It takes a day like a yesterday to really, really make me appreciate a today like this one.  Perfect weather (cool), relatively little traffic, and tons of photo-ops.  Mostly the unexpected blog-quality stuff — not the sought-out website stuff.  So, go get yourself a cold one or a hot one — this is gonna be a long post.  I covered a lot of ground today — from the southeast corner to just about the northwest corner of the state.  A chunk of interstate driving in the afternoon — but mostly desert — and then forests.  Tonight here in Williams, they say it will be 27 degrees.  What a switch from the lows in the 80s of Phoenix just a few nights ago!

Let’s start with something completely random — a birdhouse assemblage in Bisbee:

 

A couple of travel trailers at the Shady Dell in Bisbee that I don’t think I’ve shot before:
http://www.theshadydell.com/

 

This neat panel truck (is that what you call them?) in Lowell:

 

And speaking of vehicles.  This is how I’ve been driving her around for the past week or so.  This hand towel pretty much stops the squeaky hood sound.  It’s humiliating enough with her bruises and misaligned headlights — but this is really over the top.  Poor Sparkle…

 

Just outside of Douglas.   The DQ is gone — although they didn’t bother to remove the sign.  Imagine all the disappointed kids (and adults!):

 

Also in Douglas:

 

Still Douglas.  I love these “to do” list signs on the downtown theatre:

 

On to Willcox.  Why so many signs?  I AM actually looking for interesting buildings — but just not finding a lot:

 

I had to walk through a car show to shoot something in Willcox so I shot this one for you.  I’ve never seen a split hood like this — pretty neat:

 

But I liked this vehicle that wasn’t in the show even more.  Never seen such a thing.  Could it be customized?  Behind the big window is a bed-like set-up.  But you’d have to be my size to fit:

 

One of my main staples lately — maybe one every other day — has been the Gas Station Burrito.  This one was particularly great with the crunchy tortilla.  Normally, they come wrapped in foil — which is fine, too.  Just a softer and usually spicier approach.  Hard to screw up beans and cheese.  Though most of the time, there’s beef or chicken in there so I’m out of luck.  The crunchy tortilla was almost like pie crust — yes PIE — I haven’t forgotten.  The taco stand burritos that I grew up on in Southern California had rice and lettuce inside.  And if you paid extra, sour cream.  But nothing wrong with this simplistic approach:

 

A couple from Bowie.  I don’t know what happened to this sign:

 

One of the most intriguing signs of the whole trip to me.  Never seen such a thing.  Surely, the thing must have spun — and there are lights on both sides:

 

I’ve been getting a lot of emails about my “process” lately — how I find so many things, how I put trips together, etc.  Most of those questions will be answered by the pages with links on the right below the calendar “how to plan a roadtrip”, etc.  I need to update them slightly at some point.  For instance, I remove the yellow stickies before these trips now since it just gets too messy.  Once the route is firmed up, I just draw a big circle around the city and then draw crow-flies lines between them.  This helps me stay focused on what’s ahead, plan for where the day will end more or less, or shift things around a bit if needed.  Then I just scratch out each city as I finish it — a feeling of accomplishment.  And then I just buy a new atlas every couple of years.  Here’s what I’ve done to part of Arizona:

 

On to Safford:

 

Another “perfie” — a perforated cone thingie on top:

 

From Thatcher — the Infamous Bar & Grill:

 

On to Globe.  This rolling pin sign seems to be attached to Chalo’s Casa Reynosa Mexican restaurant.  Maybe symbolizing rolling the tortillas?

 

More from Globe:

 

From Miami.  It doesn’t get much funkier than this.  Looks like Traveler’s Motel originally:

Same building, around the side:

 

And, last one for the night, from Williams.  A nice bright & cheerful sign:

 

According to my calculations, I should be able to wrap up Arizona tomorrow.  Then I’m debating about what to do for the next couple days.  I want to be in Cincinnati to do some shooting on Thursday.  That leaves roughly three days — which has to include a hefty amount of interstate time as well.  I will probably do some of my Colorado pack which I have with me  — maybe a day’s worth.  And then a little Kansas City that I brought along.  Or I could be wild and crazy and head to Vegas which is very nearby — but that will probably wait til next year en route to California.   If I whack out some of the Colorado stuff now, then I can probably sneak in some Utah and/or Montana stuff this summer.

