American Road Trip 1979 on Kodachrome

I think that Olden camera location was still there when I lived in NYC in 1999-2001. I recall going to Olden somewhere in Midtown, up some flight of stairs in an older building... I don't think I ended up buying anything, but I was impressed with the patina of the places. It was a big contrast to B&H which had already moved into their crazy three story building with overhead parcels of products moving on rails.
 
#USA17-31 Central Park, NYC, 26 May 1979
This was the only view I got of Central Park - from a van window.

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Gorgeous Kodachrome images of Niagara Falls. I've photographed those falls a few times, but never at night. Now I wish I had...

In a previous post I noted how thin Americans were in those days. Now in Lynn's images I see how big American cars were.

In the early '70s I had a Saab 96. This compact Swedish masterpiece of a car was incredibly economical with gas mileage, it was easy to drive and service, and it had enough space for a driver and three passengers - we were all skinnier then. Its heater-defroster was designed for Swedish climate conditions,and it had an engine block heater to keep the radiator water warm. So it was ideal for driving in the harsh Canadian winters.

I loved that Saab, but my friends all drove obscenely big cars and invariably made disparaging comments about my "Dinky Toy car". Their road monsters handled like fully loaded transport trucks and guzzled gas like an International Harvester V16 on full power.

Not that gas prices were anything to complain about. When I drove across North America in 1979 gas in the USA cost $1.10 a GALLON.

For my 1979 journey I bought a nine year old Ford Maverick two door coupe in San Francisco, for US$500. It had bald tires and looked like a wreck with dents and dings all over, but it was mechanically sound and it took me everywhere. Crossing borders into Canada and then back into the USA was a challenge, especially without car insurance, but US Customs looked the other way and I got through safely. Not that I would try that now, American jails not being especially nice places to hang out in for such misdemeanors.

Everything was so cheap in 1979. Life was more laid back and Americans were far more easygoing than they are now. The times have changed. I would never dare to try to do that journey again as I did it 44 years ago, US jails not being especially nice places to hang out in for such misdemeanors as uninsured-unlicensed driving.
 
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These are very beautiful images, Lynn. It is overwhelming. The night images of the Falls are awesome. The Kodachrome shines.
 
I joined RFF today, after finding some helpful advice about my newly-acquired Nikon SP through a search. But this thread was the real find. Amazing that, as such a young guy, you had the foresight to document this trip the way you did. If only I could go back and keep a diary. I’m about your age, and can relate the era that you captured so incredibly well. For me, it’s a vicarious experience to see your images, but I hope you know how lucky you are to be able to relive your trip this way. And to have shot with Kodachrome! I started photography late in life, in digital, and have lately gone back to learn about shooting film. Kodachrome really was special. And your great eye made the most of it. Thank you.
 
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