This old post has been attracting unsolicited attention for several years, but even moreso this year, for some reason.

If you Google “Azalea Trail Maids”, guess what shows up?

March 22, 2005: Azalea Trail Maids (gailatlarge.com)
March 22, 2005: Azalea Trail Maids (gailontheweb.blogspot.com)

(I imported all the blogspot posts to my current domain at the end of 2005, but I imported the comments directly into Wordpress and closed down my Haloscan account, which is why the blogspot site has no comments.)

The post was not written in a mean-spirited way, but it sure got a bunch of Southerners in a huff.

I’ve never been to Mobile, Alabama, the photo is Gene’s. I should make a trip south, if only to document these dresses up close. Seems part of the look of uniformity is that all the detail work is completely lost in the monochrome pastel. The complete lack of contrast washes out any uniqueness in textures. None of this is the girls’ choice, however, which is why they shouldn’t take my critique of the dress to heart. It is, after all, a costume.

Aviation and cancer-related topics are still my highest Google rankings, but crazily enough, the Azalea Trail Maid post is making serious gains. If the Trail Maid website (what’s with the TECHNO music?) had more information and were maintained properly, I don’t think I’d be getting as many views and comments. The internet sure is a funny place…