-All Photographs by Kevin Parson
As I mentioned last month, I want to share the photographs I took of this city while I was on vacation.
I have visited Americus, Georgia a few times before, and it is a beautiful downtown. I have never been able to photograph it well because of weather conditions, and this time was no exception. The weather works against me sometimes.
This day, the sky was overcast, and lighting was terrible. Since I have no plans the ever return, I took all the photographs I could anyway.
I appologize for the overall low quality.
The centerpiece of Downtown Americus is the Windsor Hotel, now operated by Best Western. This five story structure is an absolute spectacle of Victorian design. It was built in the 1890s.
This downtown blocks looks like it jumped right out of a Design Preservation Models catalogue. I can't imagine a more American looking scene.
This building looks concrete in this photo, but it is actually painted brick. I am very fond of the layout of the nine windows along the front with the center three having tall arches and round windows above.
This is the main Americus Munincipal Building. The tower above it is actually a building on the next block over. The three red entry doors/windows are a dominant feature with the arched windows above them.
The brickwork on the corners is astounding, but it does not show up very well in this photograph.
Wow. I think this corner retail store is just gorgeous. Look at all the decorative embelishments above the upper windows, and look at how big those second story windows are. I think the first floor walls are painted a little too light, but the striped awnings make it all look good.
I find this building on a slope very interesting. It did not show up well, but there is some very cmplicated masonry work abouve the arched entry doors. The completely different doors and windows on each side is an interesting feature.
This castle-like corner structure is located directly behind the Windsor Hotel. I love the laurel wreath surrounding the round window above the entry door. Look at all those chimneys on the roof. Those large arched windows on the second floor are incredible.
To my eye, this building looks like it would be at home in New Orleans. It is under restoration and a lot of workers were going in and out of it while I was there.
This is one building that was painted to look like three. Again, more of those big arched windows on the second floor. I don't recall seeing any HO scale structure kits with this feature, but it sure looks handsome to me.
The big blocks on all the corners and segments that flare out toward the roof are another nice feature.
This building, the "Byne Block" is simply perfection. A more American Classic is hard to imagine.
I think this little gray building is very interesting. Looking at the side of the building to the right, it looks like there was a second story on this building originally.
If it is a practice to occassionally make a two story building into a single story during remodel, that would be a neat feature to add to a city scene.
This is amazing. The little building on the left looks like it was assembled from leftover bits from the scrap box. Nothing about this building looks on-purpose, but somehow it just looks right.
The paint on the building to the right, yellow, gray, green, and cream is an intersting choice, and it does not look that bad. However, I'll bet it would be impossible to paint a model structure like that and have it look less-than-silly.
The enclosed staircase between the two buildings is another interesting feature.
The staircase on the other side of the building has not been enclosed.
This block is another one I think would be hard to model convincingly. These three buildings have entirely different styles, but somehow make a very pleasing scene.
Back again to more of those large acrhed windows on the top floor. Look at the brick work around these arched windows. The block front with the column on the corner compliments nicely with the three stories above it.
All the brickwork is bold with a lot of depth.
Here we have another intersting collection of colors to paint a classic brick building.
Again, lots of complicated masonry work and different textures all in a single buiding. Look at all of that detail above the center entryway to the second floor.
This building definitely needs some new awnings.
I found the take on the arched windows on this building very well executed. The upper floors have sets of three windows that combine to form kind of an arch. This is another feature I would love to see on an HO scale model kit.
And finally, this masterpiece. The round windows above the arched windows all along the front are wonderful.
Look at all of those corbels. Look at the large blocks on the corners. Look at the brickwork around the window openiings. All the details on this structure are in nearly perfect harmony with one another.
Thanks for reading this far. I hope this was not a waste of time.
I have photographed lots of downtown areas all around the USA, and I have never found anything like Americus.
Most of the buildings seem to be in original design. A few updates are here and there, but nothing major.
A lot of classic downtowns are getting rebuilt with new construction that mimics the old (Ybor City), and I do not like that look. In reality, that same thing will probably happen to Americus. I am glad I photographed it when I did.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
Good morning from the beautiful, sunny West Coast where it will be 12c today.
