Saturday October 13
Leaving Albuquerque and the Sandia Peak Mountain behind us, we were up early enough to see the hot air balloons because the bad weather including the thunder, lightning and winds had disappeared. So driving out of Albuquerque we were able to catch a glimpse of the sky dotted with blobs which at closer look you could make out to be hundreds of balloons. Our journey then took us along highway where the landscape was constantly changing at every turn but never too far away from the old Route 66.
It is up, up and away!
Those blobs in the distance are hot air balloons over Albuquerque.
Already the landscape was changing even though the old Route 66 wasn't too far away.
Every bend a different landscape.
Leaving the main highway it was making our way to "Sky City"
The first visit for the morning was to a native Indian settlement, the Acoma Pueblo Sky City, one hour west of Albuquerque. The settlement is located nearly 370 feet above the desert floor and dates back to early 1100 AD. The houses are made out of the traditional adobe (mud brick) and sandstone. Our tour guide led us around the area including the church and graveyard, both sacred areas where photos could not be taken. However it did not stop one of the local dogs stealing the show by chewing at flowers and a stuffed animal on one of the graves and later climbing the church alter while the guide was trying to be serious. The tour and site were very interesting and gave an insight to the cultural background to the Acoma people.
Houses in Acoma Pueblo Sky City
Anne and Jeff on the way back down the mountain
Back onto the highway
After leaving the Pueblos it was then across country towards Gallup, New Mexico in the middle of Indian country.
Changing country and more trains.
Crossing the Continental Divide we continued to travel west. (The Continental Divide is a line of mountains which runs down both North and South America and are mainly the Rocky Mountains and the Andes).
Crossing the divide
No tour would be complete without a visit to the famous El Rancho Hotel/ Motel in Gallup This place is famous for the movie stars who stayed there (eg Ronald Reagan, Allan Ladd, Jane Wyman to name just a few), was originally opened in 1937 and on the famous Route 66. Its front foyer takes you back with the memories of the old western movies with the heavy timber beams, mounted animal heads and Indian rugs.
The El Rancho
The El Rancho foyer
After a lunch break in Gallup it was on the road again and more changing country side and numerous trains passing along side of the highway. The trip has been full of train spotting and by now everyone is fully aware of Graham’s fascination and he has the whole bus train spotting for him!
Travelling through Indian country there is no shortage of rugs, pottery, jewellery for sale.
Travelling further west it was then a matter of leaving New Mexico behind and crossing the border into Arizona and setting our clocks back an hour and gaining extra time on Route 66.
Another state, another time zone and we get an extra hour!
Holbrook was the next stop where we all had an opportunity to walk around the famous Route 66 Wig Wam Motel. Although we did not get an opportunity to look inside it was an opportunity to also look at the older cars which had been parked outside each unit. These were of all makes, size and age and added to the nostalgia of this classic land mark.
How much to stay in your Wig Wam?
One old car took Graham and Shirley's attention.
Anne and Jeff Wig Wamming around!
The next stop was in Winslow Arizona made famous by the rock group Eagles. For those who can remember the “Take It Easy” album released in 1973 “Well, I’m standing on a corner in Winslow Arizona” written by Jackson Browne and Glen Fry, well we were the ones standing on that famous corner today!
Standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona!
Group picture standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona!
The last stop of the day saw us travelling into more changing landscape and in the distance ... could that be snow on the mountain overlooking the Drury Inn, Flagstaff and our home for the night? Another full day of travel and although we did not get to see the petrified forest, meteorite site or Double Arrows we certainly did get to see some pretty famous icons and country side. We are a short distance from the famous Grand Canyon and our destination tomorrow.
A sprinkling of snow in those mountains!
Ted checking out the view in Flagstaff.
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