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Sale or trade
It’s really no secret to anyone who’s been around the blog for very long that I have a fondness for Santa Rosa, New Mexico…
Many years ago, I made quite a few trips between Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Lubbock, Texas; at that time all I knew about Santa Rosa was that was where to turn (right, heading to Lubbock; left, to Albuquerque). I never drove through town, a fact which is sort of embarrassing to admit. In recent years, my family have taken up scuba diving and (this doesn’t even sound right), there’s a place to dive in Santa Rosa. These days, I tag along on as many scuba trips as I can; while the divers are diving, I am exploring. The old Route 66 is a treasure of abandoned buildings (mostly gas stations, now usurped by big chain stations-with-convenience-stores over on the interstate.)
For the five years or so that I’ve been photographing Santa Rosa, the fluorescent lights inside the service bay at this old Exxon station have been on. I don’t know why. Maybe to illuminate that Sale or Trade sign. Just in case.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013
Chinese Restaurant, night
If you’ve been around this blog for very long, there’s a pretty good chance that you’ve seen some other photos of Santa Rosa; it’s one of my favorite locations. The place has a lot going for it: it’s close enough to Lubbock that it’s not a huge deal to get there; my spouse goes there as often as possible to scuba dive (really!) which gives me time to wander around; there’s a huge inventory of derelict structures.
You may recognize this building, which has made a couple of previous appearances here at One Day | One Image: here. And here.
I like the building. I like its very non-PC name. I like that giant canopy. I like…well…I sort of like all of it.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.3.2013
Night registration
I guess when that cross-country drive in the giant motor home gets to be too much, a campground with night registration is a welcome sight. Even if it looks a little ominous.
along Route 66
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.3.2013
Playground
I feel like maybe this playground and this other one are cousins.
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013
Scenic, officially
Sort of makes you wonder, doesn’t it, if the person in charge of sign placement really intended for this abandoned gas station to be the backdrop for a sign proclaiming the town as Officially Scenic.
Or, maybe “scenic” refers to the marker itself, rather than the town…
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
photographed 5.4.2013
One Day | One Image 