The fuel filter bowl in my truck started leaking and needs a rebuild on the seals. I have a kit but just don't feel like doing the work so I will run the truck over to Ford later. I will get them to put a new starter in as well as the one in there is acting up. The truck is 23 years old and it is the original so it is about time those two things required attention. Both jobs are pretty straight forward but my body does not like the calisthenics required to do the work and at my age, I can afford to pay Ford to do it so why strain myself? Being a nice day I will dress in a couple of light layers and run/walk home. Google maps say it is 9.1 miles if I take the trails through the farms and should take about 21/2 hours at my 66-year-old speed. Warp speed may be offline but my impulse power always gets me home.
I will have a feed of eggs..... and hop on the Deere for the first time this year.
We are still waiting for the MIL to pass, so the wife will be at the Hospital today for a while. Plans may change if that happens.
Time for another cuppa, guitar and then on with the day.
All the best to all.
Can't wait to get to my favourite part of the world.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
hon30critterThe incredible detail offered in many brass cars and locomotives amazes me! My brass collection is very limited, but if I had the money, it would be nice to have a string of these toodling around the layout.
I have been collecting brass for about ten years. There are just two items remaining on my "Buy List", and I have not added a piece in almost a year.
26 pieces in my collection are revenue freight cars. More than steam and diesel locomotives combined. I know most people are into locomotives, but freight cars have always been the stars of my show.
These are some of my favorites.
20 of those 26 freight cars are either covered hopper cars or tank cars. Those are the resin kits I have the most trouble with.
Most of my unique boxcars are resin kits.
I do like unique looking freight cars.
Hi David, hoping the best for you and Dawn that you start feeling better soon.
Judy caught covid once, and I've had it twice. One time was worse than the other, but obviously mild cases as we got over it without any medical help. Unfortunately her sister wasn't that fortunate
What was worse is we both caught RSV. That crap is wicked, and younger people are usually hospitalized for it. One starts feeling better and it comes back and hits you again, like a ton of bricks.
We both had that for over two months, relapsing three or four times. In our cases, that illness was worse than when we tested positive for covid. Hopefully you two don't have that. Sounds like you both have had a tough haul.
Prayers and best wishes that you and Dawn recover soon.
John
-Photograph by Kevin Parson
Good morning everyone. It looks like another hot day here. Since January 1st we have set 30 high temperature records. This is definitely going to be the hottest Winter on record. The rising sea levels are making beach repairs more difficult after Hurricane Ian. We might get some cool air next week. They are once again predicting a "100 Year Drought", just like last year. We have only had one day of measureable rain since January 1st. We are several inches of rain below normal.
Styles? Coming Back?
I sure hope those bell bottom trousers never come back, unless you are a squid on an aircraft carrier, and anyway, even the Navy ditched those things.
This is what a cook looked like when I was in the Navy:
Today they are called cullinary Specialists
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
Good morning
Slept in like a rock this morning. Don't know what it was about last night, but just couldn't get to sleep for the life of me.
Was it a Full Moon or something?
Good old T-Rex snores like a Thunderstorm, as she says mine sounds like a Freight Train, so whoever gets to sleep first, Wins
Been doing jobs lately for the most part, quit doing almost 10 years ago. My last surgeon that fixed my knee correctly, said my ACL tendon looked like "Shredded Wheat", ( have a picture around here somewhere and it does) he told me to quit carrying sheet products, and to quit going up and down tall ladders, or I'm going to need a plastic knee the next time.
It's kinda cool, did you know surgeons pick their own Hardware? He showed me the screws he uses, as he thought me being a carpenter could appreciate them. The screws had over under threads, with a hole in the grommet under the hex head, and an inverted cup washer that locks the tendon into place.
I'm taking the morning off because I'm burnt out over here.
Speaking of burnt, that's how my Grandfather liked his steaks.
Looks good to me, got my mouth watering anyway. Have always liked a good slab of meat rare. Don't remember one like that on my plate though. Perhaps I'd like to try one like that sometime Colonel Sanders isn't the only one that could say "Finger Licking Good".
Heard a rumor that domesticated Lions only cook their meat in the winter time to warm their belly, in lieu of going outside to measure the depths of the snow
Thinking him waits till the heat cycle kicks in, and places his Prime Rib Wildebeest under the heat register or radiator for exactly one minute, flips for another minute, and it's fully cooked and ready to eat. You have to sear meat pretty quick to lock in the juices you know
Have a good hump day gentlemen
TF
York1John.
I thought Dawn was over the worst of her Covid, but it came back with a vengeance. Today is a little better for her. Myself, I have it on a more milder scale, so can look after her.
Dave.
Dawn's family were Senior Managers at Consett Iron Company. Many a story I have listened about it.
