Welcome to New Mexico!

VERY old Route 66 section through Endee NM. Once paved, the Mother Road has now reverted to dirt and gravel. This is a VERY lonely stretch of the old road with abandoned and ruined buildings met occasionally. I swear I could hear duelling banjos in the distance!

Abandoned Tourist Complex 'Modern Rest Room', Endee NM - long abandoned.

Endee NM is just a name on a map now. This is an abandoned tourist complex slowly rotting away in the dry climate.

Old Route 66 running along on the north side of I-40 near Bard NM.

This abandoned tourist complex seems to be all that remains of Bard NM.

Main Street, San Jon NM. This is another place which appears to have been MUCH bigger at one time.

Abandoned Diner & Bar 'Pour House', San Jon NM. Clever, LOL!

Abandoned Motel Complex, San Jon NM; one of many we saw in this disappearing town. Note the unusual way the front awning has collapsed.

Abandoned Ninth Street Motel, San Jon NM.

Abandoned Western Motel & its rusty neon sign, San Jon NM.

Abandoned Drive-In Diner & its neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

Abandoned Economy Inn Motel in Tucumcari NM was once a reasonable sized place but like so many other closed businesses it looks like the owners just didn't come to work one day. The rooms even contained ALL the fittings still - bed, TV etc but have been broken into and trashed. The swimming pool, office etc are all still in place. Sheesh.

The abandoned Ranch House Cafe and its neon sign, Tucumcari NM. No Mexican meals here anymore.

This abandoned Trading Post still displays its old neon sign in Tucumcari NM. It seemed to have offered boot repairs.

"Tucumcari Tonight!" urges the street signage and the Apache Motel's neon sign speaks of a welcome resting place in the general abandonement.

Buckaroo Motel and neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

The famous Blue Swallow Motel and its iconic neon sign has long been a Route 66 mainstay in Tucumcari NM. It's been fully renovated by new owners now.

The abandoned Lasso Motel neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

The Lizard Lounge and famous Pow Wow Inn neon signs, Tucumcari NM.

Main Street Tucumcari NM must have been a VERY busy place once.

Main Street Route 66 "road art", Tucumcari NM.

The Palomino Motels eye catching neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

Paradise Motel and neon sign, Tucumcari NM.

The Pony Soldier Motel offers high plains hospitality, Tucumcari NM.

Rubees Diner offered a good New Mexican meal, Tucumcari NM.

Route 66 as a frontage road to I-40 heading west out of Tucumcari NM.

Old Route 66 as a frontage road north of I-40 near Cuervo NM.

First the Gas Station Complex was abandoned then someone dumped a car here - what a picture of decrepitude, Cuervo NM.

Crumbling building, Cuervo NM.

The Route 66 Auto Museum is worth a visit on the way into Santa Rosa NM.

Route 66 Auto Museum Classic Cars highlight, Santa Rosa NM.

The attractive stone-built Courthouse (1909), Santa Rosa NM.

Santa Rosa NM is graced by Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church.

The Blue Hole is a popular swimming spot in Santa Rosa NM.

The Comet II Restaurant in Santa Rosa NM was a welcoming sight.

Some nice New Mexican food, Comet II Restaurant, Santa Rosa NM.

Josephs Bar & Grill neon sign, Santa Rosa NM.

La Mesa Motel's neon sign is a splash of colour in the Santa Rosa NM night.

The Santa Fe Grill looked like another good place to eat in Santa Rosa NM.

The Route 66 Restaurant & its old neon sign, Santa Rosa NM.

The Sahara Lounge neon sign, Santa Rosa NM.

What a classic - the Sun n Sand Motel neon sign, Santa Rosa NM.

Welcome to Clines Corners NM. We broke away to the south here to visit Roswell NM - no no no we're not into all that alien thing (really we're not!). It was just a good excuse to see another part of the USA. Not being part of Route 66 I haven't included that leg in this site. We came back through minor roads and crossed I-40 heading north at Exit 256 and on up to Las Vegas NM and the Sante Fe loop of old Route 66.

