Everyday I'm Hustlin.... 8 of 365

Before hustlin' made its way into lyrical history, it was captured in animated neon across the United States. Speedee, a little man with a hamburger face and quick walking legs was the original McDonalds mascot. He graced the sky before the famous golden arches, and was eventually replaced by Ronald McDonald in 1962. Like most vintage neon, not many Speedees still exist. I found this one in front of the oldest operating McDonalds in Downey. I love the six different neon legs, more arms than I can count and that wink. Oh yeah, and there's a bow tie.

Ladies love the bow tie...

 They just don't make 'em like they used to. Until tomorrow... Eight down, 357 more to go.

Kickin' It Old School.... 7 of 365

Someone once asked me if I had a photo of an old Dairy Queen sign. At the time, I didn't. I'd never seen a vintage DQ sign like the one she was looking for, let alone photographed it. And then there was an impromptu Route 66 trip through parts of Arizona. We found Williams, and there it was...

Blizzard, anyone? 

I can't believe the weekend is over. Happy Sunday night everyone. I'll see you tomorrow, for eight of 365.

Accidents Happen... 6 of 365

When traveling for sign photography purposes I'm a planner. I research, I map, I select my shooting order based upon level of importance aka awesomeness if I have a limited amount of time. I don't want to miss anything, let alone anything good... it's an "all the things" sorta need. Yes, you can mock my perfectionism, I'm okay with it.

It's a rare occasion when I find myself in a car with my camera in a place I've never researched, or, for that matter, heard of. In fact it's only happened once, and somehow there were signs...  I guess accidents do happen.

Once a Motel sign, now someone's driveway marker. I'm only immensely jealous.

It may not be epic, but I was pretty darn excited to find it. If you're ever in Lake Isabella you should go looking for it. Six down, 359 more to come.

Perfect Place for a Friday Night... 5 of 365

Who here remembers tropical storm Hillary? Show of hands? That's right... nobody. I wouldn't either, if not for the fact she ruined a few solid hours of shooting in Tucson with her high winds, cloud cover and rain. I hung in there with the best of them, but after I started getting pelted with pebbles I decided to pack it in before any equipment was damaged. You can bruise me, scrape me or make me bleed, but I'll be damned if you're going to scratch my lens. But back to Tucson...

If you've never been to Tucson you absolutely MUST go. It is a veritable smorgasbord of vintage neon signage, with some of the most unique signs I've had the pleasure to see. I've already posted a fair amount of my Tucson images to either my Etsy shop or my Flickr page but there are a few gems I haven't gotten around to editing. Tonight I'm digging one out of the archives, simply because it sounds like the perfect place to spend a Friday evening. Of course I'm at home blogging and making cream cheese icing, but that doesn't matter. The Crossroads restaurant is apparently pretty darn good and worth the drive to the edge of town. I'll be going back to Tucson to capture the rest of the signs I couldn't shoot thanks to Hillary, and the Crossroads is on my list for lunch.

Yes, that's a neon beer mug.

Happy Friday night folks! See you tomorrow for the six installation in this crazy project of mine...

Moody Marquee.... 4 of 365

I know I'm a little late, but the clock hasn't struck midnight on the west coast yet which means I have not turned into a pumpkin and missed my deadline for the evening. Besides, I have a good reason.... a consult with a couple about their future wedding photography is a perfectly good excuse to be behind schedule.

As it turns out, that same couple is the inspiration behind tonight's post. The groom works on sets for a non-profit company involved in theatre productions. After our evening meeting I came home and began searching for tonight's photo of the day and found this...

Downtown LA's very own theatre, down the street from the well known Orpheum

It's a bit moody and definitely different than my usual style, but it's a perfect end to my Thursday and it's my fourth of 365. Good night everyone.

Bowl at the Wheel... 3 of 365

Today was a rather overcast Wednesday, from the moment I woke up until the sun set. It's been pretty hot down here though lately so for the time being, I can appreciate it. I also don't usually attempt to shoot signs on weekdays...

Unfortunately not every weekend is bright and sunny either, even in southern California. So, until I develop my Storm powers more completely I, like all other photographers, have to deal with the light, sky and backgrounds nature gives me. And when photographing something far from home, well, I just have to work with it.

