Headed to Albuquerque from Amarillo for our day five travels. Only 278 miles planned. What a break! And it includes a visit with Tom’s sister Meg, her husband Stu and daughter Stephanie.

Cadillac Ranch

You really can’t stopover in Amarillo, TX and then leave without seeing the Cadillac Ranch. An ever-changing art display of Cadillacs sticking up out of the dirt right along the highway.

Ever-changing because people visiting bring cans of spray paint to leave their own indelible mark on the cars. For us, we just enjoy looking at art. We did not partake in what really seems like defacing what was once a fun work of art.

To be honest, we arrived early and there were already around fifty people there many of whom were using spray paint. We didn’t stay too long. The air was rife with fumes and you obviously can’t get too close lest you’ll get paint all over yourself.

It’s still something to see though. Ben was in awe that they could get real cars to stick up out of the dirt like that.

Halfway There

Adrian, TX marks the halfway point between Chicago and LA along Route 66. Right across the road is a nifty gift shop and cafe known as the Midpoint Cafe. Unfortunately, we visited on a Monday and the only day they don’t serve breakfast is Monday, but a fun visit nonetheless.

Of course. We had to mark the occasion with a photo laying across the midpoint line.

Russell Travel Center

We decided to stop at the Russell Travel Center to get some breakfast since Midpoint was only serving pie and coffee.

This was a decent spot to get breakfast that we almost missed. As we turned off the engine on the car, an entire bus load of people walked right by us to visit the truck stop. Tom and I were considering starting the car back up and leaving when Ben said “let’s just go in and see. Maybe they’re not going on the restaurant”. He made a lot of sense. We should take his advice more often. In the end, the bus wasn’t eating in the diner and Ben got to sit at the counter and eat breakfast.

As an added bonus, this truck stop comes complete with an old car museum. Mint condition cars like a 1957 Chevy. Convertibles, mustangs.

They even had an old oil truck on a wagon. Worth a look.

Tucumcari

Tucumcari is a neat little town. A required stop for seeing the Iconic Blue Swallows Motel. We really wanted to stay there but could not work it out in the miles. Oddly enough there is a for sale sign in the window. Tom and I briefly considered making an offer.

Right next door was a great souvenir shop. We stocked up on a few souvenirs.

Murals – Hidden Gems among 66

Something we haven’t mentioned yet in our travels but are worth seeking out are all the murals found on the sides of buildings along the Route. Some are old and faded and some have been brilliantly restored to their former glory. These are a couple from Tucumcari.

Tinkertown Museum

If you don’t know about the Tinkertown Museum you are missing out. A collection of miniature wood carved figures by Ross Ward and according to their website:

The figures were a part of a traveling exhibit, driven to county fairs and carnivals in the 1960s and 70s.

Many are interactive and we couldn’t believe that they still work. It was a tremendous about of fun to look at the detail and immerse yourself in what is going on in each set.

Just remember to bring a LOT of quarters so you can enjoy the quirky stuff. I made quite a dent in my laundry quarter stash that I did not plan for on the trip.

The El Vado

We had to make a section for the hotel we stayed in while in Albuquerque. The El Vado has been fantastically restored and was gorgeous. While the car ports one would park in during the old days are now stores nestled between the rooms you wouldn’t have noticed anything but how great the rooms are here.

And Ben got some much needed nighttime pool time.

It’s All About Family

This trip is all about family. And Tom’s sister and her family live in Albuquerque. It’s tough that every night is a single night in each city but Meg and Stu met us out for dinner and Ben’s cousin Stephanie drove down from Santa Fe just to see us. We had a great time as always and I guess so much so that we all forgot to mark the occasion with a photo! So there. No pictures for you. But lots of great memories nonetheless.

So there you have it. Another day in the books. Getting closer to California!

Carving routes