Thank you

Chris and I ended our Route 66 trek on Tuesday.  Leaving Kingman, we decided to just hoof it home on Interstate 40 and not return to the Mother Road.  The International Balloon Festival was the driving force for our trip eastward and the decision to take the old route there was one we both agreed would be a fun way to do this.  Our friend Pat Dzieszkowski put the idea in motion.  Thanks Pat.
But like any journey, what you learn is always much better than what you see.

The Mother Road just amazed us with each town we read about or saw first hand.  The decline of motor lodges, cafes and entire towns was always a bit melancholy.  Thinking that in a single instance, your life as you knew it had changed.  Interstate 40 was the answer to a faster, more comfortable route from Chicago to Los Angeles.  And, in retrospect, a much safer way to travel.  But what also amazed us were the towns that seemed to take that change and make it better for themselves.  Winslow, AZ with its name used in an iconic song by the Eagles, seemed to be in a good place.  Seligman, AZ, also now on the national registry, seemed to be hopping with tourists and a financial rebirth.

So like life, change is neither good or bad, it just is.  How we adapt to change will always be how we are defined as a people, or a nation.

Thanks for taking the journey with us.  I hoped you enjoyed our time on the Mother Road.

From Chris and myself,

Cheers!

Dwelling on our last few Days

Waking up to snow flurries, we headed out on our way West.  The temps were in the mid to high 30's.  We originally had planned on staying one more night in Winslow, but that would have put a long days drive home so we motored on to Kingman.  Just outside Flagstaff is Walnut Canyon, a national park service site preserved in 1915.  Home to the Sinaqua people, Spanish for People Without Water, they arrived nearly 1400 years ago.  But they were not the first as the cliff dwellings seemed to be occupied seasonal since 600 AD.   Built in natural recesses in the limestone canyon walls, the Sinaqua lived here for about 125 years until the wood ran out and a 10 year drought forced them to leave.  Two walking trails, the Rim and the Island trail are each less than a mile long, but up and down steep steps.  We decided against doing either but could see the dwellings from the visitor center.

A friendly visitor at the Visitor Center

We then continued on Route 66 and backtracked our way to Seligman where it was time for a Road Kill Burger.

Actually a Rueben Burger on toasted Marbled Rye bread. 

Tomorrow we abandon our Mother Road and head out on Highway 40 towards Long Beach.

$ante Fe to Gallup on our way Home

Our last day in $anta Fe we decided to visit Canyon Dr one more time with Pat.  We found an Oragami gallery that look interesting so we decided to stop and visit.  Pat was undecided on this piece, but still may purchase it on-line.  Good for her!

Using the lost wax process only with paper and then turned into stainless steel and painted.

We then headed back to the Albuquerque Airport so Pat could wing her way back to Maryland.  Thanks again to Pat who organized most of this trip.  Ok all of it!  With Chris' help!  I just drove...

We then motored our way out of Albuquerque to Gallup, NM by way of Interstate 40 and Route 66.  Again, 66 winds its way west to Gallup with few towns to explore.  It didn't keep us from looking, however.

This dilapidated building on the Mother Road with no name other than Swap Meet 66.  Looking inside a window, we found books and magazines of all varieties strewn about. Obviously, the librarian had take the decade off.

Weather was coming from the West and it was getting colder and more interesting.

Just outside of Gallup is the Continental Divide.  On the divide is a Native American outpost and a National Marker.  Inside the outpost and I asked if it was true the water runs west on one side and east on the other.  The look I got from the lady behind the counter seemed to suggest maybe not.  Anyway it was a good photo op.

So we continued on with cool views looking out from our window.

The Santa Fe rail line runs the full length of Hwy 40 and 66.

We arrived in Gallup at the famous Hotel/Motel El Rancho on Route 66.  Opened in 1937 as a base for movie productions by the brother of D.W. Griffith, it was full of pictures of old time actors and actresses.

The ornate lobby.

John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Spencer Tracy, Alan Ladd, Katharine Hepburn plus dozens more all had signed pictures to the hotel.  Our room was represented by Kirk Douglas.

