The Amish and the not so Amish 12th Anniversary TR

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

Marty's been working on her new 35 passenger van and is a little tired.

Please! To get thirty-five people in there would require a cattle prod. I'll leave driving the big bus to you, Mister magicBus. I amm perfectly happy on the short bus, or at least in the full-sized van.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

7-28-12/early afternoon

So we decided to take our non-Amish side trip this afternoon instead of waiting until tomorrow (7-29 Sunday).

We were originally going to take the side trip on Sunday because everything is closed in an Amish village on Sundays.

We decided we would take the trip today and just relax tomorrow.

So we pointed the White Chevy sleigh to the east and headed for the tourist haven of Cleveland, Ohio.

Some of you may say, WTF? There is nothing to do in Cleveland. Oh, but you would be very, very wrong.

Cleveland is home to one of the greatest Meccas this world has ever seen.

I am not talking about the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame either. It is there, and I have been inside the lobby before, buthave never actually toured it.

Today would not be for wasting time on trivial things like the hall of fame or even the many sports facilities.

Today was given to us by the lord to visit the queen mother of all museums on tis planet:

That's right, we are visiting the "A Christmas Story House" and museum and gift shop.

For those of you who do not know, this house was used in the filming of the beloved Christmas movie classic that runs for 24 straight hours on your cable or satellite TV from 8pm on Christmas Eve until 8pm Christmas Day.

First we would need to go to the gift shop to buy our tickets:

We will come back here in awhile. Now, when you buy pay for admission for the tour of the house, you also get admission into the home acrossthe street, which just so happens to be "Flick's" house in the movie. That house has been turned into a museum of "A Christmas Story" memorabilia.

Fa-Ra-Ra-Ra-Ra

Be Sure to Drink Your Ovaltine.

Next, the Coup de Grace of all dares....I mean houses.

[stefa70 205]

That is awesome!! :jumpforjoy

I love that crap! Seeing where they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes was one of my favorite side trips of all time. Didn't you want to go and watch the movie again after being there?

I double dog dare you to top that update!

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Ok, well the next update was almost done and the laptop crapped out on me.....back to the drawing board.

[Momof6....aka Marty 769]

You'll shot your eye out!

Please tell me you at least had Chinese food for dinner that night.

BTW, if I had been that close to Cleveland, i would have gone to the Creation Museum. :thumbsup1:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

So now we are ready for the tour of Ralphie's house:

Do you see it?

The soft glow of electric sex gleeming in the front room window!

Next we went in with the guide and she gave us some wonderful info; if you are a Christmas movie nerd like me:

-The exterior and a few interior shots were filmed in this house.

-The remainder of the interior shots were filmed on a soundstage where the home interior was recreated a bit bigger to accomodate the cameras, booms, etc

-The school shots were going to also be filmed in Cleveland but "Mrs. Shields" was very pregnant in real life, so they moved to a school in Ontario, because it was closer to her and because Cleveland was not cooperating weather wise.....no snow. They were renting snow machines and using other tricks for snow and it was eating away at their 5 million dollar budget.

-The current owner of the house was apparently in California, on leave from the military and feeling down a few years back. His parents saw a original leg lamp and bought it for him believing it would cheer him up. The owner then had a mold made of the lamp and started selling them on Ebay under the moniker of Red Rider Leg Lamps. He sold about 1800 per year (including one to my youngest brother). A couple years later another family member saw Ralphie's house for sale on Ebay for $90,000. The owner called the lister and told him he would give him $150,000 if he took the item down and delisted the auction. The lister agreed believing the owner was a sucker since the other houses on the block went for about $20,000. The owner soon moved to Cleveland and restored the house to it's original luster; all the while continuing to sell his leg lamps.

He soon bought "Flick's " house across the street to turn into a museum and the house next door to that for the gift shop.

After the spiel, we decided to go upstairs first since everyone else was intent on taking pictures downstairs.

Can you see Ralphie coming down with the bunny suit on?

Next, we would head downstairs.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Moving downstairs you will see the house in its true glory:

Yeah....a statue!

The Sox traded Bullfrog!

From upstairs: "Don't touch the turkey. You'll get worms!"

It's the Bumpus hounds. "Duh-Duh-Duh-Dut-Duh-Duh!!"

Its just one too many!

Hey that's strange. What's that over there?

