Before & After

I’ve been browsing my way through the films at Archive.org. The above film is essentially identical to the one I posted on Sunday, but taken roughly a year later after the devastating 1906 earthquake & fire that almost destroyed San Francisco. In this view rubble, and smoke still dominate the scenery. It is eerie to see when compared to the “before” footage.

Look for more links to their content soon, as I’m finding their archives amazing.

Car Photo of the Day: A Classic

Not much to say about this bit o’ fin. Instantly recognizable, and considered desirable by many (though not this author, oddly.) But, when I do see one I have to pause and consider how the mighty have fallen. Will people in the middle of this century pine for a 2009 Malibu the same way they desire a ’57 Bel-Air? Somehow I doubt it. Detroit lost the plot a long time ago. A fat lady is likely warming up in the wings of the RenCen as we speak. Lutz already bailed with his golden parachute. I’m shocked that Rick Waggoner still has a job to be honest.

Road Photo of the Day: Blue Highway

As useful as General Eisenhower’s Autobahns Interstates are for getting somewhere swiftly, I actually much prefer smaller US and State highways. You’ll note that none of my RPotD images have been shot on an Interstate. That is because Interstates are, from the driver’s perspective, rather dull. Unless of course you want to drive at Autobahn speeds, at which point they redeem themselves. Unfortunately the local constabulary in the vast majority of jurisdictions here in the ironically called “home of the free” won’t allow us to travel at autobahn speeds on US Interstate freeways. Ha! “Freeways” … another bit of ironic terminology! But I digress.

When traveling, with travel itself being the object, two-lane roads are much preferable. They go through towns, often being the main street of said small towns here in the western US. You can stop and have a look around, or just roll through slowly and get a sense of the character of place. (Ironically, my hometown of Arlington, Washington is an exception to this rule, as both SR 9 and SR 530 have been rebuilt in the last 25 years to bypass the heart of town.) But once out of town they follow routes that have been established by history and human convention: river valleys, high passes, and railroad rights-of-way. Places filled with history, forgotten or fondly recalled. Places where time is marked, or lost. Places less travelled.

When wanderlust comes upon me I often peruse road atlases I find my eye drawn to thin lines that squiggle, rather fat ones with blue & red shields super-imposed. Sure, it will take me longer to get where I’m going, but I’ll say that despite what the speedometer often says, I’m rarely in a hurry.

This image was taken somewhere in either western Montana or south-eastern British Columbia. Can anyone name the car up ahead?

Road Photo of the Day: Mad Dog, this could be you. (Vanishing Point, part 4)

This scene is in Montana, but I know that John “Mad Dog” Morrow’s E-type is almost done with its restoration and will soon be delivered from San Diego to Seattle. Not quite Denver to San Francisco, but a worthy road trip nonetheless. Lots of great roads to choose from.

Car Photo of the Day: Spring?

Jerome, my friend in New Zealand says “Summer now officially over here so it must be slowly edging its way back
over your way.” I haven’t seen much evidence of that fact yet. It even snowed here late last week. The Rains have returned, which means it is snowing like mad up in the mountains. This is a good thing as our snowpack is very low this year. The only sign that Spring is coming are longer days, but I’ll keep an eye out for others.

I found this photo while searching for “Road Photo of the Day” … it was taken on July 20th last year near Artist Point at the far end of SR 542. As you can see winter prefers to cling to this region for a while.

A look back in time, 104 years.

This is a movie, taken in 1905, and I found it via a mention on the Jag-Lovers.org E-type mailing list. I’m not a huge follower of brass-era cars, but this movie is fascinating in so many ways. First of all, it is a moving record of pre-1906 Earthquake/Fire that destroyed much of San Francisco. Second it shows that boys will be boys, no matter what the era! Additionally it allows us a glimpse back 100+ years to see that:

  • Most cars, and the horse-drawn vehicles, are Right Hand Drive, despite the drive-on-right convention
  • The variety of vehicles, and motive power is amazing! Horse-drawn carts, wagons, buggies, trolleys, etc. Cable cars. Steam, electric, and petroleum powered cars.
  • There seems to be no effort at traffic control. Given that just about everything is moving at a walking pace though, I can see the reasons why. Other than mass, all objects are equal.
  • As a result of the above, this could be Dehli, or Sao Paulo today!
  • Market Street hasn’t changed that much. 😉

Found via Archive.org.