Bowl-O-Rama: Wagon Wheel Bowling

Much time has passed since we last brought you a Bowl-O-Rama feature; the reason being that we had visited so many beautiful, old, local alleys that it seemed we'd begun to exhaust our natural resources.  With just split seconds left before the wacky tacky fracking for bowling alleys began, we remembered a rich deposit of Bowl-O-Rama that was just waiting for our greedy exploitation at Wagon Wheel Bowling (est. 1953) in Oxnard, CA.

Alright, alright, the facade of Wagon Wheel Bowling is about as unprepossessing as
it gets, but do you really doubt our abilities to bring you the best in Bowl-O-Rama?
That multi-colored thumbprint glass alone was worth a little look-see.  

A landmark of a certain stretch on the 101 Freeway (of which I made mental note on countless childhood road trips), my backseat view of Wagon Wheel Bowling always elicited scenes of trail-weary pioneers so thankful to have reached the land of plenty that the only fitting expression of gratitude for their salvation was thirty-two gleaming lanes and tricolor shoes in every size!  However, it was never my fate to explore the realities of this minivan daydream.  In an axiom-shattering example of the early bird failing to get the worm, we always passed the Wagon Wheel long before the lights were switched on; by the time it was open for business we were already begrudgingly giving hugs to relatives in the northern reaches of the state.

One of the greatest things about Wagon Wheel Bowling is that it's the lone
survivor of Wagon Wheel Junction (a complex of offices, a restaurant, a motel,
and the eponymous bowling alley).  Fortunately the incredible, neon-stagecoach
sign for the demolished restaurant and motel still stands; in an era of rampant
"bulldozery," we hope that it continues to take pride of place along the freeway
or at least finds a good home! 

This trip to the bowling alley was no exception to our typical time-table folly; we arrived at Wagon Wheel hours before opening.  Pledging to come back during business hours, we took the opportunity to capture the bowling alley's gorgeous sign by daylight.

The details of this incredible, double-sided sign include the bent arrow, the ball and pin, the sign-painter
script, the faded turquoise-and-red color story, and that bold, bowling font all highlighted by glorious neon!!!

Well, we made good on our promise.
How's that for form and follow-through??!!

While there were absolutely no bonneted pioneer women tending to cast-iron cauldrons over a campfire, nor wagon trains, nor trail masters, Wagon Wheel Bowling provided all the comforts and charms that a mid-century bowling alley ought to offer.

We were thrilled to find an intact western motif (one of our favorites) and original fixtures - interior
shed roofs, old championship rosters, shingle signs, and of course, wagon wheel light fixtures.

The bar/billiard room/banquet hall came complete with vintage furnishings, a quaint brick-and-flagstone
fireplace and the queen of all pinball machines, Elvira!  Erika schooled us on how not to win at pinball...

Like any bowling alley worth its salt, Wagon Wheel Bowling is home to a coffee shop;
the current occupant is Doña Rosa's Mexican Food.  We had just eaten but that didn't
stop Ben & Erika from getting cozy in one of the original, naugahyde booths.  Wouldn't
it be a dream to have a space like this to make into a wacky tacky diner?

Mr. Tiny makes like a wagon wheel with the Wagon Wheel sign.

The Wagon Wheel holds a special place in our hearts because one of Tiny & Mary's signature tunes (an original) is titled "Wagon Wheel."  I can't say with absolute certainty but, having the sign stamped in my subconscious after so many road trip sightings, it is safe to say Wagon Wheel Bowling may have very well been the inspiration for the song.

"Wagon Wheel" - Tiny & Mary

(Filmed by our pal James)

Just like that old wagon wheel, we'll keep rolling along looking for the next Bowl-O-Rama.  Do you know of any beautiful bowling alleys that we simply must visit?  Have you ever been to Wagon Wheel Bowling?  Did you ever eat at the restaurant or stay a night in the motel?  Our high score at Wagon Wheel Bowling was just exploring its history but we want to know, what was your record bowling score?