9F locomotives to Consett.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeOnudmiqzU&ab_channel=class40100
I had to buy some C.I.Co. wagons.
IMG_5112 by David Harrison, on Flickr
David
To the world you are someone. To someone you are the world
I cannot afford the luxury of a negative thought
NorthBritHot Metal Cars at Consett. A short film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rLO02rit7w&ab_channel=class40100
Hi David,
I am enthralled by the steel making process! The sheer size of things, the temperatures, the sparks, they all impress me totally! Thanks for the short video.
Cheers!!
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
Good morning, diners. Bacon, eggs, and black coffee, Brunhilda.
More snow is predicted for tonight, but nothing like you see in Lion's pictures. We should get four inches at the most.
I'm upset at myself -- I ruined one of my Peco turnouts. Today I'll try to see if I can repair it. I got into too much of a hurry trying to remove the spring.
David, I'm thinking of you and Dawn. I hope you are feeling OK.
Have a great day, everyone.
York1 John
Good morning Diners. Good to see the Diner was busy with TF back on form.
A coffee and cookie please, Zoe.
Monsters under the bed etc.
No. Never had them. Music is my love. Always has been. Music on the radio. Records playing. No matter what the music was during the day, be it rock, jazz, classical, whatever, in the evening the tempo is always turned down. A favourite as a little lad was 'So Tired' by Russ Morgan. I would ask grandma to play it before I went to bed. By the time the first line was sung I was asleep and grandma would carry me to bed.
Today, Dawn asks 'Alexa' to play 'Lullaby' by Andre Rieu. No monsters here.
U.F.O.s
Saw one in 1973. Not many believe me, but I did.
Nessie.
Been to Loch Ness a number of times, but not seen her. I like to think she is there though; just frightened of humans.
Great looking models.
Hot Metal Cars at Consett. A short film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rLO02rit7w&ab_channel=class40100
Speaking of unusual rolling stock, the incredible detail offered in many brass cars and locomotives amazes me! My brass collection is very limited, but if I had the money, it would be nice to have a string of these toodling around the layout. Amazing workmanship.
Of course you would have to have a few of these to go along with the cinder cars:
Then you'd have to have a whole steel mill.....
It never ends!
You know, it's getting so late and just can't sleep.
Was thinking about that monster under my bed or the one under yours, or in the closet while being a young adolescent. It was terrifying back then. There were the good memories and bad ones.
When Santa Claus fled from existence, the monsters weren't that bad. It was all that magical crap back then that we don't have anymore.
Some of us still hang on to our childhood, and carry on things we liked back then, to carry on into our adulthood. Have a t-shirt that says "Still Plays With Trains". Apparently so, and so do you and that's good
What about that monster under your bed? It wasn't a fond excitement, but it was a real uneasement that was there. When you found out they weren't real, it left empty spot. A void.
That's probably why people like to believe in Bigfoot that has never been found. Good grief, they even have a new "Loch Ness Monster" up in Lake Champlain by New York.
UFO guys are running all around everywhere, with all these monsters, cuz people still need to believe in something that was lost.
I ain't going to search for Sasquatch at Beast Lake with my little brother anymore. (TFJR) will just have to try to get my bigger brother to go. Hate to kill some magic, but the Beasts of life can't be found.
The governor of Oregon has raised the stakes from 2 million to 3 million for the capture of Bigfoot.
Sightings in the Blue Mountains are of a big black Panther, and the people of that County are happy to have their monster back
Think the best thing for me to do is to quit believing in Monsters.
Perfect, a Benadryl and two Ibuprofens and finally nodding off.
See you tomorrow Rail Fans
Three geese-a-laying, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pear tree
Mud tomorrow. Ya think it's time to Hit the Rack?
Like that New York Central One!
There's never too much (Cabeese), and the credit goes to you Ed, cuz you invented that comparison. The plural of caboose to the plural of goose to Geese Purfect!
Hats off Edward, cuz the time you came up with that "Good Ol' Yuks" is remembered
Posted this one many times before, but ain't she a beauty? She rests outside of Stone Lake, Wisconsin. Up kinda near where Mike and Terry live.
PS This is the first effort of contribution to unusual or unique Rolling Stock for this month, cuz they're hard to find.
It isn't like these cute, beautiful red Cabeese are plastered all over Dodge City you know?
And did say that with a power tool in my left hand
It was more of a funny than anything else Ed. You're just a good Ol' Joe
All good here
Track fiddlerYou may have tampered with the...
