Two Lane Adventures: August 14th, 2021 … Summer of Fun continues! Day 18 Route 66 Caravan

Today was a travel day, we moved from Oasis RV Resort in Amarillo Texas to KOA in Tucumcari New Mexico. It’s a 100 mile drive, easy, easy!

Leaving Amarillo we passed thru Bushlawn. The Chicago, Rock Island and Gulf Railway is responsible for Bushland. Named for Chicagoan William Henry Bush, he gave the land for the township and granted the railroad a right-of-way. The town was formally dedicated on July 3, 1908 and Bush's brother, Brother Charles B. Bush, opened a post office there in January 1909. Bushlawn is home of the Falcons. As you can see school pride is high in Texas! The Bushland Falcons compete in the following sports: Cross Country, Volleyball, Football, Wrestling, Basketball, Golf, Track & Field, Bowling, Softball and Baseball.

Eldorado TX home to a million cows! Lucky for us, the wind was blowing in the right direction!

On the frontage road (historic Route 66) to I-40, we found an old filling station that had become home to a truck graveyard and defunct grain elevator operation. I guess, these are just more modern day remnants of Route 66!

Adrian began in 1900 when the Rock Island Railroad survey marked the site as a future station and shipping point. Settlement of the area was slow until the railroad was completed into town in 1908. The railroad ran 22 miles south of Tascosa through the Oldham County communities of Adrian, Landergin, Ontario, Vega and Wildorado. In 1908, Adrian was the end of the line for the Rock Island Railroad, so the train had to turn around in Vega and back into Adrian. By 1910, the railroad had extended to Tucumcari, NM. The railroad ran along the Ozark Trail, which later became Route 66. Route 66 was heavily traveled and provided an economic boon for the town. The Giles Hotel was a famous landmark of early Adrian, which later became the Adrian Mercantile and the Adrian Community Center.

Adrian, Texas is the geometrical "Midpoint" of Historic Route 66" with 1139 miles to Chicago and 1139 miles to Los Angeles. The town's motto is "When you are here, you're halfway there." Gas stations, cafes, mechanic shops and hotels were built along the road. The current Interstate 40 bypasses Adrian, diverting traffic around the town.

However, travelers who know the area, always make it a point to stop in Adrian to take photos at the Midpoint sign and markings, plus stop to enjoy the delicious hamburgers and ugly crust pies served up at the Mid-Point Cafe. We brought most of our caravan to Adrian for a photo opportunity and some pie-to-go!

The café has been featured in numerous magazines, books, internet articles and documentaries. Drop into the Midpoint Cafe, which was run by the woman who inspired the character Flo in the animated feature "Cars." The owners now are friendly, helpful and accommodating! Our group purchased large quantities of pies to go! The café is a true icon on Route 66, it is also known for its breakfast and burgers.

It is home to the world famous “Midpoint Ugly” and the Elvis Pie. Yesterday, I had the Chocolate Peanut Butter. Today, I have a piece of the Elvis, to go … Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana! Yum, Yum, Yum!

The ladies were sad to see us go!

We crossed into New Mexico, with a little more of a welcome than Texas gave us!

Russell's Truck Center is in Glenrio on the Texas-New Mexico border, Route 66 headed west and passed through San Jon on its way to Tucumcari. Further west were the towns of Montoya, Newkirk, Cuervo and Santa Rosa. We stopped at the Russell Travel Center for a rest and refuel and found this unique trailer in the lot. Hats off to Quest Trucking out of Cartersville Georgia! It's a beauty and when I learned "the rest of the story" it made it more special to me. Faces of Freedom is the name of the truck we found. The soldiers featured on our Faces of Freedom design are members of our community who served during the conflicts named. These individuals and their families were gracious enough to provide their images and allow us to use them. But wait, there is more!

photo from Quest Trucking

Their POW/MIA design pays respect to all those Prisoners of War and those declared Missing in Action. By bringing awareness to these service members and their sacrifices, we hope to be true to our proclamation that they will never be forgotten. Their first trailer design is an homage to many of America's most iconic symbols including the inaugural words of the Declaration of Independence, the Bald Eagle, the Statue of Liberty, the Marine Corps War Memorial and representations from all branches of the military.

photo from Quest Trucking

The Fallen Valor trailer features a somber image from the Normandy American Cemetery and a folded flag, our Fallen Valor design honors all service members killed in action.

photo from Quest Trucking

The Honoring Women trailer has the iconic Rosie the Riveter, one of our latest designs honors women who've served in the armed forces, made war-time contributions outside of the military and of course those who've supported so many military families through the generations.

photo from Quest Trucking

Their tribute to the Pearl Harbor has a prominent Uncle Sam depiction, our Pearl Harbor design visualizes air craft carriers in Pearl Harbor, HI along with President F. D. Roosevelt's notable quote "A date that will live in infamy" referring to December 7, 1941. There is also a free car museum at this travel center, but I was too mesmerized by the truck, to go any further. It reminds me of the 42nd ID brothers & sisters in arms, we lost in Iraq, Afghanistan and as a result of their service in the War on Terrorism.

We are back on I-40 after our fuel stop and on our way to Tucumcari after only a 42 mile trip. It is an active city with a variety of vintage motels, murals, neon signs and services for Route 66 fans and travelers.

Founded in 1901, Tucumcari is located in Quay County and has a population of over 5,000 residents. Tucumcari is the largest city between Amarillo and Albuquerque, and has long used the slogan "Tucumcari Tonite!"

Early 1900s aerial view of Tucumcari, New Mexico, with its namesake mountain in the background. Early 1900s aerial view of Tucumcari, New Mexico, with its namesake mountain in the background. For decades, Tucumcari has been a popular stop for travelers on Interstate 40 and previously Route 66. Many businesses, service stations, restaurants and motels were built to accommodate tourists as they traveled through the city on the Mother Road.

Today, Historic U.S. Route 66 continues to pass through the center of Tucumcari via Route 66 Boulevard. A large number of the vintage motels, restaurants and gift shops built in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s are still in business. One of the more famous hotels here is the Blue Swallow Motel.

We visited the Tee Pee Curios. Its a concrete wigwam fused into the front of a souvenir shop, part of the magical tapestry of Route 66. Last of the original Route 66 curio shops in New Mexico, don't miss it! The Tee Pee Curios is one of the only remaining curio shops in New Mexico. Starting out as a gas and grocery store in the 1940's when Route 66 was only two lanes, they lost their gas pumps with the widening of the road. When I-40 bypassed Route 66, then marked the ending of an era and many towns along the route suffered.

Tucumcari, New Mexico is still rooted firmly in the Land of Enchantment, and we've chosen it for good reason: it's an artist's paradise. Sometimes called "the Heart of the Mother Road," Tucumcari gives off this groovy, arts vibe with all of its murals. Tucumcari is known for being on Route 66, but they have also earned the reputation as the "City of Murals". They have over 30 life-size murals done by local artists throughout the city.