Vintage Roadside bunks down at the Clown Motel

Aside from our time in Nashville at the National Trust conference we spent each night of our recent road trip in a different motel. We'd usually roll into town way past dark and by lunch the next day it was sometimes hard to remember specific details about last night's motel. Little did we know that our last night on the road would be one we'll never forget.

We began the day in Flagstaff, Arizona with the goal of making it as far north as we could. Our "must see" for the day was in Pahrump, Nevada - one of the last remaining Texaco Big Friend statues (mission accomplished). We hung around Pahrump until dark at which point we decided it was too early to call it a night so we headed north on Hwy 160 up to Hwy 95. If you're familiar with Highway 95 you'll know there's not much out there to see. In the pitch black there's even less. Well, there are deer to constantly watch for but that doesn't necessarily fall into the "fun" category. It also tends to cap your top speed at around 47 mph.

After a few more hours and only one town we decided it was time to find somewhere to call it a night. Out came the atlas and bingo, coming up was the town of Goldfield. For those of you familiar with the town please stop laughing - we'd never been there:-) Ok, strike one. Next up Tonopah. As we came into town our hopes were high based on the fact there were lights on. We took a drive through town to see what our lodging options might be. First a casino and second a very expensive chain motel. As we approached the edge of town there was one more lighted sign before what looked like miles of blackness...

"Does that sign say The Clown Motel?"

"It does"

"Um, how far is the next town?"

"Las Vegas is 215 miles behind us, Reno 240 miles ahead"

"That's really far isn't it?"

"It's almost midnight...We could ask to see a room"

"Seriously?"

We found a spot to park and asked to see a room. The gal working couldn't have been nicer and we were off to take a look at a room. The room was just fine, the rates were incredibly reasonable, and at that point we realized that not every day offers the chance to stay at a motel like the Clown. Since we had arrived quite late it would be the next morning before we had a chance to fully look around. So, here we go!

We immediately found the clown riding the chopper sign to be pretty awesome.

Above each of the beds in our room were reminders that the Clown had moved beyond pastel landscapes for artwork.


The next morning we also took a look out the window to see what the scenery was like.

"Hey, did you see what was next to the office when we checked in last night?"

"No, what?"

"I'm pretty sure it's a cemetery"

"Seriously?"

"And did you notice the hundreds of clowns in the office last night?"

"No, I was too tired"

"You're in for a treat!"


The office features the Clown Motel collection of over 300 clowns. Front and center was this big fella. Our mascot Stinky still looks a little unsure at this point.


One of the many shelves of clowns in the office.


Some of the clown artwork displayed in the office.


Clowns of every imaginable type in the collection.


I have no idea on this one.


And even more clowns!


Next door to the Clown office is the Tonopah Cemetery. It dates to the period of 1901 to 1911 and appears to contain many former Tonopah residents who were victims of mining accidents.


The cemetery seemed to be quite well-cared for and was also very peaceful in the early morning sun.





So, if you ever find yourself passing through Tonopah, Nevada and are in need of a place to stay take a look at the Clown Motel. It might not be your everyday motel but that's part of the fun of a road trip!


Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside: Arizona to Oregon and home!

With one monster day of driving - 20 hours of exploring covering over 840 miles - we're home at last in Portland.

What a road trip! The people, the places, and the sights are unforgettable. We could head back out on the road again in the morning, but instead will wrap up this year's National Preservation Conference road trip blog with highlights from the journey home - New Mexico to Oregon.

We left off the last blog with photos from Clayton, New Mexico and kick off today's post in Gallup, New Mexico.

Driving through Gallup, we stopped by to visit an old friend still standing astride a garage just off of Route 66. (For a more in-depth look at Route 66, please take a look at last year's road trip highlighting over 50 preservation projects from Topock, Arizona to Tulsa, Oklahoma. Route 66 road trip.)


Crossing into Arizona, we stopped for longer than planned to explore two very different dinosaur-themed roadside attractions.

Taking Exit 303 heading west, we stopped first at Stewart's.

With mechanically animated creations decorated withe mannequin body parts and live biting ostriches around the side, Stewart's definitely qualifies as old school. The gentleman who works in the gift shop was great and made sure we didn't leave without receiving our free postcard and piece of petrified wood.





