Gypsy Vardo Wagon for a Night

This magical little "circus trailer" was our home for one night!

A few years ago, I spotted an image of it on the internet. When I found out you could actually spend a night in the wagon, I put it on the list! 

Pee-wee Connection

The charm of the tiny house on wheels, wasn't the only thing that lured me. It was also the desert setting! Just 13 miles from Joshua Tree National Park area.

Honestly, I was maybe the most excited about the quirky history of the little trailer! It played a part in the ridiculously nutty, (love it or hate it) movie, "Big Top Pee-wee". More on that later.

Finding the Place

Don and I booked the little trailer for a night in October. It was the halfway stop, on our California road trip. The night before, we'd been in Hollywood. What a contrast!

We followed the website's driving instructions, which warned us to avoid Foxy Flats Rd. However, we weren't given a preferred route. This photo shows the lovely road we chose... before the flat gravel road suddenly climbed a steep hill and things got tricky with our rental car!
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Hicksville Trailer Palace

We were relieved to end our rugged road adventure. We parked near a spiky Joshua Tree, outside the fenced in compound, with the amusing name. Hicksville Trailer Palace! 

I was giddy about our overnight in the little gypsy wagon. I was excited to spend a night in a quirky resort, out in the desert. 

Purple Office at the Trailer Palace

​We moved towards the purple building, with the word Office on the door. I was feeling pretty tickled to be staying this colorful oasis, filled with refurbished trailers. This is the kind of oddball place that Don and I love. 

I guess using the word tickled, shows my age. I picked it up from my grandmother. "Daw" was frequently tickled over things. This resort would not be Daw's kind of place, but I can imagine her saying, "Oh I am just tickled to death that we are able to stay at the Roosevelt Hotel!"

The Geezers Arrive

​Anyway, Don and I headed for the door and knocked quite a few times. When Jessica opened the door, I was confused by her perplexed expression. That was an odd greeting, since we'd been told to text 30 minutes before arrival. She was expecting us.

There was an awkward silence, so I introduced myself and Don, in case she'd had a bit of amnesia. I soon realized she was simply baffled to see a bald man and a lady with wrinkles. She was clearly expecting younger guests, like the ones jumping up and down, on the website. We clearly weren't hip enough for Hicksville.

Touring the Compound

Jessica had us follow her through the locked gate. I tried not to be insulted when she muttered, "I hope you know what you're in for."  She spoke as if we might be too elderly to navigate the internet. Maybe we hadn't  peeked at the website to know they had communal bathrooms and a vape room, located in an old lifeguard stand. Those things didn't thrill me, but I knew about them.

I gave her a pass. Maybe she had a headache. "I know..." I sort of teased, "We look like a couple of old geezers, but we stay in places like this a lot." I assured her that I'd studied the website. The first thing she pointed out was a cartoonish outhouse, sitting on the Astroturf. It was one of 2 toilets we were welcome to use. (Daw wouldn't have gone for this!)

Music & Pool Girls

We passed a juke box, built into the side of the purple house. Jessica told us it was complimentary. 

Music was already playing, entertaining 6 young women lounging in the peanut sized saltwater pool.

The 6 women were the only other Hicksville guests, on that October Thursday. They looked about as pleased to see us as Jessica had been. I would have gestured hello, but they sipped their drinks and tried to ignore the elders who were passing through their space.

I did not invade their privacy, by taking pool photos that might include the gals in bikinis, holding beers. I took photos later.

Mostly Trailers

We followed Jill around the grounds. She pointed out the other trailer options. I was glad almost all were unoccupied that evening.

There was an intriguing houseboat and a Sideshow-themed circus train car. The trailer, with the porch and roof, reminded me of Lucy & Desi's luxury home, in "The Long Long Trailer" movie. That's where the Pool Gals were staying.

A Community of Trailers

Just like in the movie, our trailer was located on the edge of the property. We had a good spot for looking out over our odd little community.

In the movie, the trapeze artist Gina lives in the colorful wagon. Her window gave her a good view of other tents and trailers. Our view was similar to Gina's, but we never saw Pee-wee approach!

Interior 

When we stepped inside our trailer it felt like a storybook cottage. The colorful curtains hid the bed, as well as the large window.

There was a purple velvet couch, across from a sink. Squirts of water came forth with a press-down lever. Not exactly the easiest for washing your face, but I was happy to have it. We already knew our tiny trailer had no bathroom.

The opened curtains revealed the bed and more window light. A shiny wooden table slid out from a slot beneath the mattress. That came in handy.

I definitely needed to "climb" into bed. It was high! But it was comfier and larger than expected. And the ledge for the bay window, gave me a bedside table.

Spotlight on Pee Wee

This may have been Gina's home in the movie, but the cozy trailer was definitely focused on Pee-wee. I liked the curious artwork, titled "Tequilla".

A little shelf held Pee-wee related books and toys and the once popular, talking Pee-wee doll. I pulled on the plastic ring, but heard no voice when I pulled the string. Just the same hissing sound, my old Chatty Cathy Doll made, after years of play. 

I had some fun with an old Viewmaster toy. It showed images of Pee-Wee, from his Pee-wee's Playhouse Show. Don used to watch with our daughter when I worked on Saturday mornings. Good times!

TV/Movie Star... Cancelled?

Not all folks appreciated Pee-Wee's humor, back in the day. And then after he got in trouble with the law, he lost a few fans. But Pee-wee's been gone more than a year, now. Rest in Peace. I choose to embrace the good in Paul Ruebens and the joy he brought to lots of kiddos.

Long before Pee-wee was a "star", he was a teenage actor, at a theatre in Sarasota, Florida. I found his original name, in an old theatre program, from a play my dad directed in 1968. Paul Ruebenfeld actually. Small world.

TV & AC

Our space was tiny, but there was an a.c. unit, which was very much needed with the blazing afternoon sun.

Seemed silly to have a TV, especially since it didn't seem to work. But there was a DVD player which miraculously did. Later that night we popped in the Big Top Pee-wee movie. We had an amusing viewing.

The Movie

I snapped photos of the wagon, to compare later. 

I took this photo below, to send my kids. 

They recognized Sacha, the performer on the left. He taught our kids at Circus Camp, one summer. So many fun connections!

It's been 36 years since this scene was shot inside the wagon. Not too much has changed.

A different couch, but the wallpaper looks the same!

Evening Light

There was an interesting feel to the place as the sun began to lower.

The Pool Girls retreated to their big trailer, but the juke box music continued their playlist as the sun lowered. Luckily it was a varied one, that we sort of enjoyed.

Phototime with Props
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​With no-one around but us, I pulled out my Gypsy skirt for a quick photo or 2.  

Knowing we'd be staying in Pee-wee's gypsy wagon, I packed props.

I tossed a couple of bowties into the suitcase. They weren't red like Pee-wee's but I think he'd like their style.  

Sorry we blurred you Pee-wee. I didn't realize we were on portrait mode.

​​By 6, the wagon cast a perfect shadow over our 2 chairs. Don made drinks and we enjoyed looking out over the dusty little kingdom. We had the place to ourselves. 

And then Jessica appeared. She just stopped to chat. Maybe her headache went away. Maybe she saw our bowties and thought we were odd enough to fit into the rad hipster world of Hicksville Trailer Palace. We actually had a nice chat.

