When we arrived at the Blue Swallow Motel, the owners, Kevin and Nancy were in the office/lobby with friends having coffee -- perfect! The friends were the new owners of the Mid Point Cafe in Adrian, Texas -- Donna and Dennis. Everyone was happy to tell me about the history and happenings on route 66. I really do feel like route 66 is one long Main street where everybody knows one another. The pictures I shot before heading to bed were illuminated by the neon of the Blue Swallow Motel, which Kevin turned back on for me after he realized I was out and about taking photos. There is only one room for dogs, which potentially could pose a problem, except that Tima, our dog, was perfectly capable of sleeping on our stoop quietly and confortably with the night time temperatures being very confortable in the cool dry air. The storm last night cleared everything out, but also brought hail even to Tucumcari, and that was the subject of the conversation in the lobby before I butted in. It seems the hail damaged the neon sign, taking out the "ow" on the other side, which Nancy thought was appropriate. The neon sign would be fixed, at least temporarily by the end of the day, and permanently once the replacement glass of the right color could be obtained. People are really proud of their neon out here -- at least among places that are open.
- 2012/04/30 Monday 02:09
bed
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:30:40
I got up early after another late night of being a slave to technology. The room was super cozy and inviting. The furniture is authentic mid-century modern antique. Tima barked once in the night, and I got up and corrected her. It was some youths wandering down the street at about 3 am. She barked again about 5 ish at something. I got up and decided not to waste the sunrise. I've been wanting to walk around Tucumcari since coming through here in October 2010. Also, I've read some about Tucumcari as a rairoad town for the old Rock Island.
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:55:55
The motel next to the Blue Swallow is quite dead and abandoned.
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:52:50
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:52:59
Sunrise on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:53:24
Nothing beats the style of this sign
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:53:57
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:54:34
I love the vector. I find, however, that usually when motels advertise economy, or weekly rates, that their days are numbered and that the last owners are usually trying to wring the last profits out of the operation before shutting down.
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:55:03
I don't know if this is the case for the Economy Inn, but the place has some potential, still. It will take a lot to rehab it into something.
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:55:13
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:56:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:56:30
I know the Tee Pee Curios in Tucumcari is a Route 66 icon.
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:58:34
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:58:41
Monday, April 30, 2012 06:59:01
A zoom lens is good for capturing the hodge podge of colors vying for your attention on Route 66 in Tucumcari.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:00:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:00:25
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:01:35
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:02:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:03:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:03:46
An old Denny's is now a locally owned diner named Kix on 66.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:03:59
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:04:02
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:04:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:04:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:05:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:08:52
A block off the main road yields some excellent photo opportunities. The neighborhoods here seemed poor, so be careful walking alone at night.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:11:00
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:13:34
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:14:15
One could imagine it is morning in 1956 in this photo
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:15:47
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:15:57
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:16:24
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:17:01
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:17:55
Tima poses by the Palomino Motel sign -- another great stylish sign.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:18:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:18:43
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:20:15
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:20:19
The RV park across the street looks like it is made out of a court motel.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:21:53
The Lasso Motel Neon sign is orphaned, as the arrows now point to nothing but an empty lot. A short search on the internets shows how and why....
sad...
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:22:15
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:22:26
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:23:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:23:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:24:38
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:25:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:25:23
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:25:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:10
Tucumcari starts to come to life on Route 66.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:16
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:38
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:51
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:26:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:27:38
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:28:04
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:28:12
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:29:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:30:18
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:31:36
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:31:42
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:32:00
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:32:47
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:33:23
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:33:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:35:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:35:41
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:36:51
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:37:32
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:37:47
Another motel has seen better days.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:39:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:39:54
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:40:22
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:18
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:31
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:35
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:37
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:41
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:41:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:42:17
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:42:21
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:42:56
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:43:46
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:44:25
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:44:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:45:07
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:45:19
Kevin is up on the Blue Swallow sign fixing the hail damage from two nights ago.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:45:22
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:46:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:46:36
Our room and the mural on the wall outsid our door as viewed from across the street.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:46:52
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:48:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:48:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:48:38
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:49:23
This motel is a very well restored example of mid-century modern.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:50:19
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:50:24
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:50:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:51:13
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:51:22
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:51:29
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:51:53
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:52:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:52:05
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:52:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:52:44
Boomerangs on the doors.
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:52:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:53:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:53:18
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:53:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:53:35
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:53:47
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:54:02
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:54:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:55:07
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:55:11
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:55:54
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:56:22
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:57:18
Monday, April 30, 2012 07:58:05
We shot the interview for this video in between customers and inquiries. It got quite busy this morning as a bicycle tour was coming into town and many people were coming to snap pictures, check out or in, or to inquire about rooms. We got quite lucky getting a room here the way we did last night.
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:25
It came time to depart, in a rush it seems, with a very angry Suyen
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:27:11
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:27:37
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:27:53
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:28:51
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:29:04
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:29:19
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:29:39
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:30:02
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:31:23
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:32:05
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:33:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 10:40:16
Santa Rosa, New Mexico
In between Tucumcari, and here, we got a call from Nancy, of the Blue Swallow Motel. We left, it seems, without checking in our key. So, we went to the nearest exit to mail the key back. The Post Office explained that they would send the key back no charge. We were going to pay to send it back, but the PO in Santa Rosa insisted it would be safe. Suyen was in a lousy mood, so we decided that maybe this should be the end of our trip. We headed back and dropped the key off ourselves.