Just across the road by way of an underpass, we stopped next at the Painted Desert Indian Center. The dinosaurs were receiving a fresh coat of paint and looked spectacular in the sun.


Mascot sighting - Get out of there, Stinky!

Backtracking about seven miles east, we did something we've always wanted to do and took a natural beauty break to explore the Petrified Forest National Park. Friendly staff, reasonable admission ($10 per car good for seven days), and phenomenal landscape and history - we'd do it again in a heartbeat.


We had a healthy appetite after leaving the park so headed to Joe & Aggie's cafe in Holbrook, hoping to see Christopher, a friend we made during last year's Route 66 road trip. Luck was with us and Christopher was working the night shift with Steven cooking in the kitchen. Thanks again to you both for the conversation and great food!

Having dropped a little behind with our detour to Petrified Forest, we had to scoot through the rest of Arizona but did catch this final photo of the Western Hills Motel in Flagstaff.

On to Nevada with a stop in Pahrump to see one of the last Texaco Big Friends in existence followed by a night at one of the most interesting places we've ever spent the night: the Clown Motel in Tonopah (worthy of its own blog so keep an eye out for our post coming up shortly with lots of interior and exterior photos).

Up Highway 95 in Mina, we found a beautiful old sign for Sue's Motel.


In Hawthorne, we found a treasure trove of signs including Astro Wash, Joe's Tavern, and the funky Cinadome Theatre.



Working our way toward Reno and our connection home (Hwy 395 to 139 in Susanville), we took our final photos for the day in Fallon, Nevada.

Fallon Theatre:

I.H. Kent Co.:

Close to 6000 miles and 20 days logged on the road with a fantastic stop in the middle for the National Preservation Conference in Nashville and we're home at last!

Thanks again to everyone for their emails, Tweets, Facebook posts, comments and suggestions throughout our road trip - it's been great having you along for the ride.

We'll be taking a short blog break to ship orders and catch up on work in the office, but have some fun road trip follow-up blogs planned - stay tuned!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside: Goodbye Oklahoma and a wild welcome to New Mexico

Housekeeping was tapping at the motel door as we posted this morning's blog, but we've landed in a new city and are back as promised tonight with a batch of new photos catching us up to date on our road trip home.

Today's post starts in Woodward, Oklahoma and ends in Grants, New Mexico. Unfortunately, things got a little dicey with the lightning and rain after Clayton, New Mexico and we weren't able to shoot any photos on that stretch of the trip. Imagining the storm in Key Largo nicely sums up that leg of the trip.

For those of you who've followed along with us on our road trip blogs before, you'll notice a familiar rhythm: a focus on preservation stories on the way out with roadside sights emphasized on the way back. If you missed our first eight days of travel, be sure to go back to read about some amazing people and places.

Westward Ho!

This defunct motel in Woodward, Oklahoma is currently for sale and comes with a bonus feature - an underground tornado shelter. So tempted...

United Supermarket in Woodward: a popular place to shop with a fantastic rooftop sign.

Found a block off of Main Street in Woodward:

And Main Street itself featuring the Woodward Theatre:

Hardesty, Oklahoma:

Best road sign spotted on the way to Guymon: "Hitchhikers may be escaping convicts."

Fantastic twin arrow drive-in restaurant sign in Guymon, Oklahoma:

We've seen a lot of fiberglass figures in our travels and Tiger Motor Company's sign-topping tiger ranks with the best.

The Longhorn Motel in Boise City, Oklahoma:

Thanks, Felt, Oklahoma 4-H - you always were our favorite!

Random roadside photo on Hwy 412 crossing the Oklahoma panhandle..."Can I keep him?"

And just before the storm settled in, the Nu-Way Cafe in Clayton, New Mexico.


We'll see you tomorrow in Flagstaff!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside: A jaunt across Oklahoma

After a warm and windy drive across the Oklahoma panhandle, we stopped just east of the New Mexico border to admire a lightning storm to the south of us. It was awesome, spectacular, all of the above...and the same lightning storm and torrential downpour we would shortly have to drive through.

We had originally planned to post a blog last night, but the aforementioned weather forced us to push on, hoping to miss the chance of snow we heard might follow on the heels of the storm. After 600 or so miles of driving, we landed in Grants with the storm behind us and the thought of sleep irresistible.

