Last really long drive for a while, as we have finally made it into the Rockies. The terrain was full of changes today, from rolling hills in Oklahoma, to absolute flatness in the Texas Panhandle, to the high desert of New Mexico and the mountains around Albuquerque. (Know that Texas is dull when a leaning water tower captures our attention.)
Will and I stopped at Cadillac Ranch just outside of Amarillo, so Will could leave his mark on one of the Caddies sticking out of the ground. We talked to a couple of folks there and each was obviously from Europe. It is funny that European tourists make places like this a "must stop" when so few Americans have even heard of it.
And, like all things American, the Cadillac Ranch has an imitator - the Bug Ranch, with a bunch of VW Beetles buried in the ground. We used a marker here, but saved our spray paint for the caddies.
After leaving Texas, we found ourselves in rural New Mexico's 75 mph speed limit. I read somewhere that the terrain around Tucumcari, NM was the inspiration for the landscape in the Pixar movie "Cars." I can understand that, as the area looked just like the movie.
A lot of the towns in our three states today seem to be hoping that Route 66 will bring in tourist dollars. I didn't see that much that would appeal to the average tourist, though I enjoyed the desolateness of the region - especially the "Last Picture Show" look of the Panhandle. That movie captured the look of the area perfectly.
But tonight we are staying in an authentic Route 66 motel, right on the road in Albuquerque. The "Monterey Non-Smokers Motel" states that they are "proud to be the oldest operating motel in the city that is approved by the AAA". It definitely has a 1960's feel to it. The WiFi is terrible.
Will and I had dinner at "Monroe's Mexican Food". (Because when you think Mexican, naturally you think Monroe's.)
It was actually "New Mexican food," though I can't tell you what the difference is. Will had his favorite Mexican dinner - nachos, then chicken nuggets and fries, and I had a house specialty that had the word "Indian" in it, but I am not sure what it was. But it tasted great and Uncle Lee would approve.
Two thumbs up for Monroe's. Be sure to check it out when in town, Lee.
We are not seeing much of Albuquerque. Will would rather hang out in the room and watch Nick at Nite after a swim in the pool. He won't have a TV for the next several days, as we will be camping, then we'll be in a TV-less room at the Grand Canyon. I'd love to be out exploring, but he is happy and it was a long day in the car for him.
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Must say I was relieved to read about the spray paint... I interpreted "Will left his mark" in a slightly different direction!
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