NM Route 66 Across New Mexico

From Tucumcari to Gallup New Mexico

(Click on an image to see larger view.)

From Bard Ghost Town (west of TX/NM border) to Gallup, New Mexico (and NM/AZ border).

Before the actual NM Route 66 trip, there was the drive from Davenport, IA to El Dorado, KS.
The next day was the drive from El Dorado, KS to Vega, TX.
Then it was about an hour drive from Vega, TX to New Mexico.

DAY ONE

The fifth phase of NM Route 66 road trip started at the Texas / New Mexico border. We started out very early! Some of the NM Route 66 roadway was gravel, and some of it was blacktop.>

Early Morning on Route 66 New Mexico Dirt Route 66 New Mexico Blacktop Route 66 New Mexico

We looked for the Bard and San Jon Ghost town just off of Route 40. Unfortunately, ghosts don't adequately label their towns, so you are not really sure that you're in the right place.

NM Route 66 Bard Ghost Town NM Route 66 Bard Ghost Town NM Route 66 Bard Ghost Town NM Route 66 Sign at local farm NM Route 66 San Jon Ghost Town NM Route 66 San Jon Ghost Town NM Route 66 Landscape

Our first major town was Tucumcari, New Mexico. We wanted to check out "Dels Restaurant" but it was closed for maintenance. So instead we roamed around Tucumcari looking at the unique sites.

NM Route 66 Tucumcari NM Route 66 Landscape Dels Restaurant, Tucumcari, NM Dels Restaurant, Tucumcari, NM Dels Restaurant, Tucumcari, NM Texaco along Route 66, Tucumcari, NMNM Route 66 Shops along Route 66, Tucumcari, NM Back of Route 66 Motel, Tucumcari, NM Side of Route 66 Motel, Tucumcari, NM Route 66 on the sidewalk Route 66 Motel Route 66 Motel

One of our favorite shops was the Tee Pee Curios. Its owner moved to New Mexico from Iowa. He does not miss the Iowa winters!

Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM Tee Pee Curios, Tucumcari, NM

Another great shop was the Route 66 Welcome Center. The owner hand-makes some of the items for sale. She also has a good selection of unique Barbie dolls.

Route 66 Welcome Center Route 66 Welcome Center Route 66 Welcome Center Handmade curtains Handmade aprons Sign outside the Welcome Center Sylvia chatting with the owner

Close by was the Blue Swallow Motel which is still operating. The owner says he uses the slow winter season to make necessary repairs and upgrades.

Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM The rooms have their own garages. Blue Swallow Motel, Tucumcari, NM

Another motel in the area is the Motel Safari. It has a full-sized camel in the lobby!

Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM Yep, that is a camel Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM Motel Safari, Tucumcari, NM

The Friends Inn used to be called the Sahara Sands Motel and Restaurant. I do not believe that either is still operating.

Sahara Sands - Friends Sahara Sands - Friends Sahara Sands - Friends

We spotted Joes restaurant but did not go in. The sign says that its for sale. Maybe next time!

Joes restaurant

The Tucumcari Historical Museum was a nice place to browse, both inside and outside.

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Tucumcari also has a Mesalands Dinosaur Museum. After viewing the exhibits, I do not feel old anymore!

Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum Russian Baltic Amber Dinosaur Museum Dinosaur Museum

We decided to try some authentic Mexican Food and visited the La Cita Restaurant. The exterior was painted by Doug and Sharon Quarles who have an art shop inside the restaurant. The Quarles have painted murals on many of the buildings in the area. By the way, the food was excellent!

NM Route 66

Next, we traveled to the edge of town to visit the New Mexico Route 66 Auto Museum.

NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum NM Route 66 Auto Museum

Outside of the museum and near the civic center parking lot is a Route 66 Monument. Nearby was a plaque honoring Yetta Kohn, a cattle rancher and business woman who lived from 1843 to 1917.

NM Route 66 Monument NM Route 66 Monument NM Plaque for Yetta Kohn

Cruising down the main streets, we saw other motels and shops such as the Tristar Inn, Buckaroo Motel, and defunct gas stations. For the night, we stayed at the Road Runner Lodge and had breakfast the next morning at the Kix on 66 restaurant.

Tristar Inn Tristar Inn Buckaroo Motel Buckaroo Motel ESSO Service Station Magnolia Service Station Map Mural on building Mural on building Mosaic in sidewalk New Mexico Landscape Another Mural Another Mural Another Mural Another Mural Large Mural Large Mural Large Mural Large Mural Another Mural Another Mural Another Mural Smaller Murals Odeon Theater Road Runner Lodge Kix on 66 Restaurant Inside Kix on 66

Along the way to Santa Rosa, we looked for remnants of old Route 66 buildings and interesting landscapes.

Possible defunct service station Underlying structure is crumbling Nearby working gas station It is also the Newkirk NM post office Landscape near Newkirk NM Landscape near Newkirk NM Silver Moon Cafe, Santa Rosa Silver Moon Cafe, Santa Rosa Silver Moon Cafe, Santa Rosa

Santa Rosa is home to the Route 66 Auto Museum. It had lots of classic cruisers plus a good selection of toys and collectables.

Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum Route 66 Auto Museum

We continued our search of Santa Rosa for interesting sites from the heydays of Route 66.

