Above, the fabulous Stardust Motel in Redding, California. Well, the sign is fabulous, and that’s about all of the motel you can see in this picture. We passed by Friday afternoon, northbound to Eugene, and stopped across the street for some $3-a-gallon gas. We made the same stop, which also involved a Starbucks on an adjacent corner, on the way back south Sunday night. The motel didn’t look like it was open, and the sign was unlit.
Below, the humbler Stardust Motel of Curtin, Oregon, just off Interstate 5 near Drain. Kate spotted a sign for it on the way north, but it was after dark and we were in a hurry and didn’t stop. Returning home, we looked out for it and pulled off the highway, thinking that we’re starting a collection of Stardust Motel photos. This place was definitely open; the sign in the office window says so.
Technorati Tags: oregon, interstate 5, travel
Named (I guess) after one the all time popular tunes by Hoagy Carmichael. I like the sixties vintage car in the top photo. Goes well with the sixties style signage.
The Stardust Motel in OR is the nastiest place that I have ever stayed. We pulled off there one night cause we had been on the road for way too long.
The walls had mold on them and the whole place was damp and dank. We turned on the heater and not an hour later it caught fire and burned out. Neither of us took a shower and we slept in our clothes on top of the covers. The entire motel, both in the rooms and even outdoors, stunk of rancid cat piss. We would have left but we couldn’t drive on anymore.
Looking back it is actually kind of funny. I mean you definitely have to lower your standards way down when you’re in Oregon. The hotels and services are sub third-world. But this place was bad even by Oregon standards. I have traveled a lot in the third world and have never encountered such filthy and unpleasant accommodation.
The sign is cool but DON’T stay there unless you want to risk your health. The sad part is that people actually seem to be living there long term. When I think back I just feel sorry for them having to live there in those conditions.