A Box of Postcards

Today's postcard is unused, and it depicts an area of Scotland called Ganavan Sands, Oban, Argyllshire. As usual I am struck by the coincidences: I am currently planning a vacation to Scotland, to visit my neice who married a Scotsman and lives there. Her last name is now Valentine - and this postcard's publisher is also Valentine!! This is C102 of the Valentine's Scots Pictorial Series. James Valentine was an original member of the Edinburgh Photographic Society and his company, James Valentine and Sons Ltd. produced postcards up until the 1960s. This one is likely from 1960 or 1963. It shows a lovely seascape, and says this: "Ganavan Sands, Oban, Argyllshire - The strip of safe sand is the playground for visitors to the nearby busy holiday town of Oban." When you Google Ganavan Sands you will see that a new development of upscale homes is being build with a seaside view. The website for the developer includes a virtual tour of different versions of the homes. So

Today's postcard is of a mill wheel found in Wayne County, Kentucky. The postcard reads: "6/14/74 They've really accompli shed wonders. The weather is great. The Z----s say hello - and we'll think of your guys when we have Hot Kentucky Browns next week. Now to rest for more golf tomorrow. He never gives up. " This mill wheel was made a National Historic Site in 1973 (the year before the traveller's were there). Perhaps that's what the author means by "they've really accomplished wonders" - or maybe not. In 1908, the 28-foot cedar wheel was replaced by a steel water wheel, which you see in this picture. Still in use today, the wheel is one of the largest overshot water wheels in the world. Diameter of 40 feet, 10 inches, and a breast of three feet. It is powered by 13 natural springs located beside the mill, and is thought to be one of the largest of it's kind in the world. What is a Hot Kentucky Brown? It is a traditional sandwich which o