On all Hallow's Eve when the air turns perfectly crips, and goblins and ghouls set out with a bag of tricks, you decide to venture into a ghost town. A ghost town that has turned the evening into a night of frolick and games. Of treats and screams and dancing witches. Of monsters and madness… (as always, feel free to click on any image to enlarge) Revisiting my fave photo from the party (below)…
Into the wagon all of you go. It will be a long long ride, as the crescent moon shows us the way…
As you wait patiently, the wagon swaying side to side, making you woozy for certain. You peek out the window for fresh air. And you notice, you are passing the old cemetery. You are convinced you see a faint ghost of a girl in a bonnet skipping rope on the left. But noone really believes you…
You wonder if the swaying of the wagon is making you hallucinate, or if you are really spying ghostly apparitions. You check the mirror, to make sure you are okay. But wait, on the right, a monster greets you…
Eeek! It is going to be a strange night for certain… As the wagon sways and rocks more than ever… Through the creepiest desert mountains you go. Not a person in sight. Down a steep cliff you descend. Will you make it to tell a story at the end?
You are told by the driver to look to the right… In the distance you can see the road you must take, to get to the ghost town…
You drive and you drive for hours and hours, until a red light appears at the train station. This is as far as the wagon will take you… It is time for you to hop out… Your witchy gypsy sisters will be back to collect you at 12:01 a.m.
You hear a strange sound as you jump out of the wagon. You feel a section of your long billowing skirt get caught on something that rips a small piece off… Oh me oh my, what could it be. Oh it seems, the ghost activity has begun… It was a ghost train passing by that has left you stunned!
You try to get your bearings, when just then you hear a cackling in the wind!! You also hear tires, which warns you to take cover!!
The Mad Skelly Driver swooshes by as well…
And who is his passenger? Why, it looks like the headless horseman himself!!
I think both you and I need to ask someone for directions, don't you think? Let's see if we can find someone… Ya, umm, I am not sure I want to ask that guy…
I think we should just walk on and see what we can see. Our ride will be here for us at 12:01, so let's snoop around…
Oh my can you smell that? It smells like the freshest kettle corn on the planet…
Perhaps we should wait? Why you ask? Well, I think I spy Phoebe's treat shop not far away…
Shall we see what treats she has for us on this fine Witch's day?
How will you ever choose, you wonder to yourself….
Oh just take one of each, they are free, money wise and calorie wise 😉 😉
Nibble nibble nibble! Let's go see a show… But first make sure you check and see that your taxidermist has your creatures on track. You don't want to have to wait too much longer..
Such a lovely little shop, I say…
But noone will answer the door, perhaps the taxidermist is busy working on a creature? Oh me oh my, she has her saw in hand… Look away…
A better peek in her shop…
Perhaps we should let her be so she can get her work done… Didn't you say you had to stop at the Blacksmith's to have something repaired??
I really think we should move on, the whole place is rather creepy…
Plus, I just saw a strange guy walk by with something very bothersome, dragging behind him…
I tug tug tug on your skirt, but you just seem to brush me off. Are you the fearless witch or what? ;)
Didn't you say you wanted to catch the spooky show at the local saloon and theater house? Hurry we will be late… Let's make a run for it, the alleys in this ghost town are way too scary at night…
We pass the haunted Gazebo…
And town square… Where there is haunted court house…
Hurry hurry, we might miss the show…
Oh, finally we are here…
And what a charming door…
In the saloon we go, where the show is about to begin… Looks like the taxidermist decorated this place 😉
Pretzel while we wait?
Oooo, a light show illuminates a giant horned creature above the stage…
We wait for the show to begin… Me in my striped socks and Witchy boots…
All dusty from the ghost town dirt that envelopes your soul… I dunno about this show? Shall we escape and go see what other mischief we can get into??
Apothecary, now that sounds like fun!! Maybe they can make me some Original Sea Breeze, so I don't have to scour the earth buying every last original drop that the buggers who bough the Sea Breeze Co. discontinued when they bought the label and not the recipe?? Those numb skulls… Changing a 25+ year formula. I think on this day when my evil sister side can come out, I will turn them all into toads. Slimey gross ugly warty toads… Bwahahahahahaaaa!!!