Entertainment Options

We had a little time before our desert oasis would be chilly and dark. 

There were lots of options for entertainment. There was a teepee beside us, with seating and fire pit.

There was pingpong, in a shady little game room area. 

There was even an odd putt putt golf area.

We didn't have enough time to get into a good book, inside the cabin library.

We didn't have the energy (or desire) to climb into the covered ball pit. 

We could have lounged on the surfboard style loungers, next to the old lifeguard tower from Huntington Beach... also used as Vape Room.

Don and I were already happy and relaxed enough. We did not need any vaping entertainment. I did of course peek through the glass.

I was kind of curious about the archery and shuffleboard!

Food?

​I never found out what was with the Dr. Wiggles Weiner Wagon. I guess wiener can be spelled weiner. ??

We didn't bring our own frankfurters, but the Pool Girls grilled burgers, later that evening. They invited Jessica to join them. We got no invites!

They were sitting around the table, on little swings when I passed by to get some ice.

Communal Bathing

Just steps from the funny table and swings, I found the door to the ice machine.

Right beside the ice machine there was a cowboy bathtub. Actually that was a sink.

Behind the flamingo curtain was the community shower. This was an awfully intimate set up.  

Next to the ice/shower room, there was a separate door to a toilet. It actually had a lock and a heated toilet seat. I never made use of the outhouse with the moon.

There was also an open air shower near our trailer. It had a small metal wall and stool. Made no use of that either.

​Almost Dark

We didn't make use of all the entertainment options. Instead we moved to a different spot and pulled out the fried chicken dinner we'd purchased earlier.

Grilled burgers would have been better, but the scenery was perfect!

The sweet trailer's "face" seemed to be telling me something as I headed inside. "Paint me" ??

Morning at the Trailer Palace

I was up nice and early, since we Geezers were in bed by 9:30.

I climbed up to the roof deck/hot tub, for a nice view before 7.

There was lots of sky drama.

The property was still, so we had to be quiet. But it was time to play.

Before Hitting the Road

The sun seemed blistering hot in the afternoon, but the "resort games" looked inviting in the early morning light.

I was pretty awful with archery. My BB gun skills were equally bad, but shuffle board was a hoot!
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Nearby Fun

We tiptoed off the property before 9. We wanted to explore the area before   getting to our hotel (and shower) in Laguna Beach.

A Notable Night always ranks higher if there are fun things within walking distance. In desert country, I have to share the fun places that are within a close drive. The photos above show the nearby fun!

What's Notable?

Even though it took a bit of time to warm up to our host and this oddball Trailer Palace, I'm glad we stayed in Pee-wee's trailer. I'm glad we oldsters found a way to have fun at a place that caters to the party crowd.

$160. is a lot for an overnight in a trailer, which requires a dark walk through the sand to reach the restroom. Staying in the fall on a Thursday was probably wise. But I have a feeling we would have a lot more stories to tell if we'd stayed over a 3-day weekend! 

Before we headed up the drive we passed a green & gold sign. This sign & lion combo, remind me a bit of 1960s Las Vegas. 

Go right and the drive heads up to the Magic Castle... which we did later.

Our Bright Yellow Hotel

Our hotel wasn't quite as grand as the castle, but it was bright and welcoming.

This happy midcentury beauty was originally built as apartments. In 1950 it had nothing to do with the "mansion" next door, which later became The Magic Castle Club. Today the 2 are affiliated, but with different owners.

​Magic Castle?
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The Magic Castle Club was the whole reason we were staying at the Magic Castle Hotel!

The exclusive club, sits halfway up the hill, looking a little like something you might see at 1970s Disney World! (I love dates and Disney comparisons!)

Over a Century Old
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But the castle is much older than the 1970s.

The mansion on the hill, was built as a private residence, back in 1909. It didn't become an exclusive club until 1963. It's still owned by the Academy of Magical Arts, a group of magicians and fans of magic.

A Sunny Tuesday in October

Don and I arrived before 1:00 on a pretty afternoon. More lions greeted us at the fountain.

Don waited in the car and I zipped up the stairs to inquire about early check in.

Lobby

There was no Hollywood Glam to be seen, but moments after I stepped inside the quiet lobby, I was enjoying the hotel's welcoming, playful vibe.

Gina greeted me at a widow, near the courtyard door. She couldn't have been more welcoming. I told her that we learned about the hotel (and its connection to Magic Castle) from a news piece on CBS Sunday Morning. She laughed. We weren't the only ones who called for reservations on the day the show aired.

Champagne at 1!

Gina said our room was ready and we could park in the garage below the building. (a fee, but worth it) I ran out to grab Don because Andrea suddenly popped out with a tray holding 2 glasses of champagne.

Was that a regular thing? Or was it because I had mentioned we were spending a couple days in Hollywood celebrating our 45th anniversary? Not sure, but it was a fun welcoming!

It was just plain fun to sip our champagne (next to our pile of bags) and gab with Gina and Andrea about how excited we were to stay at the Magic Castle Hotel.

Perks

We made reservations a few months before, after learning that hotel guests are able to acquire vouchers for an evening at the (Members Only!) Magic Castle. We paid extra to get a package deal, that covered our room, gave us vouchers for the Magic Castle Club, plus a $200. dinner gift card.

There were so many fun perks that came with our stay at the happy yellow hotel. One was free snacks! Next to the lobby window, there was a list of all the goodies available. The staff insisted we not be shy about asking for treats whenever we wanted! It's all part of the fun! The fun that the staff sincerely seems to encourage!

A Yellow Ship

Oh what I would have given to have stayed here as a kid! The hotel seemed to be built around the swimming pool. 

Terraced stairs led up to the rooms, which formed a ring around the central courtyard and pool. It felt like a big ship, with all the fun in the middle!

Family Friendly
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Most of the 43 rooms are apartment-sized and have full kitchens and pullout sofas. So the place attracts a lot of families.

The above photo was taken during a rare moment, when the pool was empty. The pool is heated year round and open (I believe) 24/7. The guests seemed as pleasant as the staff, so it was pleasantly entertaining watching families (many with Australian accents) enjoying the pool! 

Tropical Retro

The levels and stairs were a bit confusing. And also hard to navigate with a lot of luggage. (Staff was more than happy to help) I loved the retro design of the place.

I got a little lost looking for our room, #108. It was not on the first floor, but up a level and around to the back. When I made a wrong turn, I discovered a complimentary laundry room for guests.

The rooms with balconies and pool views would have been fun, but we'd paid an extra chunk, for our evening at the Magic Castle. We booked a lower cost room.

Room 108

No pool view, but we got a lot of space for our buck! We had numerous windows in our 1-bedroom apartment. None of the windows had decent views, so we kept shades mostly closed. 

We hardly needed the kitchen, but we had a decent one. The fridge had a lock, which was odd. It's a family hotel and there were beverages inside, unsuitable for the kiddies.

There was a cute stove/oven and a tea kettle...

... a toaster and microwave!

There was a large separate bedroom with a king bed. 

We should have brought more family! There was lots of floor space for sleeping bags and a sofa bed in the other room! 

