Road Trippin
When you pile in the family vehicle to hit the road to New Mexico’s ski country, think of the drive as part of the fun. By Neala Schwartzberg
You’ve loaded the suitcases, strapped the skis and boards onto the roof, packed the snacks and hit the gas station. Let the family road trip begin!
Getting your Kicks
If you’re coming from Oklahoma City on I-40 east, you’re following
Historic Route 66 — or the Will Rogers Highway, Main Street of America, the Mother Road. Whatever you choose to call it, Route 66 has plenty of quirky attractions, from deco architecture to modern art installations.
The town of Yukon, Oklahoma (Garth Brooks’ birthplace) boasts rare black-and-white Clydesdales. Visit these giant horses in their 1936 barn at
Express Clydesdales located at 12701 W. Wilshire Blvd.;
405-350-6404.
In Clinton, explore Route 66 history at the
Oklahoma Route 66 Museum operated by the Oklahoma Historical Society. It’s billed as containing “The World’s Largest Curio Cabinet” filled with mementos from along the route. There’s an audio tour, plus cars and music from the Mother Road’s most popular era. 2229 West Gary Blvd.;
580-323-7866.
Amarillo by Morning
As you cruise through the Texas panhandle (on I-40) discover the Irish charm of Shamrock, a town established by an Irish sheep rancher. In 1959 a piece of famous stone from County Cork, Ireland, was brought to Shamrock by the chamber of commerce. It’s mounted in Elmore Park.
Devil's Rope Museum by Bill McKibbon
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Just a bit farther west, McLean is home to the
Devil’s Rope Museum. 100 Kingsley Street;
806-779-2225;
www.barbwiremuseum.com. Even if you aren’t an aficionado of thorny metal fencing, you’ll still be amazed at the variety of barbed wire and its fascinating history.
Often called the Capital of the Panhandle, Amarillo survived the death of Route 66. Today, enjoy the
American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame and Museum with interactive and educational exhibits providing an introduction to the American Quarter Horse. 2601 East I-40;
806-376-5181;
www.quarterhorsemuseum.com.
If iron horses are more your style, check out
Madame Queen — Santa Fe Locomotive No. 5000. The restoration of this historic train is the project of the Railroad Artifact Preservation Society.
806-674-0472;
www.railroadartifactpreservation.org.
Then it’s on to spray-painted, graffiti-adorned
Cadillacs outside Amarillo — you can see them from I-40 if you keep your eyes on the south side of the freeway as you leave Amarillo heading west. If you want a closer view, get off at Exit 60 and take the frontage road on the south side of I-40.
A few miles down the road at Exit 96 off I-40 is Conway, known as the home of
Bug Ranch. Enjoy the Volkswagen equivalent of Cadillac Ranch. It’s smaller but just as charming.
Crossing State Lines
Once you cross over into New Mexico, stop in Tucumcari for the
17 wall murals painted by Doug and Sharon Quarles. This brick-into-canvas art celebrates the town’s history and culture, including the Mother Road. Stop at the visitors’ center and pick up a map, or visit
www.tucumcarinm.com.
Also in Tucumcari is the world’s largest collection of bronze skeletons, fossils, and replicas of prehistoric creatures. Visit them at Mesalands Community College’s Dinosaur Museum. 222 East Laughlin Street;
www.mesalands.edu/museum.
Texas Road Trip
Coming along I-20, visit the alleged
world’s largest jackrabbit in Odessa, located at N. Sam Houston Ave. and W. 8th St. Pick up a recipe for rabbit while you’re there. 1-800-780-HOST (4678);
www.odessacvb.com/meet_jack_ben_rabbit.
Coming from Houston along I-10, stop in San Antonio for a visit to
Barney Smith’s Toilet Seat Art Museum at 239 Abiso Ave., Alamo Heights. He is eager for visitors, but call first —
210-824-7791. People from 65 foreign countries have visited and signed in.
www.unusualmuseums.org/toilet.
Roswell
Alien Autopsy by John Miller
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Little Green Men
It doesn’t get any more out-of-this-world than
Roswell’s International UFO Museum and Research Center. Inspired by the crash of an alleged flying saucer, known as The Roswell Incident, the museum provides a nice overview of UFO events. For more information contact the Museum at 114 N. Main, Roswell;
575-625-9495;
www.roswellufomuseum.com.
Giant Farm Animals
Along I-25 just north of Las Cruces, Hatch is home to famous New Mexico green chiles, but also to giants. There are jumbo figures at all entrances to the city, including a huge pink pig and a giant rooster mounted on top of a GMC Suburban. Farther into town find A&W Root Beer’s Mama and Papa atop Sparky’s Burgers, Barbecue, and Espresso (Exit 41, one mile south on Hwy 26/Franklin St.) as well as other iconic figures in front. Newly installed is one of the old bulls from the Sirloin Stockade restaurant.
So no matter where you plan to ski in New Mexico this winter, visit the weird and wonderful along the way for a spectacular journey.
