The Buckaroo at Tucumcari

Tucumcari, New Mexico
Monday, July 3, 2006

By nightfall we navigated into New Mexico. When we saw signs leading to Tucumcari, we knew that's where we would rest for the night. As we cruised into town, Tom attempted to sing Little Feat's 1971 song, "Willin' "

I've been from Tuscon to Tucumcari,
Tehachapi to Tonapah

Driven every kind of rig that's ever been made
Now I driven the back roads so I wouldn't get weighed
And if you give me: weed, whites, and wine
and you show me a sign

I'll be willin', to be movin'

We could tell from the plethora of roadside motels with the half flickering neon signs that in it's heyday Tucumcari probably rocked, but that's when Route 66 paved the way west and went right through the town. But, Route 40 replaced the storied highway, veering traffic around the little town and Tucumcari quickly fell into a tired and sad state. The only things we encountered were the tumbleweeds. However, it did permit us to have our pick ofcheap spots to hang our hats for the night. Our favorite was the Buckaroo Motel for $20 buckaroos a night!

Tucumcari is named for the scenic flattop Tucumcari Mountains acting as a background for the city. The meaning of the word Tucumcari is a loose derivation of a Comanche word for "lookout."

Factoid: Tucumcari's median household income: $22,560; the median house value: $48,900. Once again we were reminded that it's not only the miles that are separating us from DC!