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| Lindy's Café in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. (click to enlarge) |
From Santa Fe we drove south and west to Albuquerque. We had a very light breakfast (re: only coffee) as we wanted to eat at the Route 66 Café on Central Avenue. However, every thing we tried, from searching the Internet to calling, had all indications that the café was closed. That was also what we were told a few days before when we met a couple from Albuquerque. It is a shame as that little café was probably the nicest one we had found along Route 66 on previous trips.
As an alternative, we chose to eat at Lindy's Café on Central Avenue and 5th street. The owner told us it was the longest continually operating restaurant on Route 66 in New Mexico. The three of us all ordered breakfast. We all ordered corned beef hash and eggs and the corned beef hash was really different! Nothing like I had seen previously. But the server was very nice and the price was right. Remember, this trip is an adventure!
At this point we decided to wash the car. It needed it badly and we headed for a DIY car wash. As we all know a clean car always runs better. Lol After the car wash, it was time to fill the tank with gasoline. We have found the the least expensive petrol is in the middle of the country. We are in the zone where the price is going up, up, up as we drive west.
Throughout the road trip we tried to stay on as much of the original Route 66. In New Mexico it closely (and I mean closely as in some spots it is only about 50 ft. away) follows Interstate 40. In some areas, 66 and I-40 are the same road. Route 66 as a separate road does not exist. That same thing happens in much of both New Mexico and Arizona. In either case, you can see everything from the Interstate highway as if you were on the old Route 66.
We made a stop in Grants, New Mexico, a delightfully small town with a big history in mining. What did they mine there for many decades? Uranium! The mines have now shut down but the county and city constructed a very nice Mining Museum and we took full advantage of visiting. The museum has an underground portion that is a replica of a uranium mine. Fascinating.
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| An underground replica of a nearby uranium mine, Grants, New Mexico. (click to enlarge) |
After the museum visit, we drove on to Gallup, New Mexico where we had reservations at the historic El Rancho Hotel. This place is really cool. Most of it is still original from 1926 and the hotel severed hundreds of movie stars when Hollywood shot western themed movies in the region. My room, I bet, was smaller than my master bedroom closet. Also, the sink and toilet were so close to each other in the bathroom, that you could literally wash your hands without leaning forward. Finally, the elevator is one that you have to manually open the screen, then open the door. No automation. That said, it was really quaint and we enjoyed our visit. I would stay there again in the future if the opportunity arose.
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| The famous and historic El Rancho Hotel in Gallup, New Mexico. (click to enlarge) |
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| The lobby. (click to enlarge) |
Lots of bikers from overseas stay there as well as those from other countries who rent cars and travel Route 66.
We were all pretty tired after our long day and we called it a day early. By the way, the bed and the morning shower were perfect!
Thanks for looking. Enjoy!
Dennis A. Mook
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