OOooo, lovely deteriorating walls…
Watch out, a monster is lurking…
He seems to be after all those little children roaming the haunted village…
Oh no!! Another one, can you see him escaping the haunted courthouse??
Ahhhhhh!! Run for your lives!!!
Keep running, that place looks scary too!!
Phew, we are safe. Maybe we need to have some brew before we go any further??
Wooo weeeee! Feeling woozy now for sure ;) Let's go get my fortune told you holler in my ear! Okay okay, I hear ya, I hear ya 😉
Well, I don't know about you, but my fortune teller said, I was going to meet a strapping ole gun-slinger that used work in Old Tucson as an actor, ages ago…
Oh wait, there he is! hee hee…
I best go get freshened up before I introduce myself…
Oh, now that is much better… Why, how do you to kind sir? Oh you want to take me and my witchy friends out for refreshments… Why of course… (you girls don't mind coming along do ya?)
Yummy yummmmmm!
What a lovely evening with so much to see and so much to do. Beautiful lights…
And ghoulish games for everyone…
You beg to go to the magical carousel before we leave. Known to go back in time…
Around, around, around you go, where you stop, nobody knows…
The magical wonderful carousel…
Now that was fun, don't you agree? With so many more pictures, I could almost faint. So, I will add, the train ride into the hills was spooky wonderful, and the scary shows were a hoot…
But now it seems it is time to go… The magical mystical Gypsy Caravan is here to take us away…
Wave Good-Bye to the scary Jack-o-lantern man as you drive by…
And clap at the wonderful Hallow's eve you had while you look upon the city lights, as you make your way back to your world…
For now, time is creeping away… And we must get some rest before tonight's Halloween Festivities ensue… We are going spooky creepy wonderful haunted tune folk dancing!! Yipppeeee!
So, as all good witches do on that one day of the year, as they prepare to go out on the Halloween Town… We are dusting a polishing…
Treating ourselves…
Relaxing…
Waiting for trick or treaters, who never appear…
Watching our fellow witches on screen…
And wishing you all, a super duper, ScrumDillyUmptious Safe and Ghoulish Halloweeeeen!!
It has been a good time!! And a wonderful Halloween Season!! The Halloween Party was so much fun, I must revisit it again today… Many more fun holidays to come, and the most magical sparkly lovely one of all, with snow and stockings is not far away… But first, Turkey and stuffing and family…
And hopefully a little relaxing too!!
This Witch is offically Exhaustified!!!!!
I'll be back on Sunday with all kinds of good stuff… Annnnnnd, I will enter you for a second time in the drawing (last post details) if you say hey in this one, and give me a squishy wart hug for venturing into no man's land for ya'll last night!!
🖤 xoxo, Over the pumpkin moon with witches and warlocks!! You guys are the BEST!! Just the funnest most loveliest ghouls around!!! Thank you for playing with me! V
I think I want to rent Interview with a Vampire today, I have not seen it in years… And my fave, but no too spooky, must see, The Village (very tricky movie that is not scary).
Adieu!! ps: Did you take your piano lesson today?
pss: Thank You to Old Tucson, for making a fun Hallowen haunt, that I could photograph to my hearts content, and share with you!!
Oh WOW! I looked through your post and my jaw just dropped, so I need to pick it back up from the floor and go back to the top. Love, love, love the carousel!!!
And I did photograph my real life haunted house today….
🖤 http://www.afiori.com 🖤
As my 88-year-old Daddy would say, “Hot Diggity Dog”. You are one fine photographer. Genius, actually. I love how you capture the natural lighting. Amazing stuff there Ms. V.
That was the best trip ever! I used to live in Tucson and visited Old Tucson many times before it burned to the ground and was rebuilt. Fantastic photography and a wonderful story too! Happy Halloween to you!
It’s all hallows eve around here, but luckily no one celebrates it over here, so no walking to the door to give a trick or treat. But instead of all that I just made a fantastic journey with the wonderful Miss Valencia to Tucson. I have never been there before and I enjoyed every nano second of it. Especially the free on calory treats ;-D. I think you have to drag me away there at closing time. Have a great evening too with everybody on this spookteculair journey. Hahahaha!
That place is amazing! Love the photography!
