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Up to my Tail in Anthropomorphic Animals!
4 years ago
Hey all you nice FA Artists, Writers, Crafters, Fursuiters and other highly creative people.
Last weekend I was invited to go out with my Brother and his lady friend "Winnie" to visit Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Now I hadn't been there since the late 1970s, so I was really curious to see how much the place had changed in these past 46 years or so. When I was there the "Roaring 20's airfield had just been newly installed, and I enjoyed riding the Whacky Soapbox Derby Racers, the Motorcycle Chases, the Bumper cars, and the Parachute Drop. I felt more "Comfortable" in that "New" part of the park, much as I do in visiting "Tomorrowland" in that big "Park" in nearby Anaheim. I guess there was more there I could relate to, such as biplanes, metal clad bumper cars, A real "Live Steam" locomotive, and even a door that had a sliding panel on it which would open up and a mysterious voice would ask, "Who sent ya...?"
Most of that was gone when I visited last Saturday, but I was very pleased to see that despite the ravages of crowds and time, the re-located town of Calico was still in pretty good shape. A Lot of the shops I liked to go to were re-purposed, and the rides were revamped. Even though I cannot ride roller coasters any more due to my health, I still enjoyed myself as I had a "Mission" to complete on my mind. My quest was to photograph my adventures in the Park and post pictures here on FA. Shortly before arriving at Knott's though I discovered both the camera chips I had were Full, and the last chip I was counting on was crammed full of art and images drawn by the fellow who gave me the Digital camera. Undaunted, I figured on at least collecting postcards and printed maps to show I was there, but No Dice. Because of the COVID 19 restrictions, physical maps and guides were no longer being handed out, but signs with those "Checkerboard" patterns either pointed out prime photo locations, described objects of interest, or directed folks who know how to use a "Smart" phone on the "Prime" locations for Photo Ops. Oddly, there were no Camera Shops in the park, and much to my disappointment, the Train Shop was long gone.
Nevertheless, There were quite a few highlights to my visit. I didn't find the Aveling Steam Roller, but the "Green River" 2-8-0 "Consolidated" Steam Locomotive was still running strong. Somehow or another, the two young men in the cab had that oil fired "teakettle" acting in it's best behavior, and as I took the ride around the park, I was impressed at how well skilled and "Seasoned" the entire crew of the Railroad was. Even the Ersatz train "Robbers" were a crack up with their antics and comic banter. But the Highlight of all for me was visiting the interactive dark ride called "Knott's Bear-y Tales." The ride features a family of bears who bake pies to take to the local Fair for judging and to share with other anthropomorphic animal characters. Of course to add a hint of danger and adventure to the story, a tall, thin coyote and an army of little coyotes try to steal the pies and cause mischief. Inside each car which kind of resembles a giant pie, there are four stations which have an odd looking "Popgun" that "shoots" blobs of berry jam, and a screen showing the rider's score. It's all 3-D computer generated graphics and the characters and a few props react when "Hit" by the flying Jam blips. Most of the screens worked well, and I especially enjoyed the scenes where it appeared the car and it's riders were falling from a great height.
Of course the nefarious Coyote-Almost pie thief gets his "Just Desserts" and ends up covered in Berry Goo and bits of crust, proving that he was quite the "Crumb" with his antics. I also enjoyed visiting the nearby "Company Store" where I bought several souvenir pins and a coloring book which featured postcards of the adventure. I was almost... Almost... ALMOST tempted to buy a clip on coyote tail just for the fun of it, But I didn't see any other potential "Furry" fans, young or old wearing such. I also figured that "This is the way Fursuits get started." I know that I'll soon return to Knott's to celebrate their 100th Anniversary, and NEXT TIME, I'll bring extra, empty chips for the camera, and maybe work up the nerve to buy, and WEAR that Coyote tail.
"Peace".
Last weekend I was invited to go out with my Brother and his lady friend "Winnie" to visit Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park. Now I hadn't been there since the late 1970s, so I was really curious to see how much the place had changed in these past 46 years or so. When I was there the "Roaring 20's airfield had just been newly installed, and I enjoyed riding the Whacky Soapbox Derby Racers, the Motorcycle Chases, the Bumper cars, and the Parachute Drop. I felt more "Comfortable" in that "New" part of the park, much as I do in visiting "Tomorrowland" in that big "Park" in nearby Anaheim. I guess there was more there I could relate to, such as biplanes, metal clad bumper cars, A real "Live Steam" locomotive, and even a door that had a sliding panel on it which would open up and a mysterious voice would ask, "Who sent ya...?"