Ahhh. It's a blue ball. Ahh. It's a bowling ball.

In a high pitched voice: "Thanks a lot!"

"It's little orphan Annie time!"

"Daddy's gonna kill Ralphie!"

Back outside now it's Black Bart's hideout"

Next, back to the gift shop!

[fortpartyof4 108]

I am loving this TR!!

We went to PA Amish country 2 summers ago. When my youngest spotted the 2nd or 3rd buggy, he said "hey those are the people we saw when we stopped to go to the bathroom!". No, son - they all look the same! Same carts, same clothing. It was cute.

There is a bar of Fels Naptha in the photo above. It is still sold in stores, I use it to get red clay out of white baseball pants!

FP4

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

LOL!

Those photos are great.

I can't believe you were allowed to sit on the furniture and touch all the props.

Or maybe you weren't allowed to do that?

Great job either way!

TCD

[photogal06...Sommer 10]

Great TR! Love, love, love the Christmas Story house and museum...that is so going on my bucket list! My extended family lived in Amish country in Indiana when I was growing up, and we spent a lot of time there.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Before we head to the gift shop. did you notice the blue tarp on the roof next door to Ralphie's house.

Apparently that house burned about 2 years ago or so and has been left to die:

This is an old steel mill workers bar that has been there since the first steel mill opened in Cleveland. The neighborhood the house is in was filled with steel workers and their families and has basically been rotting ever since the mills closed. Very Sad. Reminds me of Flint and Detroit.

Ok, back to the gift shop where sitting in the gift shop garage is this:

Here are a few of the wardrobe items for sale inside the shop:

I may be purchasing those costumes for Halloween for DW and I......she doesn't know it yet. Sshhhh.....

Next we have a couple Christmas Vacation items in the store:

Back to A Christmas Story stuff:

That was a very fun side trip....next we would head to the Warehouse District for dinner and to take a walk around and explore a bit. That's where we will head in the next update.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

That is awesome!! :jumpforjoy

I love that crap! Seeing where they filmed Fried Green Tomatoes was one of my favorite side trips of all time. Didn't you want to go and watch the movie again after being there?

I double dog dare you to top that update!

I hope I just did, but I confess I don't think I will top it again for the remainder of the trip.

You'll shot your eye out!

Please tell me you at least had Chinese food for dinner that night.

BTW, if I had been that close to Cleveland, i would have gone to the Creation Museum. :thumbsup1:

We did not eat Chinese, but we should have. I will have to look up the Creation Museum on the good ole Google.

I am loving this TR!!

We went to PA Amish country 2 summers ago. When my youngest spotted the 2nd or 3rd buggy, he said "hey those are the people we saw when we stopped to go to the bathroom!". No, son - they all look the same! Same carts, same clothing. It was cute.

There is a bar of Fels Naptha in the photo above. It is still sold in stores, I use it to get red clay out of white baseball pants!

FP4

Ah. Yes. Georgia Red Clay. Awesome to play on. Not so awesome for the mom who did the laundry!

LOL!

Those photos are great.

I can't believe you were allowed to sit on the furniture and touch all the props.

Or maybe you weren't allowed to do that?

Great job either way!

TCD

They told us we could sit on furniture and hold certain props. The kitchen cupboard thing was improv......but many followed after they saw the great photo op and the guide didn't say anything so.....

I must confess, I checked to see how large it was first and it took me a couple minutes to get in there because I have a horrible back and did not want to tweak it any further. I had the masses laughing and then they had to get the same photo!

Great TR! Love, love, love the Christmas Story house and museum...that is so going on my bucket list! My extended family lived in Amish country in Indiana when I was growing up, and we spent a lot of time there.

It's only $10 and we thought well worth it for the photo ops alone!

I am glad you enjoyed it! Next update either later tonight or tomorrow.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

don't let my DH see that lamp

[stefa70 205]

FRAGILE! Must be Italian!

That was great Aaron! Love the back story on the house and all the props inside.

Please tell me that you bought a pink bunny suit! Or at least the Sh*tter was full t-shirt!