Vanessa- I love you girl. It is always the best treat to come to your blog. I put your story on my post today. It was too scary and fantastic not too. Happy Halloween witchy witch
xoxo Emily
What a fun ride! Happy Halloween!
c
What a fabulous post! You seem to find magic EVERYWHERE!!!!
I love it!!! Your such a dear!!!!
Happy Halloween sweets!!!!!~
great great great but my fav shots are of your place! does that seem strange? anyhoo have a great weekend and party till your pants fall off!!! xx
I found your blospot through another friend and I am utterly amazed at your photography, and art. You are amazing and I LOVED taking this trip with you!! Wishing You a Beautiful Halloween!!!
Blessings,
Jennifer
That was a scary ride! I drove around a bit tonight on the look out for ghosts-saw some very cute trick or treaters but again, none came to my house! I have treats! Never mind.
Happy Halloween again! From all the English ghosties and witchies.
Miss V,
You are such a treat! What a wonderful trip you’ve taken us on. Thanks so much for letting us be a teeny part of your world! 🙂
Loved the post V.
Can you believe today is All Hallow’s Eve?
Came too soon, but not, know what I mean?
Guess I’m still pepped from candy!
gotta go…
xoxo
~K
Vanessa! I’ve been clicking on you all day hoping that you had time to make your special Halloween post. Oh boy!!! What a wonderful evening last night must have been….where on earth WERE you? Is it a secret special place that only the man with hair like the boys from KISS knows about? (Adorable that he was playing the gun game, by the way…they never grow up, do they?)
That carousel—oh! Be still my beating heart. And the crusty old taxidermy shop and everything else with the charming layer of dust. DO tell us where this is!
I hope you have an enchanting evening. Any big Dia de los Muertos outings planned? If I can get the doctors to agree, I might get to go out and see some of the gorgeous altars. I’m going to bribe them with caramel apples.
Happy Halloween, oh gracious nice witch of Arizona!
Thanks for the awesome adventure!
Happy Halloween:)
Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!!
That was the best haunted ghost town tour I’ve ever seen……but then, I don’t suppose I’ve ever been to a real live ghosty town now, have I!? My, but that look like SUCH fun!! Your pictures are magic incarnate, my dear!! 🙂
I think I may have put in too much pond weed in my cauldron!! All I can see are my boots!!! eeeeek!
ohh my, this is the cutest little town i have ever seen..and yes, good choice with interview with a vampire…I love love love that movie..mmhh and antonio banderas..hehe
ooohhhh what an awesome halloween adventure you had!!! so many lovely pictures, thank you!!! i would LOVE love love to be entered into your fantastic giveaway a second time pleeeeease! can’t wait to see what you have for sunday, be sure to come check out my ofrenda’s and “sugar skulls” (well i made them out of clay). but they turned out really great (if i do say so myself)! hee hee!!!
squishy wart hugs for you!!!
see you sunday!!!
oh and i looooooove the pictures of the blue caravan… magically haunted i assume!!!
Oh you never disappoint us…You promised and I did peek back a few times today. So glad the stagecoast driver got you two home safe and sound. Well now this was truly a trip worth taking, so many ghoulish delights and what about that photography!!! Wonderful wonderful, and only Miss Vanessa would have a mantle for a headboard. Now listen here little missy, you must start publishing these blogland delights. Hmmmmmmmm, now if you Blurbed a blog book with some of your stories and your wonderful photographs and Mr. Lovie and all of your creations…I just know it would be a best seller. Just thinking.
Have a wonderful Halloween, with all this work you need a bit of mulled vampire cider and scary movie too!
Karen
Oh is that pistachio? Or mint? Either one, I’m sold 🙂
That’s exactly how I imagine a ghost town, though I’ve never been in anything remotely like that. A little creepy, I may have to ask the fairies not to give me nightmares tonight.
Great post! Happy Hallowe’en!
Hey Vanessa,
Another wonderful,eerie but delightful story. I’m still waiting for an anwer to my question about your sweet treats. Come on give it up. Did you really bake or buy the cupcakes??? lol
Kris
Hey to you, and a big squishy wart hug! Can you believe it’s actually Halloween?! It seemed like it was taking
for
ev
er
to get here.
THIS was such a treat of a story. I didn’t even have to play a trick.
