Crashing the Big Parade

Tomorrow is the big Days of ’47 celebration in Salt Lake City.  The State holiday commenorates the 1847 arrival of the Mormon pioneers into the Great Salt Lake Valley.  The holiday features the Days of ’47 parade, one of the oldest and largest in the U.S.

I’m reminded of the year my family and I “crashed” the parade.  I was working in the mid ‘90s as a radio tech for the Utah Transit Authority.  Our shop was part of a larger maintenance facility, as a result I knew many of the mechanics who I knew were restoring an old bus from 1950’s.  The mechanics put a lot of work into this restoration, although the color was not the most attractive.  Anyway, one day Dave, leader of the restoration, mentioned to me that they were entering the bus into the vintage vehicle category of that year’s parade, and invited me and the family to join the crew riding the bus in the parade.

Early in the morning of the parade, we went down to where all entries were queueing up for the parade,  We hopped on board with the other mechanics and their families for a fun day driving the parade route.  Soon we were rolling as part of the parade entries until we came to the actual start point, that year at South Temple and Main Street.  Here we were stopped by the control person…. He did not have the bus on his entry list!  Apparently the mechanics had failed to file the proper paperwork as an entry.

Well, since we were holding up the proceedings, the control person made one of the best and most expeditious decisions in history…

“Well, go on, then…”

So there we were, headed down Main Street as part of the big parade!  People were cheering and waving, we had the windows down and waving back…. Maybe even throwing out candy for the kids, I don’t remember for sure.  Older people were having nostalgic flashbacks to the ‘50s when bus transportation was essential.

About 10 blocks down the street, we encountered a stand where an announcer would describe the various entries to the spectators.  We heard:  “Here we have…. Oops, it’s not on my list…. Well, here we have a BIG GREEN BUS!  People cheered and waved even more!

So we had a great time, enjoying the parade and the spectators as parade participants rolling along to parade's end.  We had crashed the biggest party in the State!

Bukowski on Aging

So true!  Thanks R. Crumb...

 

Spring Road Trip

 Off to Palm Springs for the Film Noir Festival, I found that driving from Vegas through the Mohave was not only the most direct route, but also the most scenic and the most relaxing.  At one point the road connects with a section of the famous Route 66, to the Amboy junction.  Nearby is the Amboy Crater..

Then it's south to 29 Palms...  with a pit stop at the Rev. Willis Memorial Rest Stop #3...

A real trash heap as you walk around the graffitied rock.

One comes out of the Mohave into 29 Palms on Utah Street, which leads directly south across the highway into Joshua Tree National Park.  A couple routes through the park will eventually lead into Palm Springs.

The return trip, again through the Mohave, included a stop at the Kelso Junction "oasis".

Lots of history at this site...

And, since it was Spring, many plants were in bloom including this small tree.

Finally, leaving Las Vegas, actually Henderson, I often avoid the freeway by driving through Lake Mead National Monument.  Early I the morning, traffic is very light, the road is great, and the morning light provides a unique view of the park's scenery.  Here's a look back towards Vegas...

I keep finding alternative routes to avoid freeways.  Surprisingly, traffic is generally light and the trip becomes more relaxing than the constant hassles found on the Interstates.  

Cool Car Show

 Recently several low rider car clubs, along with other classic car fanatics, banded together for a Cinco de Mayo show on Main Street.  Some sweet rides, some great restorations, and some surprises as seen below.

A fine 40's Ford...

Some fine 50's Chevys...

And since a 57 Chevy is one of my favorite cars...

Some low rider hydraulics...

And the engine compartment.  Fully blown...

A classic hot rod...

Another hot rod... chopped and channeled....

A clean, stock restoration...

A nice Ford Fairline...  Check out the radio antenna...

A few more wonderful car creations...

A couple old trucks also got the restoration treatment...

Great paint job...

Before you get your driver's license, you get a bike...

And no car show would be complete without grilling up some eats...

A wonderful afternoon, and a look at another side of our great, diverse American culture.

Have a Monsterous Easter

 

Some Local Musicians

 Thought I'd post a few pics of local musicians from gigs I've attended in the last year or so...

Subconscious 3 at Caputo's

A trio at a local coffee shop (a former church)

Better Off With the Blues at Mary Amanda's house concert

UofU Professors at the Gallivan Center

Tully and Willis playing for the Alta Lodge Sunday brunch

Better Off With the Blues at Pat's BBQ

Dave and Esther's current trio at the Senior Center

John Flanders, Willis Clow, and others jam one Sunday afternoon

Museum Modern

If you are ever in Palm Springs, CA, I highly recommend a visit to their art museum.  Great special exhibits as well as an extensive permanent collection.  They are also associated with the local mid century architecture.  In fact, the aluminaire house was moved to the museum property.

 Too many wonderful art works to show here, but I did like this "sculpture".

Again, try to visit the museum if you are ever in the area.