Wagon Wheel Bowling
2801 Wagon Wheel Rd
Oxnard, CA
(805)485-4915

wagonwheelbowling.com


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Doin' the High Rockabilly Low Down

Hello friends!!!  I'm so conflicted about being home that I really don't know how to get back into the normal swing of things.  While I was glad to reunite with family and friends, I just wasn't quite ready to return to our land of waving grain and purple mountains' majesty - especially since our last day in Barcelona was magical!  Why am I so emotionally suited for the life of a bon vivant all the while hindered by the meager bank account of a very poor whatever the opposite of a bon vivant is...

Truly, I am not sure where to begin as we saw so many wonderful things and had so many splendid adventures.  I guess the best way to begin is to tell you that I saw Greenland!

Greenland!!!

It never occurred to me that our flight home from Spain would include a fly-over of that mysterious and giant island.  Like dipping my toes into the Mediterranean Sea for the very first time, I took particular delight in seeing a cartographer's view of the land of myth and vikings.

Remember, the camera adds ten pounds...to each toe.

I have it on good authority that I am partial to sharing too many photos.  Even family and good friends seemed to get a little bored at the 1,000-photo mark in my slide show.  Before we left, everyone said, "Take loads of pictures."  Although, in fairness, they never finished that sentiment with, "And then be sure to favor me with a three-hour show-and-tell including a detailed explanation of each and every photo."

I figured the best way to handle this is to take the enlightened, new-age approach and write until my soul feels that there is nothing left to be written; which, taking into account the crazy jet lag (I'm awake by 4am every day), should be in pretty short order so hang in there with me.

As I'm sure that you are still reeling from the second-hand thrill of Greenland, I guess I'll give you a moment of pause to collect your thoughts before I share the highlights from...

I must say that Jose, the man behind High Rockabilly, really does an amazing job in terms of coordinating flights, itineraries, bands, accommodations, etc.  As a total hanger on-er, I felt pretty special with my all-access, aqua wristband AND my all-you-can-eat, purple wristband.  We were treated extremely well and it made our trip not only easy, but fun and affordable too.  Even with thirteen years under his belt, I don't know how he does it but he takes the logistical nightmare in stride, and is a great host.  My experience at High Rockabilly is best broken down into three parts - the beach, the music, and the people.

THE BEACH 

We arrived in town early the day before the official start of the festival.  Apparently, the town of Calafell is not too averse to the idea of all these tourists descending upon their quiet beach community.  In fact, banners all along the strand welcomed our motley crew - in multiple languages, no less.

Not only were there banners, but many of the shopkeepers tried to appeal to
the crowd by dressing the mannequins in front of their shops in
"rockabilly fashion" - only sometimes a contradiction in terms.

Install plumbing and I could live in the incredible
 lifeguard towers.

I was going to try and get some good outfit photos of the things
 I made for Mary, but all my motivation was applied to walking
 along the beach and engaging in that most wonderful of all
Spanish pastimes, the siesta. 

A cool shell mosaic on someone's beachfront home.

Impressive sand sculptures on the beach

When supplied with a bucket of water, the Gromit look-
alike on the left was fully functional and filled the pool. 

Another attempt at an outfit photo was interrupted by
Mary trying to save me from getting hit by a truck.
As we came to learn, there is very little distinction
 between street and sidewalk for Spanish drivers; the
 lights, signs, and rules of the road are accepted merely
 as a loose framework of guidelines.

Did I mention that I broke my self-imposed ban on shorts and went
swimming in the sea only to find out later that it was the tail end of
 JELLY FISH SEASON?!?!?!

THE MUSIC

Pretty much by the second of five days, I was growing weary of rockabilly music.  I love the music but everyone has their saturation point; mine came when on the third day (for the third day in a row) I woke up to the music being blasted by the pool party DJs.  Nevertheless, there were some awesome musicians that kept my toes tapping all weekend long - The Tin Stars, The Rip 'em Ups, The Ladykillers, Miss Mary Ann & The Ragtime Wranglers, Rusti Steel & The Star Tones, The Delta Bombers, and many more.

