Jefferson Memorial - Washington DC

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Cherry Blossom Time

Washington, D.C.

The Japanese Cherry Blossoms around the Tidal Basin is considered the most beautiful Photographers' Paradise in the World.  Thousands of Visitors from every State in the Nation and Foreign Countries view this Nature's Magnificent Attraction each year.  The Festival is held around April 1st Annually.

A Beautiful Panorama View

Washington, D.C.

Showing the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Tidal Basin and the Washington Monument in the distance.

Cherry Blossom Time

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

Washington, D.C.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is located on the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park.  It is constructed of Danby Vermont marble for the exterior and Georgia white marble for its interior.  This Historic Shrine with its setting of Cherry Blossoms is one of the most beautiful sights in Springtime, and is visited by thousands each year.

Florida Keys

The Oldest House, a historical landmark located on Duval Street in Key West.

Fishing is Good at Indian Key Bridge, Overseas Highway - in the Florida Keys Between Miami and Key West, Florida.

Some of the Fish Caught Along the Overseas Highway

Florida Keys - Channel #2, Craig and Channel #5

The Smithsonian

Original Wright Brothers Aeroplane of 1903, U.S. National Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Slater Spinning Frame, 1790

Samuel Slater is considered the father of the American cotton industry because of his introduction of the Arkwright system of the cotton machines from England.  This 48-spindle machine is one of two of his original machines still in existence, both of which are exhibited in the Textile Hall, Arts and Industries Building, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

The "Spirit of St. Louis" the plane in which Charles A. Lindbergh made his famous solo trans-atlantic flight to Paris in 1927.  Exhibited in the Arts and Industries Building, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

Cypress Gardens April 1953

A slight diversion from the beaten path today.  Instead of postcards I have some vintage pictures from Cypress Gardens in April of 1953.  These photos come from the estate of the same woman from whom the bulk of my postcards originated.

Here Mary Belle Miller poses near some roses in the Gardens.

On the left a couple follows one of the many paths through the gardens after passing a "Southern Belle" posing on a bench.  Nearby a boatload of tourists are travelling up the canal.

This looks like it's right near the dock where one would board the boats that traversed the canals of the gardens.

A "Southern Belle" poses on the shore of Lake Eloise with the gardens namesake trees in the background.

The Smithsonian

Smithsonian Institution

Washington, D.C.

Following a bequest in 1829 by Jas. Smithson, an English scientist, this institution was founded "for the increase and diffustion of Knowledge among men".

The Smithsonian Institution Building, Washington, D.C. containing administrative offices of the Institution and several of its branches.

Arts And Industries Building, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. containing exhibits pertaining to arts and engineering, American history, and aeronautics.

Fantasyland Skyway Station, Magic Kingdom, Walt Disney World

Since the beautiful Swiss Chalet that was home to the Fantasyland terminus of the Skyway has recently come to the ruin at the hands of the wrecking ball (or equivalent) it seemed a good time to post this beauty which I purchased a couple of weeks ago. 

Skyway Over The Magic Kingdom

Soaring high over the Magic Kingdom, guests aboard the Skyway gain a spectacular panorama of Fantasyland, Tomorrowland, and beyond.

Florida Everglades

Florida's Everglades - Home of the Seminole Indians

The Seminoles are the survivors of the Indians who were here before the Europeans came.  They dress in brilliant garments consisting of a long skirt with short waist or jacket, decorated with silver and gold coins.

Florida - countless rare and gorgeous flowers, rare plants, tropical verdure, an array of spendor; glden fruit, the fragrance of orange blossoms, songs of mockingbird, the spindle-legged birds knee-deep in marshes, delicate waterlilies and life giving sunshine all year round.

Silver Springs

Glass bottom boats at world famous Florida's Silver Springs.

Kihei, Maui, Hawaii

Continuing the Polynesian theme, another postcard purchased at the Hukilau.

Maui Lu's tropical Longhouse Restaurant and dance floor.  Nightly Hawaiian entertainment.  All accommodations have lanais, refrigerators and coffee-makers.  80% have cooking facilities.  9 hole golf course, safe swimming beach and 30 acres of gardens...Kihei, Maui.

SOHIO Vacation Log

Today we are straying just a bit from the postcard format but still staying true to vintage and travel.  I've had this SOHIO (Standard Oil of Ohio) Vacation Log pamphlet for quite a few years and when I happened across it the other day I had to post some images from it as their retro greatness needs to be shared.  If the information I've found is correct, this has to be from 1962 or later as that's when this particular logo was adopted.

Front cover of the booklet.  Look at all those highways crisscrossing.  It just makes you want to travel.

This page included a list to go with this wonderfully simple pictures to check off before leaving on a trip.

This one is probably my favorite. 

The blobs of color make this one fun.

Hawaiian Village - Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

As I'm still feeling very tiki-ish after Hukilau last weekend, here is a postcard I picked up while there.

Hawaiian Village

U.S. 17, "The Ocean Hiway" at 39th Ave. N.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29577

"Enjoy your stay the Hawaiian Way"

Motel and Restaurant - All modern conveniences in a tropical setting - Free advanced reservations - All National Credit Cards horored.

Check out some other great postcards and images from the Hawaiian Village at Tiki Central Forums.

