Roy's Motel & Cafe; Another View

Roy's—in the middle of nowhere. (click to enlarge)

During my cross-country road trip last fall, my two friends and I made a stop at Roy's Cafe & Motel in Amboy, California.  Roy's is an iconic stop along Route 66.  I previously published a couple of posts with a few images of the place, here and here.

When going back and reviewing my images, this particular one really struck me.  There is something about it that cries out 'isolation,' 'loneliness,' desolation,' and 'desperation.'  It is a view of the place that I've not seen elsewhere but represents Roy's really being out in the middle of nowhere, hanging on, still existing from a time long gone and never to return.  Notice the old Karmann Ghia sitting by the side of the road in the distance.  No where to go and no one to drive it.

Roy’s is located in Amboy, California, a mere blip in the road.  If you are driving east on I-40, it is 25 miles from the exit.  It you are driving west, Amboy is 17 miles from the nearest exit.  To see Roy’s you really have to make an effort.  Not many do.

The little complex consists of some old abandoned 'cabin'-type rooms along with, I'm assuming, what once was the motel's office.  One of the other buildings that make up this complex is a service station and small restaurant or, as the sign says, cafe.  Except the gas pumps are locked (I don't know if they even work any longer) and the restaurant/cafe has no running water.  No running water?  You might ask yourself how does a business operate without running water?  You'll have to ask the attendant inside.  So...the restaurant isn't actually a restaurant but really a small convenience store and curio shop.  

This place reminds me of a movie in which the main characters (man and woman) are traveling by automobile at night, through the desert in the middle of a thunderstorm and happen upon this place.  They decide to pull in and stay the night rather than risk continuing their dangerous drive.  Of course, nothing good comes of the stay.  They might not even get to leave in the morning!  Yep, it's that kind of place.  Full daylight, its okay.  By night, kind of scary out there in the middle of nowhere.

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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