Pocatello, Idaho

The City of Pocatello, named after Chief Pocatello of the Shoshone tribe, was an important trading post, a stop on the Oregon Trail, and a gold-rush destination. Later, ranchers and farmers started settling there and it became a real town. It now has a population of over 54,000, but this brightly-colored linen card is from the 1940s when an entire phone number consisted of only 3 digits (671.)

Will Rogers Motel

Who is that man wearing a suit and tie by the pool? It looks like Clark Gable. I'm sure it isn't, but I wonder why he is all dressed up.

This card was sent in 1966 from the Will Rogers Motel in lovely Tulsa, Oklahoma. The message reads:

Sat Eve.

Dear Folks,

Arrived in Tulsa about 3:00. Visited the zoo + then the kids went swimming here. We are living in luxury for $10. There are two high Meth churches here. One has a $120,000 organ in it - the other is one of the 5 most beautiful churches in the U.S. Don't know which we will attend. Hope you are both O.K. 

Love Lois and Chas

More Motels For You

If you're still not sure where you might like to go this summer, here are a few more suggestions.
I recommend the Downtowner Motel in Memphis, Tennessee for the consistent and classic decorating scheme with warm hues carried throughout, and effective lighting and a appropriately-sized painting on the wall. Smokers will be glad to see that the room is well supplied with ashtrays. Sorry, no wi-fi.

The Floritona in Daytona Beach claims to be on the world's most famous beach, so why are people sunbathing in the grass with a view of the parking lot (even if they are nice cars)? I don't know, but it might be worth it for you to go there and find out.

These two motels, in Sharpsburg, North Carolina and Ashland, Virginia, seem similar enough to be interchangeable. It may just depend on whether you prefer yellow or pink bedspreads.

Here are the backs of the first two cards.

Your Next Vacation

Once again I am offering my assistance in planning your next vacation. I have selected some lovely motels for you as a starting point. The Motel Troy in Troy, Alabama is nice and it has some cute fake deer out front.

If you'd like to explore the Land of Lincoln, I suggest the Southern View Motel in Springfield, Illinois. I'm not sure what you'll see in that southern view, but there's plenty of parking.

As you head up north from Illinois, you may want to stay at Krueger's Motel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The motel manager, Freddy Krueger, seems very outgoing and energetic.

As you can see by the back of the first card, there are deals to be had. The card wasn't even mailed. I think it was just a note to remind the person what a good deal they got.

Stayed here Wed. nite July 25th 1962. $12 for the 6 of us. Supposed to be a 20 room.

Here are the backs of the other two cards:

Ho-Hum Motels

Five miles from beautiful Lake Champlain, where swimming, boating, and fishing are tops. Beautyrest beds and private showers. This is not the only Ho-Hum Motel. Here's another one in North Dakota.

Great Wall Architecture

Trying to be helpful, I suggested that the architect who steals my covers might want to emulate these fine examples. It seems he's a little stubborn and not open to new ideas.

Amazingly, the Great Wall is still standing.  It looks much the same in the street view, but it was closed in 2010.  Here's a link to the street view and to a photo on Flickr with commentary on the restaurant.

I think it's fair to say that the Sands is in a separate category from the other two. I'm adding some extra information, inspired by Howard's question in the comments below.
The Sands was designed by Architect Wayne McAllister and built in 1952.  In its heyday, it was the place to be.  It was the place where Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr.,  Joey Bishop, and Peter Lawford first appeared on stage together.  At one point,  the Sands was owned by Howard Hughes.  By 1996, despite the addition of a large tower, it had lost its appeal and was imploded and demolished.  The Venetian was built in the same location after the Sands was demolished. It looks like this now. Makes the Sands look kind of quaint in comparison.

View Larger Map

Here are the backs of these cards, in case you want to go see them in person.

 

 

Planning Your Summer Vacation

It's never too early, and these motor courts do get booked up, so make your reservations now.  These three places are all in South Carolina.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order.

Diving Board Zombies

Several months ago I brought this menace to your attention.  I urge you to look at the post again if you didn't take it seriously the first time. The danger is much much more widespread than you may think. These "people" will do whatever it takes to block your access to diving boards - and that vacant stare of theirs makes it clear that they are not human. Be aware that they are particularly dangerous when they have their arms extended like this, because it means they are communicating with the mother ship.

Do yourself a favor, and keep your children and pets far away from these zombies. Remember, normal people have no reason to  loiter on diving boards.

Note the extended arms with the beach-ball satellite communication device. Those people around her have no idea that they're in grave danger.

Diving Board Follies

Before a federal law was enacted some decades ago, people would wantonly lie or sit on diving boards, preventing others from practicing their diving skills or enjoying a refreshing splash in the water. Thankfully those days are gone and we can all enjoy free access to diving boards everywhere, since scofflaws will now see their swimming privileges revoked and may face time in the slammer.  O.K., not really, but there have been sillier laws. Did you believe it for a minute?

Anyway, here are some cards showing early perpetrators. Shocking, isn't it?  While the husband blocks access to the diving board, his wife attempts to prevent another hapless swimmer from climbing the ladder to get out of the pool. These people are a menace.

There's nothing children love more than swimming pools, but this poor child may be out of luck, under the threatening gaze of  Zelda and Dottie, both intent upon blocking her access to the pool.

Here are the backs of the cards in the same order:

Where You Could Be

Contemplating a Summer getaway? Here are some ideas:

We'll get those cows to mosey along and then we can take a dip in that pool.

Or, how about the Country Squire Motel in Knoxville, Tennessee? It has a putting green (not shown):

But this looks like the nicest swimming pool, and the scenery is terrific. It's the Harrison Hot Springs Hotel in British Columbia:

L. Bush stayed there in 1952 and had this to say:
 

Hi neighbor! Believe it or not I might be getting home the last of this week. Took a trip up into Canada with my family and we stayed here one night. Fine scenery.

Do you still have Hay's Dairy? You might have the driver leave a bottle of milk for me Friday. Have him charge it to me.

L. Bush.

Motel Topton - North Carolina

I feel like I've been here before. Maybe it was in the movie Motel Hell or Mountaintop Motel Massacre. In any case, I think I'd better head out before sunset.

Motel Roma

Monterrey, Mexico has average high temperatures near 100 degrees Fahrenheit for six months out of the year. It's hard to imagine that the window air conditioners could compete with the reflective heat from the surrounding sea of concrete. At least there's a nice little shade tree by the pool. If you wanted to book a room here though, you're probably out of luck; the Roma Motel doesn't appear to be open anymore.

Hal Orr's - Rocky Mount, N.C.

I can't help it; I like it. I don't care if they don't have free wifi.