donut hole

We're going to have to start out today with our "new word for the day (week? month? who knows when we'll come up with another one), "programmatic architecture". OK, OK, so that's two words. We guess the basic definition is a building that's built in way to relate to it's function. Although, it must be a pretty broad definition because our research is turning up lots of buildings built to look like something, but not be related to the building's purpose or function.

But, there's no question about this first one... it definitely relates to it's function!

This is a "Drive-Thru" donut shop, and you literally drive through the donut hole! Hence, the name of the place. According to what we found on the internet, there were several of these "Donut Holes" at one time, part of a chain. We're not sure if this is the only one left, but it was the closest!!!!

As you enter the "Donut Hole" the portion of the building on the left is your typical donut shop with various pastries displayed to tempt you. You roll up to a window and place and pay for your order.

On the right hand side of the building is the preparation area with the various ovens, refrigerators, and other equipment needed to make the various items for the donut shop. And... yes... these pics were taken from the 4Runner. The donuts were very tasty and worth the drive!!!




In reality, the building is a fairly routine design with the two faux donuts at either end. This is the exit "hole." (sorry about the lighting changes, really, both ends are the same color!!!)

You can see the buildings between the two "donuts" in these side shots below.


Sorry about the homeless guy in the pic on the right... kind of inevitable here in Southern California... I bought him a donut to leave... but  I guess he didn't understand the parameters of the deal. Told me that this was "a good spot" and he wasn't going anywhere.  Funny thing, though, as I left, so did he!!! Oh well, he at least got a little sugar fix.

Most people have heard of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with it's many sidewalk stars and the more famous footprints and handprints along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Some have, no doubt, also heard of the Rock Walk of Fame near the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulvard, which honors great rock and rolll musicians. Since we stay away from such "mainstream" attractions, we set out to find a slightly more obscure, less "heard of" "Star Walk." And... you're in luck!!! (subject to opinion?) We have found the "Porn Walk of Fame!!!"
	Located in front of what was the "Pussycat Theater" (now "Studs") are the permanent venerations of a few of the more famous (although now somewhat aged) stars of porn.

Most people have heard of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with it's many sidewalk stars and the more famous footprints and handprints along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Some have, no doubt, also heard of the Rock Walk of Fame near the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulvard, which honors great rock and rolll musicians. Since we stay away from such "mainstream" attractions, we set out to find a slightly more obscure, less "heard of" "Star Walk." And... you're in luck!!! (subject to opinion?) We have found the "Porn Walk of Fame!!!" Located in front of what was the "Pussycat Theater" (now "Studs") are the permanent venerations of a few of the more famous (although now somewhat aged) stars of porn.

Most people have heard of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with it's many sidewalk stars and the more famous footprints and handprints along Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood. Some have, no doubt, also heard of the Rock Walk of Fame near the Guitar Center on Sunset Boulvard, which honors great rock and rolll musicians. Since we stay away from such "mainstream" attractions, we set out to find a slightly more obscure, less "heard of" "Star Walk." And... you're in luck!!! (subject to opinion?) We have found the "Porn Walk of Fame!!!" Located in front of what was the "Pussycat Theater" (now "Studs") are the permanent venerations of a few of the more famous (although now somewhat aged) stars of porn.

Evansville, IN

Well... there's nothing weird or unusual today here. Because this is the wedding day of my niece, Beth. Congratulations Beth & Brian!!! There was lots of rain yesterday and my day was filled with getting my kids and then getting over here to Evansville.

I'll post again with plans for visits in this area, but it's likely that there won't be any new oddities until Monday!!! This weekend is all about family and that comes first.

This initial week of travel has been fun & enlightening. After being mentioned on another website my number of hits increased 20 fold... but now they seem to be dwindling. They are not as low as before the mention, but definitely decreasing. This tells me that there were a lot of "one time visitors". For those of you that have returned... THANK YOU... and now I would love your assistance.

If you have any suggestions for improvement, please let me know! More pics? Less pics? Slide Shows? More or fewer posts? Longer? Shorter? Hate the format? Love the format? I would love to know your thoughts.

Thanks in advance!

Joe

Jesus With Cowboy Boots - Paris, TX

When I first heard about this, I imagined some horrible garish, maybe even blasphemous statue depicting Jesus as a cowboy or something like that. Until I actually saw the statue, I had no clue what I was going to see. I did not see any photographs before my visit.

Well, I have to tell you I was wrong. First of all, this is an OLD grave marker. Willet Babcock (whose marker the statue rests on) died in 1888! And the depiction of Jesus is very respectful and traditional. He is holding the cross, similar to thousands of other statues. But, if you look closely, and you do have to look closely, instead of the traditional bare feet or sandals, he is wearing cowboy boots, well one cowboy boot to be precise (only one foot shows)

The grave marker is quite impressive, maybe 12-15 feet high. It is one of the largest in the cemetery. The marker does not give any clues to the life of Mr. Babcock, but somewhere in my research, I read that he was a furniture maker. I also read somewhere that he may have been involved in the railroad or fire department or maybe all of the above.

I decided not to be overtly funny or disrespectful here. I thought I would be when I first heard of this "attraction". But, it's not. It's really just a guy who died in "cowboy country" and the memorial shows it. I'd love to learn more about Willet Babcock or the sculptor who did the statue. Anyone?

Eiffel Tower Replica with Cowboy Hat - Paris, TX

Well, I made it. I anticipated this to be one of the highlights of this journey. I mean, really, an Eiffel Tower with a red cowboy hat stuck on top??? Despite the day being gray and cloudy, it was really quite interesting to see this site. It is located on the south edge of town and there is really nothing around it. Nor is there any sort of fanfare or decoration at the site. According to the townspeople a new Veterans' Memorial is planned and they seemed far more excited about that than the Eiffel Tower. I show the sign for the new Memorial if you want to donate.

I'm trying something new with this post. Instead of a LONG LONG entry with lots of photos, I'm posting a slideshow here. PLEASE, let me know your comments! Like? Dislike? Works? Doesn't Work? I just think with a slide show, I can put more photos in less space. Keep reading though, there's more under the show.

The photos don't depict the BRIGHT red hat very well. I tried to help that out with editing, but there's only so much you can do with a photographer like me.

So, as nearly as I can tell, the Eiffel Tower Replica was erected here in Paris, Texas in 1993 (the same year as a replica in Paris, Tennessee) The original Texas tower was 5 feet taller at 65 feet than the Tennessee tower. Tennessee promptly replaced their tower with a 70 foot version and Texas responded with the cowboy hat to take the lead again. The hat is tilted, not because it's a kind gesture to "tip your hat" but because with the tilt, even a few more feet of height were gained.

Now, of course, both replicas are dwarfed by the replica at the Paris casino in Vegas which is over 500 feet, over 1/2 the size of the original.

I'm thinking that in order to do justice, I should visit the replica in Paris, TN. Not positive that will happen, but stay tuned!!!

Thursday Morning - Bowling Green, KY

Well I am a little behind schedule. Look for the Eiffel Tower Replica and the Statue of Jesus with Cowboy Boots posts later this afternoon. Yesterday was a day dedicated to driving and stopping by an old friend's place (after the visits)

I was astounded to see the number of hits here yesterday, undoubtedly because of the fact that Bob at wagonteamster.com mentioned me on his website. THANK YOU, BOB!!!

Even one of the sites that I admire and is an inspiration to me, Tioga George, looked in and bookmarked this site.

I drove a lot of last night and have lunch plans. I'm going to take a little nap and a shower so that I can be fresh for lunch and posting this afternoon!!!

Joe