Getting Ready

I appreciated the non-1950s bathroom. And I was happy to have a real tub. 

We had Magic Castle robes! Very handy when you need to start your beautification, for an evening at Magic Castle.

Mirror Photo

The mirrored sliding doors to the closet, gave us an opportunity for a photo shoot, before heading to the Magic Castle.

And why is Don wearing a hideous wig and feather tie? What's with my boa and cigarette holder?

Costumes in October

Formal dress is always required for members and guests, visiting the Magic Castle. Except for a couple of weeks every October, when costumes are encouraged.

Gina took our photo in the lobby before we headed over to The Club. Not all hotel guests take advantage of the opportunity to visit Magic Castle. But many do and the staff had fun with those guests who were headed that way. They even offered to drive us, but we opted to walk.

Photo Stop

We walked down the drive and paused to ham it up in front of the sign.

Don and I didn't exactly go all out with costumes. We were a little nervous, not knowing how many guests really dressed up for Halloween. We played it safe with a wig and feather boa, which could be stashed into my bag if we changed our minds.
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Waiting

The Castle opened at 5, but we arrived about a half hour later. We'd made reservations months before and had chosen an 8:00 dinner seating, so no worries. But there was a line, that was a bit surprising. And slow moving.

We stood in line nearly an hour before getting in. I'm still not sure why. We seemed to be standing with a lot of people who had chosen formal dress over costumes. They also seemed to be "guests" like us. They weren't being ushered to the front of the line, like arriving members. These guests were not all from our hotel? I wanted to ask how they all got invites. I hear it's tricky.

Celebs
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I saw a few people glancing at Don's attractive wig, trying to determine whether he was in costume or not. Who wouldn't want to wear that thing daily? 

People watching became entertaining, when more costumed guests began to arrive. As we got closer to the entrance it was fun watching fancy cars pull up. Club members were ushered to the door, quickly. I didn't exactly recognize any famous people, but back in the day there was some well known members of the Academy. Johnny Carson, Cary Grant and Steve Martin...  The process was odd and slow, but we eventually got inside.

Magic Castle Evening

There are very strict No Photo rules, inside. Phone cameras had to be put away as soon as you left the tiny lobby. 

Once inside, we said "Open Sesame" to an owl, wearing a pirate hat. The door opened to the club and its complicated multi-leveled maze of rooms and passages. A grand night of dining and drinking, while we observed talented magicians, performing in cozy parlors and watching some incredible acts in an intimate theatre. 

Night at the Hotel
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After many hours of magical entertainment, we headed back to our little hotel next door! 

At 11 pm, we spotted one family happily (and quietly) playing in the pool.

Morning

I stepped out of the room around 7 the next morning.

I headed down the steps and got to see the pool without any guests.

The little movie screen glowed above the patio area. Cartoons!

Breakfast in the Lobby

The lobby had a nice set up, with real dishes and silverware.

I grabbed some yogurt and packaged pastries, while I checked out the old photos on the wall.

There were some vintage photos from the Hollywood area. I wish they'd had a few showing the hotel, back in its apartment days.

Coffee and Movie

I liked the coffee options! And I appreciated the large plastic trays that helped me carry the food and drink back to the room.

I was tempted for a moment to text Don to join me on the patio. All the tables were vacant and there and a movie with a train was playing! That could have been a fun start to our day.

But I took our tiny breakfast upstairs.

I promise we didn't eat M&Ms or Snickers, with our light breakfast!

On the Patio

After a while we headed down for more coffee and enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. There kids playing board games as they ate their cereal.

We spotted a man in a vest and tie, entertaining a family with magic tricks.

Alfonso

​We were pretty excited when Alfonso came to our table and did a few card and coin tricks! He was good! An Australian family joined our table for a bit and Alfonzo really surprised the kids when some Australian coins appeared.

I told Alfonso how much fun it was to watch the kids' faces when he performed. He said the kids are the best. "They're so genuinely surprised!"

Hanging Out

We had about an hour before we needed to hit the road. 

We didn't have time to work on the popsicle puzzle. Popsicles are a big thing at Magic Castle Hotel!

More Sweets!

I made sure to indulge in every freebie I could find. Help yourself to the soda machine!

I grabbed a cone and had some fun with some swirly ice cream!

I didn't just pose with the cone. I ate the whole thing.

Hotline Time!

This is what I was most excited about!

24-Hour Popsicle Hotline! Right next to the pool.

​They answered right away and I made sure to sound very needy. "Hello! I am in need of a popsicle right away please!" 

Look hard and you can see my server is wearing white gloves (and jeans) and he has an assortment of flavor options on a little silver tray! The man behind me didn't seem to need a popsicle that morning! Actually a frozen treat might have put him in a better mood.

Pack Up

I hated to leave this fun, playful place. But we needed to head off to Joshua Tree National Park. We packed up.

Don's suitcase was a little lighter. He left his wig behind for the housekeeper's amusement. (I turned the light off, to avoid wig fires!)

What's Notable?

Our hotel stay was more enjoyable than we expected! We'd book a room basically to give us the privilege of getting guest passes to the Magic Castle.

We did enjoy the evening of magic, just a short walk from the hotel. But our little yellow oasis will almost be more memorable. The staff and the set up (with all the funny gimmicks) created an atmosphere that was laid back and comfy and homey and playful. I would love to come back with our kids and grandkids someday!
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Celebrating at the Roosevelt

Don and I don't usually need excuses or reasons for celebrating. 

But our 45th anniversary was in October. We were going to be on the road in California, anyway... 

Why not celebrate our anniversary in an epic hotel, that has hosted movie stars for nearly a century?

Hollywood Roosevelt Since 1927

​I was giddy as we approached the 12-story hotel, from North Orange Drive. Somewhere up near the bold sign, Clark Gable & Carol Lombard had their own private penthouse. 

In 1927, the Hollywood Roosevelt opened its doors, right on Hollywood Boulevard. It wasn't just named for the street. The hotel was built by prominent Hollywood film industry professionals. (Fairbanks, Pickford, Grauman and Mayer!) 

Academy Awards in Blossom Room
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This vintage photo shows the Blossom Room, where the awards took place. It was evidently packed and the awards only lasted 20 minutes. 

Academy Room & Oscar Room

We weren't able to get inside the Blossom Room, but it's still used for star-packed events today. Most recently, the 96th Academy Awards Viewing Gala was held in the Blossom Room.  

We did find other event spaces though. The Academy Room was formerly the office of the Motion Picture Academy. Rats. The door was locked of course. 

Monday Arrival
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It was sunny and 70 degrees when we arrived, mid October. ​​We parked in a nearby garage, for half the valet price and headed for the entrance on Hollywood Boulevard.

I paused to look up and wondered about all the stars who have been guests over the years. From Charlie Chaplin and Bette Davis, to Leo DiCaprio and Brad Pitt. It's hard to believe this beautiful building was in danger of being torn down in the 1980s.

Walk of Fame

The Roosevelt is one of the few historic buildings that sit right on the touristy sidewalk. Today there are over 2,700 brass & terrazzo stars, embedded into Hollywood's Walk of Fame. 

