Adios Fiesta and on Rt 66 Getting Kicks

Route 66 The Mother Road.

We started the with the morning session of the AIBF as there was Dawn Patrol, Krispy Kream Glow, and the Final Mass Ascension. The Mass Ascension was great, one of the best we have ever seen.

We then spring into action breaking camp and we were on the road at about 10:00am. Our plan for the day is to drive to Tucumcari, NM stopping at various Route 66 stops along the way.

We start on I-40 and soon jump off onto the Historic Rt 66. It was in the summer of 1970 when I traveled this road on a cross-country bicycle trip.

Soon we start to come across old gas stations and curio shops and we make a stop or two for photographs.

We then continue on to Clines Corner, a large curio shop and gas station. This has been an institution since 1934 and there is a little bit of humor as the road in front of this place is called “Yacht Club Road”. Lynn finds a couple t-shirts for $20 and I find some green chili salsa. Here we get our first taste of the items I am sure we will see many times on this journey.

 Our first planned stop is in Moriarty and we visit the home of Sal’s Whiting Brothers gas station, which were a prominent feature on Rt 66.  Here, the Whiting Brothers began in 1917 and created the first of the chain of stations that stretched from Shamrock, TX to Barstow, CA.

Back on parts of Rt 66 and I-40, we make our way to Tucumcari, NM where we will spend the night at Blazing Saddles RV Park. Tucumcari is known for it’s neon lights and murals.

We check in and set up camp and head out to see many of the murals the town has to offer. The murals are well done and you can get a map to them at the Chamber of Commerce. Being Sunday, many things including the Chamber are closed. We did make a stop at Tee Pee Curios and noted the prices way better than we have seen elsewhere. 

After dinner and a much needed shower we went back into Tucumcari for to view and photo the neon lights.