When I use the "quote" option the emojis don't translate so I have to pick one and manually insert it. It is easy to pick the wrong one, i.e. *SWG* or *(-D*
I fixed it...
Rolling Stock: a tidy, little caboose —
MCRR_Caboose-1837 by Edmund, on Flickr
Cheers, Ed
SeeYou190 We finally received some PVC 1 by 2 trim boards. I bought all I need and I can get back to work on the soffit tomorrow. -Kevin
We finally received some PVC 1 by 2 trim boards. I bought all I need and I can get back to work on the soffit tomorrow.
With your own advice Kevin, you should have bought those before, when they were available for a lifetime supply eh?
You know I'm just toying with you and it's a given, you'll take it well
I'll be 60 next year so I'll take POST HOG BACK!
Was kind of proud that the Rock went up two times faster than the framing. Always was a fan of Rocking.
Before
After
After-After
I'll hang on to this picture. (Shadows) can be incredible sometimes. The wall ain't angled like that, but I'd like to do that onetime
The electrician was done by 11:00. The rocking was done at 2:30. Pictures took after the sun went down so they suck.
The thing about sheetrocking is putting it up fast with as few fasteners as possible. Then when all the Rock is up, you get to screw off...
Tomorrow I'll scrape the rust off my favorite muddy buddies
gmpullman Track fiddler That Hat Fits
Track fiddler That Hat Fits
Didn't have the laughing guy after That Hat Fits?
SUP?
You may have tampered with the...
Original McCoy...
...
Huh. It takes so long to post on a phone, sometimes things overlap.
gmpullman
Track fiddlerThat Hat Fits
And, hey! What about those sideburns? Think they'll be back in style soon?
ET_in style by Edmund, on Flickr
The grocery cart one melted my heart Brent. When Nellie was a little puppy, she used to ride in the kid saddle in the grocery cart.
She'd get excited when we got to the pet section cuz she knew her treats, and would paw up on the edge of the cart and almost fall out and had to catch her a few times.
What was funny was when picking out the Ribeyes, T-Bones, and Chuck eyes. The poor thing couldn't help her self as she would drool
The checkout cashier always liked to see her and remembered her name.
John, it is always tough watching our four-legged buds slow down. I was out today with my Bud who is just 29 months and as we passed through parts of the forest I remembered the last time I took my old guy with me and how I knew it was the last time we would be doing our scoot together. He lived on but wandering around the back 40 was it for him. It took all his strength to climb up on the couch and watch hockey with me and I would lift him up near the end. My new Bud has taken over, he climbs up, and goes to sleep. I truly believe that owning a pet makes us live a longer, healthier life.
I remember this day, we had done 10 plus km and got home just in time for the game. A rum and Pepsi, hockey and a dog. Life is perfect.
The wife and I took the puppies out for the first time to the pet food store now they have had their vaccines. The one on the right is going to the Czech Republic on April 10th.
Tomorrow is grass-cutting day! A little late this year with the weird weather.
The wife owns a dog that lives in Alberta and needs to get it back here for breeding. Thinking that Supertrain is on April 15/16 I said I would go get it if the dates worked for her. They worked so I guess I will finally get to Supertrain. I have booked the Chateau Lake Louise for the first night and will go for a wee hike the next day before heading to Calgary to the Best Western, then it is Supertrain and then I will go to Banff for a couple of nights, then up to Rockey Mountain House to pick up the dog and home. I was hoping the wife would come and as it turns out my Daughter will be home from University in time to look after all the dogs so it looks like we can go together. It is my favourite part of the world and depending on the snowpack I may get a hike in. The Bears are starting to wake up so I'll be packing lots of bear spray as they are very hungry then.
I have been going through train show withdrawal so this will be good.
Love this guy.
POST HOG!
Didn't take anytime at all to pick out that handsome young buck sporting that bowler hat of distinction.
But then again, it never does. That Hat Fits
York1 Daisy the Dachshund is not doing well. She isn't suffering, but she is also not playing anymore. I think the end is now in sight. My day ahead will consist of playing table games, refereeing toy selections, and watching mindless cartoons on TV. The modern cartoon is a pale reflection of the cartoons we grew up with. It seems all modern cartoons have one theme -- someone is destroying the planet and it's up to some young group to save it. There doesn't seem to be much fun in any of it. I wonder if I can find some old Roadrunner, Elmer Fudd, and Tom & Jerry cartoons on some channel.