Thanks for the fun! See you on Sun
day!
(like your rhymes, too!)
Boooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Wow. That looks like so much fun!! I wish there was something cool like that around here!
Happy Halloween!!!
kayellen
What a fabulous post! awesome!!!
I love it!!!
Happy Halloween!!!!
Marina
hApPy HaLlOwEeN tO yOu!!!!
What a trip you made for us so much fun I love Halloween.
But if you don’t mind I just ride my broom.A squishy wart hug to you,and I be back Sunday to see what else you do.
Happy Halloween, Vanessa!
Awesome post, like always!
~ Gabriela ~
Now THAT was about the most fun on All Hallow’s Eve that I have has in a long time! What a fabulous ride, the treats were deee-lish and the company even better!
Thank you dear Vanessa!
xoxo~
Abbie
Happy Halloween to a fellow ghoul. Thank you for taking me a long for the ride. Not only are your pictures amazing but they make me feel inspired to create magic! Enjoy your evening!
What an adventure! Happy Halloween Vanessa!
Nancy
Happy Halloween my sweet friend!
*sprinkle sprinkle*
May your evening be Enchanting!!
~A~
Happy halloween vanessa! I loved the halloween trip! Thank you !
oooooohhhhh! I knew there would be a Halloween to remember here!!
Happy HAPPY Halloween Ms Fanciful!
Yes! Sea Breeze! I know what you’re sayin! I used to bathe in the stuff, now it is kind of oily-ish. yuck. It leaves a residue instead of that clean fresh feeling!
Lovely Halloween post! Very tasty and spooky! I love The Village as well. Also Poltergeist which I ordered from ebay, but it hasn’t arrived for a Halloween Night viewing…poo.
Happy Halloween!
i’m exhaustufied too and i was just reading and staring at all your photos *lol*. lovely post, as usual. where do you find all these things?
The haunted town is incredible…what a great place and I’d love to explore it in person. There’s an amusement park in Texas called “Six Flags” – (well, it’s run down and defunct now; which is sad) – but they used to have a Wild West saloon, town & mining cave. It was magical as a child.
thank you for the wonderful Halloween adventure.
what a wonderfully ghoulish and spookie post!
happy halloween!
Oh how fun!! Big squooshie wartie hug to you! Happy Halloween!! I’m passing out treats to little princesses and cowboys. One scary ghost so far. Not even one little tiny witch has knocked at my door….
Wow, thanks for the tour! I felt like I was with you at the ghost town. Have a fun and safe weekend.
What dedication! What a fantastic place! Happy Halloween!
That was such a wonderful epic story! I loved every last photo, you are so good! Hope you had a wonderful Spooky night!
Oh…Happy Halloween!! This was such a deliciously lovely post…with the most scrumptious pictures!
I love Practical Magic and I think I’ll watch it this weekend.
Your blurred photos would look great in Somerset Life’s current challenge. I especially like the running one.
That was so much fun! The gypsy wagon is my all time favorite. 🙂
Happy Halloween!
What a lovely place to visit… just ghoulishly charming.
Love your photography.Love it.
a ghost town…you could leave me at the treatshop… I spend there my whole evening…
No ghost town here in Belgium, but a halloweenhouse in my house with 9 screaming girls , as they were watching horror movies… Horror when I looked in my mirror this morning, my hair still totally freaked out from my halloweenoutfit…
I think I snuggle in my couch this afternoon and watch “corpse bride” : this is more my kind of movies although “the village” is also my cup of tea ! Horrormovies as my daughter likes them just make my fantasy go wild and not in a good way…
And then, cleaning up the house to make it “normal” again and putting all halloweendecoration in the boxes again…
Thanks again for hosting the halloweenparty : it made me do an extra effort to make my house more “halloweeny” and make it special with handmade halloweenstuff and objects I had already in my house, without buying all the commercial stuff. ( I wish we had some of the stuff here,especially on the treats, but not having it ready to buy, made me more creative myself..)
enjoy your movie and till later
Inge
I swear I’ll never get over how enchantingly clever you are (period). What a blast!!
