"Days of Cheap Gasoline"

[lindyannajones]

My recent trip down Route 66 reminded me of these photos I took this past summer of Ralph's Service Station located in downtown Tucson. A little research reveals that it was built in 1929-30 from a Sears and Roebuck Kit. Many of us will remember Sears and Roebuck mail order catalogs. They created much dreaming and in some cases, it was where you learned "stuff." Please note the proper use of the apostrophe! In his title, Ralph was telling everyone that his was not just a filling station--it was a service station!

The Route 66 thread also had me thinking about this tune from a song by David Wilcox from a tune entitled Rusty Old American Dream. This line, in particular, reminds me of that old '59 Impala:

"I'm a tailfin road locomotive from the days of cheap gasoline"

Ralph's Service Station

[equilution]

Great shots, Linda. I love that first one. Super PP on all of them, though. I remember the Sears and Roebuck...but not for a good, nostalgic reason. Back in the late 70s I played tennis for my Jr. High school. Long story short, I needed some new tennis shoes, and fast. So she ordered me some Evonne Goolagong tennis shoes from S&R, not realizing they were ladie's shoes. It took until my Sr year to live that one down!!

Thanks for the shots!!

[Vinam]

I love them.. really has held up well thru the years, especially for a kit built building. you always seem to get just the right perspectives in your shots.. the closeup in the second is great and I also like you throwing in the catus in the last to remind us where the " Service Station" is located, I can see the sign in my head on RT66 a mile before the station " Last Gas for 100 miles"

thanks for showing them Lin

Vin

[Tenzin'sMom]

Linda, how wonderful! I love the David Wilcox song of course, so perfect for this set. I think the first and last are my favorites -- the first for the mood it evokes, that wonderful light and shadow that says to me that monsoons come and go but Ralph's stands firm; and the second for the marvelous colors backlighting the prickly pear and reflecting on the corrugated metal. I don't think I ever noticed Ralph's when I was in Tucson -- I'll have to look for it when I come down.

[dvetter]

Linda, I knew you had talent but this set raises the bar for me! Great composition of a very unique piece of time. Nice conversion to enhance the presentation.

[Preacherman]

Hi Linda. I guess these buildings and artefacts on Route 66 are what we would call in UK, "Listed". They appear to be protected for posterity, like your shots. Can't wait to do the ride accross your great Nation on the Mother Road. PAUL

[lindyannajones]

Originally Posted by equilution

Great shots, Linda. I love that first one. Super PP on all of them, though. I remember the Sears and Roebuck...but not for a good, nostalgic reason. Back in the late 70s I played tennis for my Jr. High school. Long story short, I needed some new tennis shoes, and fast. So she ordered me some Evonne Goolagong tennis shoes from S&R, not realizing they were ladie's shoes. It took until my Sr year to live that one down!!

Thanks for the shots!!

I really had fun doing the conversion to BW. I've been waiting for a series that I thought would lend itself to BW and this one seemed to shout. Well, your Sears Catalog story had me in stitches. I saw her play at the Racquet Club along with some other shining stars of tennis including Arthur Ash, John Newsome, Ilia Natashi, John McEnroe. That was good tennis!

Originally Posted by Vinam

I love them.. really has held up well thru the years, especially for a kit built building. you always seem to get just the right perspectives in your shots.. the closeup in the second is great and I also like you throwing in the catus in the last to remind us where the " Service Station" is located, I can see the sign in my head on RT66 a mile before the station " Last Gas for 100 miles"

thanks for showing them Lin

Vin

Actually, from Holbrook to Tucson, 238 miles. However, Vin, the sign is about right but in the "olden" days, the "Last Gas" sign was preceded by signs like this:

Free! Free! / A trip / To Mars / For 900 / Empty jars / Burma-Shave

In the southwest there's also roadside sign announcing The Thing. These went up in 1965 and could be found all along I-10 from Texas to Arizona. The Thing is a secret, of course. Well, except that Wiki blabbed their big mouths about it!

Motorcycles like Route 66. Ahem.

[sheltiesmama]

Fantastic shots. Reminds me of driving to Arizona with my parents when I was a little girl.

[ukglyn]

Great shots Linda, especially love the 1st & the last, amazing captures.
Glyn

[SoxAddict]

Brilliant shots! Love the PP in them. Also love the cactus at the end - gorgeous pastel colors, and I love the contrast between its spikeyness & the stripes in the background.