Daisy the Dachshund is not doing well. She isn't suffering, but she is also not playing anymore. I think the end is now in sight.
My day ahead will consist of playing table games, refereeing toy selections, and watching mindless cartoons on TV. The modern cartoon is a pale reflection of the cartoons we grew up with. It seems all modern cartoons have one theme -- someone is destroying the planet and it's up to some young group to save it. There doesn't seem to be much fun in any of it. I wonder if I can find some old Roadrunner, Elmer Fudd, and Tom & Jerry cartoons on some channel.
Sorry about Daisy the Dachshund John, and do remember you speaking of her quite frequently through the years. That's some tough stuff, and gets harder as one seems to get more emotional as we grow older.
My Nellie the Springer, was raised from when she was just a little baby pup. She was so darn cute that she was taken to work with me and darn near everywhere else I'd go. She never left my side.
Letting go of that little friend of mine, was the toughest thing in my life.
Wish my Grandchildren were still young enough to watch some (GOOD) cartoons with me again. My Anthony loved his Pink Panther and happened to get the whole box set for Christmas. Those ones you mentioned are the good ones too. Back when the classics gelled, and were at their best. Like a lot of other things that never got any better.
Hi Everyone,
Brunhilda, coffee with cream, please.
Lion: My wife and I drove through North Dakota on I-94 on the way to Roosevelt National Park from Fargo. We both concluded that North Dakota is a beautiful place,... in July! I have absolutely no desire to go there in winter. Chicago winters are bad enough. Incidentally, we both liked that short drive off the freeway to see the big metal sculptures. Kinda interesting. While in Roosevelt, just the South half, we saw two antelope chasing each other. I hadn't seen that before; however, the buffalo looked a little anemic. A cool place really.
No pictures of unusual rolling stock, yet. I uploaded one to Flickr, but the PC didn't let me in the MR site. The system didn't see it as being there. Error 504. Funny, I don't have any trouble getting on with my iPad.
One of the many things I liked about living in SoCal was there were very few bugs. Made BBQing a breeze and any other outdoor activity for that matter.
Jim (with a nod to Mies Van Der Rohe)
Almost John Deere time, one more day oughta do it.
Son and GF were down for the weekend yet again to escape the city. I washed his car for him. He loves this thing and is thinking of getting a new one. He is also looking at maybe a Corvette. I don't hear him talking BMW anymore.
The last two months have been a gong show as the MIL has really bad dementia and has been going back and forth between the hospital and home. The fact that my wifes' siblings and stepdad are so dysfunctional when it comes to dealing with it has created a lot of problems. On the weekend they did a CT and found a large blood clot and gave her days to live. It will break off and that will be it, so she is in an induced coma and they are helping her on her way. My son is taking it hard as they are close.
We have been finding chunks of rubber in our water and the hot stopped running in the kitchen. I took the line off and found more chunks in the tap hose screen where it connects to the shut-off valve. I think it is likely the pressure relief valve, I will get the gauge on it when I have time and change it if necessary. Our crawlspace is 40" high with a concrete floor and has good lighting, I still hate working down there.
I usually like my beef on the rare side, however, when traveling anything I order is medium well. Food poisoning on the road is not fun. Las Vegas has been the worse for us and the groups we have been there with.
My son is currently working in the insurance industry annalizing big data. There is a lot of info online about different areas and what it means as far as high-risk areas and what it means for insurance rates. Sea levels are rising at a much faster rate than what was expected. We have some low-lying areas out here in the greater Vancouver area and the value of the real estate in those areas is really starting to stagnate as the cost to insure is going through the roof. We are at 86 metres at the top of the hill and according to the kid get the highest rating for location for insurance purposes. Knock on wood.
We don't have much in the way of insects out here and leave our doors open all day come May right through to mid-September. We have screens on the windows as they were there when I bought the house, however, when I was a kid and at my last house we did not have screens at all. I have had a few bats fly in the open door at night but they usually found their way out pretty quickly. A tea towel was employed the other times to bring it down and it was carefully released back outside.
Time for a feed of bacon and eggs with tomato, onion, and cheese. I am up 5 lbs so this is the last day for bacon until I am back down. With all the family issues my daily scoots with the dogs have really slowed. The calories I burn doing that will add 2lbs a week if I stop and don't adjust the intake. No more rum and Pepsi either. Taking 5lbs off is less than a week of behaving, easy peasy.
Someone said this is Horseshoe Curve, They obviously don't know what they are talking about as there is no GP9 on display.