I use fake Sea Breeze from Walmart. Companies think we’re stupid and we won’t notice a change like that. Hershey (which I live near) has changed some of their milk chocolate into fake chocolate (cause it’s cheaper). I haven’t tried any of it yet ~ I stick to the milk chocolate bar and the reese’s cups which haven’t changed. (yummm)
Hocus Pocus ~ love that movie! Daughter named our black cat Binx. The Village ROCKS ~ love that guy’s movies!! Did you ever see Halloweentown – another cute Disney movie. We spent our night watching “Ghost Hunters” on Sci-Fi. Mostly nothing happened, but there was one scary voice that said, “You’re not supposed to be here!!” Gave me the willies.
~Now onto Turkey~
Melissa
Oh, that was delightful, in a nicely scary sort of way!!! I’m exhausted too.
And I love Hocus Pocus!
Vanessa…what a fabulous post…I always enjoy seeing your amazing photos and reading your stories. Thanks for always SHARING! Happy Halloween!
Cheers!
Michelle
How cool and fun! I love to live vicariously through your blog.
What fun! The moon photo was stunning. You were so brave to get those photos for us to enjoy. Happy Halloween.
What a magical journey! Loved your pics and sharing in your fun!
Wonderful:)
Here’s a squishy wart hug for you all the way from England and a haunted castle. Thanks for the trip around ghost town.
thank you for taking me to tombstone vanessa! i had a lovely, spooky ol’ time 🙂
I hope you had a magical wonderful Halloween. I enjoyed the journey you took all of us with the gypsy wagon. I love the carousel that spins back in time now that is cool. I wish I could take a ride on it. Enjoy your weekend. Kisses and hugs.
I love it! The way you give us the fun, food and fantasy with your special way and wait – did I see him again – those tantalizing perfect photos you do of your handsomely mysterious guy (lucky you!).
Thanks for bringing this Halloween treat!
A gypsy soul in a squatters body. With you a girl gets to wander endlessly. Much gratitude for the magic of you. Love that Gypsy wagon !!
On to a new season’s magic.
Cynthia
What a fun night! You take the best pictures!
Ah! Fun desert spookiness! I love it! (this post made me hungry too!) The Village is one of my favorite movies, just love the ‘feel’ of it…
hope you had a great all hallow’s eve!~
That is an incredible story with most awesome photos! What a great thing stumbling over your blog!
wonderful Halloween celebrations – love how you guys get right into it! so fun!!!!
i had two little girls come trick or treating at my doortoo – a real pleasant suprise…maybe some Australians are getting into it too?
I’m a little late for the party – but it was WONDERFUL anyway.
Such splendid pictures – as ever.
Now on to the DAY of the DEAD – in a nice way.
Sending you a squishy wart hug! I loved this post! The photos are amazing!
How could I not love a post that included a skeleton driving a stage coach, a gypsy wagon, Hocus Pocus and ice cream? Great photos, I’ve never been to an entire haunted town! Thanks for sharing
Now that looks like a spooktacular way to get in to the Halloween spirit or should I say see Halloween spirits. It looks to have something for everyone. Your pictures and tale, as always, quite captivating. Of course you may already know what my favorite was.
This is my first chance to comment.
We need a chat soon!
XOXOXOXOXO
I’m feeling a mite dizzy(but my husband says he can’t tell any difference in me). Thanks for the thrill and chill ride.
You are over the top talented girl! And so pretty to boot. Love your photos and the imagination you put into everything you do. Love your headboard and comforter! Damask is my fave.
Have a lovely week!
Tammy
YOU ARE FABULOUS!! Thanks for the adventures.
Fantastic Pictures!!!
And The Village is one of my all time favorite movies! SO GOOD!! Perfect to get into a spooky fall mood!!
I missed out on adding to your magical Halloween party – so let me contribute “after the fact” with pics from my own holiday gathering. Halloween lives in my heart year round. LOL
http://dawaioser.livejournal.com/650201.html#cutid1
What a wonderful place to have a Halloween party, your pictures and words are enough to wake the scary soul within, thank you for taking us on a most fun-filled party!
Ah, beautiful! I’m reading this for the first time while sitting in front of the fire, enjoying a big mug of spicy tea and some cookies. It feels like Halloween all over again!
Oh, it was fun to see Old Tucson! Haven’t been there in awhile!! Love your blog!
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calling someone Mr. Lovee is weird.