Is it just me, or is anyone else saddened by the great homogenization of our society? The same big box stores from Bangor to Baja....the same chain resturants from Atlanta to Anchorage....one place looks pretty much like any other place these days. Our children and grandchildren take this sameness for granted and the argument could even be made that the sameness is more convenient. One can rely on finding the same sandwich of the same quality and flavor at the McDonald's in either San Diego or Syracuse. It wasn't always so easy to find reliable sources of food and beverage on the road. Some of us still remember a time when each town, or state, or region had a unique flavor.
On my travels I still try to find some of those lost places...or to photograph their now empty shells. The Park and Eat, Woodies, The Downtowner, The Oak, The Corner Cafe, Green Gables....all unique place names from my childhood and youth that served good food to mostly local crowds. A hamburger and fries was uniquely different at each place.
Here are a few ghosts from our past for your enjoyment. Gas Stations, Motels, and gems from the road.
