Route 66 Adventure: Day 8 – From Shamrock, TX to Tucumcari, NM – Murals, Pies, and a Sprayed-Up Cadillac

Day 8 and another fantastic day on the road! We left Shamrock, TX, this morning around 8.30am, ready to take on another 260-mile stretch, but we had a few stops planned before we said goodbye to Texas. I have really enjoyed my time here—hard to believe I lived in this state over 30 years ago! It's been great to revisit the Lone Star state, and I'm already planning my next visit to Dallas. But first, Route 66 called, so we packed up and hit the road.

Texas Murals – Where to Park? Oh, Anywhere but in Front of the Mural!

As we drove out of Shamrock, we made a few quick stops for photos of murals. We found that early morning is the best time to get these shots without any cars parked in front of them—trust me, it's a fine art. We also managed to catch the Magnolia
that we had missed the night before—because apparently, driving all day and then going out in the dark doesn't make you the best mural-hunter.

McLean – A Tiny Restored Gas Station

Our first stop of the day was in McLean, where we found a fully restored but not yet open gas station. It was tiny, but so charming. I’m starting to notice that all the original Route 66 service stations are much smaller than what we see nowadays. It’s like stepping into a time capsule. Very cute!

Groom – The Leaning Tower of Texas

Next, we made a pit stop in Groom, home to the Leaning Tower of Texas. Standing at a lean, it’s hard to believe this tower has survived so many years, but it seems to be doing just fine with the water tank perched on top. I have to wonder if it’s designed to lean or if it’s just a very creative engineering feat.

After a quick fuel-up, we headed over to see the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. This towering cross is visible from miles away, standing proudly in the middle of a massive wind farm. We’ve seen plenty of wind turbines on our travels, but this cross really caught our attention, especially with the surrounding monuments that add a thoughtful touch. The feeling of peace here is quite humbling.

Amarillo – “Is This the Way to Amarillo?”

As we drove into Amarillo, I had Tony Christie’s “(Is This The Way To) Amarillo” stuck in my head, so naturally, we had to look it up and play it as we rolled into town. First stop: The Bug Ranch, where they have Volkswagens buried nose-first in the ground. Yes, really. You can spray paint them, and I, of course, couldn't resist adding our initials and "NZ" to one of the cars. It felt like we were making our mark on Route 66.

The American Quarter Horse Museum – Bronze Statues Galore

Next, we visited the American Quarter Horse Museum (link: American Quarter Horse Museum) because Lia wanted to snap photos of the bronze statues outside. These horses are her favourite, and to be fair, American sculptors know how to do a bronze statue right. We also visited a couple of visitor centres to get our stamps for the Route 66 passport. Spoiler alert: I found yet another Texas T-shirt to add to my ever-growing collection.

Vega – Pies and More Pies

On the way out of Amarillo, we made a brief stop in Vega to visit the local museum for a stamp, and we met a lovely guy who let us use a 1930s printing press to print a message on the back of our free postcard. 

He also recommended we check out Mama Jo’s Pies & Sweets down the road , where she’s famous for her Ugly Pie Crust (a recipe originally served at the Midway Point Café). I couldn’t resist, and the fresh coconut pie that just came out of the oven was unreal. Lia tried the lemon pie, and we both agreed that these pies might just be the best we’ve had so far on this trip. I think I need a pie break after all this pie.

Cadillac Ranch – Spray Paint Your Mark

Then came Cadillac Ranch (link: Cadillac Ranch),

 where we added our spray-painted signatures to a few classic Cadillacs. The place was alive with graffiti, as some people were really going to town with their art. It's amazing how much creativity a spray can can unleash!

Midway Point Café – The Roadside Diner Experience

As we neared the halfway point of our journey, we stopped at the Midway Point Café for lunch. We were now officially over 1,000 miles into the trip, and the diner experience was a true roadside classic. I had the grilled cheese sandwich, and Lia opted for the burger. Both were incredible. The atmosphere was exactly what you'd expect from a Route 66 diner—old-school charm with a side of great food.

Tucumcari, NM – Neon Dreams

By the time we arrived in Tucumcari, the scenery had changed dramatically. New Mexico is stunning, and it’s like the landscape itself welcomes you with open arms. We took a quick drive around the town, which is a bit run-down, but the hospitality and smiles from the locals really make up for it. We checked into our Tristar Inn Xpress (room 102—what a treat) and took a well-deserved rest.

Later in the evening, we ventured out for some photos of the neon signs, and BlueSwallow Motel was the real star. The neon was amazing, and they even let visitors walk around the motel at night. Guests sit outside their rooms on tables and chairs, chatting to each other and greeting walkers like us. Small-town USA at its best!

---

Tomorrow, we’re taking a slight detour from Route 66 for something a little different. Stay tuned for more adventures! 🚗💨