Leg 5: Holbrook, AZ to Albuquerque, NM
GS II - Leg Five
Holbrook, Arizona to Albuquerque, New Mexico
“The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; And the realist adjusts the sails!”
Hello Everyone!
The fifth leg of this adventure reads like a captains log:
“Course corrections, weather, and damage to our “ship.” Historically strong winds, (a weather service announcement) required us to blow by Holbrook and the Petrified National Forest!” Anyone familiar with John’s descriptions of these locations know that he always mentions that they are made of “some kind of rock” and are “millions of years old.” These areas likely are no different.
Arriving early to our RV Park we hit a “dip”: a low point on any journey that you can expect but not really prepare for. A gust of wind 50 MPH or more ripped the passenger door open and bent the front fender of our lovely GMC Denali. Yes, our “ship” which is an appropriate description since my language at the time would have made a sailor blush.
Gallop, New Mexico is ours and friends Scott and Genevieve’s home for the next 7 days. “The Mother Road” truly is Gallop’s Main Street. From here we were able to bicycle through this lapsed town, not forgotten but abandoned by the freeway that passed it by. Murals and history dot the landscape as we pedal from one end to the other. Final destination: El Rancho Hotel. Photos and memorabilia of Hollywood visitors, both famous and infamous, adorn the rustic walls. DO stop here!
Our ride to Grants, New Mexico was wonderful, in 66 terms that is. This section required only 9 miles of freeway, the rest was old road that is a joy to ride. The crossing of the Continental Divide takes place at Thoreau and merits a selfie or “us-ie” now. Rusty signs of the past are everywhere: swap meets, motels, and cafes were the lifeblood of this region. We were fortunate in Grants to encounter not one, but two food trucks across from the neon portal, another drive through Route 66 badge.
Adjusting our sails again, we opt to finish our ride taking the State Highway 53 to El Morro National Monument. This remote monument is home to the oldest inscription of European descent... we will avoid the topic of whether or not that was a good thing here. It happened 3 centuries before our ancestors came to this land.
Besides covering this swath of 66, we were able to again adjust our course and take in a hike to Church Rock, a ride to Mesa Verde National Park, and let’s not forget Shiprock on this nautical post!
We have learned that a vessel is easily repaired, but time and experiences cannot be replaced.
“The pessimist complains about the wind; The optimist expects it to change; And the realist adjusts the sails!”
Travel safe! We will see you next time on the “El Camino Real.”
John and Caroline 🍀
Motorcycle Route through the Southwest.
The Drive Thru Photo Op in Gallop, NM.
