Day 9 - Tucumcari, NM to Elk City, OK
Oh, it was a fun day. We saw so many new things. Our highlight was the Roger Miller Museum in Erick, OK.
Before leaving Tucumcari, we drove around and found some of the must see sights. We wanted to stay at the Blue Swallow Motel, but they were booked up. That is what happens when you travel as the spirit moves you instead of pre-planning. The Blue Swallow has chairs outside of their rooms. Also a fire pit. Part of the beauty of traveling Route 66 is meeting kindred spirts. We were under a tornado warning until midnight and the Blue Swallow would of been perfect. It has garages!
Then, Mike said, "What is that in the sky?" "Is it a bird?" "Is it a plane?" LOL Then we thought it was a drone. Well, as it got closer....It was either a big drone or a small plane with what looked like helicopter rotors at the end of it's wings. Scary! We were in New Mexico (Area 51?)
We stopped in Vega, Texas to see the restored 1920's Magnolia Gas Station. And we saw some other cool things.
Just west of Amarillo, we came to Cadillac Ranch. Cars buried nose down in a field. Their was a walk way out to the scene that was pure mud. Zoom lenses do come in handy.
Amarillo is the largest city to have Route 66 run through it. My favorite place is The Big Texan Steak Ranch. If you eat a 72 ounce steak, you can get your meal free. No, I did not try!
About seven years ago, we took Mike's Mom and Dad to Groom, Texas to see the big Cross. At the base of the cross is the Stations of the Cross. Full size bronze statues. These statues were made by craftsmen in Pampa, Texas. If you have never been there, it is well worth stopping.
Also, the Devil's Rope Museum. It had a tribute to barbed wire.
We had a great experience in Shamrock, Texas. We stopped to see the U-Drop Inn/Tower Station. It is a restored Art Deco Masterpiece build in 1936.
We met a fellow Corvette owner from Alabama that was traveling the Mother Road to LA. Ben Labaree was traveling Route 66 in Memory of his wife, Sandy. He gave me a brochure that said,
"Sandy Conquered Cancer! It may have taken her life, but it never took her spirit." Please remember Ben and Sandy in your prayers.
You never know what road hazards you will come across on Route 66. We drove around a ghost town call Texola. We did not know if this was a ghost dog?
Another warning I would like to give drivers in Texas, is that their exit and entry ramps for I 40 merge on and off of the service roads, that happen to be Route 66 in places. Only once did we hold our breath when a semi came barreling down the ramp toward us. Thank goodness Mike is a safe driver.
I did not know Roger Miller was from Oklahoma. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas. After his father died when he was 13 months old, he moved to Erick, Oklahoma to live with his Uncle. The town is very proud of him.
Before leaving Tucumcari, we drove around and found some of the must see sights. We wanted to stay at the Blue Swallow Motel, but they were booked up. That is what happens when you travel as the spirit moves you instead of pre-planning. The Blue Swallow has chairs outside of their rooms. Also a fire pit. Part of the beauty of traveling Route 66 is meeting kindred spirts. We were under a tornado warning until midnight and the Blue Swallow would of been perfect. It has garages!
Tucumcari is know for their wall murals.
In one of my travel guides, the list photo ops. Mike thought it was just another Mexican Restaurant until he saw the sombrero.
Tucumcari had more iconic signs than we have seen so far.
Airplanes???
This could be in the running as the World's Largest Ice Cream Cone!
Again, Mike has to be alert! We have to share Route 66!
Then, Mike said, "What is that in the sky?" "Is it a bird?" "Is it a plane?" LOL Then we thought it was a drone. Well, as it got closer....It was either a big drone or a small plane with what looked like helicopter rotors at the end of it's wings. Scary! We were in New Mexico (Area 51?)
Adrian, Texas is billed as Route 66's geographical midpoint. That means, we went half way to Chicago in 10 days.
We stopped in Vega, Texas to see the restored 1920's Magnolia Gas Station. And we saw some other cool things.
Court House
You do not see a Justice of the Peace very often.
And some junk...or should I say "Treasures?"
Just west of Amarillo, we came to Cadillac Ranch. Cars buried nose down in a field. Their was a walk way out to the scene that was pure mud. Zoom lenses do come in handy.
About seven years ago, we took Mike's Mom and Dad to Groom, Texas to see the big Cross. At the base of the cross is the Stations of the Cross. Full size bronze statues. These statues were made by craftsmen in Pampa, Texas. If you have never been there, it is well worth stopping.
East of Groom is a tilting Water Tower.
In McLean, Texas is a restored 1930 66 Gas Station.
We had a great experience in Shamrock, Texas. We stopped to see the U-Drop Inn/Tower Station. It is a restored Art Deco Masterpiece build in 1936.
It even had Tesla charging docks.
"Sandy Conquered Cancer! It may have taken her life, but it never took her spirit." Please remember Ben and Sandy in your prayers.
You never know what road hazards you will come across on Route 66. We drove around a ghost town call Texola. We did not know if this was a ghost dog?
Another warning I would like to give drivers in Texas, is that their exit and entry ramps for I 40 merge on and off of the service roads, that happen to be Route 66 in places. Only once did we hold our breath when a semi came barreling down the ramp toward us. Thank goodness Mike is a safe driver.
Road side marker somewhere in Oklahoma.
I did not know Roger Miller was from Oklahoma. He was born in Fort Worth, Texas. After his father died when he was 13 months old, he moved to Erick, Oklahoma to live with his Uncle. The town is very proud of him.
We stopped for the night in Elk City, Oklahoma. Whew, another full day.
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