I will keep your secret about the Halloween costumes. You may want to call before you order though. You look like a tall guy and that lamp dress might be too short for you.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

I wanna go there!! Looks like you had a great time. I was a little worried about your back when I saw you in the cupboard but I'm sure glad you thought of it! Great pictures. :thumbsup2:

[Family of Bears 98]

OMG. Aaron. For some reason I knew I liked you awhile ago from your previous posts. Now I am sure. I like you very much. You are really funny! This is the most ridiculous anniversary trip I have ever seen. Seriously. In a good way. You and your wife obviously have a great sense of humor. Can't wait to see the rest of this thing, I mean, this very romantic trip.

Which fiend was it that did hoity toity tea with their wife with the crooked cake for their anniversary? You guys kinda remind me of each other. CKCK² I think.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

don't let my DH see that lamp

I will be getting one from the online shop at some point....didn't want to cart it around since it could be Fragile and DW always uses up all the glue, on purpose!

FRAGILE! Must be Italian!

That was great Aaron! Love the back story on the house and all the props inside.

Please tell me that you bought a pink bunny suit! Or at least the Sh*tter was full t-shirt!

I will keep your secret about the Halloween costumes. You may want to call before you order though. You look like a tall guy and that lamp dress might be too short for you.

No bunny suit....and the items i took pics of are likely to become mine either in September come birthday time or at Christmas. There were so many things I wanted, I decided to hold off and then order online later. The shitter shirt will be mine.

I wanna go there!! Looks like you had a great time. I was a little worried about your back when I saw you in the cupboard but I'm sure glad you thought of it! Great pictures. :thumbsup2:

It would be a fine side trip while staying in the area or just passing through Cherie. As far as the cupboard it went like this.....

Step One.....very carefully down to the left knee....since the rt knee just had surgery too!

Step Two.....sit on butt carefully

Step Three....scoot next to cupboard

Step Four....Rt leg into cupboard

Step Five...push down on floor with both hands while sliding buns and other leg into cupboard

TMI? Probably.....just wanted to show the lengths I was willing to go to share that pic with family and fiends!

Basically I took one for the team. :laugh: Someone told me you don't stop playing because you get old. You rather get old because you stop playing. So even though my back is horrible.......I do what I can to have fun and still make things fun for the kids.............and DW.......like hit up the Ironhorse once in awhile. :clint:

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

OMG. Aaron. For some reason I knew I liked you awhile ago from your previous posts. Now I am sure. I like you very much. You are really funny! This is the most ridiculous anniversary trip I have ever seen. Seriously. In a good way. You and your wife obviously have a great sense of humor. Can't wait to see the rest of this thing, I mean, this very romantic trip.

Which fiend was it that did hoity toity tea with their wife with the crooked cake for their anniversary? You guys kinda remind me of each other. CKCK² I think.

Thanks Brandy! CKCK writes a mean TR and seems pretty cool so that is a nice compliment!

On previous anniversary trips we have done NYC, Niagara Falls, Mackinaw Island a few times, The Hocking Hills in Ohio, etc. We just take a long weekend, but it is always good times.

It seems we always have something crazy on each trip though.

[Judy in Texas 150]

Where do you camp when you go to the Hocking Hills? Joyce's sister will be passing through when we are there in two weeks and they need a campground to stay in. Thanks

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Where do you camp when you go to the Hocking Hills? Joyce's sister will be passing through when we are there in two weeks and they need a campground to stay in. Thanks

We stayed in a log cabin in the middle of nowhere and it was very nice......sorry no help.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

Ok, the pic of you under the sink had me crying.

I'm glad to hear of all the Christmas Story love. I'm a loner watching that movie every year in my house. INC's not a fan, and none of my girls has developed the bug yet. But every year I watch it, and I figure eventually at least one of my girls will see the humor in it.

[wdwpoohbear...Jennifer 40]

I think that there is a large community of Amish in the Sarasota/Bradenton area. There is that Yoder's restaurant, and a few more concentrated in that area.

That's a bit south of where I live, so I don't know much about it.

TCD

There is a small community of Amish in the Sarasota area. They live in a neigborhood called Pinecraft and there are about 3000 Amish and Menonite that live there. Apparently it serves as a winter vacation spot for many Amish/Menonite from Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. There is the Yoder's retaurant in Sarasota and at least one (I want to say two but don't quote me on it) Miller's restaurants in the Bradenton area. There is also a furniture store in Sarasota run by the Amish in Sarasota with custom made furniture. They have the furniture made in Ohio and shipped down here. I bought my bed from there made from solid oak which is incredibly well made and just beautiful.