Most of that was gone when I visited last Saturday, but I was very pleased to see that despite the ravages of crowds and time, the re-located town of Calico was still in pretty good shape. A Lot of the shops I liked to go to were re-purposed, and the rides were revamped. Even though I cannot ride roller coasters any more due to my health, I still enjoyed myself as I had a "Mission" to complete on my mind. My quest was to photograph my adventures in the Park and post pictures here on FA. Shortly before arriving at Knott's though I discovered both the camera chips I had were Full, and the last chip I was counting on was crammed full of art and images drawn by the fellow who gave me the Digital camera. Undaunted, I figured on at least collecting postcards and printed maps to show I was there, but No Dice. Because of the COVID 19 restrictions, physical maps and guides were no longer being handed out, but signs with those "Checkerboard" patterns either pointed out prime photo locations, described objects of interest, or directed folks who know how to use a "Smart" phone on the "Prime" locations for Photo Ops. Oddly, there were no Camera Shops in the park, and much to my disappointment, the Train Shop was long gone.
Nevertheless, There were quite a few highlights to my visit. I didn't find the Aveling Steam Roller, but the "Green River" 2-8-0 "Consolidated" Steam Locomotive was still running strong. Somehow or another, the two young men in the cab had that oil fired "teakettle" acting in it's best behavior, and as I took the ride around the park, I was impressed at how well skilled and "Seasoned" the entire crew of the Railroad was. Even the Ersatz train "Robbers" were a crack up with their antics and comic banter. But the Highlight of all for me was visiting the interactive dark ride called "Knott's Bear-y Tales." The ride features a family of bears who bake pies to take to the local Fair for judging and to share with other anthropomorphic animal characters. Of course to add a hint of danger and adventure to the story, a tall, thin coyote and an army of little coyotes try to steal the pies and cause mischief. Inside each car which kind of resembles a giant pie, there are four stations which have an odd looking "Popgun" that "shoots" blobs of berry jam, and a screen showing the rider's score. It's all 3-D computer generated graphics and the characters and a few props react when "Hit" by the flying Jam blips. Most of the screens worked well, and I especially enjoyed the scenes where it appeared the car and it's riders were falling from a great height.
Of course the nefarious Coyote-Almost pie thief gets his "Just Desserts" and ends up covered in Berry Goo and bits of crust, proving that he was quite the "Crumb" with his antics. I also enjoyed visiting the nearby "Company Store" where I bought several souvenir pins and a coloring book which featured postcards of the adventure. I was almost... Almost... ALMOST tempted to buy a clip on coyote tail just for the fun of it, But I didn't see any other potential "Furry" fans, young or old wearing such. I also figured that "This is the way Fursuits get started." I know that I'll soon return to Knott's to celebrate their 100th Anniversary, and NEXT TIME, I'll bring extra, empty chips for the camera, and maybe work up the nerve to buy, and WEAR that Coyote tail.
"Peace".
Train shop is closed? Tch. When I was there about...dear Ghu, forty years ago?! I picked up an HO scale Knotts boxcar kit (long since deaccessioned)...
So he kind of gets what he wanted? xD
I haven't been to Knott's since I was a little kid... and all I remember was heat and dust. >> Amusement parks are not my thing; probably in part due to not liking crowds. But the recounting of your adventures warms my heart. <3
Knotts wasn't as bad, but they still have lines of course. The day started out hot, dry and dusty, but later in the afternoon, a cloud cover moved in and things cooled down considerably. Of course the highlight of the whole trip for me was seeing the "Green River" Steam locomotive in action. I was also tempted to ride the "Berry Tales" attraction again, but opted for the cooler, and wetter White Water Rafting trip.
I guess it goes to show that the march of progress cares not where its feet fall.
Good luck next time!
I had fun anyways, and I might be going back in October.
