Route 66: Santa Fe to Holbrook

We left Santa Fe driving past the exit towards Los Alamos, past Palomas Peak with its many antennas on top, and (another) Dead Man’s Curve into Albuquerque – a strange junkie/ zombie town at the entrance that changes into University-type landscape, cleaner looking and nicer. After Albuquerque, the landscape changed significantly. There were no more mountains, it was quite arid, no trees, no greenery (as rainfall is probably sparse compared to other places).

Grants is a place where they love route 66 stuff, so we had the obligate photo shoot at the neon sign. We then drove past a Swap and meet place that is now derelict but apparently used to be a working shop 11 years ago when our friends first came here.

We met the saddest, angriest person on this trip – Charlie, an old guy who used to be a drag champion (and engine builder) but now lives by himself with quite a few (friendly) dogs and hates everybody – particularly democrats and gay people.

After the stop at his place, we crossed the Continental divide. We stopped in Gallup where we had probably the worst lunch on this trip at Sonic Burgers (where food was delivered to the cars by their employees – apparently in the past it used to be on skates!) then went to see El Rancho hotel where many artists starring in western movies stayed. We drove past a Helium plant, an important industry in this area. From there we went to an Indian flea market which did not really impress us – it was out in the desert so very dusty, with heaps of really cheap, poor-quality stuff.

Next stop was the Petrified Forrest and Painted Dessert which were very interesting to see and experience – not only the history behind them, but the amazing views and colours, to hear the sound of the wind blowing around.