Which brings us to today's down and dirty double-feature: Eureka Springs, Arkansas to Enid, Oklahoma then Woodward, Oklahoma to Grants, New Mexico.

This blog, as the last, is text light and photo heavy. If you missed out on any of the preservation stories we highlighted on the first leg of our trip - Portland to Nashville - we encourage you to check out the first eight days of this road trip. We promise, you won't want to miss them!

On to the photos -

Eureka Springs, AR - historic downtown:

Eureka Springs, AR - Basin Park Hotel:

Eureka Springs, AR - Crescent Hotel (more on this preservation story later):


Inspiration Point, just west of Eureka Springs:

Springdale, AR:
Tulsa, OK - Daylight Donuts and rush hour traffic on Yale.

Skiatook, OK:

Pawnee, OK - Birthplace of Chester Gould, creator of Dick Tracy! Mural located at the corner of 6th & Harrison.

Perry, OK:

Christmas shopping taken care of in Enid, OK:


Be sure to check out our Facebook page for a fun road trip bonus offer!

Part 2 photos through the Oklahoma panhandle and New Mexico coming later today.

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside: Greetings from Arkansas!

For those of you playing the home edition of Vintage Roadside Road Trip, you will be moving your Arkansas game piece from Jonesboro to Eureka Springs over the course of the following blog. Our tip: Try not to land on "No Vacancy" - because that's no fun for anyone.

As mentioned earlier, blogs for the trip home will be light in text, but rich in photos.

Following a hearty breakfast of Krispy Kremes and Coke, we spotted this guy staring at us from across the parking lot in Bono so we went over to say hi. Hard not to love a monkey in a bow-tie.

Hoxie, Arkansas:


The drive up to Powhatan Historic State Park:


Recently painted gas station in Lynn:

A beautiful stone motor court on the corner of Cave & Main in Cave City, "Home of the World's Sweetest Watermelon."

A sign with most of the text chiseled off indicated the motor court may date to 1934.


On the way to Batesville on Hwy 167 we stopped for this photo...because Putt-Putt golf is awesome.

Found in Batesville, a Main Street Community


Originally opened in 1940, we understand the renovated Melba Theater now serves the community as a venue for both concerts and movies.

This Place Matters: America's two-lane highways - Hwy 14 through Big Flat.


Hudson's Super Market in Harrison:


And finally, Bluebird Lodge just east of Eureka Springs on Hwy 62.


On that note (see what we did there?), we'll sign off for the night in preparation for tomorrow's great Oklahoma crossing. See you tomorrow!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside: Goodbye Nashville - Hello Kentucky!

Approaching fourteen hours on the road, we passed the sign for Goobertown, Arkansas around 1:00 a.m. Sunday morning while discussing the merits of Bob Seger's "Night Moves" playing on the only rock station we could find.

After another twenty minutes or so of driving and a riveting game of Name That Tune, we unanimously voted to pull over for the night.

We're waking up in Jonesboro, Arkansas with people to thank and photos to share.

Let's start with our thanks before heading up to Kentucky and the fabulous sight of Wigwam Village #2.

This year's National Preservation Conference was fantastic. Great staff, an incredible line-up of sessions and speakers, and a group of attendees who impressed and inspired us with their knowledge and enthusiasm for preservation.

We have a few personal thanks for:

Susan Neumann, who called us the first day Vintage Roadside officially opened to lend her support as the National Trust's Director of Member Engagement. A great friend and dinner buddy.

Daphne Gerig, who helped us pull together research for this year's road trip and is instrumental in spreading the word about This Place Matters, one of our favorite National Trust programs. We met her in person for the first time in Nashville and are keeping her!


Andrew Gorman, the man with the answers armed with a walkie-talkie and a smile at all times. Without him we might possibly have missed the Western Regional Reception and the beer stylings of the Flying Saucer Draught Emporium.

David Brown, who is always a pleasure to talk to as well as a pretty mean musician. We hope you enjoy Squirrel Lodge and look forward to seeing you next time you're in Portland.

Another big thanks to Barbara Sidway of the Geiser Grand Hotel for giving us such a fun send-off on our road trip to Nashville.