The Walk of Fame project started with just 5 stars, in 1958. Burt Lancaster was one of those original stars. (the only name I recognize)

Check In

We checked in for our room in a newer lobby, in the lowest level. I was a tiny bit disappointed that the modern space gave no hints of the Golden Era of Hollywood.

But the staff was very knowledgeable and welcoming. We were given a room upgrade right away. Maybe it was the giddy comments I made during booking. I was downright silly over the phone, with my "We're going to Hollywood!" kind of enthusiasm.

Famous Stairs?

Just steps from the lobby desk, was a striking set of stairs over an illuminated pool.

We were headed with our bags for the elevator, but I had to take a quick peek at the gorgeous tile stairs from the front.

Many famous folks have walked up these stairs, but it was a different set of stairs that I was most excited to see. More on that later.
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​Mystery Library

On the was to the elevators. I paused to look at these velvet curtains and the bookcase.

Was this some kind of Speakeasy entrance?

Cinegrill Today
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Sadly I couldn't get a peek inside, but found this photo online. I also found a schedule of shows and movies. We were just a week off from being able to see Hitchcock's classic, Psycho in that glitzy theatre! 

The Old Cinegrill

We didn't see the theatre, but we saw the Cinegrill sign, as we approached from the parking garage. I assumed the modern-sounding Cinegrill, was a new addition to the hotel. But Cinegrill actually opened in 1936. It was a film-themed restaurant and cabaret nightclub, that featured top entertainers.

Originally it was located near the north entrance, but was moved to an interior space. 

Back in Time
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​I wish I could have watched Mary Martin (the original Peter Pan!) when she got her singing career started at Cinegrill. Her infant, (Larry Hagman!) would often sleep in her dressing room.

It was a disappointment that the theatre was closed on a Monday night. But more than anything, I wish I could have slipped back in time to see the Cinegrill Lounge, back when a glass of wine was 25 cents. I wish I could have seen Humphrey Bogart or Clark Gabel at the bar. Or Marilyn, tucked back into a corner. Her preference.

But there were also celebrities who weren't screen stars, who frequented the lounge. F. Scott Fitzgerald and Hemingway and director Elia Kazan, to name a few.

Their images greeted us, when the elevator door opened to the 8th floor. 

Long Hall

We headed down the hall in search of #805. We were just below the floor where Montgomery Cliff stayed during the filming of, From Here to Eternity. 

Some claim they have seen his ghost, in the hall. It's been said that Montgomery spent a lot of time pacing the halls, while memorizing lines.

Nothing Scary

There was nothing eerie about our room on the 8th floor. There was a ton of space and lots of windows.

We couldn't have been more thrilled, with a comfy couch and chair and a large desk. 

We were sort of amused (and somewhat confused) by the artwork on both sides of the sliding barn door, that led to a huge closet.

Odd Art
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Was the red artwork backwards? If you're good at reading the mirror image, it says West Coast. It looked like a frame held together with masking tape, hooked on the wall, backwards. Maybe I'm too old to understand this art?

I felt like my humor was being tested when I saw the tiny frame above the pillow on Don's side of the bed. Yep. I gave him the artsy side of the bed. I need to get with it in 2024, because I'm not up with these decorating trends!
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Ahhh!

I didn't make use of the huge desk/table. But the cushioned bench came in handy.

Nice size TV! Although we spent so little time in the room, we hardly needed it.

There were some very expensive goodies in the bar. Even some Roosevelt flip-flops for sale. The cute metal water bottles were complimentary!

​Views

The biggest treat was the view of Hollywood Boulevard and Grauman's Theatre!

Best of all, behind the Dolby Theatre, high on the hill, was the famous sign!

Bathing & Lounging

​The bathroom was narrow, but quite lovely.

I was totally delighted with the hypnotic tile floor design!

And cheers for a cozy robe! I accidentally covered my robe's HR logo, that matched with the water bottle.
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The Promenade

In 1950 the Roosevelt opened a new wing, named The Promenade. We found a retro stairway to the mid-century tropical paradise. Pool, gardens, bar, cafe and 60  bungalows suites.

I paused in the garden area, just outside the pool. I needed to have a moment with one of my all time favorites. Charlie Chaplin attended the very first Academy Awards, held at the Roosevelt in 1929.

Tropicana Pool & Bar

On a Monday afternoon in October, we were surprised to see so many guests. There wasn't a poolside chair available.

No worries. We were only peeking around anyway. 

The bartender at the Tropicana Bar told us Marilyn Monroe lived in a suite right above the bar. I read she was there for 2 years in the 1940s, when she was just modeling. Confused, since I read the pool opened in '50!

Palms!

As a kid living in Iowa, I had romantic ideas of what Hollywood was. Besides movie stars like Paul Newman and Liz Taylor, this is what I pictured when someone said Hollywood. 

Palm trees have always pleased me. Hollywood palms are the best!
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From the walkway above, I could get a good view of the palms and the space above Tropicana Bar sign. Was that really where Marilyn stayed so many years ago?

Only a few people were actually in the pool. I wonder if any of them knew the pool trivia I'd read. For the grand opening in 1950, a few stewardesses were given the task of pouring small bottles of water into the pool... water gathered from all the oceans around the world. Love it! 

Stars at the Pool

I'm guessing most of the guests sitting around the pool all knew about Marilyn's connection to the Tropicana Pool. But did they know that an I Love Lucy episode was filmed at the pool? Did they know that the pool became a wild LA party scene for young celebrities like Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan in the early 2000s? 

There is no diving board today, but Marilyn posed on the board for a suntan lotion ad, back in the day. The dates confuse me, but all seem to agree she lived in one of the bungalows when she was just starting out. 

Artist in the Pool

​And then there's a celebrity artist, who painted the pool in 1988! British painter, David Hockney used a broom stick with a brush attached, to paint curvy dashes on the bottom and sides of the pool.

It was fun to see the underwater art moving, when the water rippled.

It must have been a pretty tricky job a few years ago, when they had to drain the pool and restore Hockney's art.

The Lobby!

I loved the lit palms in this hall, leading to the original lobby. 

The shiny tile floors and arched entrance...
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And more arches, surrounding the 2-story lobby space.

The Spanish Colonial Revival style, with its trickling fountain, felt like a fabulous old hacienda.

Sea Foam Green?
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As I stood on the tile floor, my eyes were drawn upward, to the gorgeous painted ceilings and the wrought iron chandelier.

Oddly, that chandelier was removed years ago. In the 1950s, the hotel went into decline and odd renovations took place. The chandelier was taken down and the dramatic arches were removed. The gorgeous colorful beams were painted over. The entire interior was covered in sea foam green paint!  Ugh!

I've searched the internet for photos of the hotel during that ugly period. No luck.  

Luckily in 2005, the hotel underwent a 30-million-dollar renovation and brought the interior back its original classy style. The gorgeous chandelier was discovered in the basement!

Exploring Above

It was fun going up to the mezzanine level to peer down into the lobby.

It also allowed for a close up view of some amazing designs. 

I can't even imagine how this was covered up with paint!

Don and I did find some time to enjoy the Lobby Bar eventually. What a comfy and charming area to relax with a glass of wine.

More Exploring

​Besides the lobby, there was lots more to explore. But we met up with locked doors.

