Dirty Dragon

Some classic comics were of their time, and used character depictions and/or language that may offend people today.

In that spirit, viewer discretion advised.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 31, 1932

(Walt, Phyllis and Skeezix continue their car trip to the Southwest, so Walt can decompress from work pressures...)

A quick stop in Louisiana has Walt standing by with the funds as Phyllis shops, and Skeex is left on his own to sample the culture.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 30, 1932

Walt and Skeezix collect some memories to remember the trip by.

The Bell & Howell Filmo personal movie camera retailed for $92 to $150 back in the day, and you might find a vintage model in excellent condition for around ten times the price these days.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 29, 1932

When it opened in 1890, the Washington Youree Hotel was considered one of Shreveport's most luxurious accommodations.

Due to the construction of Interstate 20, a decline in regional travel, the uptick in motor courts in the 1950's?

Demolished in 1979.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 28, 1932

Walt tries to keep Skeezix up on his studies, but "The Presidents of the United States" band would not even form for another 60 years, so that answer's going to be a bit tough to get.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 27, 1932

I can't help with the buildings, but I did find out that a 1908 flood led to the Houston Street viaduct, today on the Nat'l Register of Historic Places.

I'm not sure why Skeezix missed the "Why a Duck?" routine, given that "The Cocoanuts" came out in 1929.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 26, 1932

Walt has always been a pretty big man, but EVERYTHING in Texas is BIG.

(Albert Einstein had only published his completed Theory of Relativity some sixteen years before.)

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 25, 1932

The Wallet's trip to the Southwest has now reached Dallas, and Fort Worth, Texas. And as for the patient, Doc's prescription seems to be working rather well on Walt's depression. They approach Casino Park, and the mile-long "Thriller" roller coaster.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 24, 1932

The Empire State Building had just opened last May, supplanting the Chrysler Building as the world's tallest.

So there were few opportunities to get a panoramic view of any populated place when Uncle Walt took Skeezix up an oil derrick one day in Texas.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 23, 1932

Luckily in recent years, the "Red River Border War" has been nothing more violent than a college football game.

But in the summer of 1931, both Texas and Oklahoma activated their National Guard troops over a new, free bridge crossing the river on route 77.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 22, 1932

There certainly is an Arbuckle Mountain range in Oklahoma. Otherwise?

🤷‍♂️

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 21, 1932

It took Oklahoma until 1975 before the state legislature changed the state motto from "Gunga Galunga", to the even more obscure "Labor Omnia Vincit" (Work Conquers All).

Also, the garage turned out to be a great place to grow stuff.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 20, 1932

"Oil, oil, everywhere - and not a drop for the tank."

- The Rime of the Ancient Motorist

But we learn a rare tidbit about Walt's father along the road, if not the story that came just BEFORE the Oklahoma land rush.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 19, 1932

A tour through the then booming "Oil Capital of the World" led the Wallets to see the still new (1929) Boston Avenue Methodist Church. Built in the Art Deco style, it's still a National Landmark and listed in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 18, 1932

Way down in Claremore, OK - all they know is what they read in the papers. But it's a friendly place, who never met a tourist they didn't like.

Though Skeezix is disappointed not to meet the ropin' fool who hails from there.

Like it says... One Guess.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 17, 1932

Long travel days, it's bound to make a group of travelers in close contact a bit irritable after 2 or 3 days of driving.

At least they don't have to worry about having left the gas on, with Rachel and Lora on watch at the home front.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 16, 1932

Give a holler if you ever get down to Yellville, Arkansas. In the 30s, it was a town of around 500 folks. They're up to around 1,200 these-a-days.

Named for Archibald Yell, the first Arkansan to represent the state in Congress. That seems fitting.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 15, 1932

I guess King passed through the area at some point, as the Wallets are well off the six-year old Route 66 here.

Though on a vacation, there's nothing wrong with taking the scenic route. Maybe they'll run into Ned Handy's dad down thataway.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 14, 1932

I remember getting to Rolla, MO from Chicago in one (long) driving day. headed for Arizona. Of course I had good weather and a National Highway System going for me.

On single-lane roads with snow? St. Louis on day two is making good time.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 13, 1932

The family doesn't find all that many 'kicks', on Route 66 headed toward Arizona, but Uncle Walt finds a diner for everyone to stretch their legs, and grab a bite.

Perhaps sometime in the future Phyllis will pass some tips along to Corky about menu choices.

[Dirty Dragon @DD_Classics2]

GA: January 12, 1932

Doc is suddenly as popular as he was for that minute where the other Alley Cats thought he might write them a steady supply of 'medicinal alcohol' prescriptions...

if he follows through with 'free passes' to warmer weather.