From the land of That took way longer than it should have

[rolanni]

The taxes are done. (Hear that, taxes? Just you sit there, dammit. You're done, and hell if I'm checking you over again.)

I have, at the request of themselves, shipped what there is of Longeye to Baen, for the edification of the artist. Poor artist. I hate to put him through all those ugly sentences when he did such a beautiful cover for Duainfey; it seems a harsh gratitude. Maybe I should send chocolate.

On the bright side -- and I mean that with all seriousness -- the sun is out, and we're not slated to get any more snow until...Tuesday.

The Carousel Census has arrived! Actually, it arrived some time back, but I haven't had time to look at it in depth -- and, really, that would be dangerous. Even if I just plan an itinerary that hits all the classic wooden carousels, it would take a major lottery win to fund the trip. There are two -- wooden carousels, not lotteries -- in Maine, as it happens. An 1894 Armitage-Herschell 2-row portable at the Willowbrook Museum Village. It does operate during park hours, but -- no rides allowed. Sigh.

The other Maine merry-go-round is a 1919 Herschell at Papoose Pond in Waterford, which operates from July 1 through Labor Day from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. only. Hmm.

Moving on, I'm pleased beyond reason to see that the Philadelphia Toboggan Company merry-go-round at Wonderland Pier in Ocean City, New Jersey is still operating. That, and the "Carrousel" at Hershey Park are the defining carousels of my life. I'd really like to ride the Wonderland Pier carousel again. Heck, New Jersey isn't far...

Steve is cooking what smells to be a delicious dinner of salmon, veggies and other delights, and shortly we will sit down to dine. After, I will not look at the taxes again, and will move to Longeye.

Speaking of which...

Progress on Longeye:

43538 / 100000 words.
44% done!

Comments

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I was somewhat amused, given the current state of the State finances, to note that I sent our taxes out on Tuesday and the governor cashed our check on Friday...

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Surprised it took him so long, myself...

[jhetley.livejournal.com]

I blame the delay on the USPS.

[magda-vogelsang.livejournal.com]

I recall riding this 1913 Herschell-Spillman as a child. It even has a dragon, although IIRC my brother rode the frog and I rode a zebra while my parents sat in one of the chariot benches.

http://www.nca-usa.org/psp/GreenfieldVillage/GreenfieldVillageCarousel.html

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

Oh, very cool! And the rocking chariot, how wonderful!

Funny how often carousel dragons are conflated with seahorses...

[magda-vogelsang.livejournal.com]

As I recall, the few times we were there I went for an animal that 1) went up and down (which most did) and 2) wasn't a horse (because any old carousel had horses).

My parents impressed on us that it was a newly restored historic carousel that had been in storage for a long time before coming to Greenfield Village, and that the animals were all hand carved.

BTW, there are several videos of it on YouTube. Here's one of the clearer ones:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MI99mfF2vmg
And as you can see, they let adults ride it, not just kids.

Perhaps if you ever make it to Penguicon again you can arrange a side trip.

More information on it's history and restoration is here:
http://carouselnews.com/index.php?id=208&option=com_content&task=view

[baggette.livejournal.com]

Does the carrousel at Storyland in NH fit into that category? I know it is very unusual in that it runs counter wise from most carrousels and the animals rock instead of going up and down. It was my first carrousel.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

There's a carousel in Asbury Park, NJ that was indoors. It used to have beautiful twisted brass poles and horses that went up and down -- and it had a brass ring machine! That was my favorite ride for years

[(Anonymous)]

The one on Martha's Vineyard (I think Oak Bluffs?) also has a brass ring machine.

[aviatrix18.livejournal.com]

The Flying Horses carousel in Oak Bluffs has 2 brass ring machines, one inner and one outer for the two rows of riders. We took our then 18 month old on it for her first carousel ride this fall. She loved it.

[claydowling.livejournal.com]

If you should ever find yourself back in Michigan at Penguicon, you will be located half way between two operating wooden carousels that both allow rides. There is one in Dearborn at Greenfield Village and another at Crossroads Village near Flint. In the case of the later I can also introduce you to the fellow in charge of keeping it running, since I will be standing up in his wedding this summer.

carousels

[(Anonymous)]

FYI. In the city park of Burlington, NC is a wonderful carousel. "Built by the Dentzel Carousel Company in 1910, this beautiful carousel is the centerpiece of the 76 acre City Park and is one of only 14 Dentzel Menagerie Carousels that remains intact in the world. There are 46 handcarved animals on the carousel, including 26 horses." Riding is allowed.
As a bonus, Burlington NC is a short (30-40 minute )drive from one of the best zoos in the US, the North Carolina Zoo at Ashboro, NC.

Becky Hinshaw