Myself standing in the middle of the exhibit space.

Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

September 28, 2023, Leave a Comment on Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

This year mark’s the 100th anniversary of Anaheim’s Fall Festival, and to celebrate this occasion, the Muzeo has put together not one, but two exhibits showcasing not only Anaheim’s Halloween history, but some Halloween’s earliest traditions in a unique antique postcard exhibit. Halloween at the turn of the 20th century looked much different than today,…

View of myself on the porch of our room.

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

September 20, 2023, 3 Comments

For as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to stay at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Since its opening in 1958, this sprawling complex has become iconic, beloved by generation after generation. And recently Patrick and I had the perfect excuse to stay there, as I was in a wedding in…

Overall, angled view of the Baskin Robbins, with its pink roof and palm trees out front.

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

August 16, 2023, Leave a Comment on A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Amid a plethora of auto body shops stands a bubblegum pink A-frame building, at first glance someone could mistake it for a life size version of Barbie’s ski shop mistakenly plopped near LAX instead of the mountains of Mammoth. But you won’t find Barbie here, this is a Baskin-Robbin’s and it’s said to be the…

A small single story Streamline Moderne style building, abandoned with collapsing wood frame.

Lonesome Spots along California Backroads

June 29, 2023, Leave a Comment on Lonesome Spots along California Backroads

Today I’m rounding up California sights from our road trip, including many more abandoned buildings, neon signs, and even a Twilight Zone filming location! Rustic Oasis Motel, 2005 U.S. 395, Olancha. “Temporarily Closed” according to Google. Airflite Cafe, US-395, Olancha. Abandoned. Invisible Theme Park cited a CalTrans survey (although I could not locate the survey…

A large neon sign features fire made of neon and script reading "The Flame" below backlit plastic reads "Prime Rib Breakfast Lunch Dinner" and in small blue neon reads 24 HRS"

Revisiting the Las Vegas Neon Museum

June 19, 2023, 3 Comments

Back in 2017 Patrick and I visited the Las Vegas Neon Museum, and had an absolute blast, taking both their daytime and nighttime tours. Recently they added a “Photo Walk” option, which is a time for photographers to have respectful free-reign (no touching of the signs!) of the boneyard, and since Patrick has gotten more…

Various costumes worn by a variety of performers.

The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

June 14, 2023, Leave a Comment on The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

In Las Vegas’ Art District resides the Burlesque Hall of Fame, here one can learn the origins of burlesque and even try their hand at performing, as it’s also a school so this unique art form can live on. The road to the museum that exists today is long and dusty and begins with Jennie…

Large bulb and neon sign reading "Golden Gate" across the side of the hotel.

Golden Gate: Las Vegas’ Oldest Hotel & Casino

June 12, 2023, 1 Comment

With a wide variety of places to stay in Las Vegas, it can be difficult to choose, but I do love history, so we opted to stay in Vegas’ oldest operating hotel and casino, the Golden Gate. Back in 1906 Las Vegas was a nothing town in the middle of the desert, a train stop…

Myself walkings through the lobby wearing a white peasant top with floral embroidery and blue jeans.

Inside Boise’s Enchanting Egyptian Theatre

June 7, 2023, 1 Comment

While Idaho is known for its potatoes, it has so much more to offer, including one of the best examples of Egyptian revival style architecture, Boise’s Egyptian Theatre, which has been entertaining audiences for almost 100 years. A product of the Egyptian craze that swept the world after the discovery of King Tut’s tomb in…

A massive neon sign features a cowboy on horseback being chased by a Native American with a bow shooting arrows, and below reads "Pony Express Lodge"

More than Las Vegas: Neon Gems of Nevada

June 5, 2023, Leave a Comment on More than Las Vegas: Neon Gems of Nevada

Never go on a road trip with me unless you’re prepared to pull off the road whenever I see a neon sign, abandoned building, or something weird. When Patrick and I weren’t on freeways, we took many backroads and old highways during our trip, and even though we had made this drive before, we still…

Myself standing in front of one of the three screens, wearing a copper crown, blue jean jacket, pale green shirt featuring Humpty Dumpty and a castle reading "Enchanted Forest", pink corduroy pants, and holding a blue purse.

Van Buren Drive-In

April 12, 2023, Leave a Comment on Van Buren Drive-In

Earlier this year the sun set on Mission Tiki Drive-In, which had become our regular drive-in since moving to California. Thankfully we live near a few others, and recently Patrick and I went to the Van Buren Drive-in in Riverside to see Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. Named after the street it is located…

Atomic Redhead

1960s

Looking back at Halloween in Anaheim

Our First Visit to the Kitschtastic Madonna Inn

A-Frame Icon: The Scoop on Baskin-Robbins History

Lonesome Spots along California Backroads

Revisiting the Las Vegas Neon Museum

The Art of the Striptease on Display at the Burlesque Hall of Fame

Golden Gate: Las Vegas’ Oldest Hotel & Casino

Inside Boise’s Enchanting Egyptian Theatre

More than Las Vegas: Neon Gems of Nevada

Van Buren Drive-In