It’s always something.  Another frustrating mechanical day.  It started out great — perfect weather and all kinds of ambitious plans to wrap up the rest of southern AZ.  I hit the 3,000 mile mark and spotted a Jiffy Lube.  I’m very on-the-ball with oil changes and all.   I opened the brake fluid lid ever so gently — something that I have done myself since The Accident — realizing that it needs to be treated delicately.  Although it was full the past couple times I checked, this time, the front half was empty.  Uh oh.  The oil change guy pointed me in the direction of a gas station so I could go get some brake fluid.  Got some and started pouring it in.  It was leaking out the bottom just as fast as I was adding it in.

The oil change guys called their mechanic buddy and I eventually got towed to his shop.  Sure enough, the epoxy on the reservoir had deteriorated.  I don’t blame the mechanics back in Silver City where a part was not to be found, anywhere, and who sincerely believed the epoxy would hold.  And it did — for about 5,000 miles or so.  After talking with these mechanics, it seems I should’ve made a more concerted effort later to find that part and have it replaced.  The risk of losing the fluid and getting into an accident from brake failure was very high.  So, I counted my blessings that nothing happened in those twisty turny mountains yesterday — or in the middle of the nowhere desert (which is about 85% of all Arizona it seems).

While they were replacing the reservoir (no problem finding the part in Tucson) and master cylinder, I had them check out the A/C.   This mechanic believed it was the vacuum valve something and replaced it.  He was sure of it.  So, another $780.  Their credit card machine was not working — so I had to go get another cash advance at the bank.  Argh!  But I’m much relieved to have the brake thingie replaced & resolved.  And the air is running really nicely.  I sure hope it lasts since I have the big summer trip coming up and just can’t bear to waste more time and money on the A/C.

Enough about all that.  Instead of being too pissed off and depressed about wasting more than half the day in the shop again, I was just grateful to be alive.  The dogs and I even caught an hour-long nap on the waiting room sofa.  Since I only got to a few small towns, I only took a couple dozen photos and don’t have much to share with you tonight.  But tomorrow’s another day!

Cool windows on what appears to be a mid-century bank in Tucson not far from the garage:

 

Down to Nogales to shoot a few things.

 

Nogales is a border town (with Mexico) and there are all kinds of Border Patrol cops and regular cops everywhere.  This bank is the neatest thing.  A mix of midcentury with sort of a streamline moderne feel.  I took several photos but am just including a couple.  I had a security cop from the bank all over me — insisting I could only stand in the street to take photos.  I said that the sidewalk was public property but he said no — and it was too hot and I was just in a hurry to get moving so I didn’t argue.  Dealing with cops and cop-wanna-bes was just not the way I wanted to end my day.

The bank’s ATMs:

 

On to Benson.  I’m pretty sure this is a modern sign — patina-ized to look old.  Still funky and fun:

 

On to Tombstone.  The hat piece is most likely new — but the top part looks like probably old “can” reworked / relettered:

 

So that’s it I’m afraid on tonight’s visuals.  Stayed the night here in Bisbee (no, not the Shady Dell) where it’s mountain-like cool.  I’m invigorated and ready to get moving in a serious way.  I’m thinking I should be able to wrap up Arizona in about two days — just the southeast and the northwest to go.  Which puts me slightly ahead of schedule and might leave a little time before the American Sign Museum “thing” in Cincinnati for dabbling in either Colorado or possibly some Kansas City stuff.  I have some short lists with me in case I ran ahead of schedule — something that’s never happened before.

Today!  Yes, I WILL catch up tonight.   A glitch-free day, hot but not so hot as the past few days.  A/C working just fine but barely on interstates.  I think this might have been some kind of record breaker for me.  I managed to do Tucson just about in entirety.  Plus a bunch of night shots which really means hardly any sleep tonight what with my homework.