I really wanted to check out the Ladies Room on the mezzanine. But the door was locked. The Mens Room had a great sign!

Floors

I was intrigued by the tile everywhere! I loved all the designs, even the chips and flaws that spotlighted the age.

At one point, we thought we found the secret stairs we'd read about. But the doors were locked. We never found the secret passages either. Supposedly the passages connected to Grauman's Theatre. Oh those sneaky theatre people!

Shirley Stairs & Spooky Mirror!

I believe these are the stairs where Shirley Temple and Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, practiced their tap-dance routine. (Famous scene in The Little Colonel).

Halfway up the stairs, we spotted Marilyn's Mirror. There's a little spooky history to that mirror, which was used by Marilyn Monroe, when it was located in her poolside cabana. Over the years many have claimed to have seen her image in the mirror. Maybe I should have paused longer. Maybe I could have spotted a double image, of Shirley AND Marilyn, together! Odd to think Marilyn was born 2 years before Shirley.

It actually looked pretty cute, with mahogany leather booths and retro counter dining. A bit like some of the old photos of Cinegrill. But we wanted more than a burger meal on our anniversary.

The friendly guy behind the counter was chatty, but he had no idea about the history. I wondered if the burger place had once been a coffee shop or part of Cinegrill? He didn't know, but he told me about a customer who recognized the tile floors, from when he worked at the hotel in the 1940s! Cool!

I became a fan of Shirley Temple when I was 6 and watched her play Heidi. But I wasn't as big a fan as my mom. When she was little, she saw Shirley's movies at the Picture Show. Oh how I wish I could have dined in Shirley Brasserie, with my mom. I would love to hear her stories once again, of coming to Hollywood when she was 6. I kind of think I recall her saying they stayed at the Roosevelt! 

Mom in Hollywood

This is Mom at age 6 on her California trip, with her mom. Shirley was Mom's idol, since they were the same age. Mom so hoped she would see the child star on their visit. Surely... there was no chance of seeing Shirley!

But Mom lucked out and happened to be in a shoe store, when Shirley's limo pulled up. My starry eyed mom gasped and watched the tiny movie star try on a pair of white, hightop shoes. She was gone in a flash, but Mom talked her mother into buying the same pair. My grandmother tried to reason. "I know you're the same age, but those are baby shoes. Only Shirley Temple wears shoes like that." And here's a photo of Mom with the shoes that she begged to own. Her expression looks like she's having second thoughts about those shoes.

​Another Shirley Fan

While on this crazy tangent, I must admit I was missing another special Shirley fan.

My 3-year-old granddaughter begs to watch this very scene from The Little Colonel, every time Don and I babysit. I can no longer hope to dine at Shirley Brasserie with Mom, but someday, maybe Charlie and I will do just that!
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A Dash to Yamashiro

So we couldn't do the anniversary thing at Shirley's, but I talked Don into a quick adventure to the iconic Yamashiro Mountain Palace. Just a half mile from Roosevelt, but a steep climb. We Ubered.

Japanese martinis with a gorgeous sunset over Hollywood. I mention this, because the Roosevelt's location is one of its many perks! There's so much nearby!

Nighttime at The Roosevelt
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After sunset, Don and I hiked back down the hill. No Uber needed. 

It was a treat to return to Hollywood Boulevard and spot the hotel with its glowing signs... and fewer tourists!

Tropicana

It was only about 9:00 when we wandered back. We headed over to check on the vibe near Tropicana Bar.

The palms near the Charlie Chaplin bench were glowing.

The pool was closed, so we could enjoy the blue designs beneath the still water.

Of course I posed.

The temps were dropping, but there was a fireplace with seating near the bar.

We opted for seats at the bar, where we shared a glass of wine and a plate of sliders. That's right we shared bar food on our anniversary, All good! There wasn't time for a big sit down meal on our 1 night! 

Our very chatty bartender Adam, took our photo. He handed me an extra glass to pose with.

Spare Room

By 10:00, the Prohibition-style cocktail lounge was finally open. Some man in dark clothes let us in the unmarked door. Sort of a speakeasy? 

A few people were bowling on the 2 vintage lanes.

We sat in one of the cozy booths and enjoyed some great people watching. I decided to go for one of their fancy Mocktails. I mentioned to our server that I was tempted to get a Shirley Temple, but decided against the famous coke & cherry kiddie cocktail. I once heard an NPR interview with the adult Shirley Temple Black. She never cared for the drink that was invented in the 1930s and carried her name without permission.  More trivia for you!

Morning!
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Before 8, Don and I were dressed and ready for some al fresco dining, at Rosy Cafe.

The interior of the little cafe, was charming, but the weather outside was too perfect!

We spotted a table tucked behind palms and beneath a bright umbrella! We couldn't resist!

Don's breakfast burrito was a hefty, tasty thing. My croissant was just right with coffee.

9 am Swim Time

The pool looked heavenly after breakfast. Tidy rolled towels were placed on perfectly lined lounge chairs.

I came prepared, with my suit beneath my clothes. I stripped down and added a pink bathing cap and cat eye sunglasses to help me enjoy the mid-century vibe. 

60 years ago, I detested those plastic caps that girls were required to wear! (Even if you had a pixie cut, shorter than your brother's hair!) I still hate caps, but I enjoyed playing dress up, in the pool where Marilyn most likely wore a cap herself!

After a little pool time, we headed back to enjoy the room before checking out.

After 12, we carried our bags back to the car, parked in the garage.

We gave ourselves a  little more time to take in the area before moving on.

Around Hollywood Boulevard

The area around the hotel is hard to explain. It's touristy and a little annoying. But it's all part of the fun package that comes with staying at the Roosevelt. 

I wish I'd gotten more photos of the vendors and tourists. Honestly they are as entertaining as studying the handprints and stars on the walks! 

What's Notable?

The Hollywood Roosevelt felt like an enormous, oasis in the noisy, oddball bustling area of Hollywood. 

Historic Lake Lodge

In August, Don and I spent a couple of nights at this charming lodge, tucked into the forest, near lake and mountains.

The historic lodge has been offering up lakeside accommodations for nearly a century.

In this crazy ever-changing world, I love that this lodge has remained pretty much the same over time.

Guests can still sit on the long porch and look out towards the sandy north shore of Redfish Lake.

They can enjoy a view of the Sawtooth Mountains.

The lodge view from over the water hasn't changed much, since this image was captured on a real photo postcard. 1940s?

1996

In this photo from 28 years ago, the water and mountains look the same. But the kids aren't the same anymore. They're all in their thirties now!

Our kids and their cousin had fun, wandering out on the floating docks. But my memory is pretty limited. We only stopped to peek at the lake and lodge, back in 1996. 

August 2024, Without Kids

This past summer Don and I got to enjoy 2 notable nights at Redfish. 

This time, our kids weren't with us and neither was their cousin. But Cousin Andy's parents were! Thanks to Chris and Karen for encouraging us a year in advance, to book at the lodge! We grabbed 2 of the 8 lodge rooms!

Arrival

It was a Monday afternoon last August, when the 4 of us arrived at the lodge. We had just spent one night at lovely Sun Valley Resort. I was ready to embrace a whole different Idaho resort experience, at the rustic Redfish Lake Lodge.

