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Route 66 Sign Art - Vintage Neon Sun 'N Sand Motel Photo in Santa Rosa, New Mexico | Choose Canvas, Acrylic, or Metal!
Route 66 Sign Art - Vintage Neon Sun 'N Sand Motel Photo in Santa Rosa, New Mexico | Choose Canvas, Acrylic, or Metal!
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Route 66 Sign - Sun 'N Sand Motel in Santa Rosa, New Mexico
I was driving the section of Route 66 between Albuquerque and Amarillo, enjoying the wide open stretches of highway and the nostalgic feel of small towns along the way. Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was one of those places—a classic Route 66 stop where old motels and faded signs told stories of the past.
As I rolled through town, something bright and bold caught my eye. Rising against the perfect sky was the sign for the former Sun 'n Sand Motel, a vibrant orange sunburst with the words “Sun 'n Sand” in gleaming script, surrounded by a yellow Zia sun symbol. Below it, big blue letters spelled out “MOTEL” in a classic arrow shape, pointing the way to a bygone era. The motel itself was long closed, windows shattered and the parking lot overtaken by weeds, but that sign still stood tall, defiantly proud against the crisp New Mexico sky.
The Sun 'n Sand Motel was once a bustling spot along Route 66, welcoming weary travelers with clean rooms and a bit of that Southwestern charm. Built in the heyday of America's love affair with the open road, it served as a refuge for countless families and road trippers exploring the Mother Road. But as the interstate bypassed the town and travel habits changed, the motel fell into disrepair, eventually closing its doors for good.
I couldn’t pass it up. I pulled over, stepping out into the cool breeze that carried the dusty scent of the desert mixed with the faint whiff of old asphalt. The air was filled with the soft rustling of dry weeds in the lot and the occasional rumble of a distant semi on the interstate. Above me, the sky was impossibly blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily by, like they were in no hurry at all.
Framing the shot took some time. I wanted to capture that iconic sign with nothing but sky behind it, emphasizing its stubborn endurance and the contrast between the vibrant colors and the weathered metal. As I steadied my camera, I could almost hear echoes from decades past—the rumble of cars pulling into the lot, kids laughing as they stretched their legs, and the hum of neon buzzing to life at dusk.
The sign’s paint was peeling in places, and the neon tubes were cracked and missing in others. Yet, somehow, it still held onto that optimistic spirit of the golden age of travel. I took several shots from different angles, adjusting to catch the way the light bounced off the white lettering and the yellow pipes.
As I snapped the final shot, a gust of wind stirred the dry earth around me, sending a little dust devil spiraling through the empty lot. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling like I’d just preserved a little piece of Route 66 history—something that might one day be nothing but a memory.
Back in my car, I took one last look in the rear view mirror as I pulled away. The Sun 'n Sand sign was still there, glowing under the bright sky, reminding me that even the abandoned and forgotten can still shine on, long after the world moves on.
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Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days
Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
There are 5 ways to print these images.
1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You'll feel like you're there.
Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)
2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)
Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.
3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)
This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.
This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!
4) Aluminum Metal Prints
Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.
Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.
5) Acrylic Prints
Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box
I was driving the section of Route 66 between Albuquerque and Amarillo, enjoying the wide open stretches of highway and the nostalgic feel of small towns along the way. Santa Rosa, New Mexico, was one of those places—a classic Route 66 stop where old motels and faded signs told stories of the past.
As I rolled through town, something bright and bold caught my eye. Rising against the perfect sky was the sign for the former Sun 'n Sand Motel, a vibrant orange sunburst with the words “Sun 'n Sand” in gleaming script, surrounded by a yellow Zia sun symbol. Below it, big blue letters spelled out “MOTEL” in a classic arrow shape, pointing the way to a bygone era. The motel itself was long closed, windows shattered and the parking lot overtaken by weeds, but that sign still stood tall, defiantly proud against the crisp New Mexico sky.
The Sun 'n Sand Motel was once a bustling spot along Route 66, welcoming weary travelers with clean rooms and a bit of that Southwestern charm. Built in the heyday of America's love affair with the open road, it served as a refuge for countless families and road trippers exploring the Mother Road. But as the interstate bypassed the town and travel habits changed, the motel fell into disrepair, eventually closing its doors for good.
I couldn’t pass it up. I pulled over, stepping out into the cool breeze that carried the dusty scent of the desert mixed with the faint whiff of old asphalt. The air was filled with the soft rustling of dry weeds in the lot and the occasional rumble of a distant semi on the interstate. Above me, the sky was impossibly blue, dotted with fluffy white clouds drifting lazily by, like they were in no hurry at all.
Framing the shot took some time. I wanted to capture that iconic sign with nothing but sky behind it, emphasizing its stubborn endurance and the contrast between the vibrant colors and the weathered metal. As I steadied my camera, I could almost hear echoes from decades past—the rumble of cars pulling into the lot, kids laughing as they stretched their legs, and the hum of neon buzzing to life at dusk.
The sign’s paint was peeling in places, and the neon tubes were cracked and missing in others. Yet, somehow, it still held onto that optimistic spirit of the golden age of travel. I took several shots from different angles, adjusting to catch the way the light bounced off the white lettering and the yellow pipes.
As I snapped the final shot, a gust of wind stirred the dry earth around me, sending a little dust devil spiraling through the empty lot. I couldn’t help but smile, feeling like I’d just preserved a little piece of Route 66 history—something that might one day be nothing but a memory.
Back in my car, I took one last look in the rear view mirror as I pulled away. The Sun 'n Sand sign was still there, glowing under the bright sky, reminding me that even the abandoned and forgotten can still shine on, long after the world moves on.
----------
Production and Shipping Time: 5-7 business days
Premium Photo Paper: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
Ready-to-Hang Canvas: 5 days for printing, 5 days for shipping.
There are 5 ways to print these images.
1) Premium Photo Paper are high quality, professional paper-prints.
Sharp, Vivid and rich Color sets this apart from a casual photo print.
You'll feel like you're there.
Premium Photo Paper will last a long time.
This option is available in 8x10 inches, 11x14 inches, 16x20 inches or 24x36.
They are designed to be placed in a glass frame, which can be purchased separately (starting at a few dollars at your local Target or online.)
2) Ready to Hang Canvas are ready to hang right out of the box with zero assembly required. Ultimate convenience.
Gorgeous finished look. It comes out of the shipping box finished and ready to hang with a simple nail in the wall.
Canvas Prints are a well-known, high-end way of displaying photographs.
0.75 or 1.5 inch thick (depending on which size that you order) wooden stretcher-bars that give it shape, in the same way an oil painting is traditionally assembled. There are no staples or ugly lines visible on the sides (very important.)
Estimated delivery time for printing, assembling, packing and shipping is around 10 days.
3) Ready to Hang Canvas (split into 3 panels)
This is for larger pieces, and the photograph is split into 3 even panels, 3 separate canvas panels which together make a single large image.
This gives a modern look, and allows spectacularly large sizes on your wall!
4) Aluminum Metal Prints
Create elegant wall decor that shines with high-end, exclusive and unique aluminum metal prints.
Create a polished addition to any home or office. 3/64" thick aluminum panel. Features a glossy coating and rounded edges.
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All metal sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box.
5) Acrylic Prints
Create eye-catching home decor with modern acrylic prints. Light refracts through the museum-quality acrylic bringing vibrancy and depth to your photos. The 1/8" thick, clear acrylic produces superb image quality from edge to edge and absolutely stunning, brilliant color!
UV resistant ink prevents fading. All acrylic sizes are ready to hang on your wall, right out of the box