Today started in Casa Grande so here’s a cute bar sign:

The place also has a neat painted wall sign — note the wooden door effect (if you’re new to this blog, clicking on the photos opens a larger sized photo):

 

I usually don’t shoot inflatables — but this guy at a car dealership intrigued and terrified me:

 

Off for some remote stuff — this one in Mammoth — Barbara’s Drive-in which is long-gone.  This photo shows the other side which reveals that blob in the center to be a hamburger:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/searchnetmedia/5441860321/

 

And on to Tucson for the remainder of the day and this blog.  I never noticed this painted sign behind the Casa Molina restaurant:

 

The Quail Inn has a traditional neon sign…

 

… and this thing which I’ve never seen before.  A freestanding, brick glass Vacancy / No Vacancy sign.  I drove by later and saw that it was dark.  So either they had no vacancies or, I suspect, it isn’t lit / used any more:

 

In the interest of getting a couple of hours sleep tonight — let’s just let these signs roll without any commentary from me.  I don’t know why my blog posts and Flickr photos have been so heavily-weighted towards signs.  Maybe just more of them and not-so-interesting buildings?

 

This one has me puzzled — KY like Kentucky?  Or an abbreviation for something else?

 

Something tells me this motel is not all that paradise-like.  But love their sign just the same.  Funky or fancy signs — all good in my opinion!

 

And last one for the night —

 

So THERE!  I did it!!  Back on track with these blog posts & Flickr uploads.   No more socializing nights off for me on this trip that’s for sure!   Just too overwhelming to catch up.

Tomorrow — just a tiny bit more of Tucson and then moving on to Bisbee, Benson and all that.

Things are getting out of hand here.  I’m two posts behind so let me at least finish up the post I started on Monday.  The good news — yes, the sunshine (and heat) continues.  I had a productive day in Phoenix yesterday and am ready to move on.  I think I might be a day or two ahead of schedule.  Never had that happen before.  I also got to meet an online pal, finally, in person last night (more on that later).  One drink though and I’m paying the price this morning — brain cobwebs and headache.  So I won’t be texty right now since my sentence construction is weak.  Let’s roll with the photos.

My Phoenix area stuff started in Cave Creek.  Big Earl’s Greasy Eats is housed in a former 1930s gas station.  It opened here in 1993,  But I must have missed it the other two times I was here.  This sign appears to be completely new (including the metal) — done in the style-of a vintage sign:

 

Another retro (modern in imitation of old) sign in town:

 

 

Phoenix seems a bit like Mars to me, botanically speaking.  Meaning that seeing all these different types of cactus and shrubbery is shocking and intriguing.  I don’t think I’ve ever noticed purple cactus before — prickly pear?

And these saguaros all seem to be in bloom with little flowers on top.  I don’t remember seeing that either.  I think I’m usually here earlier in the year:

Another blooming cactus — really neat!  This is just a little guy — maybe a foot tall:

And, of course, palm trees everywhere.  They don’t seem to be in northern AZ and I saw very few at all anywhere in NM.  These guys are at the mid-century modern Scottsdale Palms apartments (in Scottsdale):

 

I have been to a few malls in the Phoenix area (carousels, signs that weren’t there anymore) and witnessed the “walkers” phenomenon.  I guess this goes on all over the country but I hadn’t seen it before (not often in malls).  With the heat in Phoenix, mobs of middle-aged folks (hey, I’m one of them so I can call them that!) walking laps to get exercise.  Usually with partners, yakking it up while doing their power laps.  I guess mall management doesn’t mind — extra free security, sets of eyes, and maybe they get a smoothie or something after their laps.

Anyhow, I noticed a couple other things while at the Paradise Valley Mall — this touch screen Coke machine like a giant iPad — also with video playing that my camera didn’t capture well:

Also, this Hurricane Simulator — I didn’t try it out and half-regret it:

 

Loads of mid-century modern in Phoenix — and lots of buildings with these louvered screens.  I don’t know how many are operable or never used that way.  Think Venetian blinds where you can change the angle of the slats to let in more or less light.  No need for this really in New York — but with the scorching temps just the past few days, I get why the concept was a hit here.  This one at a Chase Bank:

 

A couple of well-cared-for signs:

 

I don’t know if this sign had neon originally.  It’s still in business:

