I first saw this photo a few weeks ago, and found it so whimsical that it made me laugh. There is just something so quirky about this, that it got me wondering… Just who would do this to a saxophone?
Elmer’s Bottle Tree Farm
Photography by: ChrisMRichards Source: Flickr
Just who is this Elmer guy? What do they do there is Barstow, California? I wouldn’t have expected to see this along the famous Route 66.
A quick read through the Wiki entry on Barstow answered a number of my questions. I still wanted to know though if Elmer ever played this sax, or if he just bought it at a garage sale or junk shop.
I was driven to find out more about this Elmer fellow, so I Googled Elmer’s Bottle Tree Farm. I came across the following YouTube video about the man and his famous roadside attraction.
OK, so now I know he most likely bought this sax, like the rest of the junk he uses in his trees.
Through my Google search I also found Elmer’s blog, which is carries the name: The Bottletree Man. There are also lots of other links to Flickr pages, blog entries, tourist attraction listings, etc. etc. Apparently Elmer and his bottle tree farm really are quite the tourist attraction.
So if you’re travelling the old Route 66 near Oro Grande (that’s between Barstow & Victorville), perhaps you’ll want to stop by Elmer’s Bottle Tree Farm, and check out this piece of saxophone art for yourself. Over time I’m thinking this junky student horn should get quite the weather-worn look. (At least I’m hoping it’s a student model horn.)