We headed south on Highway US285 - this was typical of the 'scenery' near Clines Corners NM and it actually got WORSE as we went mile after dreary mile south to Roswell.

The abandoned Longhorn Ranch neon sign in lonely Wagon Wheel NM.

AND the abandoned Longhorn Ranch had a motel with a neon sign, Wagon Wheel NM.

The abandoned Zia RV Park, Wagon Wheel NM.

Main Street, Moriarty NM.

El Comedor Restaurant & its neon sign are well known on Route 66, Moriarty NM.

Frontier Bar and neon sign, Moriarty NM.

The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is the visual highlight in Dilia NM.

Tracking on OLD Route 66 through Dilia NM.

A local bar in Dilia NM.

Classic New Mexico scenery near Dilia NM.

Although not on old Route 66, Las Vegas NM was VERY close by and is so historic that I've included it in the "enhanced Route 66 experience"!. This is Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church, Las Vegas NM.

A pretty rotunda in the town square, Las Vegas NM.

The stylish and interesting Plaza Hotel is well worth visiting in Las Vegas NM.

Ornate old shops around the town square, Las Vegas NM.

Main Street, Las Vegas NM.

An interesting Antique Store & mural, Las Vegas NM.

This former Drug Store overlooks the square, Las Vegas NM.

This Village Square panoramic view is the best way to convey the sheer desolation of Tecolote NM.

Old Route 66 did pass through Tecolote NM MANY years ago. The bit that's left ends now at the pylons of this defunct bridge.

The Tecolote NM village Catholic Church dates back to 1845.

Looking from the high part of Tecolote NM back over ruined buildings and general decay.

Very scenic Route 66 roadway and New Mexico countryside near San Jose NM - I believe this is Glorieta Mesa.

Route 66 through San Jose NM ends at this closed 1921 Thru-Truss Bridge. I walked to the end but old Route 66 couldn't be discerned in the overgrowth and long grass.

Village scene, San Jose NM. This place has NOT thrived since it was bypassed!

The San Jose NM village Catholic Church dates to 1826.

Scenic countryside near Ilfield NM looking over I-25.

Pretty snow capped mountains near Ilfield NM.

Disused E T Padilla Grocery Store & Victory Bar has long guarded this spot in Rowe NM (I had previously described this building as abandoned but Michele, a family member, informed me that it was disused rather than abandoned and was still with the family).

If you're ever diving the old Santa Fe loop of old Route 66 be sure to visit Pecos National Historical Park NM.

In Pecos National Historical Park we got our first close view of the iconic cactus varieties endemic to New Mexico.

This rattlesnake warning in Pecos National Historical Park is not a joke! Jo is a bit scared of snakes and after seeing the sign I was having a bit of fun stirring him up about how they'd hear us coming and move away, how he could rely on his Dad to protect him etc hah ha. Then a brilliantly camouflaged rattlesnake reared up less than a foot from my leg in the grass beside the track. Holy shit we moved quickly!!!

The rattlesnake escaped over to this retaining wall, shaking its rattle all the way. Can you see it in the grass?

Here it is, zoomed in! I'm not sure who got the bigger fright, us or the snake!

Another classic village church, Canoncito NM.

The Bobcat Bite Diner is another Route 66 icon just outside Santa Fe NM.

Snow-capped mountains behind Santa Fe NM - very scenic but very chilly!

The Loretto Chapel is a jewel in the Santa Fe NM crown.

The Loretto Chapel's 'miraculous' stairway, Santa Fe NM.

San Miguel Catholic Church dates way WAY back to 1610, Santa Fe NM.

The Santa Fe NM San Miguel Catholic Church (1610) altar and ceiling.

Unfortunately the Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assissi in Santa Fe NM was under renovtions when we passed through.

Santa Fe NM Catholic Cathedral Basilica of St Francis of Assissi interior.

Santa Fe NM boast the odest house in the USA (1646).

The 66 Diner is another Mother Road icon, Albuquerque NM - love that art deco look.

The Aztec Motel in Albuquerque NM is another icon and certainly looks different.

Albuquerque NM turned out to be a trasure trove of great neon signs. Because we stayed overnight in town we were able to catch some of them at their colourful best. Here is the Aztec Motel neon sign.

