Time Machine Travelogue Fifteen

"New York, New York! It's a helluva a town"

"Defying Gravity"

Guess where the time machine is going to this time? Have you guessed New York City then you get a complementary ticket on the time machine this time.  Sorry you will receive no double frequent flyer miles.  So sit down take your time displacement pills or stick on that patch because we aren't trying anything new.  We are taking just the original time machine with no improvements.  As previously promised in the May 27th blog, Time Machine Travelogue Thirteen, New York City would be a destination.  This was a field trip that was taken in March of 2008.  


We took a charter bus from Washington D.C. to New York City.  The countryside was amazing even though many of the student's would never know.  They slept.  When we got there and checked everybody in, there was little resting time because we had tickets to the Broadway musical, Wicked. 
This meant a visit to Rockefeller Center, 30 Rock, and Time Square. The Rockefeller Center is famous for its Christmas Tree in December.  However, our guide told us that have different statues each month.  Of course, everyone is aware of the Prometheus Statue that adores the plaza.  Prometheus was a Titan, who tricked the Olympian god Zeus disguising the best parts of a slaughtered animal as mankind's portion.  Zeus and his ilk got the offal and skin.  Prometheus also stole fire from the gods and gave it to mankind.  For this he was bound to a rock and an eagle would feast on his liver, DAILY.  Not very pleasant I say.

Hope that eagle has bacon and onions.

Prometheus Unbound

A fountain of light

We have seen this scene several million times in movies.  However, there were other displays of Greek Mythology.  I love Greek Myths.  I read them as a child and studied them in college. They have a Statue of Atlas.  Atlas was also a Titian.  He was tasked to bear the Earth on his shoulders.  Because of my love of myth and the fact that I am a fifth grade teacher, I have read the Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan. He too was forced to bear that load.  

He's got the weight of the World on his shoulders.

On the wall were bas-relief styled depictions of other Greek deities.  Hermes had many attributes and jobs.  He was the messenger for the gods.  He had a helmet and sandals that had wings.  This facilitated his rapid dispatch of messages from one place to another.  He carried the Caduceus, which is two snakes intertwined on a staff.  This is the symbol today of the medical profession.  He was the god of thieves, too.  No comment as to the relation to doctors.  He had another characteristic but this is a family blog.

Did someone order flowers?

I also saw Demeter.  She was the goddess of the seasons.  Her daughter Persephone was stolen away by Hades to the Underworld.  This made Demeter extremely sad and she withheld spring.  Her daughter was finally allowed to visit her mother and spend part of the year apart from her husband, Hades.  When Persephone left the Underworld, spring returned to Earth. Crops could be sown and the bounty can be reaped.

Ceres in Latin, where we get cereal

Leaving Rockefeller, we walked with the tour guide toward the Gershwin Theatre.  On the way, we saw many sights that live in our popular culture.  We passed by the theater where they broadcast the Late Show with David Letterman.

Where would this trip fall on Dave's Top Ten List?

Anytime you get to go the a theater for a play or musical it is a magical event.  Living on the West Coast, I have been to many theater events at theaters in San Francisco, Los Angles, and Sacramento.  Every one of these experiences were awesome.  While the show were fantastic, nothing comes close to the electric air of the Broadway area.  You can feel the presence of every performer who walked those streets and performed in those theaters.  We were headed to the Gershwin Theatre.  Named for the legendary George and Ira Gershwin, composer and lyricist of countless popular songs, Broadway musicals, and musical compositions.  Just walking and listening to the subtle pulse of the street you can hear Rhapsody in Blue vibrate around you.  We were there to see the musical Wicked.  It is a musical adaptation of a book Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, by Gregory Maguire. Do yourself a favor and read the series of books in this saga.  Everyone has a back story, those events that develop a person's character.  We are all familiar with the Wicked Witch of the West a character in the book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum.  Well, Elphaba, as she is known in Wicked,  is revealed to us.  Her story gives us a different, more human side, of the green skinned Witch. Her name Elphaba, you may notice was inspired by the original author L. Frank Baum.  The show was fantastically memorable. Even eighth-grade students enjoyed it, which isn't an easy prospect.