Paris, France

Maine

Casco Bay Trading Post, started as a one room log cabin in 1947, now is a large country store carrying a wide variety of items from Moccasins to Souvenirs.  Located on U.S. Route #1 at Freeport, Maine.  Just look for Chief Passamaquoddy.  Our 40' Big Indian is one of Maine's famous landmarks.

Bull Moose

The Moose is the largest of the deer family.  Standing about six feet at the shoulders, he is ine feet long and weighs up to 1,800 pounds.  Usually alone, he prefers marshes and shores where his favorite food, water plants, grows.

Nickname -  Pine Tree State

Area in square miles - 33,040

Entered the Union - March 15, 1820

Pennsylvania Dutch Country

Greetings - From "The Amish Country"

A group of AMISH children in Sunday dress.  The Amish are a Religious Sect of people who have retained most of their forefathers' original customs and make their living solely by farming; without the use, or aid, of modern conveniences.

Greetings From The "Pennsylvania Dutch Country"

AMISH women serve refreshments outside after church meeting on Sunday.  The AMISH are a religious sect of farmers who seek to detach themselves from the "world" and technological progress in order to practice the virtues of humility, holiness and hard work.

Greetings From The "Pennsylvania Dutch Country"

Closeup of AMISH mother and daughter dressed in their Sunday "best."  The AMISH are a religious sect of farmers who seek to detach themselves from the "world" and technological progress in order to practice the virtues of humility, holiness and hard work.

Fontana Village Resort, North Carolina

Fontana Lake, Western North Carolina

Fontana Lake, created by the building of TVA's Fontana Dam, extends 30 miles into the Great Smoky Mountains.  This deep water lake offers excellent boating and fishing (bass, bream, crappie, and trout from tributary streams) and is a rendezvous for sight-seers visiting near-by Fontana Village Resort, Western North Carolina.

Fontana Dam and Fontana Village

North Carolina

This famous TVA dam is the highest in Eastern America and forms a lake surrounded by the most magnificent scenery in America.

Fontana Villge Resort

Fontana Dam, North Carolina

In the southern edge of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, trail riders of the wilderness pause on the high elevation of the old Appalachian Trail (world's longest foot path, extending from Maine to Georgia), to look down on Fontana Dam (background), largest in the Tennessee Valley Authority chain, largest in the East, and the little town of Fontana Village nestled in the valley below.

More than 1,000,000 people, representing every state and more than 50 foreign countries visit Fontana Dam annually.

Inscription inside the lobby of the Power House at the base of the dam reads: "BUILT FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 1942-1945."

Fall colors at Fontana Village Resort

Fontana Dam, North Carolina

On Highway N.C. 28, in the heart of a vast wilderness area between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala National Forest.  300 cottages - 56 room lodge - complete resort facilities.

Key West, Florida

Conch Tour Train at the southernmost point in Key West, Florida.

Entrance to the Turtle Kraals, a unique marine attraction in Key West featuring the giant sea turtles.  It is the only one of its kind in the United States.

Aerial view of Key West Naval Station Fort Taylor

Fort Taylor, Truman Beach

U.S. Sonar School, Naval Annex

Stony Creek, Virginia

Greetings from Stony Creek, Va.

The Kind We Grow Here

Miami, Florida

What Florida City Am I In?

Eastern Garden Aquarium

On U.S. Highway #1

Five Miles from South Miami

The world's largest display of tropical fish on exhibition in a modern building 250 feet long.  Gorgeous tropicals from the jungle streams of the world are shown in "underwater landscaped gardens," tanks of rare beauty.  See thousands of baby fish emerging from eggs; mated pairs caring for their young.  A sight worth coming miles to see.

Cassowary at Crandon Park Zoo

Tropical wonderland is Crandon Park Zoo on Key Biscayne, Florida, only a few minutes drive from downtown Miami across Biscayne Bay.  Close to one million visitors annually enjoy this modern zoological garden operated by Metro Dade County Park & Recreation Department.  It has 800 specimens, a novel children's zoo and is open 365 days of the year.

Washington Monument - Washington DC

Rainbow Fountain and Washington Monument, Washington, D.C.

A stupendous shaft of granite, 555 feet high.  It is 55 feet square at the base, 34 at the top, and terminates in a pyramid of pure aluminum.  The cornerstone was laid in 1848 but with the coming of the Civil War, work was discontinued, and it was not until 1885 that the monument was completed.  there is a winding staircase of 900 steps to the top, also an elevator which makes the trip every half hour.

Fontana Dam, North Carolina

View of Fontana Dam and the Observation Building.  It is the highest Dam in Eastern America rising 400 feet above bedrock.  Nearly 3,000,000 cubic yards of concrete were used to complete the structure.  For the benefit of visitors a strategically placed Observation Building has been built where refreshments and souvenirs may be obtained.  It is located 2 miles from Fontana Village Resort.

Night view of Fontana Dam, North Carolina View of Fontana Dam and the Observation Building. It is the highest Dam in Eastern America rising 400 feet above bedrock. Nearly 3,000,000 cubic yards of concrete were used to complete the structure. For the benefit of visitors a strategically placed Observation Building has been built where refreshments and souvenirs may be obtained. It is located 2 miles from Fontana Village Resort.

Fontana Dam and Powerhouse

Fontana Dam, as observed from the West Side Observation Point, was constructed in 1942-1945 and used almost 3,000,000 cubic yards of cement.  Fontana Dam is the highest dam (480 feet) in eastern America.