Whoa, men!
Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was on our family’s usual vacation route from Lubbock to the mountains; I went through Santa Rosa twice per summer for my entire childhood.
From one of those trips, I have a clear memory of my dad, standing with me in front of the restroom doors at a gas station, telling me I should read “women” as “Whoa, men!” There’s every possibility that it was in Santa Rosa, and it could have been at this exact station.
But that aside, I like how this place sort of feels like it’s probably the very last spot you’ll see indoor plumbing forever. Like beyond this very space is a vast and untamed emptiness. That’s not right, of course, because the Interstate’s right there, and before you know it you’re in Albuquerque or Amarillo. But still, that’s how it feels. To me.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013
Posted on September 10, 2013, in Photography and tagged 365 photo project, abandoned buildings, architecture, black and white photography, melinda green harvey, one day one image, photo a day, photography, santa rosa, santa rosa new mexico. Bookmark the permalink. 11 Comments.
One Day | One Image 
The toilet at the end of the world. Shame the door says “ladies” instead now. 🙂
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I know – I sure wish it said “women.” I am going back to Santa Rosa in a couple of weeks, so maybe I could fix the sign while I am there.
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Your dad was a wise man with a sense of humor. I like that. And this shot, too.
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He had a very dry sense of humor; unfortunately, that’s mostly left him now, but every now and then it makes a brief – and welcome – return.
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Yes, it really does look like the last Rest Room before Mars. I’m curious: Was “Whoa, Men” a way of saying ‘Watch out, men about – Nice’. Or ‘Look out, not very nice men about’. Or just a humorous re-telling of the word with no deeper meaning implied?
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It was his way of helping us to remember the door marked “women” was where WE went, and that men went to OTHER door.
I like the phrase “last restroom before Mars”!
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This is wonderful.
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Thank you, Lisa.
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Every picture has a story. : )
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That’s true – and sometimes (usually) I don’t even know what the story IS until after I’ve taken the photo.
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Lovely light in this shot.
I hesitate to bring this up, but that spout sticking out of the wall is rather reminiscent of the watering appendage on certain European fountains that depict young boys. Which is wonderfully minimalist if that is what the designer intended. And which could help to interpret your dad’s saying as well, if it was this very spot that his words were spoken.
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