In 1862 the U.S. Army decided that the best way to deal with “hostile Indians” was to move them to a deserted area under military guard.  This was the birth of Fort Sumner and the Bosque Redondo.  It is located between Roswell and Santa Rosa  (on Route 66) New Mexico and is now a State Park.  The area’s other claim to fame is the Billy the Kid Museum.  There seems to be some controversy about where exactly Billy was buried, and there are two sites in the Fort that claim that distinction.  It is all a lot of hype but the Museums do have an abundance of historical artifacts worth perusing.

 Arriving in Santa Rosa, we photographed old defunct motels and cafes, evidence of a once thriving town serving travelers along the Mother Road.   At Joseph’s Bar & Grill we were greeted by a large depiction of “the fat man” Joseph who was once the logo Club Caf, no longer in business, but remains alive at Joseph’s in his smiling face.  

                The Route 66 Auto Museum in Santa Rosa is well worth a stop.  The warehouse-type museum features over 30 vintage and classic cars which are primed and polished and the envy of car buffs.  Alan of course swooned over the red woodie, and my favorite was the wicker motorcycle.  And, of course, there is a gift shop and a soda fountain.

 

      

    The ride to Tucumcari took us through many small towns, once filled with businesses catering to travelers along Route 66.  After years of blossoming success, these establishments thrived one day and died the next as I-40 bypassed their towns. 

   Tucumcari, like the others, fell victim to the fickle motorists who abandoned Route 66 for the bigger, faster highway.  Decaying motels and garages abound, but there are some that remain.  Probably the most famous is the Blue Swallow Motel.  We dropped in to meet the owner who confirmed that he fills his rooms almost daily.  Road rallies and lone cyclists and all types of Mother Road enthusiasts wouldn’t think of traveling through Tucumcari without sleeping at the Blue Swallow. 

Tucumcari has one of the most original Route 66 signs on the Road:

                Settling in at the Tucumcari KOA Kampground, we enjoyed the pool and hot tub and had dinner delivered to our trailer from the Kamp store.  Our site looked over a grass field where we watched the bunnies scamper back and forth and trained our binoculars and several pairs of kingbirds. 

                We have been reluctant to leave the beautiful and historical state of New Mexico, but tomorrow we will continue east and look for more adventures in Texas.

***NOTE:  All of the photos in this blog are the work of Alan Heller who is quick to jump out of the car and snap photos on his own and upon request.  I can write and write for hours, but one of his photos can tell a whole story.  He always complains that the photographer gets no credit, so I’m giving credit now!