Tucumcari, New Mexico, United States
Got a pretty early start today so we could take a few Route 66 pictures in Flagstaff before hitting the road, then it was another day of high speed driving through high temperatures (air conditioning on all the way!). We made a quick stop at the Jack Rabbit Trading Post, visited previously on our way out, so that I could find a geocache that I was unable to get the first time (thought it was inside the store, which was not open).
There are signs for a long way advertising "Tucumcari Tonight!," and many Route 66-ers have taken it to heart. Tucumcari is a very small town, but it has 1200 hotel rooms. Tucumcari, NM, is also a very big Route 66 town, in the sense that many buildings with Route 66 history have been preserved and restored and/or are still open for business.
We ate at the La Cita restaurant, home of the giant sombrero, but the food was not great. Even worse, as we were leaving, a young man (walking from who knows where) went in. He came out while we were still taking pictures and asked what time it was. 7:40. Turns out, they had refused to serve him, saying they were closed. But the opening hours were listed as 8 p.m., and all the "Open" signs were lit up. The sole employee we saw was, indeed, mopping the floors when we left, but really. I don't think it was anything particular about the young man; I think that that young lady and the cook just decided to close up early. NOT a good business practice. I recommend eating elsewhere in Tucumcari--there are lots of choices!
We stayed at the Blue Swallow Motel, which is one of the more reknown motels on the route. If you want to stay here, book well in advance. After dark, all the guests come out and wander around in the parking lot taking pictures and chatting with all the other guests--and not only guests show up; lots of passing cars slow down or stop or pass through the driveway. The Blue Swallow Motel is, in other words, an event!
Staff at this motel couldn't be more friendly or helpful. The owners were out of town for a funeral, but the guy who was working when we checked in, Eric, walked us to our room and showed us around and offered to knock on our door at 5:30 tomorrow when he was on his way to work if our lights were not already on. Personal wake-up call.
Early start tomorrow: have to get to the Amarillo airport in time to turn in the car and check in for a 10:30 a.m. flight.
2025-05-23