Amarillo to Albuquerque

We started out early today shock horror!
Mainly because we were no longer horse riding :(

So off into Amarillo historic 6th street. We were too early and everything was shut.

Decided to sod it and get on the route early. First stop the Cadillac Ranch. So some guy at some point decided to bury a line of Cadillacs out in a field. Over the years people have come and spray painted on them over and over so the paint is inches thick. Sadly people also dump their spray cans so it sometimes looks like a trash heap. It wasn’t too bad when we saw it.

Bumped into a group of Spanish bikers who we had seen on the route twice before. We remember them as they stood in the entrance of the Route 66 museum in Elk city without contemplating that cars might want to enter. One stepped backwards in front of us and was lucky not to be added to the roadkill count.

One of the Spanish bikers left his spray can on the ground which I could have put money on.

Next we drove to Adrian, Texas - the midpoint of Route 66 yay!!! It was gray and rainy but we were going to stop anyway and as it was only 10am thought we may as well have 2nd breakfast. Get in the cafe and there are the fricking Spanish bikers again! Luckily we managed to order our food before them. After breakfast we also had a piece of pie each which was awesome.

Back on the road we determinedly overtook the ruddy Spanish bikers and made quick time across the border to New Mexico. First stop Tumcumcari where we bought some presents and started noticed the Mexican and Native American influence.
We encountered a section of the route which is entirely interstate. Great for making good time and I found it spectacular scenery anyway. The weather brightened and we started winding through mountains.

Drove through Santa Rosa and Moriarty (which sounded evil so we did not stop).

Got into Albuquerque way ahead of intended time. We have also crossed a timeline so now 7 hours behind UK.
Found the motel which is a historic Route 66 one. It’s authentic and has ‘character’. Read old and inexplicably smells of weed.
However, it is clean, the woman on reception was very informative, albeit I was so desperate for the loo at the time she probably talked a bit much.

We were excited to find the guest laundry- and relieved as Rich was rapidly running out of clean pants. Laundry on we went to explore old town which is beautiful. Old red pueblo houses with lots of gift shops, crafts and local produce. We found a grill and had some great New Mexico street food (additional picture for Gemma)
Back at the motel we went to the neighbouring renovated motel and had some beers whilst watching a live band as the sun set. Great Friday night atmosphere with everyone enjoying themselves.

Back in the smelly room now with our clean washing. Early to bed for an extra exciting morning activity tomorrow!!!

State #6 New Mexico- Land of Enchantment
Hotel# 9 Monterey Motel
Road kill count: low. One unidentifiable large furry thing. 1 small critter, possibly squirrrel