Mozumdar Temple

 

"Mozumdar Temple " - That's what was on the slide, and it was obvious that was in, or near, India.

But it isn't. This, surprisingly, is in California, and it still exists. Mozumdar Temple . Google Streetview

Bonus - 

A Glimpse of the 23rd Century

It looks like a miniature set for a science fiction movie, but it's probably just a high class, high rise hotel with impressive elevators.

In fact, I think it's the Hyatt Hotel in San Francisco.

Bonus - The British Navy Resisted a Decent Lightning Rod for Decades
 

In The High Sierra

 

Unsurprisingly, there's no info on this slide, other than a Feb 1979 processing date. But, it looks hot n high to me.

The dreaded AI suggests "The image features Washingtonia filifera, commonly known as the California fan palm or desert fan palm, with snow-capped mountains in the background. "

Which is amazing, because I went to university with a guy called Washington Filifer. I wonder if they're related?

Bonus -  

Opening Weekend for the NFL 2025

 

So, I thought this slide would be slightly appropriate.

Obviously, this is not a NFL Team's home pitch...it looks like a High School or Collage. But where?

Looking closely, I saw that the band had a "Sequoia ", which immediately made me think of the College of the Sequoias. But nope, the city in the background is clearly built in the hills, whereas Visalia is built on the flat.

But then, in a dream, a Patagonian Toothfish with the face of JD Vance told me to search for Kezar Stadium, and ...lo and behold, this image from 1950.

So, that led to this website .. and I'm certain it's a match. 

And it was the first home of the 49ers and the Raiders!

Bonus :  Nah.  I'm hungry.

Not So Golden Gate Bridge

 

Yes, this is a companion piece to this previously posted slide.

Probably the result of sever under-exposure, but I do like this image of The Golden Gate Bridge..

Bonus Crouching Tiger...

12th East Grinstead Scout Troop - Scout Hut.

 

Of course it isn't.

But, there was nothing on the slide to indicate where this was (or when).

I'm not dissuaded by that, and with some digging around, I'd say that this is the War Memorial Opera House, in San Francisco. Probable from this exact point.

Bonus -  Nope. Not going to explain.

Is it Picnic Season Yet?

 

Nope. Not here in chilly Derbyshire.

But, this slide from California, late summer 1959 shows Mrs Bushman preparing an outdoor spread for the Bushman family.  Nice to see an appearance from some Tupperware containers at this vintage time.

Bonus - 

Graduation - City of South Gate

 

After checking my bulging sack (doctor's orders) I found that I had very nearly one letter asking for more 1963 Rose Parade float slides.

And thus, here's another one.  From the City of South Gate, which rather ironic as it became known as the "Azalea City" when it adopted the flower as its symbol in 1965. Maybe it was a bad experience with this Rose Parade that led to that change of flower.

It's also the home of Cypress Hill, the Rap Group. Where do these botanical connections stop?

Bonus - 

74th Tournament of the Roses (1963)

 

I've a whole box of slides for this parade, complete with descriptions of the slides. 

Well, descriptions of all slides...except this one.... but it's fairly self-explanatory. 1963, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Parades, crowds, etc.

If that's whetted your appetite, Youtube

Bonus - January the second is traditionally teh date I read about Social structure of frog-eating bats.

Bonus 2 - Syphilis has a complex linguistic history. Even as the English used to call it the French disease, the French called it the Neapolitan one. The Russians called it Polish, the Poles called it German, the Germans called it French and the Danish called it Spanish.

Parade outside Verne Orr Motors

 

A little break from the Christmas-y slides, tho' still seems seasonal.

American do love a parade, and I suspect this is another New Years Day parade.

Some googling suggest that this is Verne Orr Motors in Pasadena, California, and the window display suggests that this is from late 1952 or early 1953.  Verne Orr later went on to be Ronald Reagan's Secretary of the Air Force.  Verne may be disgusted to know that the showroom now is home to Jaguar cars.  Damned Furriners.

Bonus - ‘Ghost Signs’ Haunt London’s Reviving Neighborhoods

The AH Louis Store

 

So, I was thinking "why would someone photograph such an average little store?"

It turns out that AH Louis is a bit of a big deal in the Chinese Californian community. In fact, AH Louis has his own Wiki page.

Bonus : MI6 successfully hacked an al-Qaeda newsletter, and replaced bomb-making instructions with a recipe for cupcakes

A Different View...

I like this sort of slide.

At first glance, it's going to be a tricky slide location to locate. The palm tree suggests Caribbean climate, but the building has a certain well-cared-for solidity.

The you notice the background and ... DOH!

Bonus - R.I.P. Ronald Hardwood

Picnic at Antelope Valley

This lockdown means that I have fewer excuses to avoid looking out the old scanner, and scanning some more of the backlog of slides. If I do 100 per day, then... gulp.

This slide, in a large box-full, with a posting date of June 2011, is labelled "Antelope Valley 4-16-83", so the blog title seems appropriate.

Today I learned that Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve State Natural Reserve exists, and yes, does seem to be the location of this slide.

Corona Bonus - The surprisingly interesting story of the N95 face mask, which has featured in many many images from the current pandemic.

Bonus History - Spanish Flu, 1918. Family Portrait with Cat

20022020

I suspect that this is in Yosemite, and possibly within sight of Half Dome, so why would anyone photograph this ?

The world is weird.

Bonus -

It's That Bridge Again

Possibly the most famous bridge in the world.
Possibly the most photographed bridge in the world.
..and yet, this photographer has managed to do something a little different with this shot. (Or maybe just under-exposed it by accident.)

Bonus - You couldn't make it up.  Donald Trump Obsessed With Badgers.

Big Tree Country

A blurred, poorly-focused image, I'm afraid.

Which is a pity, because this could be an awesome image.

I'm guessing that this is taken in Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park, but maybe our American viewers could comment.

But... Man !    Those trees !

Bonus - Hmmmm


via Gfycat

Alcatraz Island

I thought it looked familiar, and then it clicked.


Bonus - Britain has invaded all but 22 countries.

Bonus 2 - That fact is rather debatable.

Lions Drag Strip

So evocative of the age.

Lions Drag Strip  was a US raceway in the Wilmington district of Los Angeles, California adjacent to Long Beach that existed from 1955 to 1972. The track was named after its sponsors Lions Clubs International and featured many races that were sanctioned by the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA).

More Pics

Bonus -

Meanwhile in Santa Barbara...

Nothing is Happening.



Bonus - Knifemaker Restore Antique Cleaver

Power of Nature

Just happened upon this slide, and immediately thought "I should know that event."


Some quick Googling, and I think is Cypress Street Viaduct, damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

Bonus - The look that says "I have made some poor choices in my life."