Still around at 100 and looking very cool here.

Still using keys for your room.

Our room was interesting due to an outside kitchen area and a doorway directly to the pool and patio, both closed.

A Norge electric range.  And it worked!

Toasting in our small kitchen.

The bed was comfy and we could not wait to sleep after a busy day. Tomorrow 332 miles to Kingman with one more nights stay, then home.

$ante Fe at 7200 Feet

Leaving Albuquerque, we drove north up Highway 25 to the most expensive town in the USA.  At least it seemed that way.  It's also considered the highest in elevation, sorry Denver, at over 7200 feet.
Our stay was at a B&B called El Paradero, a home and former horse stable.  We highly recommend this B&B.  The breakfasts were great and the staff very friendly and helpful.

Pat pointing at original posts for the horse stables.

Our room, sans horse.

 The cool thing about the B&B was the proximity to the just about everything.

The Plaza in Santa Fe

Native Indian vendors selling their wares.

I loved the coloums and the old style pueblo buildings.

We then drove a half mile to Canyon Rd.  Now if you ever go to Santa Fe and want to see sculptures, art work and cool cafe's, then come here.  So we did and I want to show you some of the amazing stuff we saw.  No, we didn't purchase anything...

Titled "Listen"

The detail on these two sculptures was amazing.

Chris with Mark Twain

No, it's not a real pig.

This one was called "Buddies". I want the space to put this in my yard.

However, I need a rich uncle.

A very cool gallery.

Whirly jigs.  (I made this up)

Mother nature has her own beauty.

Now I must say that all the proprietors at these galleries were nice, informative and not pushy.

Lastly, the history of Santa Fe, was fraught with corruption and double dealing.

On the Corner of Santa Fe Trail near the Plaza.

The Carton Block

The Catron Block, completed in 1891, was named for Thomas Carton. He was a member of the Santa Fe Ring, a powerful and shifting alliance of the Republican Party.  The Ring was active in land grants. Carton, who was a leader in this ring, was said to own millions of acres of New Mexico Territory because of the shady dealings in parceling out land. Carton was elected as one of New Mexico's first two senators in 1912 after statehood was granted. He was defeated four years later in his first re-election bid and came back here to practice law.

I will say that the title of this post $anta Fe refers not to the art, sculptures or our B&B but our decision to pay $340 for two nights of dinners.

So, food, art, sellers and cool history is Santa Fe's story.  All at 7200 feet!

Finally, Balloons!

When we left Flagstaff, Chris took this picture of Humphries Peak.  A storm had passed just the day before.  I thought it was a great picture but forgot to put in and earlier post.

Humphries Peak

 Leaving Winslow we stopped off at the Petrified Forrest and Painted Desert National Park.  I think the last time we were through here was when Chris was coming to Arizona from Michigan and I was about 10 years old with my parents.

Again, photos don't do it justice. 

Painted Desert

Then off to the International Balloon Festival in Albuquerque.  We decided last year to make plans to attend this years offering.  Thanks to our friend Pat Dzieszkowski, whom we met in an airport in Budapest, she had suggested meeting in Albuquerque for the festival.  Thank you Pat!

Pat and us at Breakfast the following day.

Pat decided to crew one of the Dawn Patrol balloons so we didn't see her at the festival until later that day. So here are some pictures of the Balloons.

Pat's balloon is on the far right.

Dawn Patrol balloons go off first to determine wind direction and speed for the rest of the ballooners. (is that a word?) Then it gets exciting.

Sunrise over the mountains.

The temps were in the balmy 40 degree range.

She needed socks...

But it didn't take long before over 500 balloons ascended into the Albuquerque morning air.

Cartoon characters were the hit of the festival.

Pictures don't do this justice, but it was a perfect morning.  Very little wind and thousands of people cheering.  Kids get out of school for two days, Thursday and Friday, to attend.

Sadly, the Glow-deo did not take place that evening as it was too windy and it had to be canceled.

But all in all, it was a terrific day for ballooning.