Astro Motel in Fresno

This was part of our Southern California road trip. We spent one night in Fresno.

The sign called to us like a beacon. We were going to the Underground Gardens the next day and needed a place to sleep.	First problem: the lamp didn't work.	The bulb wasn't blown. The wire was broken.	The bed had no blankets.	The maid warned us that the TV didn't work. We don't watch TV so it didn't much matter. We didn't check to see if she was right or not.
This is supposedly where the heat comes in. The maid warned us it would be very warm. She was wrong. It was very cold.	This probably used to be a smoke detector. Now it's a tin can in a hole in the wall. Pretty much everything about this place was kinda scary.	We went to the bar where we met some nice truck drivers. We compared scars and discovered that drinking with truck drivers isn't a good idea. These guys are professionals.	This was, at one point, a smoke filtration device. It was probably quite fancy in its day.	This is some of the art in the bar.
I've never seen duct tape used to patch a hole in a wall.	Of course, I had to include a penguin shot.	I guess it had personality. That usually isn't a good characteristic in a motel.	I don't think these Christmas decorations ever come down.	I have a feeling that these Christmas decorations have been there for years.

February 2004