The 1-hour drive was lovely, but had us a little concerned. Smoke from nearby fires looked worrisome. We'd been warned of a possible evacuation in nearby Stanley.

Lots of Activity

There was no smoke when we arrived. 

Just blue skies, towering green pine trees and lots of guests enjoying the lawn and lake.

Exterior

We parked in our designated space in back, not far from a towering log pole, that held an American flag. 

I paused to study the basic log and stone structure. It reminded me a little of Lincoln Logs. But this sturdy creation has been tucked into the forest for nearly a century. My L.L. creations never lasted a day.  

​The lodge initially had only 1 floor, when it opened to the first guests, in 1929.

Today the lodge looks just as dwarfed by the tall pines, as it did 95 years ago.
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Heading In

​It was after 4, when we headed inside, to check in. The porch was buzzing with guests. I spotted grannies and toddlers, frisbees and cartwheels. Even a Great Dane with a Support Vest. A happy vibe! 

We headed in the main door.  A smiling Redfish greeted us from the stained glass.

Redfish Lake was named after the endangered sockeye salmon and its brilliant spawning colors. 

​Lobby

The small lobby in front of the dining room, was hopping  when we entered. (unlike my morning photo)

Salmon River Valley Playground! I love a vintage ad!

The smiling cowboy with the gun and rose vest, was Robert Limbert. He was known as an explorer, photographer, and writer and also the man who wanted to create this place. A place where people could escape and commune with nature. Sadly he died just a few years after building Redfish Lake Lodge. 

Going Up

After checking in, we had 2 options for getting our luggage to the second floor.

The outside staircase was close to our parked car, but there was a more entertaining set of stairs, just inside the back door.

What a view as we climbed! And how lucky for us, that a very gracious woman who was hanging out in the lobby, offered to help us carry a load upstairs.

Second Story
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I climbed the stairs and wondered how long the bear (skin) had been clinging to that log wall?

The upper floor  held all the guest rooms. 4 faced the lake and 4 had woodsy views, in back. 

​The knotty pine walls reminded me of our family room, in my 1960s childhood home.

So did the Carrom Board (game) and badminton rackets, displayed on the wall.
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The pump organ also brought back childhood memories. We had one of those too. We kids perfected the art of spooky music.

The braided rug looked like one we had back in Iowa. But we never had a chair quite like the orange one, sitting on the rug. I'm sure that mod chair wasn't around in 1929.

Sitting Area

I spotted an open door to a guest room, facing the back. I peeked in and it looked pretty adorable! Super tiny, but lots of exposed logs and delightful rustic detail.

The Lodge website warned guests about booking those rooms. These are rooms meant for people who spend all day out on an adventure, and are not planning on spending a lot of time inside. I guess this odd lounge area, (pic above) was for the people with tiny rooms. We walked through it to get to the hall near our room.

Room #12

Don and I (along with Chris and Karen) were able to book rooms facing the lake. 

There were no phones or TVs in the lodge, but we had a ceiling fan and a window. It was glorious letting in the air and sounds. 

Voices of kids playing on the lawn and the rhythmic squeaks and clanks coming from rocking boats near the dock, brought on more memories. Sounds of students and squeaky swings in old schoolyards!
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​And the view! That's the porch roof in the photo. Not a paved area.

The summer scenery was lovely. If I got curious about how the lake might look in the winter, I could study the photograph above the bed. Hmm? was that a snowy Salmon River scene?

We were grateful to have a comfy queen bed and one chair, which I used for a bedside table. I've no idea how rustic the accommodations were 90 years ago, but surely less cushy than this.

Bathing

We were also grateful to have our own sink for face washing and teeth brushing. 

Through the years Don and I have gone along with shared baths in campgrounds and old hotels. It's a hassle, but usually worth it.

Across the Hall

1 night of sharing a bathroom with strangers, is no big deal. I hoped our 2 night stay wouldn't make me crave a night at Holiday Inn. But honestly we couldn't complain. There were 2 nicely renovated community bathrooms, just across the hall. (men's & women's)

Near the sinks, an old black & white photo delighted me. I wish I'd packed overalls.

I'd been a little worried at first about 8 rooms sharing, but the spotless bathroom was usually empty. Except for a sweet mom helping her daughters brush their teeth one night. Not a problem at all!

Limbert's

​I can't say enough about Limbert's, the Lodge's restaurant. The cozy dining room was busy and festive during meal times. The menu options were pretty fabulous. Ricotta gnocchi to steelhead trout... sophisticated flavors and definitely not 1929 prices.

These photos were taken during a quiet moment, free of diners and staff. It was fun to peek another time, when young staff members were grabbing a bite, during off hours. They reminded me of camp counselor's, at the end of summer. So relaxed and familiar with each other.

The Old Hickory furniture brought back memories of the National Park lodges. Although I've never seen Old Hickory highchairs!

The day temps were lovely, but it was a treat to come down in the chilly morning and see flames flickering in the the old stone fireplace.

Best Table

We were so lucky to have this very table, for 3 of our meals.

Our table wasn't near a window, but it felt like it. The large painting gave us a view of the lake.

To the left of the painting was a tiny photograph. 

It showed Robert Limbert holding a pallet and brush, standing beside the very painting! We learned a few stories about this very interesting man, who created the lodge. I'm sure he'd be pleased to know guests are still enjoying.

Rustic Lounge
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Next to the photograph was an entrance to a bar, known as Rustic Lounge.  You have to love the  "loggy" Dutch door! 

I half expected the head of Mr. Ed, (the talking horse) to suddenly appear!

I snapped some pics before Rustic Lounge opened at noon. What a cozy little place with the big fireplace and a very fun assortment of chairs!

We never had a chance to try out any of the curious stool or chair options. The weather was too nice, to sit inside with drinks.

The Porch

We got to know the porch well. We got downstairs early the first morning and grabbed a seat easily.

From the chairs we had a lovely lake view. But there was also a pretty dramatic view in the window reflection!

In the afternoon and evening it was tricky business, getting 4 seats together. But the other guests seemed friendly and welcoming. Lots of scooting to make room for folks. Lots of chatting among strangers.

First Morning

The first night, we slept with windows and shades open, so morning would wake us. I got out a little after 7, to see what the property was like before crowds.

The pines behind the lodge were just beginning to glow with light. All 20 chairs were waiting for guests.

​I walked out on the rocky beach and enjoyed seeing the lake, so quiet and still. The rising sun spotlighted the mist above the water.

I greeted a fisherman with his dog. I played with my shadow for a while.

Around 8, Don and I wandered to the Two Guns Cafe, to grab some coffee. Once the old gas station, I believe.

The freshly painted logs made me think of tootsie rolls... which they might have sold at the General Store, next door.

In the store, we bought no candy and we didn't have coins to put in the machine for Character Readings. But we bought a souvenir mug, which Don and I now fight over. 

The chilly porch was still too shady, so we took our coffees inside and sunk into the worn leather couches, with the funny, but practical "armrests". What a view! 

After breakfast with Chris and Karen, we headed for the porch once again!

Tuesday was quieter at the lodge. Lots more porch time awaited us, after a trip into Stanley, to check on fires. 

