Route 66, Morning, Day 5: Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico

I’m up and about in the motel room; Stephanie’s trying to catch a bit more sleep. We’ve been cutting it pretty short on the sleeping, by arriving very late and getting up with the rest of the caravan. Hopefully today we can hang out and be more leisurely; we only have about a 4 hour drive to Roswell.

I’m on a high-speed wireless connection, finally, and I’m hurriedly uploading photos. The Blue Swallow doesn’t actually offer it; some kind fellow named Shawn has left his/her network open. Thanks, Shawn!!

I’ll try to go back and insert some relevant photos into the last several posts about the trip if I can before we actually get up and around.

Tilted Water tower at Britten, Texas

Giant Cross in Groom, Texas

The Big Texan was entertaining; lots of beef. Of course their featured attraction is a “free” 72 oz. steak – if you eat the whole thing in an hour, plus sides, salad and bread. I did not try. Two guys did while we were there; if you’re attempting the challenge, they stick you at a table on a raised platform with a count-down timer. Neither of them could do it. I took pictures, of course.

The Big Texan

Big Texan

72 oz. Steak

Couldn't do it.

We drove from Amarillo, Texas to Tucumcari, New Mexico in a wicked looking lightning storm (I tried to video it; well see how it comes out.); fortunately it didn’t open up and rain much. I think today we’re going to poke around Tucumcari a bit; they have lots of great old googie signs and route 66 shops. Then we’ll take off for Roswell.

Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari

Phoebe and Spacepod in garages at the Blue Swallow Motel

Tomorrow most of the day in Roswell is free; all we have to do is wash the car and find some wireless access. And see aliens, of course. Saturday is when the car show and parade start, and Sunday there are activities, too, although most of the day is free. Monday we head out on the rest of Route 66.

This Post Has 2 Comments

  1. Maxine Dangerous

    You and Stephanie will love this: http://quotation-marks.blogspot.com/.
    Everyone is doing well. Spike’s balancing act when he poops is hysterical and I’ve nicknamed your solid grey cat “Drool-silla.” 🙂 Sounds like you’re having fun! Talk soon! :]

  2. Cordelia

    Wow on that giant steel cross. There is one that (from your photo) looks just like it in Illinois; I used to pass it every time I headed out of St. Louis. Does anyone know what I’m talking about ? Does anyone know if these are related, and who puts these up ?! Really enjoying your travelogue.

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