Route 66 Photos: Day 6, New Mexico

We followed and leap-frogged members of this caravan group for two days. We stopped to talk to one of them in a gift shop, which was interesting. If we had a ham radio, we could have spoken longer.
We tried to visit the Tucumcari dinosaur museum, but it does not open until noon. While we waited for it to open, we tootled down the road to the Historical Society Museum. I am glad we did — there was so much to see!
More photos from the grounds of the museum.
Inside the annex building sits a "Victory" Rotary Wurlitzer. A World War II-era jukebox, which clearly has seen better days. However, it is still so very beautiful.
The second time we went to the Dinosaur Museum we were greeted with this sign. We can go in now.
Not only is it possible to ride horses out west, it is also possible to ride a dinosaur.
Inside the dinosaur museum, in addition to fossils, bones, and statues, we also found the ultimate sandbox. By rearranging the sand, the lights changed colours to map out the changing topography.
And by holding your hand in one place, you can make it rain.
A Route 66 predecessor (Beale’s Wagon Road) was created in the late 19th century when Edward Fitzgerald Beale was charged with finding the best way to reach California from several points east. He made use of the army’s camels (the army had a camel corps!!), providing the inspiration for Motel Safari’s name and logo.
The doors at the motel are decorated in a retro style.
Although Elvis never stayed at the Safari Motel, over the years a number of other musicians have. In that number is the Wanda Jackson, the Queen of Rockabilly, who toured with Elvis in 1955. Perhaps this Elvis is simply picking her up for a concert.
The walls are painted with retro adds.
Some ads are little more shocking by today’s standards.
Thanks to tourists, historical societies, matching grants, and a love of all things Route 66, many neon signs have reappeared along this stretch of 66 in Tucumcari.
Some stores do not appear to have changed at all since opening in 1940.
Not all of Route 66 is historic and rough. Much of the old highway through New Mexico was covered over by Interstate 40.
Cuervo, New Mexico was one of the towns hurt by the replacement of Route 66 with the Interstate. However, people do still hang on here, as seen by this well-kept church. Other than this church, though, the town was quite desolate.
Just outside Santa Fe we stopped to photograph a lovely chapel on a dead-end section of Route 66.
The church stands near a Santa Fe trail marker, anther sign that this church used to see a lot more traffic.

A day at the Zoo

Alternate title: We are hot, sweaty, exhausted, cranky and all we want to do is go home. Or Pet the Sting Rays.