Lately I've had some interest in photographing old neon signs and the Gallopin' Goose Tavern and Grill is a fine example of one.
"The Goose" has been around since 1935 over in Coolidge, AZ, and is pretty much the quintessential Arizona honky tonk. One can only guess at how many beers have gone down there along with new romances, broken hearts, and busted heads. Story goes that Waylon Jennings started his solo career there after the death of Buddy Holly.
While not a biker bar in any sense of the name, it's a popular stop for riders rolling down Arizona highway 87/287. I've rarely ridden by and not seen bikes outside, all types from sport bikes to the usual v-twin stuff.
I've ridden by the Goose countless times and had been meaning to photograph the old sign for years, it's been weathering away nicely although the animated neon still works fine. The rough surface showed a lot of that character that photographers love.
I finally decided a few weeks ago to make a specific ride over to the outskirts of the town of Coolidge to photograph the sign before and after sunset. When I got there I found that the nicely distressed old Goose sign was newly refurbished and repainted. Drat. It still looks cool all lit up though.
No, I've never been inside, although I understand they make that staple of American road rider food there, a really good cheeseburger. My bar hoppin' days are three decades past now but I do enjoy a good cheeseburger. I wonder if they'd laugh me out the door if I ordered a root beer with one?
photos with my Olympus E-PL1 with a Panansonic 20mm f/1.7 lens
