Midpoint Route 66 at Adrian
Today yours truly driving and Doug navigating.
Breakfast at 6.30 so that we can get away to an early start. Heading down to Palo Duro National Park,about 40 kms south of Amarillo. It’s quite a change from the very flat scenery of the plains and something of a mini Grand Canyon. Do a drive through the area and return for coffee ( the usual insipid American Variety ) at a cafe in the park.
Return north to Amarillo and set off west out of the city. First glitch when we end up in a cul de sac but we soon get back on I 40 and make our way to what is apparently one of the must-sees on Route 66- the Cadillac Ranch. This comprises 10 Cadillacs planted nose-down in the soil and people are encouraged to paint graffiti on them. Sadly, this leads to the empty aerosol cans being strewn cross the paddock near to the display- not a pretty sight. Mick and Doug are quite taken with the ‘ranch’ but I am underwhelmed by it and Fred doesn’t even get out of the car.
Continue our journey west through some flat, uninspiring scenery and eventually arrive at Adrian, the halfway point on Route 66. We stop to enjoy a drink and one of the delicious ” ugly crust pies””at the Mid Point Cafe.
The famous Midpoint Cafe’s pie.
About 30 k s further on we cross into New Mexico and proceed to Tucumcari where the two Micons ( Mick’s icons ) are the famed Blue Swallow Motel, which we do find and the Tee Pee Curios which we cannot locate!
We had intended to stay the next night at Tucumcari but ,given the fact that the clocks have gone back one hour we decide to continue on to Santa Rosa. This too offers very little special so we take the opportunity to get further ahead of the timetable by making Santa Fe our target for the day.
At Dillia Doug takes over the driving with Mick in the navigator’s seat. Arriving in Romeroville we take a side-trip north to Las Vegas ( not the one in Nevada )
This town was settled in 1835 and over the centuries has been inhabited native Americans, Spanish conquerors, Anglo settlers, robber barons, desperadoes etc.
Doc Holliday moved here in 1879 and was soon followed by friend Wyatt Earp. Butch Cassidy worked here as a bartender and Bob Ford, saloon keeper later killed Jesse James.
The town has a long connection with films and the town fire station appears in a scene from Easy Rider where Jack Nicholson’s character decides to hit the road with Peter Fonda and Dennis Hopper.
The Spanish influence evidenced by the large plaza and the numerous colonial buildings, notably Hotel La Castaneda and El Fidel Hotel. We don’t find the fire station or the Fidel Hotel but catch sight of La Castenada as we leave town on the main highway!
Lady in local gift shop informs us that she now lives in the house that was Doc Holliday’s abode.
Head south and then west on 66 to first Pecos and then through the Glorieta Pass, at 7500 feet above sea level the highest point on 66. This is also the site of the bloody Civil War Battle of Glorieta. We also pass the Starvation Peak which was clearly not named after this group of Amigos!
Arrive in Santa Fe mid-afternoon and seem to take many a circuitous route through the town before locating the Silver Saddle Hotel, a traditional cowboy hotel, of the type which had been on Mick’s wish list for some time. Very reasonably priced and offering all that we need.
Dinner at the quasi Mexican Plaza Grill and then stock up on grog for late night drinks.
M and D buy some Paesano wine @ $ 8 which could double up up as a paint stripper and laxative ( the latter becoming critical for Doug )
F and I settle for a very fine red from Napa Valley.
Worse than it looks!
A few things have emerged during the last few days namely ,
Choosing between NatSav Karen and our own front seat navigator is becoming a real dilemma as they are both equally incompetent.
Secondly, Mick’s direction-finding is now totally governed by the location of the next liquor shop.
Thirdly, we have a kitty for petrol which is controlled by Mick. The strange thing is that we have now each contributed $ 100 each and the vehicle seems to be very economical. However, at the same time Mick seems to be able to purchase gifts at each gift shop without any noticeable deterioration in his personal finances! Santa Fe is a veritable Alladin’s Cave for gifts and it was a worrying sign when over dinner Mick hinted that it might be time for us all to make another contribution to the kitty!
Tomorrow we will spend the morning in Santa Fe and then head on to Albuquerque ( 100 miles away ).
Cheers
The Obese Ferret.
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