A Trip down memory lane...

The Horseshoe Motel (now the Luck Horseshoe Motel) in Port Austin, Michigan holds a special place in my heart. My Uncle Joe and Aunt Catherine owned the motel when I was growing up. For several years we could make an annual visit every summer to stay here, spend time with family, and do a little fishing with Uncle Joe. 

The picture below was the house that my Uncle and Aunt lived in. 

Looking toward their house, the sign along the highway and some cabins in the background. Some of the cabins are original and some have been built recently. The motel was originally built as a motor court motel where you park your car in a carport next to the your room. 

The Jupiter Hotel

Jupiter Hotel was ??, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

The Jupiter Hotel sits along Burnside in Portland's gritty east side area. The motel typical 1960's motel that has been turned into a motel for the hipster crowd.

Have to enjoy the the contrast between the modern and the classic motor court in this shot. To the left is the restaurant called the Doug Fir that also includes event space with the lobby/gallery located directly to the right of the picture.

El Dorado Motel Baker City, Oregon

El Dorado Motel Baker City, Oregon, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

When I travel I much rather stay at some older motel with character than most of the cookie cutter places that are way too common today.

On a trip last year we stayed at this motel in Baker City, Oregon. Baker City is home to several unique lodging locations but this one is right off Interstate 84 on Oregon Highway 7 and convenient for our late arrival.

While the rooms could use some sound insulation and the continental breakfast was nothing to write home about, we had a nice short stay before continuing our trip.

Spiking Tourist Lodge

Spiking Tourist Lodge , a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

A sign from another one of the older classic motels along State Street in Salt Lake City which is also US Highway 89 and used to also be US Highway 91/

Royal Motor Inn Everett Washington

Royal Motor Inn Everett Washington, a photo by Dornoff Photography on Flickr.

Sorry its been so long since I posted something but a lot has been happening in the last few months and hopefully I can discuss it further by the middle of the next month.

Meanwhile, lets get back to talking pictures.

The previous pictures I posted was of my trip to Portland, Oregon. After leaving Portland I took the state of Washington's Talgo train service from Portland to Seattle where my wife met me after flying in from Salt Lake City.

On Saturday after spending time with friends we drove around the Everett area. Broadway through Everett used to be US Highway 99 that was replaced by Interstate 5 so there is many older buildings dating from the days of the old highway.

This is the Royal Motor Inn which sits in the northern part of Everett near Everett Community College. After taking the picture I realized that there was a guy smoking on the first level which I think added some character to the shot.

Abandoned

Abandoned Shop and Motel
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

Along side of Interstate 80 west of Salt Lake City sits the exit of Delle. On the western side of town there is a modern convenience store to the east of the freeway exit sits this old shop with a cafe and motel beyond it.

No Vacancy

No Vacancy
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

Ok, I promised you no more fireworks pictures so here is something different to look at.

The other day I had to drive down to Fillmore, Utah and back. On the way back I drove through Nephi, Utah. While driving through town I saw this motel that has now been closed (I believe it was still open the last time I drove through a year ago or so but I could be wrong).

This motel sits along what was US Highway 91 before Interstate 15 came along. While this motel survived long after the Interstate came along it could not survive the influx of cookie cutter chain motels.

Wig Wam Motel Rialto California

Wig Wam Motel Rialto California
Originally uploaded by Dornoff Photography

This shot taken from Foothill Blvd (old Route 66) is of the Rialto, California Wig Wam Motel. There was originally several of these motels most of them along Route 66 with this one having been recently restored.

If you stay at this motel, your room is one of the individual tee pees.

We have not stayed there yet but plan to on our next trip to Southern California to visit family.