10th Anniversary, Day 2 - Route 66!

We got into Tucumcari, NM late on Wednesday night and stopped at the first place we came to. Imagine our disappointment next morning when we found out we were on old Route 66 and had NOT stayed in one of the historic motels! We were bitterly disappointed, but we stopped to get some photos and decided to spend the rest of the day exploring the old highway from Tucumcari, NM to Shamrock, TX. We vowed to come back to Tucumcari on our return trip just so we could stay in an old motel.

Phil poses next to the Route 66 monument.

This was my favorite sign.

But nothing beats 100% refrigerated air!

Many of the buildings in Tucumcari had murals painted on the side.  This one was on the side of the Blue Swallow.  Phil has been compared to James Dean by people who saw him at the indie game developer's conference last month.  

Apparently this junk shop was Paul McCartney's favorite stop on Route 66 when he came through last summer.  We thought it was pretty swell too, although we didn't buy anything.

My favorite thing in "Things" was this patchwork El Camino belonging to the owner.  It runs on propane.  

Typical tourist trap...

...so naturally we had to go in.

I wanted to eat here but it was closed.  

Not far east of Tucumcari, Route 66 turned into a dirt farm road.  We wanted to stop and use these "Modern Restrooms", but they looked a bit more antiquated than the boldly painted sign suggested.  

The sad little ghost town of Glenrio welcomed us to Texas.  This sign used to read "FIRST MOTEL IN TEXAS".  The other side read "LAST MOTEL IN TEXAS".

Dead car at an abandoned service station.  

This deserted diner makes the El Camino look brand new.  

I'm almost positive this truck was the inspiration for Mater's character in the Pixar movie, "Cars".  

Adrian, TX, the midpoint of Route 66.

MidPoint Cafe is the home of the "Ugly Crust Pie" and has been in continuous operation since 1928.

"Get your kicks on Route 66!"

This Impala is awaiting restoration.  It's difficult to see in this photo, but can you spot the chrome rocket ship on the side?  

A beautifully restored Ford Fairlane in Amarillo, TX.

Cadillac Ranch, Amarillo, TX

Phil was strangely amused by this sign.

Ten little Cadillacs all in a row.

Phil poses with his favorite, the '59 Caddy with the super-big fins.
    

This thing on the axle was sticking its tongue out at us!

Bug Ranch in Conway, TX - a parody of the original Cadillac Ranch.

It matches my shirt and hat!

That about sums it up!

This cross is 190 feet tall and is the largest in the Western Hemisphere. It can be seen from a distance of 20 miles on a clear day. 

The leaning water tower of Britten, TX.

I loved this Texaco station in Alanreed, TX. It was built in 1930 and is no longer operational, but was restored by the Route 66 historical society.

A tribute to barbed wire!

Loved this yard art.

Another beautifully restored gas station, this one in McLean, TX.

Phillips 66 gets its name from Route 66.

This is one of the most beautiful and famous buildings on all of Route 66. It is the old Conoco station and U-Drop Inn in Shamrock, TX. It was built in 1936 in the old art deco style and has recently been restored, but is not currently in use.    
    

An old gas pump. I love how the sale can't even go above $9.99 and the price per gallon can't go above $0.99. Those were the days!  
    

The U-Drop Inn and Conoco are beautiful at night even though the building is only partially lit up.  
    

We stayed at the Shamrock Inn, which was disappointingly updated except for the lovely pink and mint bathroom. We were hoping for Magic Fingers, the famous coin-operated vibrating beds, but we were sadly disappointed in that department.