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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
But only three triangles
It’s been noted that I have a very slight tendency to photograph rectangles, so I want to go on record right now to point out that while this shot does contain an estimated 158* rectangles, it also includes three triangles.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013
*158 is a very rough estimate. If anyone wants to actually count the rectangles and provide a more accurate number that would be fine with me. I won’t even make you show your work.
Just to be clear
Can you imagine the owner of this place getting SO TIRED of inquiries about its availability on the market, that he/she finally just painted the message on the door?
No. Neither can I.
Marfa, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
Here’s another option
Never let it be said that we here at One Day | One Image don’t offer our readers several options when it comes to interesting travel trailers. This one, only 92 miles away from this little gem, is larger. But that native landscaping across the front might slightly impede access to the doors. And while I suppose that one might consider that a security feature, it still appears unnecessarily formidable for residents.
To find this one, go to Marathon (pronounced, for some reason MARE-a-thun instead of like the race), and turn north at the cafe that’s just west of the Gage Motel. Go to all the way to the end of that street (three blocks), then go left all the way to the end of that street (six more blocks), then go right. This will be on your left. Look for the water tower, and you can’t miss it.
Marathon, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
PS – If you get to town early enough, go ahead at have breakfast at the cafe. Sit outside. And chat up the waitress. She’s got a lot to say. (They are Italians, but are leaving today. He’s from Italy – been out here for better than twenty years. The dog’s name is Sparky. The flies are pretty bad this year. It’s been hot, but starting to cool down. Those people got here yesterday. You smell fruity.)
Behind the HiWay
There are several renovated trailers at El Cosmico, in Marfa, but they may not have the charm of this one that I saw in back of the HiWay Cafe, just down the road in Valentine. Also, this one has those concrete blocks hold it up, so you know it’s stable. No neighbors to bother you – everything around is abandoned and falling down. And the tree right there provides some shade, although to be honest, this IS the desert, and the shade’s probably never as much as you’d hope. It’s also just a stone’s throw (literally, and I can’t throw very far) from the railroad.
You don’t have to take my word for it; it’s right there on the main highway (or: only highway), between 3rd and 5th Streets*.
Valentine, Texas
photographed 8.16.2013
*By the way, and because I know you want to know, the highest street number in town is 8.
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