And you learned your lesson re: download all your camera chips and format them in the camera (DO! NOT! FORMAT! THEM! IN! YOUR! COMPUTER!!!). For... reasons... 'format' is different between PCs and cameras; it will always get flaky on you in the middle of nowhere and it won't hold the full amount.
we used to have one by Rollei (and old german brand, of course long since owned by yours truly). didn't work too good, and ran on two AAA batteries. all but varta didn't even last one image before the juice collapsed, and vartas lasted only 5 images before they were empty. I found reloadables at an electronics shop that lasted a while longer, but not too much; I eventually gave up on that thing.
if it helps the reloadables I got were branded "eneloop". no idea if it's a house brand or something.
My brother runs several pieces of equipment on Eneloop batteries and reports no issues with them. I've used Eveready rechargeables for years with no problems. For primary (single-use, non-rechargeable) batteries, I'm using the premium alkalines from a chain tool store called Harbor Freight (I really doubt you have it in Germany). I have several flashlights I use regularly, and I haven't had a set weaken on me yet. The 'Copper Top' Duracells have been leaking in the packages and destroy everything I use them in.
did the copper tops advertise with toy bunnies banging drums in the states as well? I found it rather strange... of course later they spoofed it a lot. XD
Duracell only used the Bunny for a one-year advertising campaign in the U.S. EverReady picked it up when they dropped it and all these years later, they're still beating them over the head with it.
have you ever seen those little figures you put on the dashboard and stuck the headpiece to the windscreen, to watch Elvis shave his pelvis while driving? it started with a curious ad made in america set up by Audi to celebrate their gearless gear (no idea how to translate it, think of the gears modern motorscooters use; one belt between two variable pulleys). some elvis-guy driving across the desert in an old mustang with handshifted gear, constantly changing gears to make the figure shake... until something BREAKS. and an audi guy comes along, bu8t here you don't feel any gears shifted.
suddenly everybody was asking for this figure, which was a one-of-a-kind made of putty and a ball point pen spring. so they started to produce it, and it still seems to sell here in enough numbers to warrant production.
fun thing is, those little DAF 55/66 could drive backwards as fast as forward, inspiring the dutch to organize rallyecross races driven backwards. it was featured in an iconic fun show produced in netherlands during the 80's, "On sea, air, land". they also did crash races with old broken mobile home trailers...
So where do I start?
I would recommend either a SD card (I have been told you can see when they begin to fail, unlike most USB sticks), or getting a hard drive. depending on your preferred systems you'll have to see which data dtorage system to use.
better ask someone around you, I feel a language barrier coming up. XD
Later I asked my fiend Noah who has worked as a Blacksmith at the local Ren Fairs if the Smith I had chatted with was right. Noah smiled and told me that the Knott's Smithy must have found the conversation "Refreshing" as most the folks Noah encountered would ceaselessly ask questions about making horseshoes only.
my last time at a theme park must be about the same count of years ago. I don't really remember it, only that I wasn't allowed to ride what I wanted, and what I was allowed to didn't interest me... I could go to one, but I don't feel like going alone.
and yes, all fursuits start somewhere. to somne it's a pair of werewolf claws, or a tail, or a good-looking mask (that turns out being worth the little price tag)... :)
I must admit that after the Train Ride, I felt so much more relaxed and refreshed. I guess the engine's steam added more moisture into the air.
maybe you need to think up some other character for the first try, and gather the necessary details for Mr Fox on the way?
here, many train drivers are on strike at the moment (again, I might add). yesterday some classic train club took opportunity of the lowered traffic and ran a full train from what seemed to be Karlsruhe or Pforzheim to Ulm, touching Stuttgart on the way. I didn't see it good enough while at work, but it looked like two coupled BR03 with a bunch of green Intercity carts behind them. :)
A short video on his steam roller :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3x.....annel=dovecott
I have a Mamod TE1A miniature steam traction engine. :)
But Yeah. I would like to see Coyotes drawn or animated and presented in a more "Paws-a-tive" way. I even drew up some cartoon sketches about a pack of Anthropomorphic Coyotes living in a small town near the fringes of the Mojave. The main Character "The Old Man" spends most of his time scrounging through local campgrounds, looking for food and recyclables to trade. Kind of like "Wimpy" he'll gladly repay his friends later for a bite to eat, or tell a tall tale in trade.
I might even consider buying one of their Plush Coyotes the next time I visit Knott's Berry farm.