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Tucumcari, New Mexico (1st Night of Western Road Trip)
Since 1940
More Than a Sign  There's a lot more than a cool sign at Blue Swallow. There's a tidy pink stucco office with a glass block fountain nearby. Family Owned  We were welcomed by Cameron Mueller who runs the motel with his wife... at least until the end of their 5 week run. Then Cameron's parents come on duty. He said he didn't know how his mom and dad used to run the place on their own. He stood behind the original desk where an earlier owner, Mrs. Redmond used to check in guests... even when she was in a wheelchair 1998. Mrs. Redman's Influence
Lillian Redman started making the property homey when she and her husband purchased the property in 1958. Today, there are still welcoming places to sit... and hang your laundry. The Redmans updated with the current neon sign, which used the modern term "motel" instead of motor court. They stuck it out, even when I-40 opened and fewer travelers drove Rt. 66. Lillian always offered guests a copy of her benediction to Travelers (with lots of words about peace and rest) and if guests didn't have enough money, she allowed them to pay with whatever they could. Our Room, Number 11  We had a few colorful chairs near our little blue door and our awning covered window and porch step! We also had a garage tucked in between our room and the next. It was a tight squeeze, though. And cars were so much bigger then! Conveniences of Home!  We dreamed about this nearby laundry room a couple weeks later. On day one of our 4-week trip we had not accumulated laundry. Garages  The garage on the right was ours. The garages with blue doors had been converted to the laundry and storage rooms. You gotta love a motel with garages! Colors and Shells  This section of the L-shaped motel, shows the original colors and a newer neon sign. There are shells in the texture of the entire motel stucco, but the multi-colored paint job in this area, spotlights the very fine seashells! Our Room  I love it that the interior decor is pretty consistent with the motel design. The bed was a bit too Western for me, but I loved the Chenille spread! Love the Lamps!
I really don't know if any of these lamps are original, but they are just so darn fun that I don't care! The phone was the real deal. Black and White!
I'm happy to put up with a little inconvenience when enjoying some real vintage. I love the old sink that required a plug, if you want to mix hot and cold to wash your face! And who needs a bathroom fan when you have nifty shower window for steam control! The best part was that it was all vintage AND clean! There was even a stamp of approval on the folded end of the toilet paper roll! Making Use
Car Posing  I made Don pose with the old Ponitac before we walked down to dinner. There were numerous neon signs decorating the dark sky by the time we made it to Del's for dinner. What's Most Notable?
The Blue Swallow was all about embracing that time. Luxurious? Not at all. Comfy? Very!
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Ninety Notable
Nights My New Year's Resolution for 2014 was to start documenting some of the memorable overnights I've had in some very odd and curious motels and hotels. Like the adventures in my Dining Blog, I have learned to enjoy the surprises that happen when you step out of the comfort zone, far away from the well-known chains. I began with a few entries recalling my very first home away from home memories from my youth. Then, I started sharing about some of the quirky and unforgettable motels, hotels and inns that my husband and I have discovered in recent years. The best part about this challenge was making some lists with Don and getting on the road in search of new overnight adventures. I gave myself a 2-year goal to write up 90 stories and the goal was met. Now we just keep on adding! Archives
March 2021
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