Charles’ 
Slide of the Week: July 26th, 2008
Posing Proudly, Williamsburg, VA, 1964
This man is experiencing the proudest moment of his life!
And frankly, so am I! This week I’ve been on a whirlwind road trip extravaganza touring three of the greatest Americana destinations that up until now I’ve only dreamed of experiencing, Henry Ford’s Museum and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, Mi, Washington DC, and Colonial Williamsburg, VA.
At the Henry Ford Museum I stood oh-so-proudly in front of a beautifully restored 1952 Oscar Mayer Weiner mobile, then sat in the very seat in the very bus that Rosa Parks refused to move to the back of. I was moved to say the least. Next door at Greenfield Village I was transported back in time to a living museum / theme park of early 20th century small town life and style. It was like being in a dream or on the set of Hello Dolly! I had no idea that the village was dedicated in 1929.
Next was a too-quickie trip to Washington DC where I power-walked between the famous memorials and monuments that I’ve seen SO many slides of. They were all about a zillion times more impressive in person than I ever dreamed they would be. I was beyond giddy when I noticed that the fountain in front of the White House had turquoise dye in it – just like the kind they use at miniature golf courses. How perfect is that? But nothing prepared me for the grandeur of my new favorite building ever, the Capitol building. Frankly, I had NO idea it was going to be THAT shockingly spectacular. After all but a cavity search I was escorted in, down a long hall of the best murals I’ve ever seen, and then upstairs to the House of Representatives where they were arguing about what else? Oil.
From there it was off to Colonial Williamsburg, VA. Again, I’ve collected SO many slides of this living museum / theme park of Revolution era Americana but had NO idea that it was going to be a such a mind-bending time travel experience of the highest order. The restoration and recreation of Williamsburg began in the late 1920’s with most of the funding provided primarily by John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Reader’s Digest. Who Knew?
This intense triple dose of Americana has been a life altering experience to say the least. My imagination is inspired and my Americana spirit is soaring like it never has before!
Here’s to all things Henry Ford, turquoise dye in the White House fountain, colonial era Williamsburg and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
July 2008
9 Comments on “Posing Proudly, Williamsburg, VA, 1964”
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July 26th, 2008 at 4:28 pm
Maybe we shouldn’t toast “all” things Henry Ford since he was a notorious anti-semite.
July 26th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
Ok. Maybe he was inspired by Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove which came out that same year. I want to photoshop him a hat.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
“Ain’t nothing like the REAL THING (BA-BYYY)!”
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrel: 1968
In this jaded nation of “seen-it-all bores” (”Hurry! Hurry! GO! - Hurry! Hurry! SEE! - Hurry! Hurry! LEAVE!!!” toil, & MISSION DRIVEN, obsessive/compulsives, THAT “COME TO SEE - BUT NEVER COME TO KNOW”: quoted from Kinky Friedman’s “Wild Man From Borneo”, 70’s album “They Ain’t a Making Jews Like Jesus Anymore” - “Kinky’s innocent & amusing morality story/song has now been deemed Politically Incorrect in today’s Everybody’s Offended & In a Demanding an Apology RAGE… OR ELSE!!! Umm. Who are the real bad guys there eh?).
Anywhooo. Yes Charles. Ain’t nothing like really SEEING IT, UP CLOSE AND… IN PERSON!
It’s a refreshing pleasure to read someone like Charles Phoenix actually showing some genuine enthusiasm for SOMETHING OTHER THAN PAPARAZZI PICS OF THE NOW VERY IRRITATED BRADJOLLI.
July 26th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
I agree with Jean. Henry Ford was a big-time anti-semite.
July 27th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Priceless.
I still wish you would come back to Panama City.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:48 am
Great reading. An instant classic! What a great trip, too.
July 28th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Is that an early version of “natural male enhancement?” Smiling Bob would be jealous!
July 28th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Traveling thru DC & VA how marvoulous isn’t it.
Happy Traveling.
We miss it.
Lv, Dar & Rose
July 28th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Are you sitting on a cannon or are you just happy to see me? Great slide. Keep ‘em coming.