Stanley

​It was about a 10 minute drive into the smoky town.  We got gas at Sinclair and I posed on the dinosaur, named Claire. 

Sadly, the nearby "Wapiti Fire" had been burning for nearly a month. Our eyes were burning, so we didn't stick around long. Lucky to have our oasis at the lake.

Ice Cream for Lunch

​I felt like an oldster, so content with my porch chair. Karen was brave enough to join lots of kids in the cold lake water, while the rest of us gabbed in our cushioned chairs.

The kid in me said Forget Lunch and opted for an ice cream at the nearby Lakeside Grill. 

The Dock

I enjoyed my cone and wandered down the dock to check on the boats. 

We had booked a pontoon boat ride for 3:30! 

The Syringa, looked extra appealing, sitting at the end of one dock. The vintage boat could be booked for a sunset appetizer cruise.

I looked across the docks for the pontoon that we would be enjoying later.

That's when I noticed the steep ramp, leading down to the lower level. Yikes. 2 in our group of 4 had some walking issues that had me concerned. There was no railing.

Low Lake Level

I talked to staff and they apologized about the wonky ramps. They explained how the lake level had dropped after a summer of fighting fires.

An old photo with Chris, Karen and kids, shows how the floating docks once matched up. We were worried about getting our party down the steep ramps. Especially since the winds were strong and the floating docks were constantly in motion.

Not to Worry!

This photo is evidence that we all made it down the ramp. An incredibly sweet young staff member jumped in to offer his sturdy arm for anyone in need.

What a blissful hour! We had the boat to ourselves, along with Captain Hannah. She zipped us across the lake for the first 10 minutes.

The ride was exhilarating and the views were gorgeous. Hannah slowed the pontoon down near a cove and shared a little knowledge about the geology and the lodge history as well. After an hour we headed back to the lodge. Skies looked ominous with smoke.

And winds were wild as we headed off the dock! Don and Hannah both lost their hats in a sudden gust! I caught Hannah's with a cartoonish snatch. Don's hat took a swim, but Hannah and a coworker used 2 oars like chopsticks, in a comical rescue mission!  

Happy Group

​Our happy gang headed back to the lodge for another good evening of porch time and dining.

At dinner, we had some playful conversations with server, Melody... who could not be convinced to sing, despite her name. Our chatting got more serious as she shared about the lodge's evacuation 2 weeks earlier. It was sad to know that Redfish was again at risk. 

We stepped outside after dinner and the air smelled smoky.

We slept with windows closed on the second night, but still smelled smoke.  

We woke to a different view in the morning. The lake looked sad and eerie.

We thought about sitting on the lobby couches before breakfast, but they were all taken, with guests who were not looking out at the view. They were busily using the lobby's wifi.

The folks staring at laptops and phones seemed to be mostly cabin and camping guests, who were scrambling to make new plans. Fire worries. 

​We were some of the lucky ones, since we had already planned to leave that day. We headed out to see the lake before breakfast.

At breakfast the staff seemed more subdued. What a long summer they'd had. Lightning had started the Wapiti Fire over a month before. The lodge had been forced to close during peak season.

Wapiti Fire
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We packed and checked out at 11 and avoided road closures with a different route back to Boise.

As far as I know, the lodge did not have to evacuate after we left. But I'm sure fire concerns, stressed the staff and interfered with business. I so hope the lodge and area recovers from the summer fires. 826,000 acres have burned in Idaho in 2024.

What's Notable?

Our stay at Redfish Lake Lodge made me feel I'd stepped back into summer of 1965. It felt simple and relaxed. Comfortable temps. Delicious food. Boat time. Cozy rooms with open window. Being with family... I'll always have fond memories.

I'm so glad we won't have memories of evacuation or scary flames. I'm also glad we were sort of unaware of just how serious things could be. It felt like I was a kid, shielded from worry. We were surrounded by the upbeat staff, in a positive atmosphere. I felt like a kid at camp, where our biggest decision was what time we should go eat and what flavor of ice cream to order. I'm so glad Redfish Lake Lodge survived the summer fires. I hope it's still around in another 100 years.
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Sun Valley, Idaho

I remember a fabulous dinner at Sun Valley Lodge, in 1996. Ever since, I've dreamed of spending a night at the historic Idaho lodge.

Over a year ago, while planning our 2024 trip to see my brother and sis-in-law in Boise, I peeked into rates at the lodge. Yikes! Forget that! 

No Lodge... Yes Inn!

My memory from nearly 3 decades before, was fuzzy. I didn't realize there was a lodge AND an inn. Sun Valley Inn was built in 1937, to provide more affordable accomodations than Sun Valley Lodge, which opened the year before. 

The inn is still much cheaper. But $473. for one night, is still incredibly high dollar for Don and me. We went ahead and splurged. Chris and Karen were game, too!

​Pre-Trip Homework

Before August, I made sure Don and I watched our favorite Sun Valley themed movies! Esther Williams and Van Johnson have some memorable swimming pool scenes in the Lodge pool!

In Sun Valley Serenade from 1941, there are scenes of Olympic skater/actress Sonja Henie, skating in her signature white leather skates, at Sun Valley Lodge. (all skates were dark leather, before)

Packing Old Stuff

Before we left Texas, I made sure to pack up some old/odd things, related to Sun Valley. Two vintage Ford Motor cookbooks, featuring recipes from Sun Valley restaurants...

... and my mom's old Sonja Henie doll! Chris and Karen are big fans of the Norwegian star and her most famous movie. They are also big fans of cooking. I figured we'd have some fun with my travel props.
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Sunny Sunday

On our visit nearly 3 decades ago, it was less sunny. I found my old 1996 photo, showing clouds. You can barely see the lodge in the lower right corner of this aged photo!

The inn's entrance looked lovely. It also looked modern. I always like to spot hints of the past, so I hoped the historic inn wasn't overly modern inside.

Check In

The renovated lobby was comfy and traditional. Our ​check-in was pretty relaxed, with a welcoming staff and big cushy chairs!

Only one room was ready, so our very sweet valet guy unloaded our bags and put them into Chris and Karen's room. Then we were off to explore.

​Wandering Near Sun Valley Inn

The Swiss-style Inn looked extra charming on a pretty day. The walkways near the chalet style structures were quiet at 3:30. 

So was the dining terrace, except for some staff. I tried to imagine a 1940s scene, with bundled skiers sitting out on the deck, after a day on Mount Baldy.
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The property around the Inn, was heavenly. I'd love to see it covered in snow, but the summer landscaping was stunning.

After exploring near the Inn, we headed towards the ritzier part of the resort property!

The Lodge

Sun Valley Lodge was completed in 1936. My photo shows more flowers than building, but the center of the X-shaped structure looked mighty sweet from my view, over the garden and across the pond.

The exterior was actually constructed of concrete, poured inside rough-sawn forms. A woodgrain was pressed into the concrete and then stained brown. Crazy!

​Back in 1996

Don and I visited the Lodge for dinner, 28 years ago. We were with Chris and Karen then also, along with our kids and my mom.

I won't comment on these caption-worthy photos, from our evening of dining and dancing. As I recall, we actually closed the place down. After the other guests were all gone, the gracious musicians catered to the kids and performed songs from Lion King and Pocahontas, for our dancing pleasure!


