Blue Swallow Motel’s new owners revealed February 18, 2006
Posted by Ron in Attractions, Motels.trackback
The new proprieters of the famed Blue Swallow Motel on Route 66 in Tucumcari, N.M., will be Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson. They are a retired couple from Florida. The ownership change occur in early March, according to the Quay County Sun.
“We’ve been thinking about buying a motel for about 10 years,� Johnson said, “and Bill kept going back to this one, going back to this one.�
Dale and Hilda Bakke were the ones who restored the motel to its original splendor after they purchased it eight years ago.
“It’s kind of bittersweet,� Dale Bakke said of leaving the Blue Swallow’s nest. “We do like it here; we love New Mexico. This is a good town to live in, we like the smaller town and the people here.�
New owner Johnson said she and Kinder are sure to feel the same, especially since they’ve lived in New Mexico before and prefer small towns.
“There’s enough people, but not too many, like in Amarillo or Albuquerque,� she said.
“Bill likes all that nostalgic stuff,� Johnson said of one of the reasons they were drawn to the Blue Swallow.
“This place has got a lot of heart,� she said, “a lot of character.�
congrats to the new owners - i hope we can get to stay there on our next trip
That is some of the greatest news I’ve heard of late. They’ll definitely have a couple staying there in the fall when we make our first Entire Way trip. Tucumcari is as far west as we’ve gotten so far. I imagine we’ll spend more hours gazing at the sign and soaking up the ghosts of 66.
The Bakkes are to be commended for their great restoration work. Good luck to Bill and Terri.
The Blue Swallow, it’s not just a motel, it’s a fast-vanishing way of life.
We would like to stay with you this coming September. I’ll get in touch nearer the date to confirm. We stayed there during August 2001.
Peter and Ron, The Fiat Panda Pair.
Although we will all certainly miss Dale and Hilda, we also know that this is best for them. While thanking them profusely for all that they have done for the Blue Swallow, let’s also throw our arms open to welcome Bill Kinder and Terri Johnson into our family.
As we say goodbye to Dale and Hilda, let’s all welcome Bill and Terri into our extended (some 2,448 miles long) family. My wife and I look forward to spending a night there soon.
Bill & Terri,
Congrats, & best wishes. Will see you on our next trip out your way, hopefully very soon.
Dale & Hilda, thanks for all you did for the ” Blue Swallow “. It’s in my first Route 66 Painting. Good luck in the future.
Bob ” crocodile ” Lile
Prez., Old Route 66 Assn. of Texas
We stayed at the Blue Swallow in 2003 and had a wonderful stay. Dale and Hilda were kind enough to sign my copy of “The Mother Road” Am so glad we will have a chance to stay there again.
My wife and I are planning a trip in September and hope to have an opportunity to stay there when we reach Tucumcari. We hope to see you then.
I am new at this but am planning a Route 66 trip in March and April. Will planning on staying with you. Congratulations on your new endeavor. If all of this mail is any indication of your success — you are on your way! macshirley. P.S. Long time dream of mine to do this. Took many trips as child with my parents from CA to MO! Bye for now.
Dale and Hilda gave new life to this motel, and as they move forward in their new chapter in life we wish the best always, it seems new life with Bill and Terri at this motel, will continue on and hope to see and meet them soon.
Congratulations to both parties so they can fulfill all their dreams.
Hello Bill and Terri,
I’ve been staying at the ‘Swallow since back when Lilian Redmon was still in charge in the mid eighties. Dale and Hilda did a great job rescuing the place, and I feel sure you guys will uphold the tradition.
The Blue Swallow has long been a favorite subject for my artwork (it was my first big, successful Route 66 painting!).I hope you’ll keep hanging the plaque honoring the night I slept in the lobby!