I stopped at the 66 Diner in Albuquerque as the first 66 stop, but honestly, I think it is totally skippable - although my food was delicious, it felt like a tourist trap and there were a lot of buses with elderly and Asian tourists snapping photos and ooh-ing and aah-ing over Elvis kitsch.
I got a mint chocolate chip malt and it was weird. I think, in the future, my malt flavor will be limited to vanilla.
I got the chicken fried chicken with mashed potatoes, fries and brown gravy. The gravy was extra super delicious.
The chicken fried chicken is hand breaded and it was also very yummy.
My real Route 66 experience was in Tucumcari, NM. I stayed at the Blue Swallow Motel and I cannot recommend it highly enough.
The Blue Swallow has been open for business since 1939 and the current owners, Kevin & Nancy, are incredibly dedicated to ensuring travelers today have the same kind of nostalgic experience.
They've spent a lot of time restoring rooms, and each one is unique. They are New Mexico transplants, but love Tucumcari and its history. They've got a proposal before the city council now that would restore the historic neon along the 66 corridor.
I stayed in Room 5. They refer to this room as "the quiet corner" because the garage on one side is for storage, and Room 6 is currently being renovated so its empty. I love that I picked the quiet corner instinctively!
Working rotary phone - LOVE IT!
I loved these lamps.
Coincidentally Winged Victory is the name of my very favorite statue aka Nike of Samothrace.
I happened to be there on National Toasted Marshmallow Day so Kevin & Nancy were hosting a S'more party at their fire pit. I don't usually go to stuff like that, but I did walk over just to say hi, and ended up staying for an hour or so talking to some fascinating people. They try and do fun stuff like this once a week or so.
The next day as I was checking out I mentioned that I usually buy local Root Beer for T3 whenever I travel. Kevin suggested I stop at Pop's on Route 66 just outside of Oklahoma City (my next destination) and browse their gigantic soda collection.
Pop's has create your own six-packs and I got T3 Route (66) Beer, and a six pack of weird soda flavors for myself.
I don't know that I would commit to traveling the entire historic route, but I certainly GOT MY KICKS ON ROUTE 66!
