Tucumcari, New Mexico

Left Amarillo mid morning. We debated on staying an extra night there as there were some spots we wanted to see. Then we decided it would be a good week end trip from home for later. As we did yesterday, we zigzagged on I-40 and old Route 66. We stopped at a little grocery store in Vega. I swear the store had not been updated in 50 years. Calvin was outside in the RV and I'm wondering if they even take debit cards. If I had heard one note from the twilight zone theme song I would have bolted. I was really ready to see the interstate.
I am beginning to wonder why people do the Route 66 drive. There are all the modern motel/hotel and food chains on the interstate and the little towns are hanging on to old buildings from the 30', 40's and 50's just so people like us can drive by and gawk. As you will see from the pictures there are old burned out buildings with signs telling what they once were. I'm not sure I get it and I'm not sure I need to see more of this. Out of 5 points of interest, 3 had been gutted by fire. People tear these down before they fall on someone!!!
We stopped in Tucumcari around noon as Calvin wasn't feeling well. While he snoozed I got the laundry done and had some down time. Calvin got up from his nap feeling much better.
Around 4:00 we took a drive into Tucumcari and of course the old Route 66. The main drag still has lots of old motels and has had a neon sign restoration. The motels don't appear to have been updated in many decades. We didn't see many cars parked at the motels. Wonder how they have survived so long. We did find a cool ice cream shop. Yummy cinnamon ice cream. If we feel the need for activity after dark we may go see the strip lit up with neon signs...or not.


Vega -Route 66







Downtown Tucumcari





Old Route 66 in Tucumcari