Into the Indian Hills

Well up early again it's another 4 hour drive today and yesterday's 5 hour drive took 11 1/2 hours lol. A quick Skype to wish Mum a happy birthday, who would believe that on her 66th birthday we are on Route 66. A quick banana before we hit the road. First stop The Big Texas Ranch "Home of the Free 72 oz Steak",we just missed it last night and we are still gutted we didn't get to stay there. The Place looks fantastic. It is a little cool and breezy this morning, Only 57F, Donna said she could do with a cardy. Then off to top up the fuel tank $20 today and we are ready for the off.
So it's Goodbye Amarillo and here we come Santa Fe.
Well once we are out of the city we are in the open country, the countryside is literally hanging over the road. As we go through the bushland this encroachment leads to Roadkill 2......An unidentified grey mammal last seen bouncing back into the roadside bush it must have jumped out of. A few miles further on at Wildorado I think there were more cattle in the fields on the opposite side of the road than all the cattle I have ever seen, there are normally more than 20.000 cattle at this feed station, our guide book warns of the smell but maybe the bit of overnight rain and the cooler temperature, it's now up to 68F, have

kept the smell down. Well continuing on we reach the very small town of Adrian notable for only one reason......It is the Midpoint of Route 66. A cafe and a gift shop and a photo opportunity is all that is on the road. We stayed for a drink the café was great, a throwback to the glory days of the road decor wise and gave Donna another chance to tick one of her boxes...Apple Pie in an American Diner. As we were sitting there the Place was mobbed with a huge group of bikers. It was an organised Harley Davidson tour and the bikers seemed to be from Tallinn and Scandinavia mainly belonging to two clubs. We caught a bit of video of them all leaving. The gift shops were well stocked so Malisha and Jaylum don't worry we have managed to get you a little something. In the shop next to the café we were looking at a book of pie recipes that they served in the café. The shop owner explained it was a book she had put together with the person who created all the pies when she used to own the café she even showed us her photo on the back page...a celebrity then so Donna had to ask for a photo, the owner was also the inspiration for the character Flo in the film Cars.
Well just Glenrio left in Texas a largely deserted main drag like so many others we have seen then we are into New Mexico.
We have been listening to local radio this morning and it has been informative. firstly we had a show where a guy buys people's cars on air GIVEMETHEVIN.COM "so easy you can do it in your underwear" is the tag line to selling your car, we also found about 5 God

channels of varying denominations I really enjoyed the United Catholic churches views on modern dancing! There were several country channels and one or two rock channels.
Well continuing on we entered New Mexico and a new time zone so timepieces have to be adjusted 1 hour back as we enter the Mountain Time Zone. Also some new tunes on the radio as it develops quite a tex mex taste. The countryside here really changes again, mountains in the distance up and down roads red ground dried up creeks and red rivers, a thoroughly enjoyable drive especially as the sun is out and we now have full blue skies up to 84F. The shanty towns, ghost towns and odd groups of mainly decrepit houses or trailers is a sobering reminder of the poverty a lot of these people live in. It would appear that Norman has re-opened his motel but not sure his road side sign is doing him any favours. The next main town is Tucumcari home of the iconic Tee Pee Curios and Blue Swallow Motel. We spent a while here having a good look around and when you scratch beyond

the busy main street it's the same story. A lot of the semi abandoned Motels on Route 66 seem to be used as very low cost housing and this was again evident in places in this town. Donna had to visit the Christmas Shop which also doubles, or should that be trebles, as a wedding chapel and old style picture photography studio. Donna resisted the red and green chill lights, a Mexican tradition, but we did pick up a Christmas Tree dec!
On the road again and we had to stop for a McDonald's in Santa Rosa, Again a town whose name conjures up grand images but is in large swathes abandoned, we actually just wanted a wee but public restrooms are very few and far between. America must be a bit behind the UK with the Disability Discrimination Act because this McDonald's has an outside cage Reserved for Handicapped. Unfortunately at home Leicester have been thumped 4-1 by Liverpool the defence is certainly a bit shaky so far this season but Liverpool away is a difficult game we must keep the faith. Onwards and upwards... today's Native American Nation up till this point must be Apache given the number of references in place names etc. keep on until Las Vegas not quite what we thought not a casino in sight lol.
Onto and through Santa Fe up high into the home of the Pojoaque

Pueblo who own our Hotel and most others in the area......We check into the Holmewood Suites Hilton to find we are in the rearmost building. Our room has all fittings to be self catering so off to the local shop to get some provisions before returning for dinner and a well deserved beer. Night Night.