Olancha, CA -- The gateway to Death Valley and 150 miles left on our scenic drive south to Los Angeles. My friend, Scout and I decided we wanted to get a few up-close shots of the "Rustic Motel" along Highway 395. I've featured this place before.One reviewer from Trip Adviser suggested that if you are considering staying there, you should "Run Away!" The reviewer continued, "Do NOT STAY HERE. Sleep in your car...." Another review was more positive but still mentioned the spider in the shower.
We walked along the dirt road to the office and began shooting the aged motel from different angles. A woman emerged from one of the decaying screen doors and walked toward us. With her hands on her hips and her head cocked to the side, she asked us, "Can I help you?"
I held my camera up and told her, "We are just admiring your motel."
She nodded her head in disbelief and uttered, "Well, that's odd…!" and walked back into her room.
6 comments:
A classic photo and story of its taking, except I would have expected the proprietor to be an unshaven man with a gun.
As i write this comment, i am in a motel room on the old U.S. Route 66 in Kingman, Arizona. Fortunately, it is a new, modern motel, not a Rustic Motel.
I find it a bit odd that she wasn't more more used too photographers.
Dave, The romance of Route 66 is often thwarted by new construction, glass buildings and credit card-driven self serve gas stations. I like the fact there are a few people out there that are willing to conserve the "rustic" charm of the early motor hotels (motels), cafes and gas stations.
I've stayed at places like that. My favorite was a room (with a cottage cheese ceiling) where a past occupant had a religious moment. He/she took his/her beer bottle caps and imbedded them in the sign of the cross above the bed. Later I discovered where all those beer bottles had gone (under the bed)
PA, Did you happen to get a photo of the artwork?! What a find!
Mine is an image better told then captured on film. It was in one of the last of the horse shoe hotels in Vegas (pre digital)
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