El Rancho Motel in Barstow, California | Route 66

As one of the most recognizable motels in Barstow, California, the old El Rancho Motel is a throwback to the golden years along Route 66. Built in the 1940s with stylized bungalow rooms, the El Rancho is still a novelty to wander around, but has clearly seen better days.

On my last visit it appeared that some monthly renters were living here, but it wasn't exactly clear whether the El Rancho was still operating as a motel. The structure still holds a lot of charm, like the giant neon sign, the empty pool, and the Spanish tile roofing, but none of it is in great shape. This is the reality of driving Route 66 today - a lot of past gems, some thriving, some completely abandoned, and some just barely hanging on. 

A vintage postcard of the El Rancho Motel.

Historic Main Street in Fort Macleod, Alberta

A few visual highlights of the historic main street in Fort Macleod, Alberta.

360 Chicago at the John Hancock Center

Located on the 94th floor, 360 Chicago is an observation deck in the John Hancock Center that rivals the Skydeck at Willis Tower in downtown Chicago, Illinois. The building currently has its naming rights for sale, but much like the Sears Tower, the former John Hancock name has stuck.

One of the coolest things about this visit to 360 Chicago was being on the observation deck as a storm rolled in. In the distance you could see the storm clouds approaching and only half an hour later the windows were completely whited out with rain streaming down them. It was eerie and beautiful to take in the amazing views and then have them vanish in a matter of minutes.

View of Willis Tower and the incoming storm from 360 Chicago.

As the clouds reached us.