Keep the Show on the Road! Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 The National Parks Highway Expedition - Puget Sound to Great Lakes has been launched. Actually, I drove to Spokane today where I plan to pick the story up from a year ago, and I didn't follow the NPH all the way...so this is a mixture of National Parks Highway and old US10. I drove from Olympia to Cle Elum non stop. I picked up the National Parks Highway (and the Yellowstone Trail) at the Denny Creek turn off of interstate 90, and followed it over Snoqualmie Pass. Mainly I was interested in reassuring myself that the old Yellowstone Trail sign was still safe. It is a couple of miles below the summit, and still happily pointing the way as it has for almost a century! I drove on to Cle Elum to talk with Pat, the lady who has the 1909 letter from the fellow in the race to Seattle. She was pleased to know that I was also doing some photographs of Ghost Sign Art because she had some photos she had taken years ago, and she wanted to share them. So I agreed to come back through Cle Elum on my way back in a few weeks and see her photos and look at the letter. She and another woman answered an important question for me. The 1917 National Parks Highway Motorists Service Guide identified recommended hotels and garages on the route. One of my objectives on this expedition is to photograph all the recommended hotels along the National Parks Highway that are still standing. Many are still in business. Of course many are not. Some have burned down or been razed, as is the case with the Reed and the Traveller's in Cle Elum, but the Burcham's still stands, serving new purposes. My newfound Cle Elum friends guided me right to it. Across the street from the store where Pat works (which by the way is the old Studebaker Garage) is a piazza parlor with some Ghost Sign Art. I took a couple of photos, and darkened down the image at the top. What go's farther???? And the motorcycle cop and motorist are a kick. I suggest we start a Ghost Sign collection!! I drove down to South Cle Elum and photographed the Milwaukee railroad \depot and power station (they used king size electric trains). A dilapidated old Studebaker sat outside a residence and I took a couple of photos. Like so often, the owner came out for a chat....bringing me some smoked fish. Nice old guy...older than me...but I wasn't in the mood for fish. He said he had another Studebaker in the garage, and that he should be working on it...but he was going fishing. I declined go over Blewitts Pass and through Waterville as I have documented that segment pretty well already, and so has Eric (Sit Properly). And I figure I can get there in a half day, so I will spend my time and money now getting to where I can't normally reach. Bottom line is that I took old US10 into Ellensburg, and was delighted at several roadside artifacts. The Mobil Station was terrific, and the adjoining Red Horse Cafe is a must visit. The station was complete down to a coke machine. I pulled into the pump island, but the attendant never showed up to pump me some 26 cent ethyl. Wouldn't you know it! I drove past a drive in hamburger stand from the 50's, and grabbed a shot of the Lighthouse Motel sign. Why Lighthouse in the middle of the state? But a great sign, and a neat looking mom and pop motel. Another place to visit on a day or two outing from home. Sorry I'm out of time....more tomorrow as I head for Missoula and beyond. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Burr - hester_nec Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Great report Dave - always leave 'em wanting more and this will do it!!!!! Safe travels. Hudsonly, Alex Burr Memphis, TN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DennyG Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Good stuff! I think Lighthouse Motels are an unofficial chain like Irish Pubs. I recently passed a Lighthouse Motel in either Illinois or Indiana and I'm confident that there are Irish Pubs near Wisconsin dairy farms. Did you ever figure out what "Goes Farther"? Be careful in Missoula. That's where Jimmy Buffett says the surgeons meet once a year "...and get drunk on Tuborg beer". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keep the Show on the Road! Posted June 30, 2010 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 Jim, OK, here are the pictures you asked for! Alex, My guess is that in a week or so, more will be “too much.” Denny, I suppose Lighthouse is like Sands or Dunes. But I have no idea what “go;s farther.” Buffett seems to be following me, first Cedar Key, and now Missoula, I’ll have to download that piece for the radio! Dave Keep the Show on the Road! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mobilene Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 That Mobil station is fabulous! It's so complete, you expect an attendant to come out and pump some gas! jim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Rowland Posted June 30, 2010 Report Share Posted June 30, 2010 (edited) But I have no idea what “go;s farther.” Apparently, Signal Gasoline goes farther. "It takes extra quality to go farther -- Signal Gasoline". Here is a picture where you can see the sign intact. And here on one of their pumps you can see their "Go Farther" slogan using the same font as the ghost sign: Chris Edited June 30, 2010 by Chris Rowland Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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