Along Route 66 in eastern New Mexico, you'll find yourself along the neon-lit highway that runs through the town of Tucumcari. A place full of unique character and charm. Throughout the years, many of the local motels have closed up, and there are only a few that still remain in business. My various travels have taken me through this area many times, and I have always made it a point to unwind in one of the roadside motels and grab a bite to eat at one of the diners full of tourists also visiting from all over the world. The Palomino Motel is as traditional as it gets. There's no frills about it; it's as simple as it gets for a last-minute place to check in and get a night's rest. It's a vintage-looking motel with Americana themes sewn into every corner while standing out with its massive neon sign that looms over the front office check-in area. From my first impression years ago, I knew it would make a perfect backdrop for one of my artworks. After traveling from Texas, I contacted a few cowboys who work at some of the biggest ranches in New Mexico to join me in town for this concept. We parked the horse trailers and pick-ups right there on Route 66 and began setting up for this composition while passers-by honked and shouted in excitement. The overall theme I wanted to portray was to capture a photograph that has a dated look to it and takes us back to generations before us. A day where a local cowboy might have ridden his horse into town, picked up a pack of smokes, and stopped to light one up under the high-noon sun and in front of an iconic roadside attraction, such as the Palomino Motel, before carrying on with his day back to the ranch. A world where these two worlds collide and give us a brief look into a traditional lifestyle and a time when Americana was just part of our everyday lives. Lastly, a fun and juxtaposed image that brings excitement and curiosity to those who engage with it.