Fri, 08 May 2026 15:44:44 +0000

BACK TO 1986 — Chasing the 80s Horizon 🌅 Nostalgic • Chillsynth • 80s Dreamwave Mix.
(This scene captures the vibrant soul of Route 66 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The heart of the photo is the De Anza Motor Lodge on Central Avenue, its iconic triangular sign standing tall against the brilliant desert sky. Below, the asphalt is alive with the hum of chrome-bumpered cruisers, including a stunning turquoise Chevy, all framed by the jagged silhouette of the Sandia Mountains in the distance. This was the 'Neon Oasis,' a place where weary travelers found refuge in the glow of roadside architecture and Southwestern hospitality.

Where it stands today:
If you were to stand at 4301 Central Ave NE today, the world looks much different. The bustling 'Motor Lodge' era has faded. For years, the De Anza sat silent and weathered, a ghost of its former glory. However, recent years have seen a transformation: the site has been redeveloped into the De Anza Design District, a modern apartment and mixed-use complex. While the original neon hum is gone, the historic sign and parts of the original structure were preserved, serving as a quiet tribute to the days when Albuquerque was the proud heartbeat of the American West.

Google maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/V1sewF7uETMergHs8)