Stefanie Poteet Photography: December 2011

Friday, December 23, 2011

Welcome to Foodie Friday!

Motel Monday is officially more than two months old, so I've decided to add a second weekly post to my blog. Since you can't have a road trip without a room to sleep in and a diner to eat in, I've decided to dedicate the end of work week to vintage restaurant signs. Besides, who doesn't want to go into the weekend thinking about food.

In celebration of Christmas, today's feature is the Grand Canyon Chop Suey Cafe with festive green and red neon lettering. I had just eaten at the Galaxy Diner, another restaurant along Route 66 in Flagstaff before taking this shot so I didn't stop in for a bite of their famous chicken friend steak... but I hear the food is amazing. Next time I'm in Flagstaff, this place is definitely on the list. I want to see their cute diner decor.

I hope you had breakfast!

Happy Friday!

-Stefanie

Monday, December 19, 2011

Motel Monday - Made for Each Other

This morning's selection brings you two motel signs from Las Vegas that were literally made for each other. The first is the Holiday Motel which still an operates along South Las Vegas Boulevard. It's sign is a little bit googie, a little bit circus, and a little bit space age with amazing colors. It even sports a vintage American Express shield plastic sign.

The second is the Far East Ambassador, a motel that was demolished in 2007. The sign stands on the sidewalk along Fremont Street and used to advertise $16 rooms and packaged liquor. Now the marquee just reads closed. According to the online buzz, the sign will go to the Neon Museum, a place I happen to love. I hope the rumors are true.

These photographs were taken on two different days, and at different times, but their colors and shapes make them look like long lost siblings. Placed side by side, they literally appear to be made for each other.

Both of these Motel Monday features are in my Retro Roadside Photography shop and they are ready to ship for you last minute Christmas shoppers.

Happy almost Christmas Monday!

- Stefanie

Monday, December 12, 2011

Motel Monday - The Best View in Town

The beauty of road trips is that sometimes you end up in places you'd never expect. On a recent Route 66 trip I had planned on stopping in Needles, but on Friday night spontaneously decided to drive on to Kingman, Arizona. Saturday morning was warmer than expected, but the magnificent signs in Kingman were well worth being outside in the heat.

The Hill Top Motel along Route 66 was definitely one of the standouts from this trip. The bright red color doesn't hurt, but it feels like it's straight out of a Western... perfect for the cowboy in your life. And their claim that they have the best view in Kingman? Absolutely true. The view of the mountains from the parking court in front of the rooms is beautiful, and it's clear that the motel has been faithfully maintained as much as possible. If you want to know more about the Hill Top Motel, including their famous guest list, history and triva can be found on their website which includes vintage motel post cards that you won't find on eBay.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Monday, December 5, 2011

Motel Monday - As Seen On TV

Zia

I've know about this morning's Motel Monday feature for a few years now, but the Zia Motor Lodge might be a little more recognizable after being used as a filming location for Breaking Bad. That's right, this Motel Monday sign was literally seen on TV.

The Zia Motor Lodge was demolished in 2005, but the sign still stands along Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque is home to several beautiful signs, but I was surprised by the size of this one. I've also searched the internet to find out what this sign may have said... those ghost letters leave me to believe it read Hotel at one point, but I've come up empty handed. No matter, it just adds to the character.