Day Twenty-three – October 1, 2018

Day Twenty-three – October 1, 2018

A gray and dismal day in Gallup, NM.  We decide to stay another day – just to get some rest and do some writing and photo management.  It is supposed to rain most of the day so we get an early start to see the town, get a few things and get back to the hotel before it downpours.  This rain is not from Hurricane Rosa – she is still coming.  But we feel we are out of the threat of flash flooding for a bit.

This is Navajo Country and there are Native American influences everywhere.  Jewelry, rugs, pottery, and sculptures are advertised throughout the area.  There are also Spanish influences in the architecture and some of the art work.  And, of course, all things Route 66.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

The Route 66 attraction here is El Rancho: a beautiful old hotel, seems best known for the famous people who have stayed there.  The room names are mostly Hollywood stars: Doris Day, John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart etc.  The grounds are quite pretty and well maintained.  The interior is dark and rustic – some might call it charming.  There is a gift shop and a restaurant as well.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

A few more photo opportunities and it is back to the hotel to get some work done.

  

  

  

Sometime, mid-afternoon, we notice a backup on the highway.  The flashing lights are right outside our window so it must be really close.  The cars and trucks remain backed up for hours.  There is already a You-Tube posting of a truck accident on I-40 in Gallup.  The next thing we see is some heavy-duty equipment to clean up the road.  This must have been bad.

After accomplishing our goals for the day, we set off to dinner.  The State Police are routing traffic off I-40 and through the town to the next exit.  This is several hours after the initial backup.

Earl’s is highly recommended so we choose to try them.  This is a Native American family run establishment with good home cooked food.  We are trying to be healthy tonight – Dale orders a chicken taco salad and I have a half order the Navajo taco.  Dale also is ordering a piece of banana cream pie!  So much for trying to be good about food.

  

  

While we are eating we are approached several times by different woman who are selling their home-made goods: earrings, rings, necklaces, head bands, and scarves.  We politely look over their wares and buy a few things.  This is a new experience for us.

After dinner, the rain appears to have stopped and we are hoping to get a good day of travel in tomorrow.  The traffic is no longer being diverted off I-40 so things must be cleaned up.  Time for sleep.