My grandfather, Anthony Vincent O’Malley, on a road trip to Canada with his buddies, 1920. He’s the greaser on the far right.
LOOK at those gorgeous goofballs.
My grandmother referred to this road trip as “the infamous trip to Canada” and many adventures were had, involving jalopies breaking down on dusty roads, meeting a group of random “dancing girls” (there are photos), and mock ballet posing for the camera, complete with pipes and motorcycle goggles.
I could look at this photo all day. Look at the guy third from the left, with the goggles and the pipe. He cracks me up.
My grandfather (we called him “Pop”) died when I was a kid, and he was very sick for the entire time I knew him. I first saw these photos when I was a teenager and was enraptured by them (I wrote a whole diary entry about them), because I felt like it gave me a view of my grandfather that was fresh and new, and my understanding of life and time expanded.
I still could look at this photo all day. Pop was hot!
What an amazing photo. They look like Ernest Shackleton’s crew out on a spree. Captain Haddock chic. (That’s a compliment in my book.)
Oh, and I’m rocking that pipe and goggles look at my desk at work right now. there’s been much talk of ‘peak beard’ but I’ve yet to witness ‘peak pipe.’
//my understanding of life and time expanded.//
Yes.
Ernest Shackleton’s crew! Ha!
// and I’m rocking that pipe and goggles look at my desk at work right now. // I kind of need to see pictures.
Yes, the knickers and the goggles and the pipes … not to mention the car and my grandfather’s Bryllantine-d hair … it’s all just so awesome!
My dad was of that generation. I have a pic of him somewhere on a motorcycle, circa 1920 or so. He told me that he took up motorcycles after he quit flying, because it was much the same feeling. He also told of getting lost in the air and finding his way back to the Raleigh, NC airport by following the railroad tracks.
Nice!
I am sure there are many stories of the trip to Canada that will never be known. What happens in Canada, stays in Canada, and all that.
Okay since you said it first I don’t have to feel weird about agreeing with it but damn, your grandpa was hot.
Ha!!!