High Desert RV Park

Our stop for the night was the High Desert RV Park.

It's located just west of Albuquerque.

There's not much shade but most of the sites are pull-through. There are showers and laundry facilities on-site.

We had a nice little Happy Hour with Smoked Oysters and veges with jalapeño/artichoke dip.

2020 06 25

En Route to Albuquerque

From Grants, turn left on Hwy 117. Just before Exit 89, turn left and continue on Hwy 124. Take the narrow tunnel under I-40 (13’ 6” clearing) and curve left on the south side.

Take Hwy124 east through the lava fields to McCartys. Can you make out the stone Santa Maria de Acoma Church on the hillside?

Cross I-40 at Exit 96 and stay on Hwy 124 to San Fidel, where you'll find an old White Bros Gas Station.

The St. Josephs' Church is also in San Fidel.

Turn left at Cubero Road and go into Villa Cubero and the defunct Villa Cubero Trading Post. Rumor has it that Hemingway wrote "Old Man and the Sea" in the cafe.

Turn right at the T and follow it to Hwy 124 and the Budville Trading Company.

Turn left and follow Hwy124 to Laguna and the giant Route 66 Casino with the huge neon gas pump.

Giant arrow in the parking lot

and a smaller arrow closer to the road.

At the roundabout, take I-40 to Mesita then to Rio Puerco and the Rio Puerco Bridge.

The Rio Puerco Bridge was built in 1933. At 250 feet, it is one of the longest steel bridges in New Mexico. The bridge was replaced in 1999.

2020 06 25

Grants, NM

The next town on Route 66 is Grants, New Mexico. It has a population of nearly 10,000.

There's a drive-thru neon sign.

It comes with instructions on how you can get a selfie in your car.

The Fire & Ice Park is nearby. 

It's a nice green park with a caboose

and a fountain

The Uranium Miners Museum is across the street. You can go underground to see what working in an uranium mine was like.

Right next door is the Chibola County History Museum

1915 steam engine on display in front of the museum

The West Theatre is one of the vintage theaters in town.

And, of course, there are vintage motels as well. Elvis stayed at the Sands Motel

2020 06 25

Thoreau, Prewitt & Milan

From the Continental Divide, take the north Frontage Road (Hwy 122) to Thoreau.

Thoreau is marked by the Red Mountain Market & Deli, now a dilapidated building.

Continue east to Prewitt, where you'll find the Tomahawk Bar.

After Prewitt, this section of Route 66 is a 4-lane road.

Old motels line Route 66 in Milan.

2020 06 25

Continental Divide

From Gallup, join I-40 at Exit 26 and continue until Exit 47.

Here, you'll find the Continental Divide at 7245 feet.

The next sign indicated the Continental Divide is at 7375 feet.

Whatever the true elevation, water in the west drains to the Pacific and in the east drains to the Atlantic.

There is a gift shop selling "Top of the World" souvenirs.

2020 06 25

More Lodging in Gallup

Across the street from El Rancho are 2 more classic motels.

The Lariat Lodge 

and the Blue Spruce Lodge.

2020 06 25

El Rancho Hotel

You'll find the El Rancho Hotel & Motel on the eastern edge of Gallup.

The hotel was built in 1937 and was the height of luxury on Route 66 in the 1940s and 50s. Its guest list included Hollywood stars who stayed at the hotel during their film shoots.

The grand lobby included a massive stone fireplace under the double wooden curved stairways.

Rooms are named after Hollywood stars.

Signed photos grace the walls.

I found a picture of what was probably the cliff dwellings in the "Ace in the Hole."

2020 09 25

Jerry's Cafe

We grabbed lunch at Jerry's Cafe, located at 406 W. Coal Ave.

Migue's Delight--$12.25.  A chile relleno and chicken enchilada smothered with green chile and cheese with a crisp beef taco, served with rice, beans and sopaipilla.

Across the street from the restaurant is a mural of Jerry's Cafe.

2020 09 25

Outdoor Murals in Historic Downtown Gallup

Stop at the Visitor's Center and pick up a copy of the Outdoor Murals in Historic Downtown Gallup. It lists the murals around town.

"Navajo Code Talkers" at 2nd & Coal.

"Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial" at 2nd & Coal.

"Hispanic Heritage" at 1st & Coal.

"Native American Trading" at 3rd & Coal.

"Coal Mining Era" at the downtown walkway.

"Women's Multi-Cultural" at 2nd & Aztec.

"Zuni Culture" at 2nd & Hill.

"Japanese Culture" at 2nd & Hill.

"Veteran's Memorial" at Richardson Courthouse Plaza.

"Long Walk Home" at 3rd & Hill.

"Gallup Community Life" at 2nd & Aztec.

"Tile Mosaic" at 3rd & Mesa.

Rex Museum Murals at 3rd & Route 66.

Student Art Mural at 4th & Route 66.

2020 06 25