Today's offering is one of those such days. A friend and I drove out to Oxnard from his place in LA one Saturday, hoping the clouds would break as we approached the coast. I'd been trying to get to Oxnard FOREVER and with the Wagon Wheel Motel being razed I wanted to capture a few shots of the motel and bowling alley signs before they fell into complete disrepair. But the clouds didn't relent and the closer we came to our destination the more and more definition was lost in the sky. By the time we made it to Oxnard the only thing above us was gray soup. Not knowing when I'd be back, I photographed the signs as best I could, working with the diffused light and nondescript background. I hope I make it back soon, but until then, at least I have this.

Here's to Wednesday and a week that's more than half over. Three down, 362 more to come!

Reno's El Ray... 2 of 365

Reno has a wealth of small motels with colorful vintage signs. And there's no clear motel row like some other cities I've visited. Instead the mom and pop places seem to be in clusters around the downtown area. Find one and you'll find four more. It makes for some fun exploration on foot, wandering from place to place with camera in hand. The El Ray is on Arlington in the midst of several other motel signs, across the street from the Sands Casino. I know what you're thinking... it's not that Sands sadly.

Boomerang signs... amazing.

It's unclear if the El Ray is still operating as a monthly rental place, if at all. The plastic panel that once read motel is completely gone, but there is still a building on the property and I was definitely unwillingly eavesdropping on a woman's telephone conversation while snapping away pictures of the sign.

Two down.... Happy Tuesday!

It's Love... 1 of 365

The past week has been a flurry of photo related list making, remaking, amending and doing. For every "to do" item checked off that list, I've easily added three more. Like all things worth doing well, my photo work never ends. But things are happening, and I'm excited.

Somehow in my brainstorming I had this zany idea to post a photo a day for the next year. Most 365 projects involve creating a photo a day... this isn't that... no no. While I would love to create an image a day I am proud enough to share, there are a few reasons it isn't the project for me right now. This silly project of mine is editing and thoughtfully posting one image per day.

I know for a fact I have photographs of at least 365 signs, cars and roadside wonders hiding untouched on my computer. If I didn't take another photograph for a year I'd still have enough material to share with you every day until October 20, 2014. This is absurd and wonderful but it needs to change. Add to this backlog the fact I haven't blogged since February of this year...whoops!... and my project is the perfect. Welcome to day 1 of 365.

Today's beautiful sign is none other than Baskin's Auto Supply in Fresno, California. Fresno has it's rougher neighborhoods... beware motel row... but it also has a pretty fantastic collection of neon. Baskin's is most likely the best maintained in town and it's in pristine condition. A neighboring shop owner said the business has been owned by the Baskin family since 1917, and it seems the sign was built in 1956. The sign is currently listed on the Local Register of Historic Places for Fresno, but I haven't found a National Register listing. At least not yet.

I love proud neon sign owners. Love them!

If you ever think I'm slacking on this project, feel free to hassle me at any time. One down, here's to 364 more.

Motel Monday - Loop de Loop

Most of my road trips are centered around groupings of signs I want to photograph that can be found within a city or general area. This makes my trips more efficient, allowing me to capture as many signs as possible and attempt to save gas in the process. But every once in a while I'll stumble upon a vintage sign that is so extraordinary I will drive well out of my way just to photograph it and nothing else. That one sign is the trip.

Perhaps it's just a function of it's location, but the Loop Motor Lodge in Venture was one of those signs for me. I've had it on my maps for years, and with every trip to Los Angeles I'd wish I'd made it farther north and west. A few weeks ago I finally took the trip and was thrilled to finally see it in person.

I love the neon details that adorn the outside of the sign, and I bet it looked amazing when fully lit. A vintage postcard I found of the motel shows that some changes have been made to the sign over the years, but the core remains unchanged. The design is so classic and simple it makes me smile. 

Here's hoping that smile lasts all week!

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - The Sun and the Sand

Today's feature is by far one of my favorite photographs ever, in part because this sign is no longer the one that got away.

The Sun 'n Sand Motel sits on Route 66 in Santa Rosa, New Mexico. The first time I spotted this sign was from afar during the summer of 2009. We'd stopped for gas in the midst of our cross country road trip and the motel was just down the street. For the life of me I cannot figure out why I didn't photograph it then... whatever reason I had for not getting out of the truck, putting on my shoes and walking the few blocks in the late July heat with my camera became completely feeble and inexcusable just a few hours later.

I've been kicking myself ever since that summer and with every disappearing sign I read about I kicked myself even more. Thankfully when I made it back to Santa Rosa last year the Sun 'n Sand was still standing as beautiful as ever. Apparently the sign was restored sometime before June 2006, and you can definitely spot it from Interstate 40. Take the exit into Santa Rosa and you'll drive right by the motel.

