The business district of Alanreed TX has moved out to Interstate-40. Left behind along Rt 66 is a partially-restored Texaco gas station that is often photographed...plus this overlooked gem.

There has been no restoration here. This is a long-closed and abandoned Magnolia gas station, a brand that has been extinct for 50+ years.

A giant shade tree, which has grown to maturity since the station was abandoned, stands guard where the Model A's and T's (and their humans) used to fill up. The Texas sun, wind, rain and snow have left this typical 1930s gas station-and-cafe somewhere between decay and collapse.

But what remains of the canopy offers a study in still life. Only the leaves move, and occasionally the wind cooperates enough that a nice long exposure like this can be made. A time exposure...showing exposure to time.

(This image is on display at the Route 66 Interpretive Center, Chandler OK.)