Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Olympic Diner -- Kingston, NY

The Olympic Diner, having gone through a permutation or two since I've lived in the area, serves a decent breakfast, and the prices are more reasonable than another diner I could mention.  Typical fare, and the service when I was there was reasonable enough.  But how was the commode?

Well, there are some pluses and minuses to this one.



The basics are fine.  No worries here.  But then we get to an issue or two,..


I don't know about you, but I'm not trusting any baby to a broken diaper changing station. Somehow, the proximity of the garbage can to the baby changing station just adds to my distrust of it.  Call me crazy.


I don't know why, but this nasty tile makes me a little nuts too.


What is the deal with this lock?  Was someone trying to break in or out?  Or would that be TMI?

Overall, it's useable, but questionable on a couple of points.  Clean enough that I trust the kitchen to be reasonable, but there are a few issues.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Olympic-Diner/170752866320089


Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Mickey's Igloo 3 -- Saugerties, NY

Yes, it's already ice cream season!  Somehow, even though Sprinter is messing with our weather, we're still in the mood for ice cream.  Mickey's Igloo 3 is a clean, friendly enough shop with plenty of sitting room (in this early season for ice cream), and it has the cutest little sink in the loo.

Other than ice cream posters, the commode is pretty standard.





Except for these stand-out features:


Hand for scale.  It's a minisink!
Fancy hook!



















You know I love my hooks, and they got me with this pretty one.  And who can look at that sink without going 'Awww'?

http://mickeysigloo3.com/


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

The Kitchenette -- High Falls, NY

If you've never been to High Falls, you really need to.  It's got a charming combination of contemporary and antique, of history and history-in-the-making.  Named for the falls, you can take a short walk down a steep hill, taking in the views along with the power station that sits perched on the edge.  High Falls has a few restaurants, and we've already been to The Egg's Nest, which is directly across the street from today's feature, The Kitchenette.  It's a bright, charming little place with tasty foods and friendly staff.

As for the commode, let's take a look.






















The walls are quite cute, and I ADORE the sink, except for the fact that the knobs are in a slightly awkward position.  The sound of the water hitting that galvanized bucket are sweet, sweet music to my ears, so I'm willing to just go with it.




















When we get to the actual business side of things, we have a bit of trouble.  I am not a small person, but I'm not very big either.  The commode itself is a scant two inches or so from the wall, as I think you can tell by the picture.  Some people may have trouble fitting comfortably without having their leg lean on the wall.  I find this disturbing.  Also disturbing, the 'cute' decoration on the door trying to disguise the fact that there is no hook.

Overall, the walls and the sink win me over.  It's so fun and fanciful in that little space, and I think they did what they could with what they had.  I'm also just a sucker for a galvanized tub sink.

http://www.kitchenetterestaurant.com/high-falls.html




Monday, April 4, 2016

Special Post -- Isle of Wight National Poo Museum

You read that right.  There is now a National Poo Museum.  And it isn't in this nation.  This makes me terribly sad.  On the other hand, maybe I can line up a grant to go international with this gig.

Anyway, this museum sounds amazing.  They have spheres of excrement from lions, elk, and babies!  You read that right.  Babies.  Can you picture the illuminated resin spheres?  Can you see yourself walking amidst the toilet lids, leaning in for more information?  It's an A La Commode paradise.  And I bet there's no odor either.

From BBC News website
It's not all entertainment.  They also have displays about sanitation in developing nations.  A bit of sobering information amidst the fun of spheres and coprolites (fossil poo!).

The only thing I'm not sure of is what their restrooms look like.  Someone ought to go check it out.


(Thanks to Cara for alerting me to the existence of this amazing museum!)