The motel also has it's own restaurant but it was closed for the Thanksgiving holiday. The restaurant comes complete with it's own great vintage googie inspired signage. I'll save it for a Foodie Friday feature.

Here's to checking this one off my list!

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Awaiting Restoration

A few weeks ago I featured the Route 66 Motel of Needles, California. Ed Klein of Route 66 World is in the midst of restoring the sign and last I heard all that is missing is the new neon tubes. Our course the Route 66 is not the only motel sign in Needles in need of help. Just down Broadway street is the Sage Motel and it's sign that has certainly seen better days.

Most of the neon tubes are completely gone, the few remaining letters to spell vacancy are hanging cattywampus, and the only portion that seems to still be in place is the tip of the arrow. On the plus side, the sign is still standing and the property appeared to be in the midst of a restoration. I can't find any additional information about the property or who might be fixing it up, but I did come across this undated vintage postcard.

 The property looks much different now and is completely fenced in with a rolling gate and a decorative cement tile wall. I seem to remember a pool too, but perhaps I just imagined it.

The next time I'm in Needles I'll definitely check up on this place. Maybe I'll have more to report... 

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Just After Dusk

I'm posting today's Motel Monday a bit later than usual so I thought an evening motel shot would be more appropriate. Lucky for me I've got just the thing...

The same day that I photographed the Supai Motel in Seligman, I spent the night in Flagstaff. Also part of Route 66, Flagstaff has kept it's historic downtown area and several vintage motels, motel signs, and cafes. The Hotel Monte Vista sits on the corner of Aspen Avenue and San Francisco Street, one block north of Route 66 itself. The hotel actually predates Route 66 as it was built in 1926. I guess it was just in the right place at the right time.

The Monte Vista has had quite a few famous guests including Bob Hope, Michael Stipe, Bing Crosby, Michael J. Fox, Jon Bon Jovi, Clark Gable, and my personal favorites John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart and Freddie Mercury. The hotel is reportedly haunted by several friendly ghosts as well, but I'm going to leave the supernatural out of this.

During my brief stay in Flagstaff I ate dinner at the Galaxy Diner, which I highly recommend, before driving to the downtown area to take a walk around. I was serendipity that I took this photo of the Hotel's vintage rooftop signage just after dusk had fallen and I love the colors. Maybe next time I'll check out the interior.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Retro Roadside Photography's New Look

In case you haven't noticed, my Retro Roadside Photography shop is rocking a new look these days. The amazing logo is the creation of my good friend Nicole, who happens to be one heck of a graphic designer.

No shop overhaul is complete without a new banner and avatar which you can find here. Purchase a print and you'll get to see my new business cards too! Subtle, right? 

Cheers!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Googie Spectacular

One of the most brilliant signs you'll see driving down Route 66 through Grants New Mexico is for the Sands Motel, directing travelers a half block to the actual Motel itself. The sign, with it's red flags, giant arrow and beyond amazing lettering will grab even the most distracted driver's attention.  The 1/2 block in neon just makes me smile. 

The Sands Motel was established in 1950 and has had a few famous guests in it's 62 years of business. Room 123 is known as "The Elvis Room" and the motel has Elvis memorabilia including a copy of his marriage certificate. After reading this I'm sure my grandma will want to know why I didn't take more pictures. Oopsy daisy...

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - A Restoration Project

Last September I drove a stretch of Route 66 from Kingman, Arizona to West Hollywood chasing vintage sign beauties. A few photographs from the trip have already been featured here, including the Hill Top Motel, Lo's Chinese Food, the New Corral Motel, and the abandoned Motel sign standing alone in the middle of the Arizona desert. Today's feature is the well known 66 Motel in Needles, California.

Over the weekend I learned that Ed Klein is fundraising to restore this sign to it's former glory. The broken neon and bulbs have been removed and the sign has received a much needed coat of paint. While I appreciate peeling paint as much as the next sign lover, it is an important barrier needed to protect the metal from the elements. You can see Ed's progress and support his restoration project of the sign on his indiegogo page. At this moment the project needs an additional $1700 over the next three days to be funded. I've got my fingers crossed.

When Ed is done with the restoration I'll have an excuse to make another trip to Needles. In the mean time, all the progress Ed has made officially makes this Retro Roadside Photography image a classic.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Buck Season

I love Arizona. Between Tuscon and Mesa and Route 66, Arizona is a mecca of vintage neon signs. And thankfully those signs are within driving distance. Today's Motel Monday feature is the amazing Bukhorn Baths Mineral Wells and Motel located on East Main Street in Mesa.

