Day 9 – Thursday

 Amarillo to Santa Rosa

 So today we say goodbye Texas and hello New Mexico!

Lots of snow overnight – at least 6 inches, but the highway is clear enough – the snow-ploughs have done a great job! Route 66, though, isn’t great, so the plan is to stay on the highways all the way, except for call in points, to be on the safe side, and to keep us moving.

A quick flash into Amarillo downtown first. Many places are shut because of the weather, but to be honest there doesn’t seem to be an awful lot to see there.

We had a second stop at Cadillac ranch to experience it is deep snow but dry, and then onward to our first stop, the half-way point of Route 66 at Adrian. Yee hah!

The next stop is our final stop in Texas – the deserted town of Glenrio. Not so long ago, it housed a small community, but gradually, when the new highways were built, towns like this fell by the wayside as travelers sailed past. This community now has a population of only 5, but the deserted buildings are now preserved as part of Route 66 history.

Over the border next, and we are in New Mexico!

The skies suddenly seem blue and the landscape morphs into more rugged and dramatic views, with very few signs of life between towns. Magical!

Our one stop today  in New Mexico is in the charming town of Tukumkari. This is the home of the famous Blue Swallow Hotel, and there are lots of other Route 66 inspired buildings and murals which give the town real character.

 

Next stop tomorrow is either Albuquerque or Santa Fe. Whichever we decide, we must be in Albuquerque by 11am Saturday for our Breaking Bad tour! Beyond excited!!