San Jon Motel on Route 66

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

The San Jon Motel on old Route 66 still operates in the tiny town of San Jon, New Mexico. The owner came out to talk to me while I worked, and gave me a hand-painted ceramic ashtray with the motel's name on it as a souvenir. It began to rain right after I made this photograph. It rained a lot in New Mexico while I was there, despite the drought that has plagued the southwest this summer.

8-16-11

 

[gb hill]

Nice composition Chris! Did you ask about the license plates?

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Greg,

The owner said they were there when he bought the place a few months earlier.

 

[gb hill]

Greg,

The owner said they were there when he bought the place a few months earlier.

Nice that he kept them up. Gives an added feel to the place that I admire.🙂

 

[robklurfield]

were the rates indeed "sensible?" nice shot. the plates are definitely a cool touch.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

were the rates indeed "sensible?" nice shot. the plates are definitely a cool touch.

LOL, I don't know, I didn't ask what they charged. I didn't stay in San Jon, I drove on to Amarillo in Texas to spend that night.

 

[Frontman]

I was actually born on Route 66 in New Mexico, and when I was little, my family often took trips from New Mexico to California. I used to know pretty much every structure along the highway (not that there so many). We sometimes stayed at a colorful old motel in Grants, or another one in Gallup, or a really old one located above a Chinese restaurant in Barstow, which had only one bathroom for the entire floor.

I hope to get a chance to follow along what's left of the higjway next year when I return to America on holiday.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I was actually born on Route 66 in New Mexico, and when I was little, my family often took trips from New Mexico to California. I used to know pretty much every structure along the highway (not that there so many). We sometimes stayed at a colorful old motel in Grants, or another one in Gallup, or a really old one located above a Chinese restaurant in Barstow, which had only one bathroom for the entire floor.

I hope to get a chance to follow along what's left of the higjway next year when I return to America on holiday.

What town were you born in? Was it one of the places I visited?

 

[Frontman]

What town were you born in? Was it one of the places I visited?

It can't really be called a town, but it was/is known as Rio Puerco, which is just west of Albuquerque. It is now along I-40, but the old steel bridge which 66 used to cross is still there.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

It can't really be called a town, but it was/is known as Rio Puerco, which is just west of Albuquerque. It is now along I-40, but the old steel bridge which 66 used to cross is still there.

Oh ok, I never made it west of Albuquerque. All the exploring I did in NM, when i lived in Santa Fe and when I visited back in August, was west of I-25. I don't know why I never went out that way. Maybe next time I'll get to!

 

[Trius]

One of my most memorable motel stays was in New Mexico -- Tucumcari (sp?) ... no, not that kind of "memorable".

Anyway ... NM light is amazing, probably the best I have ever experienced.

Brings back memories, Chris. Thanks

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

One of my most memorable motel stays was in New Mexico -- Tucumcari (sp?) ... no, not that kind of "memorable".

Anyway ... NM light is amazing, probably the best I have ever experienced.

Brings back memories, Chris. Thanks

Tucamcari is the right spelling. I did a lot of photographs there on my trip. A lot of old Route 66 places are still preserved there