The answer is: not much. It is supposed to be R&R time, after all. However, my ever-creative companion Emily (aka Redforkhippie) was busy at the historic Blue Swallow Motel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, painting images of extinct neon signs that once graced Route 66 in Tucumcari, plus one in nearby San Jon, in one of … Continue reading What I did on my vacation
Tag: Tucumcari
Wayne Hancock will headline Rockabilly on the Route
Texas musician Wayne "The Train" Hancock has been chosen as the headlining Saturday night act during the third annual Rockabilly on the Route festival in Tucumcari, New Mexico, on June 4-7. Hancock is best-known for the song "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs." He also owns an indelible connection to Route 66. He told this story to No Depression … Continue reading Wayne Hancock will headline Rockabilly on the Route
Did ‘Back to the Future’ get an idea from Blue Swallow Motel?
A longtime reader, Greg Holmes of Ace Jackalope fame, was at a theater screening the 1985 hit movie "Back to the Future" when he saw something familiar. In a scene were Marty is in 1955, there is a sign for the Blue Bird Motel in downtown Hill Valley. Here's the original image, but I've taken … Continue reading Did ‘Back to the Future’ get an idea from Blue Swallow Motel?
Tucumcari cop implicated in arson probe
A man who recently resigned from the Tucumcari, New Mexico, Police Department is the subject of an investigation into several arson fires last month, reported the Quay County Sun, including those that destroyed the long-closed Payless Inn on Route 66 and the closed Tucumcari Motel on old U.S. 54. Dustin Lopez quit the force the … Continue reading Tucumcari cop implicated in arson probe
Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
The long-abandoned Tucumcari Motel near downtown Tucumcari, New Mexico, was destroyed by fire Friday -- the third suspicious fire in less than a week. The motel never was on Route 66, but it and its worn-down neon sign often was photographed by roadies who'd stumbled onto it. The motel was in a two-story structure at … Continue reading Tucumcari Motel destroyed; apparent arsonist on the loose
Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari
A suspected arson fire early Wednesday destroyed a long-closed motel known as the Payless Inn on Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico, according to the Quay County Sun newspaper. When firefighters arrived at the Payless Inn, 2000 W. Rte. 66 Blvd., three separate buildings on the property were engulfed in flames, Rigdon said. The blaze leveled … Continue reading Fire destroys abandoned motel in Tucumcari
Questions for Clint Eastwood and his Tucumcari time
David Stevens, editor of the Clovis News Journal and Portales News-Tribune in New Mexico, in a column said he had a few questions for potential interview subjects about long-ago local issues. Stevens' wish list had some urgency because all the people "are getting old," he said. One of those interview subjects would be actor Clint Eastwood, … Continue reading Questions for Clint Eastwood and his Tucumcari time
Fire destroys Tucumcari hotel
https://youtu.be/UVAxq3pgi8M A Hampton Inn hotel in the Route 66 town of Tucumcari, New Mexico, was destroyed after fire swept through its roof and top floors Wednesday, reported the Quay County Sun and other news outlets. Nearly 30 overnight guests were evacuated with no injuries, reported the newspaper, and were moved to nearby hotels. It's believed … Continue reading Fire destroys Tucumcari hotel
Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
The long-planned Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari, New Mexico, will open Tuesday, and it already has weddings booked, reported the Quay County Sun newspaper. The chapel will be in the Mother Road Old Time Photos business, run by Leigh and Rhys Williams, at 824 E. Route 66 across the road from the historic Blue … Continue reading Route 66 Wedding Chapel in Tucumcari opens next week
New Mexico Route 66 Museum now has regular hours
The New Mexico Route 66 Museum in Tucumcari has been operating with regular hours for about two weeks. Hours on weekdays are from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. And it plans to soon add Saturday hours as well. According to the museum's website: The New Mexico Route 66 Museum will offer a unique look into … Continue reading New Mexico Route 66 Museum now has regular hours