Our room was perfectly situated to get great aerial views of the pool party shenanigans.

The Rip 'em Ups
This band is awesome!!!
We ended up being on the same flight from LA with these
guys and they were so cool - showing us the ropes and showing
us how to put on a KILLER show.  Definitely one of my
 favorite bands of the weekend!

I don't recall the name of this band but their western swing sound was a welcome relief!

Rusti Steel & The Star Tones
A great band and full of generosity; they played their own
awesome set on Saturday and backed Mary up for her set on Sunday.

Mary - even with her eyes closed it was easy to see that big
things are happening for her.  This was the opportunity of a lifetime!!!

THE PEOPLE

Being preternaturally shy, I let too many opportunities to meet new people pass me by.  Fortunately, this blog has opened some channels for me and I got to become acquainted with a couple of folks who follow my blog.  One Aussie minx in particular became - in four short days - a mentor, a chaperone, and a friend.  The most rewarding part of blog writing is connecting with  new people and I count myself very lucky to have made a new pal.  We ended up meeting and spending time with a bunch of great folks and got a world view of the United States; I was surprised and entertained by the foreign fervor for American politics.

Michele, Mary, and Raina
The most fortunate part of the weekend was reuniting
 with old friends and meeting new ones.

I wish I could say that I was that quick on the camera trigger,
 but there is no way I could have planned this photo;
I honestly don't even know what my subject matter was.
Superbly dressed and light as a feather on the dance floor,
  I show this picture not to embarrass, but to ask if you think the
face was for my benefit OR if I just benefited by capturing the face?

The tricolor Swedish fish - Elsa, Sara, and Teresia
Some of the most fun people you'll ever want to know!

Rusti Steel & The Star Tones shining a little light on Mary and Mr. Tiny
Stewart, Andy, Mr. Tiny, Mary, Rusti, and Lloyd

My absolute favorite moment of the weekend came when the only Swede I love more than the Swedish Chef, Sara, performed her most infamous dance move - THE WORM!!!  It's has been two years since I've seen her perform and I am overcome with joy every time. 

Well, that's about it for now.  I'm sure there is plenty I forgot to share with you, but I'm all tuckered out.  Please stay tuned for more Spanish-flavored adventures coming soon and don't forget to like us on Facebook if you haven't already (which I'm sure you have).

Cheers!

Mr. Tiny

Chow Time: Steak Corral

I am not an expert in anything.  A natural penchant for laziness combined with an inherent boredom, leaves me knowing only enough on any given subject to be dangerous.  I do, however, spend an inordinate amount of time seeking out things that replace laziness and boredom with a childlike wonder and unbridled enthusiasm - namely funny parks, perfect hills for rolling down, curious landmarks, neon signs, strange fashions, thrift stores, and delicious/offbeat restaurants.  That's why it's great to know that even wacky tacky super-sleuths like us can be introduced to entirely new culinary experiences.  When we get a tip or recommendation for a new place to go, it is truly a gift from one wacky tacky lover to another.  We have a few friends who hipped us to the the Steak Corral in Whittier, CA, and we finally made the time to go over there and check it out.

Horseshoe bedecked shutters?  Sculptural steer?
I was a happy camper before we even set foot inside the door.

The Steak Corral was a small chain of restaurants that began with its first store in 1961.  The last remaining Steak Corral, opened in 1965, stands on Washington Boulevard in the heart of Whittier and it welcomes customers with the friendly smile and unspoken "Howdy" of a seven-foot-tall, fiberglass cowboy. When I asked if he had a name, I was told, "We call him Bob's Big Boy."  I hate to say it, but I think he might even be cooler than Bob's Big Boy!

He done lassoed himself a prize heifer.

The succulents, the covered patio, the summer sky - I'm ready to move in!

Steak Corral is a semi-counter service joint and the only reason I love the operation is that it is so counterintuitive that it is charming.  Guests are greeted by menu boards hanging from the ceiling and a host/hostess who welcomes them to the restaurant and takes their orders.