As we walked around the exterior I tried to conjure up memories of that brief visit so many years ago. I don't remember the pond at all.

I do remember the ice rink behind. But the interior was so dramatically remodeled, I couldn't recognize a thing!

​Room Ready

I got a text telling us our room was ready, back at the inn. I secretly hoped for a room in the larger section, with the balcony. You can see it overlooking the pond, in the vintage photo.

I hadn't noticed the brown section, a bit further down. There are a lot more trees now, but you can see there's another balcony. That was our room, on the second floor! No complaints!

Room 288

The hallway to our room was amusing! My photo hardly captures the wavy feel of the floor. Like I said, I like hints of the past, in historic hotels.

Our room wasn't huge, but there were two comfy chairs and and we could open the door and let in fresh air.

The bathroom was nicely updated, but I must say, the design was odd. Once again, there was a glass bathroom door issue. Surely this trend is coming to an end.

TV and Blankie

The blanket on the foot of the bed was pretty and soft. Also handy for the balcony, when the temps dropped after dark.

We hardly had time for the large TV, but we had a nice surprise when we turned it on before bed. Photo later...

Quick Pool Time

We only had 1 night at Sun Valley. How could we do it all? We couldn't, but Karen and I were determined to at least make quick use of the Inn's pool. We headed down the stairs from our hall and checked in at the spa, before reaching the peaceful, round pool. Quieter than the Lodge pool.

I posed in honor of Esther Williams. That was before I realized her movie was filmed at the other pool.

This vintage photo above, shows that little has changed with the enclosure around the Inn's pool. You can see our balcony, in the center of the photo.

My pool photo shows that we had the place to ourselves. It does not show how cold the water was. I got halfway in, but Karen was brave enough to swim.

This old photo shows the same pool, with an angle that shows the Lodge. I doubt we'll ever be able to afford a night at the Inn or Lodge, during busy ski season!

The Old Brown Balcony!

The 4 of us gathered for Happy Hour beverages on the balcony, around 6:00. The balcony only had 2 chairs, but Chris inquired and a very gracious staff member arrived with 2 extra chairs.

I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed our balcony. It felt like we were 4 summertime kids, having some playtime in our cozy treehouse. 

I made Chris and Karen guess what fine surprise I was holding, inside a few layers of bubblewrap. They didn't guess. But once revealed, they did offer to adopt Sonja!  I didn't have to carry Mom's precious doll back home to Texas.
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Memories & Popcorn

While enjoying our balcony time, we began to reminisce about our 1996 visit to Sun Valley. Besides dining at the lodge, we also remembered a theatre that played Sun Valley Serenade continuously, for no charge. From the balcony we could see the Opera Theatre. That must have been the place! 

I dashed over to find out and chatted with the young man behind concessions. Nope. He said they only show new release movies now. But the young guy knew lots of trivia. 

He pointed to a poster and told me that Lucy and Desi once filmed an episode, at Sun Valley. He share a few more tidbits and then I told him a story... about my mom and the theatre, back in 1996.

28 years ago, our family group (minus Mom) arrived at the theatre and began watching Sun Valley Serenade. Mom said she'd meet us later, after her shopping. Eventually we watched her enter the dark theatre. Our eyes were adjusted, but not Mom's. We elbowed each other as we saw her walking past. Suddenly the 7 of us were giggling, as we watched her head for the only other people in the theatre. She joined a family of 8 and didn't seem to notice. I eventually jumped up and brought her back to join us. She seemed annoyed, like "What took you so long?" After the movie Mom walked up to the mystery family and shared a few laughs about her faux pa. For years we teased mom. But she'd always rolled her eyes and asked, "Well, did you ever make any friends at Sun Valley? No? Well I did!"  

Silly memory.  Miss you Mom! I bought some popcorn and brought it back to our balcony gathering.

​Suppertime at The Ram

By 7 we were ready for a bigger feast than popcorn! We left Sonja behind, but I put the 1950 cookbooks in my bag. We headed just a few steps to The Ram.

The 74-year-old cookbook was from the day when the Inn went by Challenger Inn. Not sure if Inn's restaurant was called The Ram, back then?

The Lodge accommodations may have been the popular choice for the rich, but the celebrity guests have always been drawn to The Ram. I didn't expect to spot any celebs at dinner, but I was eager to see if I could order the cookbook's Stuffed Idaho Mountain Trout Saute Almandine. Probably not.

I'm afraid our waiter Mark was a little too busy to be thrilled by the book. He did look at it and he told me they no longer served the Stuffed Trout. (not really the point) But the piano player Larry, was quietly delighted! He's been playing piano at The Ram for 45 years and had tons of his own SV memorabilia.

A Good Evening

​The food was delicious and yes, expensive. But we had a fabulous time.

It was after 10 when we headed back. Sleepy and happy, but ready for a little TV before bed. The TV had a nice surprise! The old Opera House no longer shows the famous Sonja Henie movie, but the guest room TVs play it on a constant loop! I had to pull our Sonja so she could pose with the black & white movie!

Breakfast at the Lodge

Don and I weren't starving for a big breakfast, but I had another cookbook, with a recipe for Sun Valley Lodge's Apple Pancakes. We headed to the Lodge, at 10.

We found Gretchen's Restaurant, adjacent to the lobby. The restaurant felt relaxed and bright on a Monday morning. Our waiter Joe was friendly and welcoming.

He was pleasantly curious about the 1954 cookbook and he also had lots of SV trivia for us.

Joe told us about the Gold Metal Olympic skier that the restaurant was named for. We learned that Gretchen Fraser also did the skiing scenes for Sonja Henie in SV Serende. Then I bragged on a bit about my friend's parents skating in the movie, back in 1941. (as if they were my parents and not Jill's) Eventually I just had to pull Sonja out of my bag. Joe had just the right enthused reaction. (or he faked it well) I asked Joe what he thought about Sonja getting out on the rink that morning!

Post Breakfast Exercise

​Joe was encouraging! I knew I could blame him if I got reprimanded for putting obstacles on the rink.

After some rink time, (about 5 minutes) we had to get back and packed up, so we could check out by 11. 

Lunch at the Roundhouse!

But we were not done with our Sun Valley Adventures! We couldn't leave without lunch at the iconic and octagonal Roundhouse, near the slopes.

It was quite an adventure getting to the restaurant, sitting atop Bald Mountain at 7,700 feet of elevation.

The Roundhouse Express Gondola got us almost all the way up to the restaurant. Chris and Karen were able to make a grander arrival. The Roundhouse had a golf cart ready to deliver them to the door! After a great lunch and some more silliness with the doll, we headed even higher!

Gondola and Ski Lift

The enclosed Gondola was pure luxury compared to the open air ski lift, that took us further up.

We can't thank Chris and Karen enough, for being so game for adventure!

It was freezing on that windy trip up! Then gloriously cozy in our glassed in Gondola upon return! Thanks Chris for gifting me your Austrian hat, for our mountain adventures!

What's Notable?
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Our one night couldn't have been better! The history, the food, the comfy and classy accommodations! The late August timing, with pleasant weather and few crowds, made our stay just perfect.

But our traveling companions made it a total blast! Such fun with Chris, Karen and Sonja!
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