Signs Along The Road of Life

I like theater signs and marquees! Bigger the better...and these are no exception. We just arrived in St. Louis and were greeted by these theaters. They are located, not in the central business district, but between downtown and Forest Park (more on this later) and they do have some BIG verticle signage...and not to be left out, the 3rd Baptist Church joined in on the action.


The Foxneon is joined by the neon of Big Brothers and Big Sisters

The Powell is across the street from the Fox.

Third Baptist is next to the Powell and lights up, too!

Sleep in a TeePee and keep your WigWam!

These were made famous again in the movie Cars where the Cozy Cone Motel was a prominent feature of the town of  Radiator Springs, but during the days of the open road Tee Pee Motels and Wig Wam Motels stretched across the country from Florida to Arizona. These are in the town of Whorton, Texas on old Hiway 59 and again avaiable for rent. So tonight, you too can sleep in a Tee Pee.

A great neon welcomes weary travelers

Here's the line up, so pick out your favorite.

Here's my favorite...I think?

Everybody Loves The Movies . . .

. . . so what could go wrong investing in a theater?

In my travels around the state of Texas and beyond, I love to swerve off the main highways on a regular basis and look for old theaters, motels, and gas stations from  previous decades when the main hi-way always ran right through the town. I imagine the days when everybody went to the movies and the local movie was the place to go on Friday and Saturday night. Well things do change, just ask Blockbuster, and most of these old movie houses sit empty and abandoned. And I think to myself, these would make great live music venues, everybody loves music . . . what could go wrong?




A huge theater, which shall remain nameless, in Corpus.





Centre Theater on Water Street, Corpus Christi, in the center of their "entertainment district."





In many places the theater is named after their town, Ganado, Texas, which is the only one I've seen still open!.





The Lavaca, in Port Lavaca, with a  sell out on Velvetene Rabbit, no doubt!



I always swing through Wharton to check on the Plaza.

This is a new find in downtown Rosenberg, home of the Czech Heritage Day Celebration!

You Drive A What ?

While driving south to Corpus Christi, I decided to leave the main Hiway 59 and detour through the town of Victoria. While taking the old Business Route 59, which was once "The Main Highway," I spotted an old car dealership which appeared to have an old late 60's Chrysler sitting in the window. I was amazed when I pulled over to get a closer look. Walking up to the window I was gazing on these wonderful Art Cars. Sometimes it's well worth taking the road less traveled.

1960s Chrysler Airport Limo recreated as El Rancho Grande hacienda mobile.

Behind the Chrysler is something that looks like it is from Prometheus

Part Alien and part rocket ship / transporter

..

and then there is the Easter Bunny mobile, complete with fur covered door.

Now here's something worth seeing...

...located on Rte. 400 is Mullinville, Kansas, home to Mr. M T Ligget. Mr. Ligget is a political sculptor and he is undoubtedly the most famous resident on the 'burg. Who else do you know of from Mullinville who is listed in the book, Roadside America?



Here's a closer look at his "handiwork!" which includes political figures, mythical subjects, and cute Little animals. Here's Diana and Pegasus the flying horse, depicted as a spinning railroad crossing:



Obviously he has no love loss for Hillary:



There's no lack ok subject matter along the roadside museum ...



The display stretches along the highway for several 100 yards, so if your out on Rte. 400 look out for Mullinville, and get a copy of "The Jet Set," a song by George Jones and Tammy Wynette, which mentions this town by name.

Galveston Makes A Comeback

In the fall of 2008, Hurricane Ike hit the Galveston Island with a force not see since the Great Storm of 1900. But unlike New Orleans, which still inflicts self pity from the effects of post Katrina, Galveston decided to pick itself up and come back even better. Here are a few pictures from a recent trip to the island.


The Strand, the historical harbor district located in downtown was hard hit by the storm and while there are still some signs of recovery, overall the business are back in full force.


In the LaKing's ice cream and candy shop a marker indicates how high the waters rose. After being almost eight feet under, the store is in full operation. Salt water taffy anyone?



Nightlife is also coming back as well as some great neon.




Building which are over 100 years old and survived many major storms look great as ever and tourists are coming back to the island.


Galvestoians have always rebounded after the storms and this spirit is reflected in both the artwork found around the island and faces of the people who call GAlveston home.

" ...'cause she wrote it on the wall."

With credit to Mr. Chuck Berry, you can tell a lot about a place by looking at the writing (and pictures) on their walls.

On another trip to Dallas I had the time to go back down to Deep Ellum and eat at the new Pepe and Mito's (located on Elm St.) and I found a man's man barbershop next door. Only in Deep Ellum...



This mural on the side of the barber shop is a testament to the spirit of one of Dallas' oldest commercial areas and also the newness of it all.



Across the parking lot is this mural featuring Dallas celebrities, gee which one's J.R.?



Now, forward into the past. This ghost sign boasts "only twenty three hours from Dallas to St. Louis" on the T&P. A trip that today only takes about two hours by air, but I sure it's just not as restful as a T&P Luxoliner, with FREE reclining chairs and sleepers if you're going to Nashville!



Closer look at the T&P logo, now serving "New Opleus"!.