On another note, I went on a long weekend trip to Charm right there near where you were. I remember eating dinner at an Amish families house one evening while I was there and the food was wonderful! The most memorable thing I remember was the dessert...apple pie. YUM!

I grew up in Cleveland (I now live in Florida) and love watching the Christmas Story every year at Christmas time. I brings back so many memories of how Cleveland looked when I was growing up. I always loved going downtown and looking in the windows at Higbee's which they always decorated just like in the movies and going in to the store where they had what they called "The Twigbees Shop" where children could go Christmas shopping for their parents, siblings, etc. I still wish they had that.

I am glad that the Christmas Story house was opened. I am sure it is an economic boost to that neighborhood. Maybe now they can get some investors into that neighborhood and start rebuilding it in some way.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

Ok, the pic of you under the sink had me crying.

I'm glad to hear of all the Christmas Story love. I'm a loner watching that movie every year in my house. INC's not a fan, and none of my girls has developed the bug yet. But every year I watch it, and I figure eventually at least one of my girls will see the humor in it.

That movie and Christmas Vacation get replayed several times in our house each season and it never seems to get old.

There is a small community of Amish in the Sarasota area. They live in a neigborhood called Pinecraft and there are about 3000 Amish and Menonite that live there. Apparently it serves as a winter vacation spot for many Amish/Menonite from Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. There is the Yoder's retaurant in Sarasota and at least one (I want to say two but don't quote me on it) Miller's restaurants in the Bradenton area. There is also a furniture store in Sarasota run by the Amish in Sarasota with custom made furniture. They have the furniture made in Ohio and shipped down here. I bought my bed from there made from solid oak which is incredibly well made and just beautiful.

On another note, I went on a long weekend trip to Charm right there near where you were. I remember eating dinner at an Amish families house one evening while I was there and the food was wonderful! The most memorable thing I remember was the dessert...apple pie. YUM!

I grew up in Cleveland (I now live in Florida) and love watching the Christmas Story every year at Christmas time. I brings back so many memories of how Cleveland looked when I was growing up. I always loved going downtown and looking in the windows at Higbee's which they always decorated just like in the movies and going in to the store where they had what they called "The Twigbees Shop" where children could go Christmas shopping for their parents, siblings, etc. I still wish they had that.

I am glad that the Christmas Story house was opened. I am sure it is an economic boost to that neighborhood. Maybe now they can get some investors into that neighborhood and start rebuilding it in some way.

The Higbee's/Twigbees idea is awesome. It would be cool if they still did that.

The neighborhood was packed with cars and people while we were there. It would be nice if this project lead to a bit of a renaissance in the area.

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

So we were done with our stay at Ralphie's house, and were now moving on to an area of Cleveland called the "Warehouse District."

Apparently, this is the new hip and happening place in Cleveland. We always thought we knew "The Flats" was that place, but apparently that has changed over the past decade or so.

So we headed to the Warehouse District to see what that was all about.

On the way we passed:

After seeing where the Indians and Cavaliers play we saw the Horsesoe Casino, which was built inside the former Higbee's Department Store made famous in "A Christmas Story."

Then we arrived in the Warehouse District which was not much different than a downtown area in a college town where there are many bars and restaraunts:

Just outside the warehouse district, closer to Lake Erie, we walked around and found the following:

Police Memorial:

Just passed the Police Memorial we found the Dawg Pound:

They were setting up the stage for the next day's Kenny Chesney/Tim McGraw Concert.

On the way back into the warehouse district we saw the Firefighters Memorial:

When we got back to the outskirts of the warehouse district we stopped at Bob Golic's Bar and had a drink:

Not much, typical sports bar.

If you don't remember or know who Bob Golic is, maybe this will refresh your memory?.....

Don't remember Bob Golic the football player?

How about Bob Golic the TV star?

That's right folks. Saved By The Bell: The College Years

Next: dinner

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

After we left Golic's place, we decided to go to a place called Bar Louie for dinner:

For an appretizer we had pretzel sticks with a plethora of things to dip them in: nacho cheese, mustard sauce, and a cinnamon butter that was to die for.

DW ordered the Fish Po Boy sandwich which was delicious.....I tried it too.

I ordered the Louie burger and it did not disappoint:

After dinner we drove back to the farmhouse and chilled for the evening.

Next update is our actual anniversary 7-29.......where could we possibly go to eat in Amish Country on our anniversary?