12/19/2005: Bubblegum alley

Undertoad • Dec 19, 2005 7:06 pm
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Who knows how this sort of thing happens? One day somebody sticks their gum on the wall. The next person happens by and instead of taking it down, adds another. And pretty soon it's a movement, in an alley in San Luis Obispo that has been full of gum since 1960.

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Emrikol • Dec 19, 2005 7:25 pm
420? Hyuck, that's funny!

(I'm not the only one that sees it, right?)
Iggy • Dec 19, 2005 8:42 pm
That is decidedly non-tasty...
xoxoxoBruce • Dec 19, 2005 8:44 pm
Pismo Polly at Bubblegum alley
That's a song title just begging...... at least a hook. :D
beavis • Dec 19, 2005 11:06 pm
kinda cool but also kinda gross...
GlassJaw • Dec 19, 2005 11:12 pm
Wow, Finally a IOTD from my sector of the world. whodathunkit.

Yes, that particular 420 is about one of a dozen or so that can still be read, in addition to smiley faces, names, W.O.W. Group Numbers (Week of Welcome for Cal Poly) [Guilty!], "sculptures" and lots of, yes, non-tasty gum. Most of the older samples resemble erasers left outside over a summer.

It is one of those "Worlds Biggest Balls of Twine" claims to fame, but it is ours. I actually prefer referencing San Luis Sourdough Bread as the local item, but pictures of bread are probably less exciting.
capnhowdy • Dec 19, 2005 11:47 pm
I can hear The Archies playing in the background.
I bet it smells delicious there.
Trilby • Dec 19, 2005 11:59 pm
I'll bet that's what the underside of my kitchen chairs looks like...
hampor • Dec 20, 2005 1:25 am
When we were planning our vacation the conversation went like this:

Me: In San Lois Obispo there a place called bubblegum alley.

She: That sounds cute. Lets go! What do they have?

Me: An alley full of bubble gum.

She: Yuck!
GlassJaw • Dec 20, 2005 3:14 am
oh hampor, I hope that you don't pass us by because of a 60 foot wall of chicklets. There is so much more in this area than what is depicted in the shots above, and that I could do justice.
xoxoxoBruce • Dec 20, 2005 4:55 am
That alley looks a little narrow to get a sightseeing bus through. :D
smithgr • Dec 20, 2005 8:33 am
Back in the 1970's, there was a television program in the U.S. (hopefully not exported) called "That's Incredible" that featured this wall in one of its programs. I remember the closing clip...some little girl pulled a piece of gum off the wall and plopped it in her mouth. That was thirty years ago and it still gives me the heebie-jeebies.
smithgr • Dec 20, 2005 8:42 am
They need one of these in Singapore! It could be their analog to a hash bar in Holland.
srom • Dec 20, 2005 10:24 am
heh, don't trip off to one side when you're walking through there, because you might never get out!
chrisinhouston • Dec 20, 2005 11:20 am
I remember when I was a freshman in High School having gotten detension for some reason and my punishment was to have to scrape gum off the bottom of countless lunchroom tables. To this day I have never used gum because of this experience!
:eek:
chrisinhouston • Dec 20, 2005 11:25 am
I checked out the web site; what's with the parrot?
Elspode • Dec 20, 2005 2:50 pm
Kinda looks like he's stuck to the wall.

You know, New Jersey could do something like this. Maybe with used condoms.
capnhowdy • Dec 20, 2005 5:10 pm
You know, New Jersey could do something like this. Maybe with used condoms.


Don't give them any bright ideas.
SeanAhern • Dec 20, 2005 10:01 pm
Hey, I see the Virgin Mary!
daniwong • Dec 20, 2005 10:44 pm
I've also seen this - and San Luis Obispo is a beatiful city. Since I now live down here - I can sing the lovelyness.
tw • Dec 21, 2005 12:02 am
[SIZE=3]Forest Gump was here .... first.[/SIZE]

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tang • Dec 21, 2005 10:11 am
Someone should take note that apparently gum is an adhesive that lasts for 40 years. There's got to be a practical application there somewhere.
Promenea • Dec 21, 2005 11:52 am
You know, New Jersey could do something like this. Maybe with used condoms.


I think it already has - some of the paths at South Mt Resv. look like contenders.