We certainly "got our kicks" exploring the colorful and quirky shops in the Nob Hill section of Route 66. Astro Zombies is a comic book store with a Super Hero mural that is first rate. Check out Godzilla menacing this 3D city bus ... as well as this imaginative spectacle of characters.

Although not vintage, the sign for the Satellite Cafe is one of many examples of the alien influence of Roswell, N.M.

A few doors up the street we found the "astro" theme continuing at Sparky’s Trading Co.

Kurt’s Camera Corral opened in 1950. Danny ... also born in 1950 ... found it to be a well organized professional shop. How many places do you still find film stocked in a refrigerator?

The Hiway House Motel was part of a Southwest chain founded in 1956 in Phoenix, Arizona by Sun City developer and former New York Yankees owner, Del Webb. This seems to be the last location left. Click here to learn more.

The Nob Hill Motel, formerly known as the Modern Auto Court, was built in the 1940s … it features a nicely restored neon sign.

The former Monte vista fire station was built in 1936 as a WPA project. It incorporated a range of Spanish Pueblo Revival details even as it met the functional requirements of a modern fire station. The building is now a steakhouse.

Absolutely Neon glows with colors usually reserved for Las Vegas. If you want to see your name in really, really bright lights, this is the place to go. Click here to see the animated sign.

Known as the Aztec Auto Court in the 1930’s, this funky Pueblo style motel is said to be New Mexico’s oldest continuing operated motel on Route 66. In 1984 It became a bizarre art project/flophouse decorated with an array of tiles, mannequin parts, plastic Christmas decorations, and rain-worn plush animals. The Aztec may be historical, but we got the distinct impression that it offered one stop shopping for drugs and sex.

Across the street from the Aztec Auto Court is the Premiere Motel. Built in the 1940’s, its restored neon sign features a spinning whirly-thingy element on top.

Erected in 1938, the Zia Motor Lodge was demolished in 2005. All that remains is a deteriorating sign with its smallish Zia symbol.  After looking at the site it appears that there were open carports next to each unit.

We found ourselves going back to Nob Hill again and again. The district has many fine restaurants, unique shops, a pretty good food co-op, and abundant opportunities to photograph colorful and distinctive architecture.

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