American Pickers - part 2

Le Clarie, Iowa

So I walked in to their old original shop.

First thing I notice is that Danielle is not there at her work station.  

Just as well for I'd probably embarrass myself staring at all her tattoos
instead of looking into her eyes when I talked to her.

Next thing I notice is that she isn't the only one working this operation.  I counted 4 or 5 other women working there.  This you do not see in the television show as it implies she's running the entire show.

Next I learn is that the boys are not here.  They are in California, north of Sacramento picking!  Here I am in their shop in Iowa and they are traipsing around in my neighborhood less than a 100 miles from where I live!  Oh the irony. 

So I ask about the van parked out front.  "Oh it is retired. They have a brand new Ford diesel van now." No doubt Ford practically "gave" it to them for the exposure on the show.  

Anyway, if you are a frequent viewer of the TV program a lot of the stuff in the garage will look familiar to you.  Notice the roll around cabinet.  It holds Antique Archaeology/American Pickers merchandise for sale.  Look at the second and third photos again - most all that is TV show merchandise for sale.

Earlier as I was excitedly looking forward to seeing Antique Archaeology, I was hoping they would have some sort of little trinket I could buy as a memento of my visit.  You know, something like a sticker, decal or a postcard.  Well they had those in abundance along with magnets, hats, t-shirts (too many styles to mention), coffee mugs (again many styles), shot glasses, travel mugs, beer can coolers, DVD's of every show, license plate frames, posters,  puzzles, games, books... it was endless. 

I started up the yellow stairs then saw it was an office of some sort with another woman at the desk.  

I turned back.  I suppose I could have wandered around up there but I was having serious overwhelming issues at the time with all there was to see on the ground floor.

With all the choices available in the souvenir department, I needed time to think about it.  Prices were not all that friendly either.  Like $2 for a wimpy postcard.  I was sort of taken back with all this merchandising - cashing in on their fame with the show and all, that I was beginning to think 

Do I really want anything?

I needed to get away from it all so I walked over to the new building they built last year,
which the drama of it all took up the better part of the TV season last year.

Once back home, I tuned in to the new season and sure enough, they are picking up a brand new Ford diesel van with more carrying capacity.  Naturally it is portrayed as a major investment not without a lot of research having been done beforehand in order to make the "right choice".  Of course we know better.  The old Dodge Sprinter van has over 275,000 miles on it and it is now just used for local around the town service. 

to be concluded tomorrow