 

This giant rooftop sign was built in 1947.  The flower shop closed in 1996.  A few years later, it reopened as the “My Florist Cafe” which kept the sign.  The cafe closed in 2010 but the sign is still there.  It sounds like it might be protected:
http://vanishingphx.downtowndevil.com/the-changing-face-of-my-florist/

 

MacAlpine’s Soda Fountain was established in 1928.  Apparently, still the original cabinetry and booths and other fun vintage stuff on display:

When I’ve been by before to shoot the Rexall signs outside, the place was closed.  But I got lucky this time — this was a chocolate malted crunch sundae.  Chopped up malted milk balls in there.  No good way to photo it in a styrofoam cup — but it was quite yummy:

More food photos to come later in the trip… still have to find pie someplace.

As for the dogs, I found a fantastic place in Gilbert (outskirts of Phoenix) with a lake which has really been a blessing for them.  The Cosmo Dog Park.   It is BIG — with separate areas.  The are lights at night and the place stays open until 10pm.  I have been twice and will be back anytime we’re in the area.  I didn’t take any photos — but there’s one at this page:
http://www.gilbertaz.gov/parks/popups/cosmo-park.cfm
Whenever I see all those rules and regulations, I just ignore them.  Most parks have a 3-dog limit but I’ve never had a problem.  Also many parks have a “no food” policy but I always have dog treats with me.  Also many parks want you to have a local license or rabies tag on your collar.  But I’ve never been asked for that either.  So, if you’re traveling with dogs, don’t be put off by signs or websites — just go have fun.

I’ll be back tonight with a double-batch post and Flickr photos.

The bank clocks I saw read 105.  I think it was a high of 109.   The dogs had the luxury of A/C for the most part while I jumped in and out.   Shockingly hot out there.   I don’t know how residents handle it.  One guy I spoke with said July & August are regularly 115+.  Gawd.

Sparkle’s running nicely despite the abusive day-after-day driving.   I have tons and tons of photos for you.  But running ridiculously late tonight (already 2 am) since I went neon-shooting til 11pm.  And tomorrow night, I’ll be doing my socializing thing (more about that later).  And I could use a night off from all this homework.  So, I’ll have to catch up on Wednesday night somehow.

I’ll give you a few photos to hold you over until then.  All of these are from Mesa:

 

 

 

Love the name — desert + wonderama:

 

I’ll try to give you a quickie post tomorrow night (with maybe a couple photos).  And then a three-day photo marathon on Wednesday.

I made really good progress and have us set up for Phoenix tomorrow.   More sun.  And now killer heat.  All was fine temperature-wise until sometime crossing through the mountains this afternoon south of Sedona and Clarkdale.  It’s after midnight now and still 80-something.  Expected to be 109 tomorrow.  And similar temps here for the next five days or so.  Good lord — I hope Sparkle’s A/C is ready for this!  I think I will continue racing through my lists so that we can get back up north for the rest of the AZ stuff — and eventually the Midwest and  Cincinnati which have got to be cooler!

Heads up — I will probably be taking a night off from Flickring and blogging this week — maybe even tomorrow night.  I’m hoping to hook up with someone for some food and drinks in Phoenix.  I’ll let you know when and if this happens — and, if so, I’ll make up for it with a double batch of photos the following night.

On with today.  We started the day in Holbrook and headed down to the Petrified Forest Gift Shop.  I had some reshooting of the dinosaur statues and teepees there.  And it’s about time for some shots of the kids as well:

 

On a petrified wood stump:

And a rare one with Fixie’s eyes open — and Nik’s mouth shut:

 

On the way back to downtown — this billboard — for the super neat place that doesn’t exist anymore.  It was like one of those drive-thru wild animal parks — but with dinosaur statues instead.  I loved it — and so did the dogs:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/76613411/

 

A couple of signs downtown — and a question:  what are these perforated torch like things?
This is the Holbrook Inn sign.  I assume there were lights inside these — maybe even multiple lights inside which would flash and create an exciting effect.  But I’m guessing:

 

A similar thingie in cone form — at Brad’s Desert Inn:

