On the south side of Red Deer on Highway #2 is a strip of commercial property known as Gasoline Alley. In recent years it has expanded to include many big box restaurants and hotel chains but years ago, most of the businesses were unique to the area.
The Thunderbird Motel sign was the beacon that I had reached home when I was in uni. It proudly sported not one, but three shades of red neon. I truly missed it the first time I drove back home at night and noticed the familiar landmark was gone.
Gasoline Alley has lost most of the things that at one time made it a unique stopping place for those travelling North to South or South to North in Alberta. Still, the brightly lit-up windmill of the Donut Mill is still there, offering an interesting mix of donuts not found at the local Tim's. Of course (because, it is Red Deer, after all), there is also a big box bible store. Who knew you'd need a chunk of real estate the size of a Chapter's for one book?
On a side note; remember when we all though 70.9 was expensive for gas?