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.)