Amarillo (Texas) to Santa Fe (New Mexico)

Day 9, Route 66 - Amarillo (Texas) to Santa Fe (New Mexico) 293 miles.

Had a huge storm last night - plenty of thunder and lightning with a bit of rain. Had to get the warm clothes out as quite chilly (up to now we have had warm sunny weather). Stopped at the Cadillac Ranch but very muddy and windy - had bought a spray can of paint to add our names, but could not get near the cars for water!  Continued on Motorway 40 and turned off to Adrian, Route 66 geographical midpoint, where we sat in a cafe and had coffee because it was so freezing cold and wet outside!

Cadillac Ranch, too wet to get close.

Overcast cold and windy

Spot the motorhome!

Route 66 geographical midpoint at Adrian

Inside the Mid Point Cafe at Adrian

In poring rain crossed the border into New Mexico and turned off Motorway onto Route 66, driving through Tucumcari which is a nice town with quite a few renovated neon signs.  Stopped at Blue Swallow (1939) which has been revamped and furnished to the original era and is still running as a motel today.

Crossing into New Mexico, very wet!

A wall mural 

The Blue Swallow with Pontiac parked out front.

Hudson in the drive of the Blue Swallow

Back on Highway 40 drove to Cline's Corners, begun in 1934 (before Route 66 came this way). Cline's is the biggest gift shop in the area and I explored while Helen prepared lunch (way too busy for her). She was happy as I found the Jelly Belly Shop and purchased some black jelly beans for her.

Street shot of Tucumcari

Turned onto Motorway 285 and headed to Santa Fe - great drive as no trucks and open countryside. Weather much better now with sunshine but wind is still cold. Arrived Los Suenos de Santa Fe where we stayed the night.