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:16:26
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:17:04
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:17:16
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:18:13
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:18:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:18:38
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:19:29
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:24:43
- 2012/04/30 Monday 11:26
US Post Office
1 (575) 472-3743
120 South 5th Street, Santa Rosa, NM 88435
http://m.google.com/u/m/zts0YU
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:33:40
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:34:32
Bob's Phillips 66, Santa Rosa, New Mexico
Generic (Elevation: 1395 m)
- 2012/04/30 Monday 11:38:10
Bob's Phillips 66
1 (575) 472-3821
108 Historic Route 66 , Santa Rosa, NM 88435, 88435
http://m.google.com/u/m/AiYFjX
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:35:33
Monday, April 30, 2012 11:46:35
Tucumcari, New Mexico
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:53:41
In between Santa Rosa and here, Suyen had a change of heart and her mood got better. We usually have some sort of argument brought on by stress of the trip.
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:54:12
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:56:16
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:57:31
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:57:48
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:57:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:58:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 12:59:46
- 2012/04/30 Monday 14:16
Kix on 66, Tucumcari, New Mexico
1 (575) 461-1966
1102 East Tucumcari Boulevard, Tucumcari, NM 88401
http://m.google.com/u/m/zTsdEG
(Elevation: 1237 m)
Monday, April 30, 2012 13:00:01
We stopped at Kix on 66, which is a popular breakfast and lunch place. The owner was very nice.
After Tucumcari, we made up time by taking the bypass highway, which is a shame. We stopped over before Albuquerque to see what Clines Corners was all about, since we had been seeing advertising for the place it seems since we got on route 66.
http://www.clinescorners.com/
Clines Corners
- 2012/04/30 Monday 16:46
Clines Corners
1 (575) 472-5488
1 Yacht Club Drive, Clines Corners, NM 87070
We stopped here for fuel, a bathroom break, to look around and stretch and to get our refrigerator magnet.
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:53:32
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:53:42
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:53:44
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:53:46
It looks like there are the remains of a motel behind the travel center.
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:54:18
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:55:29
Monday, April 30, 2012 15:56:01
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:00:30
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:00:50
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:03:52
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:04:14
Tima, of course, has to wait outside.
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:04:53
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:05:00
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:05:17
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:26:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:32:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:44:50
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:49:02
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:53:06
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:53:31
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:54:05
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:58:23
Monday, April 30, 2012 16:59:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:11:25
We hit the Albuquerque rush hour just perfect, of course.
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:11:56
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:13:35
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:26:42
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:27:13
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:31:26
West of Albuquerque there is an old route 66 bridge unused in the middle of two new spans for the highway.
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:33:54
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:38:09
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:40:25
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:48:29
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:50:28
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:51:08
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:51:13
Dancing Eagle Travel Center
Station (Elevation: 1811 m)
- 2012/04/30 Monday 18:15:56
Dancing Eagle Travel Center
Paraje, New Mexico
Indian casinos are an oasis' out here, and this one served for a bathroom and stretch break. I took Tima to the little caged animal potty area. New Mexico seems to be very protective of the natural environment or of peoples pets. I haven't figured which out yet.
Monday, April 30, 2012 17:59:09
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:25:31
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:26:45
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:28:39
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:36:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:57:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:36:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:38:38
Suyen decided to take some side shots out the window with the zoom lens.
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:39:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:53:03
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:53:07
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:53:08
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:53:10
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:56:31
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:57:05
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:57:16
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:58:00
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:58:27
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:02:55
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:02:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:09:08
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:09:43
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:17:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:19:40
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:20:57
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:20:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:23:42
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:25:47
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:26:17
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:26:44
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:27:22
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:27:50
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:28:20
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:30:55
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:36:51
We crossed into Pacific Time Zone
Arizona
We bypassed Gallup and managed to pace the Westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief just perfectly. We have ridden this train before. I rode it with my friend, James, in 1999, and Suyen and I took it on our west coast adventure in 2007. It is cool to see the train doing it's thing from the outside.
The Southwest Chief in 1999
The Southwest Chief in 2007
This is a really nice land cruise. If you ever get the chance to, TAKE IT!
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:47:15
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:47:17
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:47:19
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:47:29
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:47:40
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:55:58
Monday, April 30, 2012 18:56:16
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:03:13
Speedy's Truck Stop
Generic (Elevation: 1887 m)
We visited here for gas and some grub before our final planned stop in Holbrook, Arizona. We didn't visit the famous indian curio stands but we did get some pix.
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:04:55
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:04:49
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:04:55
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:06
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:09
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:20
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:24
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:32
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:40
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:05:43
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:04
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:05
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:20
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:28
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:34
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:11:44
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:12:09
Holbrook Arizona
Everyone, of course, is talking around here about the Disney/Pixar film, Cars, from 2006. So we decided to stay in the "Cozy Cone" or as it has been more commonly known around here -- the Wigwam in Holbrook, Arizona.
Monday, April 30, 2012 19:53:19
Monday, April 30, 2012 21:18:13
Monday, April 30, 2012 2:18:22
Butterfield Stage Co Steak House
Food (Elevation: 1548 m)
Before turning in in our cozy wigwam for the night, we et steak down the road.
I'm being "horny" at the steakhouse...
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:08:59
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:08:59
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:09:20
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:09:40
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:09:54
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:09:59
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:10:06
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:10:14
Monday, April 30, 2012 22:10:38
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