After the show, we walked to a different NYC landmark. It is known as the Crossroads of the World.  We have seen it crowded with a million people on New Years Eve.  It too has been the focal point and backgound and many movies.  We know it as Times Square.  Times Square has gone through many changes but it has always lured people for the mere sights and sounds. The Disney Corporation has taken over the area.  This allowed more seemly styled entertainment to be displaced.  The newer family friendly Times Square is safer to take a group of eight-graders.  It, however, was late but New York is the "City that never sleeps".

I thought it was only my eyes that were blurry

Dibs on this spot for New Years Eve.

The King of Rock and Roll

This was the first afternoon and evening in New York City.  We were all tired but overwhelmed by the sights and sound of this day.  Tomorrow will bring sights and sounds.  A strictly American experience is in store.  But we are all reboarding the time machine for the journey back to our own time.  We will return for another "New York Minute".  Make your reservations now or just wait for the new posting what works best for you.  The trip back has been cleared so off we go.  Until next we meet again remember, time waits for no man. 

Look Out Disney We Have Pins 1966-1975

More Magical Moments 50th Anniversary Pins
  
All of us witnessed another magical milestone with the opening of Cars Land on June 15th, 20012.  Disney California Adventure is like a grandson of the original Disneyland.  It was like an unruly upstart.  But, it is now a hopeful glimmer with the recent renovation that Disney California Adventure will grow up to be worthy of its family line.  Walt Disney and his Imagineers has been filling the empty spaces with more and better attractions.  They have "plussed" the originals and other rides to keep them exciting and fresh. However before this week's spectacular opening there were fifty years of these Magical Milestone events at Disneyland.  In a previous blog, I introduced the pin collection that celebrated many of those moments in time.  Magical Milestones pins were offered during the Happiest Homecoming, the 50th Anniversary of Disneyland.  
In 1966, Walt Disney himself oversaw the dedication of this, New Orleans Square, the first new land since the original layout in 1955.  At the dedication Walt quipped that New Orleans Square cost as much as the Louisiana Purchase.  New Orleans Square has become a vital area in Disneyland. It started as an anchor for the Pirates of the Caribbean ride.  It provided us a great a restaurant, Blue Bayou.  Along the way you see the close French Quarter streets that offer unique shopping opportunities.  

I love this little alcove for pictures of the family

If rode with me on the Time Machine Travelogue Four trip, you know that in 1967 the New Tomorrowland opened.  I was fortunate to travel to Disneyland with my brother after my high school graduation.  We went on our own without parents.  This was a definite magical milestone in my own life.  The Magical Milestones pin that celebrates Disney's achievement with the Carousel of Progress.  This attraction took the audience for a ride, literally.  The scene of the progress that were made during the 20th Century in electrical devices that made our lives better.  Labor saving devices, lights, and entertainment were shown on four different stages.  Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter were spread over years from the early 1900's to the 1990's.  

"There's a great big beautiful tomorrow"

A honey of a candidate

Does anyone remember Pat Paulsen running for President of the United States?  Seems obscure doesn't it.  On the Smothers Brother's television show the deadpan comedian ran for the highest office.  However, I don't remember Winnie the Pooh for President at all.  If anyone does please leave a comment telling me about it.

There once was a house that sat on the edge of New Orleans Square.  It sat their empty for six years.  Making us all wonder what was going to be in there.  My mother always wanted to live in such a fine looking mansion.  For years there was a sign out front advertising for ghosts.  This mansion finally gathered 999 ghosts and opened its doors in 1969.  After the ghosts materialized we were in for a treat, the Haunted Mansion.  Everything from the Stretching Room to the Doom Buggies immerse you into the storyline of the metaphysical home of Captain Gracey.  So don't get caught up at the ball in the dining room, the Grave Yard Jam, or the Hitch Hiking Ghost.  If you thing this would be a good final resting place just take the advice of the tiny Ghost Hostess and you are exiting.

