Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Night at the Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM
The rather famous (thanks to Mike Wallis!) Blue Swallow Motel. Closed for the winter.Hi folks -- After experiencing my first minoar jam on I-40 due to what appeared to be a junkyard tire fire, I was hoping to stay at the Blue Swallow in Tucumcari last evening. Disaapointed, found it boarded up! Actually it was just closed for the winter. So just down the street and on the other side I found a very attractive 1950s-style motel, the Motel Safari. It had to be a car-friendly place, since a 1964 Galaxie is parked near the office. I must say this place did not disappoint. $39.99 plus tax for a beautifully renovated room with large flat screen, wi-fi, and perhaps the world's most comfortable bed! The room was perhaps the cleanest I have been in -- bar none, including hi-end luxury hotels -- and the woman who checked me in was most friendly. The place is owned by a former engineer who had extensive work experience working for Marriott and the Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG). I wish them the best in terms of future business. Better than any chain motel or hotel.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Tucamcari Tonight! Also some photos from the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, TX
An abandoned structure on Route 66, Texola, OK
All of the above at the Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX. Take exit 60 off of I-40, then go under I-40 and then take a left turn back towards Amarillo.
Hi folks -- I am in Tucamari tonight, at the Hotel Safari. Terrific place -- tomorrow I will take Route 66 across NM, or at least until I get tired of life in the slow lane. I love this journey on 66, especially now that I am truly in arid territory. The landscape is phenomenal, the people are fine, and it has been a long time coming. I have taught the history of Route 66 since 1998, and with the exception of one journey up to Flagstaff, I have never really experienced it until now.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Day 1 of the "Dash to the West Coast" -- 618 miles, from Centerville OH to Mt. Vernon, MO.
A great place to get a meal on I-70, about 60 miles east of St. Louis
Next to the Interstate at Effingham is this huge cross, with what appears to be mediation and prayer benches around it. This photo does not doe the cross justice. The only other cross that I have seen previously that rivals it in size is at the Exposition Park in San Francisco.Hi folks -- well, it is more of a saunter than a dash, at least from what was accomplished on the first day. The Nissan performed well, and I did my best to move fast, but at age 62 I just don't drive as hard or as long as I once did. But it was a start, and I had some great fun along the way. Attached are two photos -- one at the start, another at a favorite restaurant in Effingham, IL, Nieberg's Family Restaurant, which at one time featured mile-high pies. I opted for a more healthy chef salad, however. I overshot my objective of Springfield, MO, and ended up in this weird little town of Mt. Vernon. The only food establishment that had any other folks in it was El Asteca, and had some decent enchiladas there. But an authentic Mexican menu in the Ozarks? I guess you can find it almost anywhere in America now.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
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