The Bliss Building (Lindy's) on the corner of Central in downtown Albuquerque NM is another art deco influenced beauty.

Love the retro look of the Century Theatre, Albuquerque NM.

The Kimo Theatre in downtown Albuquerque NM is yet another Route 66 icon.

Here's a panoramic view of the city centre of Albuquerque NM. We loved Albuquerque and the blue skies and bright daylight really reminded us of Australia.

The Library Bar & Grill in Albuquerque NM - what a laugh. The "book" titles are "Gone with the gin", "Tequila mockingbird", A midsummer night's drink", "The wrath of grapes", "Lord of the onion rings" and "Partying 101".

I would like to have come back at night to see the Lobo Theatre neon sign lit up, Albuquerque NM.

Interesting mural, Albuquerque NM.

Nob Hill looked like an interesting "barrio", Albuquerque NM.

Street sculpture, Albuquerque NM.

Sunshine Theatre, Albuquerque NM - what a beauty.

Garcia's Cafe neon sign lights up the early evening, Albuquerque NM.

Eating too much again! This time at Garcia's Cafe, Albuquerque NM.

Closed Route 66 Malt Shop & Grill, Albuquerque NM.

We stayed at the Monterey Non-Smokers Motel in Albuquerque NM and can recommend it. Cool neon sign too.

Old town Albuquerque NM - Rattlesnake Museum.

La Placita has long been a fixture on the old town square, Albuquerque NM.

Here's an interesting panoramic view of the leafy town square in the old town of Albuquerque NM.

An impressive Old Town statue, Albuquerque NM.

San Felipe de Neri Catholic Church, old town Albuquerque NM.

We crossed the Rio Grande, Albuquerque NM!

The Westward Ho Motel Neon seemed to be ushering us west out of Albuquerque NM.

Closed 1933 Through Truss Bridge, Rio Puerco NM.

The Route 66 Casino didn't lure us in, Rio Puerco NM.

Owl Rock, Mesita NM.

Dead Mans Curve & Route 66 Sign on road, just north of I-40, Mesita NM.

Interesting vista to snow capped mountains from I-40 Exit 117, Mesita NM.

This abandoned house was the view we had of Laguna NM from old Route 66 so we didn't approach any closer.

Budville Trading Company established 1928, Budville NM.

View across Budville NM to snow-capped Mt Taylor.

We spotted this Australian Flag in a house window in Cubero NM. Turns out the owner is an American who had lived in Australia for decades working in the opal industry. He invited us in and gave us a cup of tea after showing us over the renovations he was making to the building.

Villa de Cubero Trading Post (1937) of Hemmingway fame, Cubero NM.

Abandoned Whiting Brothers complex neon sign, San Fidel NM.

Santa Maria de Acoma Catholic Church, McCartys NM.

We followed Anzac Road past Valley Ranch at McCartys NM. ANZAC is an abbreviation with great significance to us standing for "Australia and New Zealand Army Corps", the name under which our troops fought in WW1. Thanks to Regina who advises "I happen to have a copy of New Mexico Place Names. The entry for ANZAC is as short as the "town" is small. Really just a railroad siding. The Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe railroad bestowed the name on this site during WWI in honor of Australia's, and New Zealand's contribution to the war effort."

The famous black lava flow near McCartys NM. The concrete in the foreground is a working aqueduct.

The Franciscan Lodge Motel & neon sign, Grants NM.

Grants Cafe offered good cheap food, Grants NM.

Neon Sign for demolished Bluewater Motel, Bluewater NM.

The Route 66 Swap Meet wasn't open when we passed through Prewitt NM - damn!

The now closed Red Mountain Market & Deli, Thoreau NM.

Abandoned Trading Post with interesting murals, Thoreau NM.

Continental Divide NM - separates the water drainage to the Pacific and to the Gulf of Mexico.

Chief Yellowhorse Trading Post, Defiance NM.

Devils Cliff NM cliff face and some humorous alterations to the warning sign.

Goodbye to New Mexico as we appreciate the view to Arizona from Devils Cliff NM.