Although we couldn't catch everyone for an impromptu session in Vintage Roadside's photo booth, thanks to you all for making this such a great conference.

Finally, thank you to Governor Phil Bredesen for honoring Vintage Roadside with a welcome to Nashville.

A leader known for his commitment to historic preservation, Governor Bredesen was honored by the East Tennessee Historical Society earlier this year for his historic preservation efforts across the state.

He also recently announced, along with the Tennessee Historical Commission, that "a total of $579,000 in Historic Preservation Fund grants has been awarded to 23 community organizations for programs and activities that support the preservation of historic and archeological sites, districts and structures." TN.gov

On one night on the town, we also found that Nashville is a great place to satisfy your BBQ cravings.


On our way out of town, we snapped one final sight in Nashville:

Now, on to Kentucky!

You might wonder how we ended up in Cave City, approximately 90 miles in the opposite direction of where we should be headed home.

The credit goes to Karen Keown and Becky Proctor Gorman of the Kentucky Heritage Council. It's obvious they must be good at what they do because they convinced us in very short order to head northeast instead of southwest. After seeing the wigwams, we would have kicked ourselves if we hadn't taken their advice.

Number two of seven original Wigwam Villages built from the design plans of Frank A. Redford, Cave City's Wigwam Village is one of only three remaining. The other two are in Holbrook, AZ (visited, loved it) and Rialto (next on our list).



We were also persuaded to visit Cave City and Wigwam Village by the stories of one very special Eartha Kitsch who welcomed us to Nashville with a gift bag o' fun. We'll have a picture of that tomorrow minus a few cookies.

Before heading west once more, we took a few more photos around Cave City - definitely our kind of town - with a quick jog up to Jellystone Park for a fiberglass fix.



At dusk, we stopped to admire the remains of a motor court built of stone on the outskirts of Bowling Green (home of Holley Carburetors since 1952). Can't wait to do a little more research when we get home.

Before our "Night Moves" sing-off in Goobertown, we drove by Ferrell's Hamburgers in Hopkinsville. We'd already had dinner so didn't stay to eat, but seriously, this place may have the best smelling hamburgers we've ever come across. Nice people, too, as we got a wave from the counter when they caught us taking photos.



Not much in the way of sit-down space, but there was a brisk stream of take-out. Did we mention how good it smelled?

And there you have it, the first day of our road trip back to Portland, Oregon.

Since we have to scoot back in fewer days than we had coming out, we won't have as much time for writing. Instead, we're going to take you on a photo journey from Arkansas to Portland with a dip through the Southwest.

For additional Vintage Roadside updates from the road, you're welcome to join us on Facebook.

Thanks for following along and see you all tomorrow!

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside

Vintage Roadside Nashville Tip!

Friday night finds us happy, exhausted, and owing a couple of blogs from the National Preservation Conference. We have a ton of thanks to send out and photos to share, but will save those great stories for later this weekend.

Before we start our weekend catch-up, here's a quick post about an event that's going on in Nashville tomorrow.

Susie Campion, a member of Belmont-Hillsboro Neighbors, stopped by our booth to let us know about the BHN's Annual Tour of Homes. After listening to Susie's story and reading through the tour guide, we wish we could stay on for one more day!

If you do find yourself in the lucky position of spending a Saturday in Nashville, we recommend a fun day touring Belmont-Hillsboro's historic homes. The eleven homes on the tour range from Belmont Mansion, a circa 1850 home featuring Tennessee marble mantels and original gasoliers to a 1925 Four-Square with a beautiful front porch supported by period stone columns. The tour runs from 11-5 and is just $10.00. Proceeds raised from the tour will be dedicated to a variety of projects including a tree planting to restore the neighborhood's canopy and a gift for continuing restoration of Belmont Mansion.

Instead of heading back to Oregon tomorrow, we'll be on the road to Cave City, Kentucky (thanks to some very enthusiastic and persuasive Kentuckians!), but wish Susie and the rest of the Belmont-Hillsboro volunteers the best of luck.

We'll be back on the blog by Sunday with highlights and photos from the conference along with photos from our detour to Cave City - Wigwam Village, here we come! Starting Monday, we'll kick off a photo tour of the Southwest as we head back to Portland.

Jeff & Kelly
Vintage Roadside