Santa Fe (Sun. July 25)

We continued our trek east crossing over the Continental Divide. We of course we crossed it on our way West but in Montana (where I believe it is) they did not make a big deal of it (at least not in the area we were in) but here in New Mexico they do. They actually named a town Continental Divide so you know (approximately) when you have hit it. The day continued going though many more small towns seeing many more old, closed gas stations, motels, restaurants and houses. The towns are all starting to look the same. It makes you really think about what must have been.

One thing we found quickly in New Mexico was that it would not be as easy to follow Route 66 here as it had been in Western California and all of Arizona. The signs and markings on the road just were not there. Also New Mexico had some major changes over the years on the direction of Route 66 so there are many different ways to attack it. We found the directions so confusing that we kept getting off track ending up in I 40 instead of Route 66. In the end we had to do much more of the interstate than I would have liked. But it was the only way we could find where we wanted to go.

Our destination for the day was Albuquerque. We had planned on one major stop on the way at Pueblo of Acoma, in Acoma Sky City the oldest continuously inhabited city in the United States. We got off the highway and started out on the road. It was about 18 miles to the Pueblo. We got a few miles into when after seeing several signs talking about the Pueblo and times for tours we suddenly saw one sign that said they were not closed at this time. They could at least have put it right by the highway instead of letting you pass several signs over several miles telling you to come visit!! So we turned around (not something easy to do on this very thin, dirt road pulling a camper) and headed back to the interstate. We were in Acoma long enough to see that not only is this the oldest community in the U.S. but it has to be one of the poorest too. The conditions of their homes and yards were unreal. It was hard to believe anyone was living in these places.

We arrived at Albuquerque, headed to the campground we had chosen, took one look at it, turned around and headed to another campground close by. First time all trip we did that. Some sections have looked a bit rough as we are traveling on this old road with many old, closed, dumpy looking businesses. But this was the first time we thought no way!!!. (We were not actually on 66. We were in the city of Albuquerque.) The second campground was only 20 minutes away but in a much nicer, safer looking area. We stayed for a few hours while I got some work done on my class and then headed to Santa Fe.

In Santa Fe we saw the miracle staircase, the oldest church in the U.S. and the oldest house in the U.S. We then headed for the plaza. When I was there seven years ago the plaza was lined with Native Americans on blankets selling their jewelry and other items they had made. I wanted to see what they had hoping I could buy a few things. Unfortunately there was a crafts fair going on for Spanish/Mexican artists. They had taken over the square and a couple of streets around it. There were big white tents around the entire square and up and down both sides of the side streets. There were no Native Americans selling anything and you couldn’t even see the stores located in the area as they were all blocked. We were disappointed. The art work was beautiful, though way more than we could have ever afforded, but I wanted the boys to see the real Santa Fe. I did manage to find a book with pictures in a store to show them but it wasn’t the same thing.

We headed back from Santa Fe and headed to downtown Albuquerque. We had read that Albuquerque had an 18 mile road that is old 66 that still has a lot of neon. We wanted to be sure to see that in the dark. We started near the 66 Diner and headed down the road to see how much neon there really was. We stayed on the road for close to the 18 miles. It was amazing how even places like McDonalds had taken the time to veer from their normal décor to add neon. We saw many really cool signs as we drove.

Tomorrow we break from Route 66 for a day and head down to Carlsbad Caverns. It is quite a drive. About 4 ½ hours to get there but Colin and I loved the caverns when we went seven years ago and agreed it was worth the trip down. Hopefully Conor and Pedro will agree.