The Buckhorn Baths were originally opened in 1926 as a gas station but things changed when the Sligers purchased the property and discovered a mineral hot spring in 1939. In 1947 the New York Giants decided to make the Buckhorn Baths and Motel their spring training home, and they kept coming back as the San Francisco Giants until 1972. In short, the Sligers and these baths helped give birth to the Cactus League. A rather detailed article about the Buckhorn Baths' contribution to Arizona's Cactus League is on PlayBall's website. That's right, my love for baseball and vintage roadside americana has officially collided. The baths also included a wildlife museum, a huge taxidermy collection, a sand golf course, and more vintage memorabilia than could possibly fit in one location. The property was closed in 1999 but the lobby just looks like someone stepped out to lunch.

In 2005 Buckhorn Baths was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and it was recently listed as the most endangered roadside location by the Society of Commercial Archaeology. Thankfully the Mesa Preservation Foundation is working to restore the Buckhorn Baths property so that it is available to travelers and little league players for years to come. I can't wait to do more than just stare through the windows.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - Sometimes It Storms

Desert Sun

Like any good traveler, I check the weather before heading out on a road trip. If it's definitely going to rain all weekend or snow, there's just no point in going. A few trips to Los Angeles have already been cancelled this year due to weather... yes, it does rain in Southern California.

Last fall there was a chance that tropical storm Hillary would cause some problems in Tucson, Arizona. If it rained at all, it wasn't going to be until much later on Saturday, and Mesa was supposed to be clear on Sunday. I decided the wealth of vintage neon signs was worth the risk and we took off on Friday night for Tucson. Saturday morning was beautiful, but there was too much neon in Tuscon for me to shoot it all before Hillary blew in. By the time we made it to West Miracle Mile the clouds had rolled in and I was getting pelted by dirt and pebbles that had been picked up by the wind.

Miracle Mile has several beautiful vintage neon signs but I was only able to shoot three of them before the wind became too much. Of the three, this photograph of the Sun Land Motel is the only one that makes the Retro Roadside Photography cut. I usually prefer blue skies, but there's just something about the moodiness of this shot that I enjoy. 

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Foodie Friday - The Original

Believe it or not, there's a bit of a fight in Los Angeles about just who originated the french dip sandwich. Two restaurants share this claim to fame, Philippe the Original and Cole's Originator's of the French Dip. Both places were opened in 1908 and neither one of them is budging an inch about who made the popular sandwich first. They both also have great neon signs and darn good food. 

"Philippe's" 

Philippe's was the first of the originals that I tried. I loved the old brick building, the sawdust floor and the vintage style counter service. Their famous french dip is different from the mainstream version you'll find in that the bread is dipped in au jus instead of the au jus being poured over the meat once it's in the sandwich. Believe me when I say you won't need extra au jus on the side. Cole's was a completely different take on the sandwich, but I'll save that for another Foodie Friday post. I do have to say that of the two places, I prefer Philippe's french dip. 

"The Original" in my Retro Roadside Photo Etsy Shop 

Have you eaten at either Philippe's or Cole's? Do you have a preference? And what's for lunch today?

Happy Friday!

- Stefanie

Motel Monday - More for the Cowboys

I've always found the idea of a western themed motel to be a little humorous. Cowboys slept under the stars, next to campfires with their guns. There was no roof over their heads, no protection from the elements and no warm bed waiting with turn down service and a mint on their pillow. At least there wasn't in any of the western movies I've watched. 

Not withstanding the irony of a western motel aimed at Cowboys and Cowgirls alike, the theme certainly makes for great signs. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've started to amass quiet the collection of western themed neon signs and there are more waiting on my list.  

The Silver Saddle Motel was a recent photo subject that falls under the western genre. Located in North Hollywood, the motel is small with less than 30 guest rooms and an outdoor pool typical of Southern California. According to a local, the motel used to have quite a bit of western memorabilia on the grounds but all that remains is the giant plaster horse on top of the roof. Oddly enough the horse isn't wearing a saddle, let alone a silver one. Maybe they keep it in the lobby?

Whatever happened to the saddle, I sure hope they keep the sign. It's a metal and neon classic.

Happy Monday!

- Stefanie

Etsy Finds - On the Road Again

Here's to opening your email on Monday morning and finding your hard work front and center.  Yes... that's my woody print top left. I must have looked a little ridiculous with the smile this put on my face. 

Want your own woody? You can pick up the print in any size from 4x6 to 20x30 in my Retro Roadside Photo shop on Etsy.  

Until next time!

- Stefanie