The Outlet Source: Tucumcari: The Blue Swallow

Sunset in Tucumcari

Destiny's powerful hand has made the bed of my future, and it's up to me to lie in it. I am destined to be a superhero. To right wrongs, and to pound two-fisted justice into the hearts of evildoers everywhere. And you don't fight destiny. No sir. And, you don't eat crackers in the bed of your future, or you get all... scratchy.

- The Tick

After Oklahoma, we were New Mexico-bound. What an absolutely beautiful place! I had no idea...

I found this little motel, The Blue Swallow, which received rave reviews on Yelp. It turned out to be my favorite place during the entire trip. The husband and wife who run this little motel, which was a huge deal when Route 66 was still being used, are incredibly kind and hospitable people. I'm not kidding... if you are ever in the area, stay at this place. I am seriously saying that over the 3,000 mile trip, I loved this the most.

The sheets on these beds smelled as though my own mother had washed them.

When we arrived, our dog played with their dogs in the front driveway; they helped us unload the car and showed us to our room; and we talked about where we had been and the history of the motel as if we'd all been friends for a while.

They suggested this place in town to get great Mexican food and margaritas. It was perfect! After dinner, the kids hung out on the front porch of our room and we relaxed and contemplated world domination.

A shut down old drive-in

Saddled up at the diner

The next morning, I was up early with the dog for a run. The town of Tucumcari is completely run down. But it has a charm... maybe it was the sunrise, or the silence on the streets. I just liked it. When I arrived back at the motel, I had coffee with the owners and we all discussed life and travel. It felt like home- like having coffee with my parents; or at the very least, my dearest Uncle and Aunt.

We left and had breakfast at a great little diner, and then were headed for Gallup, NM, the Petrified Forest, and the Painted Dessert.

The trip was almost over and we were ready for California. Halloween was right around the corner, and I had no idea what to do to make it special for the girls. Hell, I had no idea where we would be! We were slated to drive into California on Halloween. If we stayed on track, I had a feeling the girls would be celebrating their first Halloween on a beach somewhere.