     “Hurry back. Be sure to bring your death certificate, if you decide to join us. 

      Make final arrangements now. We've been ‘dying’ to have you…”

Listen to Madame Leota

The decade of the Bicentennial

On December 31, 1969 I went to my first New Years Eve party at Disneyland.  In those days the New Years Eve and some other dates were hard ticket events.  Regular daily patrons were exited and the party goers are let in.  We were given really cool pressed cellophane hats a noise makers.  There was no need for Lettered Tickets.  I'll never forget the sight in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride where the standing pirate skeleton impaled by a sword was surrounded by these hats.  Many people were attempting to make a ringer on the sword's handle.  When it turned Midnight bringing on the new Decade of the 1970's, as they do every year welcomed the new year with a fireworks display.  I was riding on the Mark Twain.  It was an interesting feeling riding on a 19th Century mode of transportation when it was changing a new decade.  The next day, January 1st was my only visit in the year 1970.  It was amazing the next day the entire park was totally cleaned.  Not one hat was left in Pirates. We stayed until it closed and made the long drive home.

A ride you get to work at

The 'Backside of Water" ride

Plussing to achieve political correctness is how the Davy Crockett's Explorer Canoes were born.  Previous to this attraction there was another canoe ride known as the Indian War Canoes.  They had an Indian guide who escorted the guest paddlers.  However, the original Indian Village was removed to make way for Critter Country.   The canoe ride gives the guest a leisurely journey along the Rivers of America.  The pin is pivoted in the center so it shows the name and gives you a graphic of the attraction.  

In 1972, the best nighttime parade at Disneyland or maybe anywhere was instituted, the Main Street Electrical Parade.  I have had so many memories of this parade.  In fact, it got me back into Disney Parades.  Where in previous years, I would never wait for a parade.  If I caught a parade, I just walked up and stood behind those seated on the curb.  This often worked if I was taking pictures.  There were some trips when I went to Disneyland just for the Main Street Electrical Parade.  It was like a Clark Griswald Christmas light display every time it was presented.  

I can still hear the infectious music

Walt Disney was lost to us way too early.  He accomplished so much in his lifetime.  Starting with synchronizing animation and sound, full length animated movies using a multi plane filming process, and the invention of the theme park.  Disneyland was a total commitment of vision and money.  The story was held in the Main Street Opera House.  Moments with Mr. Lincoln was removed which caused controversy.  There was a static display of Walt's office.  There was a drawing table and other historic items.  The quill pens from this display figured in the solution of one of mine and my daughter's favorite books.  No, none of the Harry Potter books but Kingdom Keepers, Disney After Dark by Ridley Pearson.  

Solve the Riddle of the Stonecutters Quill

When Disneyland opened in 1955, they had a Rocket to the Moon ride in Tomorrowland.  But by 1969, the United States space program actually put men on the Moon.  The future caught up and passed tomorrowland.  It became necessary to renovate the Moon ride and point it to a new location.  That location has been the object of our collective imagination for eons, Mars.  Mission to Mars added a Audioanimatronic characters that "manned" a Mission Control.  The actual attraction was more dynamic then the previous Lunar flight.  There was more G force apparent. Also they introduced the concept of "Hyper Space" a region beyond regular space that if entered allowed the craft to travel greater distances faster.  Every Sci Fi movie since has had some form of hyper space.  

Jump into Hyper Space

In the next ten years of Magical Milestones, we will celebrate the 25th Anniversary and many more changes to Disneyland.  Also the most important date for my family July 4, 1976, the Bicentennial.  Watch for our return to the Magical Milestones soon.  Until then make your own Disney memory milestone.