With a few exceptions, most of the menu items are incredibly inexpensive.  I mean really, why would anyone go to the Steak Corral for fish, anyhow?  Just for the Halibut, I guess.

Instead of a computerized system or a microphone that conveys the orders to the back of the house, the host hand writes the orders, hands the guest a block of wood, steps behind the Conestoga Wagon salad bar and scurries down to the kitchen where the cooks receive the order and begin preparation.  Meanwhile, guests who choose the salad bar (who at $1.95 wouldn't?) create the salad of their dreams and are met at the end of the wagon train to be charged for their food and beverages.

Mary takes her tray at the chuck wagon!

A longer view of the wagon train

Mary's salad...

One taste of the croutons will put you over the edge; they're deep fried.

Instead of a number, each party is given a block of wood with the name of a 

prominent Western figure.  We were "Doc Holiday."  

I wonder if Doc Holliday would mind the primitive paint job?

Guests then seat themselves in a dining room that is a western wonderland of wacky tacky.

A corner booth

I really love the interior, shingled roofline.

Of course, there are the obligatory long horns...

But these taxidermied longhorns make the consumption of steak a little eerie.

My obsession for light fixtures continues, not just with the interesting
hanging yoke/lantern arrangement...

But also with the stagecoach...

And prairie schooners that were lit from within!

There are two words in the English language that when combined create such a beautiful harmony, their individual definitions are rendered completely meaningless by comparison.  Those words are - if you're ready - Toppings Bar!!!

Why yes, that is a 10 pound vat of butter next to a 10 pound vat of sour cream.
The ice cream scoops beg just one question.
Where are the hot fudge and sprinkles?
Answer, right behind you at the ice cream toppings bar!!!

Other toppings include, but are in nowise limited to, barbecue sauce,
grilled onions and peppers, gravy, cheese sauce, and something called
 "steak relish," which to my refined palate tasted suspiciously like ketchup
and relish mixed together.

After salads have had a moment to settle, the same host/cashier/server trades your wood block for your entree.  Okay, so it was obvious that Steak Corral is not five-star dining, but where else can you get a multi-course meal for two for under $20?

Mary's Hamburger

BBQ Chicken Sandwich

As with most wacky tacky eateries, the ambience outweighs the food and the food is just a fraction of the story.  We were happy to talk to the manager (whose name I failed to get) and hear a little bit about the rest of the Steak Corral story.

After years of running restaurants, the original owner of the Steak Corral chain became more interested in investments and commercial property.  Slowly Steak Corral restaurants began closing with the most recent closure in Covina just a short time ago.  Even though he is no longer interested in the food service game and his children are set to inherit the property on which Steak Corral stands, the owner has, in his will, guaranteed the future of Steak Corral by leaving the restaurant (and provisions for multiple leases) to the manager who has worked there since his high school days.  If not just for the affordable food, the great western atmosphere, and the fiberglass cowboy, I will continue to patronize Steak Corral to support the new family that will perpetuate its five decades of history.

Were we the kind of fatties who also ordered a slice of fresh strawberry pie for dessert?  It is impossible to prove, because there is absolutely no photographic evidence.  I always like to get photographic evidence of funny restroom signs, however.

At first I thought that the washrooms were only for the likes of Elmer Fudd.

Coincidentally, we ran into one of our wacky tacky amigos during our visit to Steak Corral; he was fixin' to get some vittles too. Once you're in the know, it's hard to stay away from this place!  If you're in the general vicinity of Whittier, CA and you feel like rustlin' up some grub, well then get along little doggies and get to Steak Corral.  Be sure to tell them Mr. Tiny sent you.  They won't have a blessed idea what that means, but you should do it anyway.




Steak Corral
11605 Washington Blvd
Whittier, CA
(562)692-7129

Open 7 days a week!

p.s.  No, I did not make a butter/sour cream hot fudge sundae...but I could have if I wanted to!


Cheers!

Mr. Tiny