Sunday, June 25, 2023

Tucumcari Tonite!


 Our lodging for this evening, the Blue Swallow Motel. Established in 1939, it's one of the longest continually operating lodging establishments on The Mother Road in New Mexico. According to the owner, the neon signage is pretty much a constant work in progress. Half of the lights were knocked out by hail in last week's spate of severe weather. Another icon checked off our Route 66 bucket list! 

 

2 comments:

Parm said...

I guess I don't have to ask if they have room service . . . .

yawndave said...

Yeah, there were no frills, but the room was spotless and everything worked (not always the case in lodgings, no matter the class) The owners were very welcoming and accommodating--I got a full tour of the place along with a history lesson upon check-in. When I went looking for something sweet for desert I discovered they didn't have a vending machine, but Robert went in the back room and returned with a couple chocolate-peanut butter treats from his own stash. He also makes a fine cup of coffee in the morning.

Tucumcari has seen better days--the main drag has abandoned buildings and empty storefronts and there's some post apocalyptic-looking ruins at the west end of town. However, according to the Blue Swallow's owner things are looking up since the pandemic. There are (slight) signs of improvement and investment visible to the casual visitor's eye. I can't speak for the other vintage lodging options in town, but the Blue Swallow is absolutely worth considering if you're looking for a place to spend the night.