Day 10 - Sun 25th May

Albuquerque to Monument Valley

“Gallup, New Mexico”

Managed to make breakfast for the first time in over a week.

Left A’que about 11 am and hit the “Mother Road” (as us R66 anoraks call it).

We had a long drive today as we had to make up time due to the extra night’s stay in A”que. We had 160 miles to Gallup and another 179 to Monument Valley.

R66 was almost entirely off the interstate. We were making good time when we suddenly realised we were missing the Leeds/Donnie game. We switched channels on the radio only to find the “phone in” discussion after the match. Boley was inconsolable after he discovered the result. I couldn't keep Max (the car) on the road with laughing. (Mighty Leeds???)

After about about an hour we came across a cowboy event in the middle of nowhere.

They were roping steers (not queers!) We took lots of pics and got on our way.

Shortly after that stop we diverted off R66 to visit Acomo Pueblo, “Sky City”. This is an ancient Spanish/Mexican city perched on the top of a Mesa (large mountain outcrop). To gain access you have to pay for a guided tour and must buy a permit to take photographs. We didn’t have time for the tour, so used the visitor centre’s facilities (very clean and very very nice) took some photos without a permit and sped away.

The weather by this time was hot, so we had Max’s top down.

Roadkill Alert:

I inadvertently hit a bird. Sorry, little bird.

We reached Gallup mid afternoon and had a food stop. It was in Earl’s Family Diner run entirely by Navajo Indians. Gallup is the unofficial capital of the Navajo Nation.

While we were eating, there was a constant supply of Indian vendors. Unlike on the continent, there did not hassle you, but politely walked away if you weren’t interested. We bought a couple of gifts.

On leaving Gallup, we had to leave Route 66 to head north to Monument Valley. 

At this point we left New Mexico and entered Arizona. You could tell it was Arizona because Boley nearly hit a stray dog that was crossing the road, followed by a stray horse! Now that WOULD have been a high scoring roadkill!

Music On The Move:

Before we set off a few people had asked if we’d got our tapes or playlists ready for the trip. I had sort of sorted a playlist on the ipod to play through the radio, but we haven’t used it once.

Driving through Illinois and Missouri we listened to a Rock station, but since Oklahoma we have been listening to Country. So much so, that we have begun singing along with the songs as we’ve heard them that many times.

During this part of the drive (Sunday evening) the top 30 chart was being run down. It was quiet exciting (sad??) A current hit is a version of Life In A Northern Town. Who did the original?

We arrived at Monument Valley at 6:15 pm. We paid our entrance fee and were told that the “park” closed at 9 pm.

First we parked at the visitor’s centre and took some pics with and without Arnie. It was at this time that a local stray dog first took an interest in me by chewing my shoes and then took a VERY strong interest in Arnie. At first I thought that he wanted to chew him, but soon realised that his interest was more of an amorous nature. So much so, that he became aroused, much to our amusement but totally confusing the Japanese tourists. Some good pics though!

We drove Max, with her top down, around Monument Valley. Boley was driving, I was stood up, filming on the camcorder and taking pics. We were shouting and waving to all the other tourists as they drove past us and making them cheer and wave as I pretended to film them. Oh what fun!. One lady shouted “You’ll get dirty” to which we replied “We’re dirty anyway”. We later found out that the wind blows the sand and it gets EVERYWHERE.  Max is now covered in a thin film of sand, inside and out. (Take note you plumbers, Max is very dirty)

We took loads of pics including the elephants butt and the camels butt (honest) and before we knew it, it was 8:45 and almost dark. By the time we found our way out, it was dark.

We had nowhere to stay, but thought that we’d try Gouldings Lodge, which is about 2 miles away. They had one room available with one king bed & a pull out sofa. We decided to take it as we would be struggling to reach anywhere else before total darkness and not knowing the roads it could be dangerous. We just managed to get something to eat and settled down for the night with ghosts of John Wayne, Lee Marvin & John Ford. 

By the way, Monument Valley was absolutely fantastic. The highlight of the trip so far along with The Detroit Cobras and Boley losing his sunglasses.

Mileage: 2004 miles

Roadkill:

Boley: 2

Moggy:1