Santa Fe Grill, Santa Rosa Restaurant, Santa Rosa Sun and Sand Restaurant, Santa Rosa The Sun and Sand Motel is gone La Loma Motel, Santa Rosa La Loma Motel, Santa Rosa Josephs Bar and Grill Josephs also has a gift shop Josephs also has a gift shop Josephs Bar and Grill Cacti near Josephs Comet II Drive-In Diner

Clines Corners in Lucy NM is like a large flea market. We browsed and then ate lunch at the local Subway restaurant. After lunch we headed to Moriarty, NM.

Clines Corners, Lucy NM Lariat Motel, Moriarity, NM Mural in Moriarity, NM Ponderosa Motel, Moriarity, NM Ceramic pumpkin outside Moriarity shop Ceramic pumpkin outside Moriarity shop Ceramic pumpkins outside Moriarity shop

Moriarty NM is home of the Lewis Antique Auto and Toy Museum. There are hundreds of vehicles in varying conditions. Some of the vehicles were used in making movies such as Letters to the U.S. and series such as Roswell. The owner, Mr. Lewis, personally drove Tina Louise and Ricardo Montalban.

Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum Lewis Auto and Toy Museum

The next event was the 2019 Balloon Festival held in Albuquerque, NM. There are lots of special shape balloons on this day. Unfortunately, the conditions were too breezy to launch the balloons.

Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival Albuquerque Balloon Festival

In the afternoon, we conducted some exploring of the Albuquerque area and found some interesting sights. We ate lunch at the Route 66 Diner which has a great atmosphere. It also has great burgers and daily specials.

LOBO Theater, Albuquerque NM Outside of Route 66 Diner Outside of Route 66 Diner Inside of Route 66 Diner Inside of Route 66 Diner Inside of Route 66 Diner Inside of Route 66 Diner KIMO Theater, Albuquerque NM KIMO Theater, Albuquerque NM KIMO Theater, Albuquerque NM KIMO Theater, Albuquerque NM KIMO Building, Albuquerque NM Lindys Diner, Albuquerque NM Lindys Diner, Albuquerque NM Maisel Indian Jewelry

Then it was back on the road again to do some sightseeing.

Landscape near Albuquerque NM Landscape near Albuquerque NM

Since the hot air balloons did not launch when we were at the festival, we decided to try to catch them flying over Albuquerque the next morning. We definitely succeeded!

Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons over Albuquerque NM Balloons Balloons over Albuquerque NM

Here is the Dog House which specializes in, you guessed it, hot dogs! While outside taking some pictures, one of the hot air balloons passed directly overhear. What are the chances?

Dog House, Albuquerque NM Dog House, Albuquerque NM Balloon over the Dog House Balloon over the Dog House

We toured Old Town which is a ten block section that formed the beginning of Albuquerque, NM. It was founded in 1706 by Governor Francisco Cuervo y Valdez. There are a lot of great shops here and since the roads are one-way, walking the best form of transportation.

Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town Old Town

Back on the road we found the Monterey Motel, some New Mexico landscape, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science and History.

Monterey Motel, near Old Town, NM Landscape near Albuquerque, NM Nuclear Museum in Albuquerque, NM NM Route 66 Nuclear Car? Multiple Warhear Missile Nuclear Missile Bazooka-Type Nuclear Weapon New Mexico Landscape New Mexico Landscape New Mexico Landscape New Mexico Landscape New Mexico Landscape New Mexico Landscape

We just had to stop in Grants, New Mexico. Yes, it was founded by "The Grants"!

Sylvia Grant Just in Grants, NM Grants, NM on Route 66 Sands Motel in Grants, NM Sands Motel in Grants, NM Closed Route 66 Motel in Grants, NM Volcanic field near Grants, NM Volcanic field near Grants, NM Volcanic field near Grants, NM Mount Taylor Near Grants, NM

Pushing westward past Grants we passed Milan, New Mexico and toured the sites in Gallup, NM. Gallup was founded in 1881 as a railhead for the Atlantic and Pacific Railroad, and named after David Gallup, a paymaster for the railroad. We turned around at the New Mexico and Arizona state line to return to Gallup.

El Rancho Cafe, Milan, NM Indian Village, Gallup, NM Continental Divide, NM Indian Market, Gallup, NM El Morro Theater, Gallup El Morro Theater, Gallup Mural in Gallup, NM Mural in Gallup, NM Mural in Gallup, NM Jewels and Java, Gallup Gallup Visitor Center Gallup Visitor Center Native American Traders Rex Museum, Gallup, NM Big Cat in shop window Gallup Cultural Center NM/AZ State Line Lariat Lodge in Gallup, NM

Our last stop in New Mexico and the starting point for the drive back to Iowa was the classic Hotel El Rancho in Gallup, NM.

Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup We had the Lucille Ball Room We had the Lucille Ball Room Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Hotel El Rancho, Gallup Inside the Hotel El Rancho Restaurant

Our return trip took us north on I-25 into Colorado. We traveled through the Rutan Pass before hooking up with I-70 and I-80 back to Davenport, IA.

Rutan Pass, CO

Total Trip: 3167 miles.
Average mileage: 25.9 MPG
Average speed: 68 MPH