Look Out Disney California Here We Come

The Countdown Has Started

A new point of entry

Tomorrow June 15, 2012 the makeover of the old California Adventure will be open to the public.  The rethemeing of the park and the addition of Cars Land will be an exciting time.  No one will be thinking back to that first opening day on February 8, 2001.  Everyone will be looking at all the shiny new aspects of the park.  However, if you are going there this weekend, I would like to show you some of the things you won't see.  These sights have disappeared.  Some will not be missed but some will. So as you walk through these gates remember the the tings that went before.

As we look in retrospect, we find that some things lived side by side.  The California landmark roundup included a stylized replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.  The element served as a bridge for the Disneyland Monorail which serves as a transportation mode to shuttle to and from the Disneyland Hotel.  Therefore, last summer when the new DCA was literally unwrapped behind it the Golden Gate Bridge still stood.  I remember sitting under it last July for the shade on a warm afternoon.

Two competing dreams

The bridge was a big part of the entrance.  The area in front of the turnstiles of DCA and Disneyland is called the Esplanade.  As you approached the old California Adventure there were a series of large letters that spelled C-A-L-I-F-O-R-N-I-A.  They were great for  photos.  I always had my son stand by the A because his name starts with the letter A and my daughter by the letter C.  You guessed it her name starts with C.  Also the letters changed for the Christmas holiday.  

Give me an A

Not just an F but the World's Largest Tile Mural

No that's not my son 

The bridge itself served for Christmas decorations. 

Wow! A large crowd by old DCA standards

Oh By Gosh By Golly, It's Time For Mistletoe and Holly

Don't Forget to unplug the lights, Honey

When you crossed under the bridge, you entered Sunshine Plaza.  This was an area filled with places to stop and shop.  This was strategic for picking up those souvenirs before leaving.  Most people just rushed by these shops.  When I wasn't on a diet, the candy counter was Heaven.  There were shops to appeal to every age.  There was a toy store where kids could plead, whine, and promise anything if they could have that toy or game.  Moms, dads and grandparents gleefully purchasing those items to see the wonder in their children's eyes.  There was an emporium type store that sold shirts, key chains, and other California Adventure items.  I'm sure you'll still be able buy these items, but those shops are gone.

Fill that Mr. Potato Head with his angry eyes

Nonna can we have those toys?

Get me to the Candy Counter for some English Toffee

The largest postcard

Then you would walk across the plaza and take in the wave fountain that gave Sunshine Plaza its name.  The songs about California wafting in the air.  Songs like the Four Preps 26 Miles about Santa Catalina, Scott McKenzie's If You Are Going to San Fransisco, or the Beach Boys' California Girls.  Then, before you was the large metal Sun sculpture over the fountain.  Let's face it, we Californians are proud of our sunny days.

In the words of Randy Newman, "I Love LA (We Love It)

Restaurants will be gone.  Yes they have added a new Club 33 member only restaurant called "1901".  However, many non la dee da restaurants are gone. Yes, they have replaced some but if you were looking for that place you once ate, it will be gone.  

The first to go

Don't remind us of your corporate synergy

My favorite place to eat

How can you miss with this much fried food

Grab a couple burritos and ride California Screamin'

There's always pizza

I still miss the fries

Some places will still be there however some will have undergone cosmetic changes.  Restaurants, entire areas, and attractions will have had a make over.  The is especially true for the San Fransisco area.  The Palace of Fine Arts morphed into Ariel's Adventure.  The California Immigrant Mural too was removed for the Little Mermaid.  On Paradise Pier, the Orange Stinger has become the Silly Symphony attraction.  The poor Muscle Beach shout out, the Maliboomer is only a foundation.  The Bell X-1 breaking though the front wall of Taste Pilots Grill will have flown off. 

I still think eveyone should see the 22 minute movie 

Now the Palace of Lost Arts

Orange Stinger and the Maliboomer

Chuck Yeager is frowning

There are things that will not be missed.  When is a White Elephant a gigantic Pink Dinosaur?  Well it was the ugliest gaudy result of Group Think.  Trying to out do the tackiest roadside Route 66 curio shop, the Sunglass Shack. When they tore that one down they should have raffled off ten wackes with an 8lb sledge hammer to anyone who wanted to see that thing razed.  The money could have gone to charity.

