaning against "Kings & Queens" machine which features saloon girls playing poker with an outlaw figure.

Playing Through Pinball History at the Pacific Pinball Museum

July 7, 2022, 2 Comments

There is something enchanting about pinball. A spring launches a ball into a whirlwind of bumpers and obstacles, bouncing and chiming its way across a colorful board. I love the art and design of pinball machines, new or old. It’s always especially interesting when a pinball machine is based on a film or TV show,…

Myself seated on the "Throne of Love" which is painted red and has gold designs around the edge and has various indicator lights reading options such as "Wild Thing, Adorable, Hot Stuff, Sizzling Hot, Hotsy Totsy, Lovable, Passionate, A Sweet Hart, Bombshell"

Revisiting the Coin-Op Delights of Musée Mécanique

July 5, 2022, 1 Comment

Fisherman’s Wharf is an icon of San Francisco, with both the hustle and bustle of the still active fishing community along side tourists who run in and out of the various restaurants, shops, and museums. Nestled next to the iconic Grotto restaurant is my favorite place in all of San Fransisco, Musée Mécanique, an astounding…

A group of guests look over a pool that has a steep slide, which an alligator slides down. Text across a roof in the background reads "Alligator Farm." Red text in the upper right of the postcard reads "Entertaining guests at the California Alligator Farm, Los Angeles."

Sights and Souvenirs from the California Alligator Farm

March 10, 2021, 6 Comments

As mentioned before I’ve been watching a lot of TV since I’m not going anywhere thanks to COVID, and I recently binged the entire first season of HBO’s new interpretation of Perry Mason. Early in the show Mason handles a taxidermy turtle and small alligator, both which feature a paper label reading “Los Angeles Alligator…

A massive sign of Fred Flintstone and and sign reading "Yabba Dabba Doo Means Welcome to You!"

A Visit to the Stone Age at Arizona’s Bedrock City Before it Becomes History

September 12, 2019, 6 Comments

July 2022 Update: The new owners have decided to keep Bedrock City open indefinitely! Visit their website for up-to-date information. Just a few miles south of the Grand Canyon is a place where you can, at least for a few more weeks, step into the fanciful past of the Flintstones, the modern stone age family.…

A large wooden roller coaster painted white stretches toward a blue sky. A white sign with black letters reading "Belmont Park" is attached to the coaster.

Riding Southern California’s Oldest Rollercoaster at Belmont Park

July 19, 2019, 4 Comments

San Diego really has a lot to offer when it comes to history. Many regard San Diego as the birthplace of California, as it is home to the first Spanish Mission and many more historic locations. It is also home to southern California’s oldest rollercoaster, the Giant Dipper at Belmont Park, built in 1925. I…

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Unique Amusements

Exploring Oregon’s Strange and Adored Enchanted Forest

Oaks Park: One of the Last Trolley Parks is Home to America’s Oldest Roller Rink

Roller Coasters and Rhinestones: A Visit to Dollywood

Putting Around the Twilight Zone

Christmas in July at Santa’s Village

Playing Through Pinball History at the Pacific Pinball Museum

Revisiting the Coin-Op Delights of Musée Mécanique

Sights and Souvenirs from the California Alligator Farm

A Visit to the Stone Age at Arizona’s Bedrock City Before it Becomes History

Riding Southern California’s Oldest Rollercoaster at Belmont Park