I believe these similar lights in Memphis are static:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/430034217/

 

This educational hand painted sign at the Rainbow Rock Shop.   Neat — with palm trees, cactus, carnivorous dinosaur, AND volcano:

 

More signs in Holbrook — I can report from last night that this one is only partially lit.  The sputniky thing on top has only one bulb operating:

 

Love the curvy arrow and frames:

 

Stewart’s Petrified Wood in Holbrook is a must-see stop.  Ostriches, statues… oh, and I guess a gift shop which I’ve still never been in.  Too early on a Sunday morning today — the gates were locked.  But still lots of fun stuff to shoot — including these enticing billboards:

 

St. Joseph has the famous saddled fiberglass jackrabbit statue for photo-ops.  But, more than that, I like this billboard sign:

 

On to Flagstaff.  OK, sign lovers and experts — what did this sign advertise for originally?  That shape is the give-away.  Big hint:  think orange and navy porcelain.  Another hint?  Chain drug store.  Here’s the reveal if you’re still stumped:
http://agilitynut.com/signs/rex.html

 

More faded beauties in Flagstaff:

 

This one reads “Tourist Home”:

 

A not-so-great cover-up — or just faded this way with time.  For the Downtowner Motel now — but I can’t quite make out the original wording:

 

On to Sedona.   Son Silver West has lots of signs — I was there for the giant rooster statue.  But this sign caught my eye — for a Husky gas station:

 

Eventually, to Prescott Valley.  This sign is modern but just weird enough to include here:

 

And this oldie.  I don’t know how much longer this place (and sign) will be around.  Pretty much surrounded by new development:

You may notice some brown haze behind the sign towards the bottom.  That’s smoke from the forest fire(s) going on around here.  My eyes have already been stinging and red from the dust and wind and dryness.  And now with the smoke, they’re killing me.

That’s it for tonight.  If it’s gonna be 109 tomorrow, I’m thinking ice cream is in order!

A whirlwind romp today fueled by cooler weather and beautiful skies (puffy white clouds in the morning).  Tidied up the NW corner of AZ and, while at it, across the border to nearby CO cities.  I hadn’t been to any of these places before so it was extra fun for me.  Then down and over to begin our next chapter:  about 9 days in Arizona before heading east to Cincinnati.

Late, as usual, so let’s get to the photos.  Shiprock, NM — how’s that for blue skies and bright signs — are you squinting?

 

A fun little place in Shiprock:

 

On to Colorado — this one in Cortez.  Once again, a freakin’ pole to spoil my photo.  I shot from the backside but looks like crap since facing the sun.  I made a note to return in the afternoon sometime.

The Cork ‘n Bottle also has this rooftop sign — clock not working:

 

Also in Cortez:

 

From Mancos, CO:

 

On to Durango, CO.  This is a…. dog park!  24 acres — right next to downtown.  With access to the Animas River.  Hiking trails.  It goes on and on and on.  Do I need to tell you how much fun the kids had here?

 

Also in Durango — stained glass and vitrolite:

 

On to Farmington, NM.   What appeals to me most about this sign is the neon swirlie on top:

 

Pretty buried in the trees — not sure what a rocket has to do with mobile homes:

 

I don’t know if this Pancake Alley is related to the one in Las Cruces that I posted a few days ago:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agilitynut/7193640440/

Extra credit to anyone that wants to google-search to find out — I’m just too beat tonight.

 

Chef Bernie’s has not only a wonderful sign:

but this sensational building as well:

In-cred-i-ble:

 

This detail is from the Cameo Theatre — built in 1971:

 

And finally — across the border into Arizona.  I always have to stop at these cheesy tourist things no matter how many times I’ve seen them before.  This one always amuses me because of the juxtaposition of the nature-made and the man-made:

 

Magnificent and tacky at the same time:

 

Let’s stop in Holbrook for the night:

 

The forecast for the next five days here in Northern AZ is nothing but orange dots:  meaning nothing but non-stop sun.  I gave Sparkle’s A/C a quick test today and all seems up to snuff.  Bedtime now at 12:30.  Gotta get up bright and early for dinosaurs.  I may have seen them all before — but I can’t wait!