Another Day Bites The Dust

Not the best day but with the federal government's poor management of our money, we could not go to the National Parks we had planned from Albuquerque to Flagstaff.  But we made the best of a bad thing.  We weren't in any hurry to leave which was really nice.  We managed to leave about 9:15.  It was really nice out, cool and sunny and warmed up to 70 as the day progressed. 

 

Melissa at the mesa

First stop was just along the highway where there was a

Jean on Rt 66 at Continental Divide

lovely mesa in the distance.  There was a sign that said we were on Route 66 but it was only a 50 foot stretch of road so we got back on I-40.  Later we stopped at the Continental Divide which was also along Historic Route 66, and took more photos and went into a couple of gift shops.  The wind had started to pick up and the air was cool but the sun was still out so it was nice.

 

The gang at the El Rancho

Further along the highway is Gallup, home of the El Rancho Hotel.  I beautiful western style hotel that was the gathering place of movie stars filming numerous western movies in the area.  We spent a lot of time walking the 2 upper floors reading the names of the guests on the doors.  The hotel first opened in 1937 and again in 1985.  The motif is beautiful with the twin stairways up to the second floor and the huge fireplace in the reception area.  There are photos of the stars on all the walls so we had to check them all out.  We decided to have lunch there and it was OK but nothing to get excited over.  Before getting back on I-40 we filled our gas tank while Karen and Jean made a quick stop at the Goodwill.

 

We stopped at the Arizona Welcome Center and as expected we were told the National Parks were all closed except the Grand Canyon and it is ending the season next Friday.  Bummer!  However, we got off at the exit anyway and hoped to at least see something.  We got photos of the sign and the sign saying why they were closed.  There were two big pieces of petrified wood there that everyone could see, so it was better than nothing.

 

Old cars at Wigwam Motel

In Holbrook I took the girls to see the famous Wigwam Motel.  They loved it!  Jean took photos of the old cars in front of each unit, as Paul is a big old car nut!  Inside the office is a bit of a museum that we enjoyed looking at the memorabilia and some nice pieces of polished petrified wood.

 

From there it was right into Flagstaff and to dinner before

checking in to the hotel.  We settled on the Galaxy Dinner on Route 66.  How fitting!  It was a large diner with lots of comfort food.  Everyone was very pleased with their dinners and pretty full too.  We were only a mile back to our Fairfield Inn and ready to get checked in.  They even had cookie for our dessert!