The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
drove on the famous Route 66 to get to Tucumcari, New Mexico
July 14, 2012
USA map showing location of New Mexico USAmap of New Mexico showing location of Quay County and Tucumcari NMsign: Exit 0 - Old Route 66
The Two RV Gypsies arrived in Tucumcari, New Mexico on July 14, 2012
sign: Welcome to New Mexico
sign: Welcome to New Mexico
Kiva-AOK RV Park on Historic Route 66 in Tucumcari, New Mexico became the current temporary home for the Two RV Gypsies. The park had 60 foot pull-through sites, full hookups, lots of cable channels and Wi-Fi, a fenced dog run, tent sites, laundry room and clean rest rooms and showers. No pool. The Two RV Gypsies do not use most of these amenities in RV parks. All they care about is a full-hook-up site with 50 amp, cable TV and Wi-Fi and they are happy.
entrance to Kiva-AOK RV park with a mural
Below: The two RV Gypsies viewed their new yard at Kiva-AOK RV Park from their dining room window, and also by standing outside their front door - A nice little pond and dog statues.
The two RV Gypsies view their new yard from their dining room window
A nice little pond and dog statues in the two RV Gypsies yard in Tucumcari NM
Below: View from the road, looking at the pond and the motorhome of the Two RV Gypsies in their newest yard.
View from the road towards the Two RV Gypsies' yard in NM
View from the road towards the Two RV Gypsies' yard in NM
Lee Duqutte in the yard of the Two RV Gypsies in NM
the pond in the Two RV Gypsies' yard in NM
USA map showing location of Tucumcari Mountain in New Mexico

Tucumcari Mountain once referred to as Tucumcari Peak or Mesa Tucumcari, is a mesa situated just outside of Tucumcari, New Mexico.

The town of Tucumcari, in Quay County, was founded in 1901 and takes its name from a real life legend of the mountain. Residents of the town of Tucumcari have painted a large white letter T on the mountain.

Tucumcari Mountain
Tucumcari Mountain
Below: The Legend surrounding the area
FYILegend has it that Apache Chief Wautonomah was nearing the end of his time on earth and was troubled by the question of who would succeed him as ruler of the tribe. In a classic portrait of love and competition, his two finest braves, Tonopah and Tocom, who not only were rivals and sworn enemies of one another, but were both vying for the hand of Kari, Chief Wantonomah's daughter. Kari knew her heart belonged to Tocom. Chief Wautonomah beckoned Tonopah and Tocom to his side and announced, "Soon I must die and one of you must succeed me as chief. Tonight you must take your long knives and meet in combat to settle the matter between you. He who survives shall be the Chief and have for his wife Kari, my daughter."

As ordered, the two braves met, with knives outstretched, in mortal combat. Unknown to either brave was that Kari was hiding nearby. When Tonopah's knife found the heart of Tocom, the young squaw rushed from her hiding place and used a knife to take Tonopah's life as well as her own.

When Chief Wautonomah was shown this tragic scene, heartbreak enveloped him and he buried his daughter's knife deep into his own heart, crying out in agony,"Tocom-Kari"

A slight variation of the Chief's dying words lives on today as Tucumcari, and the mountain that bears this name stands as a stark reminder of unfulfilled love.

Some credit this folk tale to Geronimo. Others, believing the claims to be apocryphal, purport the tale variously to have been concocted by anyone from a 1907 Methodist minister to a group of local businesspeople seated together at the old Elk Drugstore each embellishing the stories one by one. Nonetheless, the town is named for Tucumcari Mountain, which in turn takes its name from native origins.

go to the next adventure of the two RV GypsiesPlease continue on to see the Murals of Tucumcari and Quay County
on Old Historic Route 66

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