Long overdue for an out-of-town excursion.
I stay in one place too long and my head gets mushy.
So, up and out early and into the car for a road trip into Wisconsin
It's been a few years since my last visit to the House on the Rock.
Last time I was there it was for the After Dark Halloween version,
as a fun detour on the way to the Stones concert in Minneapolis.
And, it's hardly my first time here. I've been visiting the House every other
year or so for a long time. It's a happy place for me. And, because it's constantly
being changed, added to and modified, it's a little bit different for every visit.
All dressed up and festive for Christmas.
The massive collection of Santas is apparently all
inside the Gate House at the moment.
the music machines that play themselves are just wonderful
Infinity Room.
Do I look okay for being up and awake since 5 AM on a Sunday?
Used a token to make the piano play a somewhat
disjointed Christmas song.
Some of the machines played Christmas music,
but many of them just played their normal programs.
After the Gate House and House itself, the fun really begins.
Down into the Mill House to visit the Streets of Yesterday
Used some tokens for the some of the machines I usually
just walk past. Like this Love-O-Matic.
This one says I'm Exotic. Ooh, la la.
Some of the machines are little moving dioramas.
This guy is meeting his fate.
A skeleton friend also pops up behind the bed.
this one said I'm "Patriotic"
I've been looking everywhere for some Worm Cakes.
Glad to see that these are pleasant AND effective.
I supposed you could just drink your worms instead.
The Sheriff got a lump of coal.
Giant calliope.
Playing the Entry of the Gladiators march.
Took a peek at some old postcards.
the Horror! the Horror!
Had my fortune told by Esmerelda.
This fortune is kind of harshing my mellow.
In a quiet little corner I found this frog band.
Into one of my favorite sections.
The Heritage of the Sea, to visit the enormous whale and octopus
locked in a fierce fight.
And this Titanic model.
Actually, along the ramp surrounding the whale you can look
at sailing and marine artifacts (some reproductions) and lots of
fantastic model ships.
I feel ya, buddy.
Same.
From above I watched someone put a token into the
Octopus's Garden machine.
It plays Octopus's Garden. As you'd expect.
Look at the little clams!
They sing along!
More Santas.
They're everywhere!
into the aviation and cars room
A collection of Burma Shave signs
This machine said I was "Brain Dead"
eh, what does a chair know about that?
The offending Throne of Passion
:^D
A quiet little corner, reminiscent of an Italian villa.
There is a small eatery section in this part.
If you are feeling hungry or need a refreshing drink, this
is the place for it.
I think I've only bought food here once, and it was with
someone else who wanted a break.
The music rooms, with more of the wonderful music machines.
This one plays Yakety Sax.
Another little automaton
A small graveyard. This guy looks bummed.
The Mikado.
Definitely a favorite.
In goes a token, out comes thunderous music.
This guy stares you down the whole time.
A detail I just noticed this time around.
You can peek through a broken slat in a door into
the Aviation section and spy on a furry creature climbing a ladder.
Neat!
Nearing the end.
Getting nutty with the Nutcracker.
One of the largest and heaviest carousels in the world.
And not a single horse.
There are horse head decorations at the top, but none of the
animals on the floor are a horse.
There were other people touring the house, but we were spaced out enough
I felt all alone in the House at times. Honestly, I liked it.
No distractions or loud comments.
Just me and all the stuff in the House and my thoughts.
See the angels above?
There are hundreds of them on the ceiling.
Merry Christmas, House.
Till we meet again.
There's so much stuff I didn't show you here, so don't feel like
I gave it all away. Including the entire Section 3 that
was closed off. You'll discover something new at each visit.
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