Day 6 & 7: Columbus, OH mostly

Did you miss me? Yes, last night I got together with a Flickr pal that I hadn’t met before. So I got a night off from posting to Flickr and here. We had a great time and chatted until after midnight I think. Which means I didn’t get that early night to bed that I thought I would.

The dogs have mostly been getting their exercise in big semi-grassy lots that I find next to hotels and mall type places. I did get them to a great dog park yesterday in Columbus: The Big Walnut Dog Park. There was a lake and everybody went swimming — even Grippie for a few seconds. Separate areas and plenty enough room to run Nik around for awhile. Fencing seemed nice and secure so I felt comfortable having Grem run around. There was a big list of rules at the entrance and it did say no more than two dogs per owner. But everybody clearly saw me with my four and I didn’t get hassled. This place will now be on my permanent list of places to go every time I pass through Columbus.
http://www.bigwalnutdogpark.com/

All else going fine. No stray dogs to rescue, no mishaps with any of mine. Weather mostly sunny & Sparkle running great. I’m pretty much on schedule I think and will hopefully wrap up Ohio on Sunday or more likely Monday. I have tons of bloggy photos and since it’s nearly 1am, let’s get to it.

All of these are from Columbus unless otherwise indicated. Elsie the Borden’s cow peeks out from this old wall advertising:

This had to have been a circular Dairy Queen sign originally. There are some examples at this page at my website:
http://agilitynut.com/eateries/dq.html

Then, somewhere along the line, the rectangular piece was added. And, then this latest paint job which is pretty bizarre.

Next door to this sign, is this oddly painted or weathered one. I much prefer signs to look this way than those brand spanking new looking restorations:

At the Eastland Mall, was this nice midcentury building. I’m sure you Columbusian, Columbusites, will enlighten me as to what department store was here originally:

Today, I came upon a similar building with the same turquoisey glazed brick but with a different style entrance. This one was on Tremont. A Macy’s but I don’t know if that’s what was there originally:

This sign was in the trees in Marysville next to the former Frostop (now Benny’s Pizza). Can anyone make out the lettering below the coffee cup?

I believe I’ve seen this giant sign style before. I’m too needing sleep to check around. It was a drug store chain I think.

This plastic sign surprised me because I didn’t know that Super Baker was a chain. I had been only familiar with this neon sign:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dania_h/2303882974/
So I assume there were other neon signs like that one around? It must be the only one left if that’s the case.

I have always loved these Coca-Cola and other beverage signs that use these shapes sealed in clear plastic. Here’s an example:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/roadsidenut/2749853440/
This one was busted out of its shell so I got to get a better view of them:

I decided to switch from sweet to salty for today’s snack. I’d heard good things about the local Conn’s potato chips brand. I probably should have gotten regular because this salt & vinegar was a killer. My mouth got blisters I swear! The dogs weren’t fond of them either but ate ’em anyway.

Speaking of sweets, how bout a couple of not quite website-worthy donut signs:

More signs! A sad but still pretty one:

So many fun things about this one:

One of the biggest neon arrows that I’ve ever seen:

What could be a more appropriate use of the classic plastic ball — than as a symbolic meatball! Certainly, this must have been a later adaptation though, right?