Grab the hammer and give it 40 wackes

Luckily, Route 66 has been portrayed elegantly in the movie Cars.  Now, Cars Land will be open and we will all celebrate the newest additions but let's not forget that whenever we gain something we lose something.  But memories and photos are not lost. 

Cars Land is Waiting for us Just Behind this Wall

We will welcome the Disney Universe Cars Land.  We long to get to know you better. So let's go explore this new land together, let me know what you think.

Time Machine Fourteen

When Is the Middle of Nowhere?

I thought of trying a modification to the old time machine.  It has worked really well taking us to many different places this year at different times in the last seventy years.  The time machine has been working on the concept of worm hole and Einstein's concept of time dilation.  Einstein was responsible for these and other advances in science because he utilized a concept of "thought experiments."  I know it is dangerous but I have been thinking lately too. I have been thinking of interdimensionality.  There are physicists now who feel the electrons move to other dimensions.  My thought experiment involves the idea of moving first into an alternative dimension and then slipping back into our dimension and an earlier time.  Michio Kaku once said of multiple universes that any decision you make splits off on a new timeline in an alternative Universe.  I decided that my decision for my new time line is for a timeline that is at a different period of a similar history.  Complicated I know.
   For my first try doing this I am hoping to take you all to the middle of nowhere.  This spot has been the middle of nowhere since the 1800's.

Next stop the Williamette River Valley

In our history, we had Trail Blazers like Lewis and Clark.  People who ventured in to the unknown to collect information of our American West.  Then following them were Pathfinders who sought to find better routes. In 1812, Robert Stuart and other companions found a South Pass, an easier route to Oregon, Utah, and California.  After that came the Pioneers, these people packed everything they owned into a wagon and headed out on those trails to put down roots in a new land, to manually sieze the wildernees and make it a home.  In 1843, South Pass was widely publizied in the Eastern United States.  This started an emmigration to the land in Oregon.  In 1846, a treaty gave the Oregon to the US and more people started every spring for their new homes.  In 1848, GOLD was discovered in California and the South Pass got heavy use.  It was 2000 miles from Missouri to Oregon.  There were many landmarks, Chiminey Rock, Indepedence Rock, Register Cliff, and Fort Laramie.

The real mark was how they changed their lives.

Whose feet trod this path?

So many pioneers and their families traveled this route that their wagon's wheel mark still scar the landscape.  They would travel from dawn to dusk.  For the women it was before dawn to prepare meals to after sunset to cook again.  Wagons were for transporting good and many of the emmigrants walked the 2000 miles. Today, we see graffiti and tagging, writing ones name, on everything.  Looking back humans have always expresssed themselves in some manner.  I'm sure that some ancient elder didn't yell, "Quit drawing those pictures on the cave wall."  Cave drawing like those in Lascux, France are revered historic sites.  Every continent had red ochre paintings like the impression of hands made by the Aboriginies in Australia.  In the America's native peoples made petroglyphs.  So it isn't surprising that when the emmigrants reached the soft sand cliffs three months into their six month journey they too might want to leave a record of their being there.

Add 160 years and it's not graffiti.

The medium is the message.

Who could resist adding your mark.

Register Cliff is one of these sites.  Travelers left their mark on the cliffs.  Names from the past have become an eyewitess to the historic journey of these people.

After so many months, you don't know your future. 

This was not an antiestablishment act.

Finding a space for you.

They were proud of where they came from.

Some traveled the route to deliver the U.S. Mail

These were actual people who lived before us.  Courageous souls who were determined to change their lives.  Some of these people may have descendants who still live in the West.
Now, we need to slip back through the bubble membrane from this dimension in the past to our own.  Seeing the mark that these people made on their time make me realize this is the mark I'm making on my time.  No matter how we travel to look at the past, the reward is the memory of it.  Come travel back with me again. See you soon.