Santa Fe is a beautiful city with a lot to offer those who have never been to the area, but it was time to keep on trucking. In the morning I wanted to travel the Old Las Vegas Highway, a diamond in the rough amongst 66 and other roadies. While the maps and everything pointed me in the right direction, I got lost before going back to the safe route, the interstate.
It began after leaving the Silver Saddles Motel. I exited and traveled back to the Plaza for a bit before turning onto the Old Pecos Trail, which for a stretch ran along the Santa Fe Trail. As I got to St. Michaels Drive aka NM 466, instead of staying on the Old Pecos Trail, I turned on 466 and headed west. After a couple of lights, I turned onto NM 14 and realized I came back towards the hotel, so I figured to head onto I-25 and travel north.
For an interstate, I-25 was not bad, it showcases some of the beautiful landscapes in northern New Mexico. Nonetheless, it was time to reach Glorietta, then take the Old Las Vegas Trail. I got off in Glorietta, looking for NM highway 50. However, I curved right and found myself in a housing community. Desperately searching for a way back, I turned around but thought "I came in this way", so I headed across the railroad tracks and veered northeast. As I passed through several houses, I came along this.
At that point I knew it was time to head back. Fortunately, I found where I started from. I turned back from where I came in as there were TWO lanes and believe it or not it got me to Highway 50. All is safe and sound, sigh! It was time to explore the early stretches of the Mother Road, so I took 50 for a stretch before turning right on NM 63 (Old Denver Highway) all the way until I reached Pecos National Park.
The cool thing was, I was also on the Santa Fe Trail, as there were as many signs pointing where I was as there are 66 signs on the Mother Road.
At this juncture, I figured it was a good time to stretch my legs and learn my way around. After asking a tour guide how to get onto the Old Las Vegas Highway from there, she posed an interesting question. "Would you like to take a tour of the park with a couple?" Ambivalent, I figured what the heck, so I went on the hour and a half tour of a pueblo ruin with three couples and several children.
It was once again time to hit the road. I continued east on 50 and then hit the Interstate again for a spell. After about thirty minutes, I got off the interstate in search for a beverage. However, I got off and found this
It was an extremely encouraging sign. One road rule I came up with is "when lost, trust God." So, I made a left and traveled down the highway, but realized I was heading southwest, so I turned around. I parked the truck and picked up a gatorade and a pepsi cola. I crossed over the interstate and took the Old Highway several miles until my truck began to tell me she was thirsty. After pitting at Phillips 66, I had three options. One, take US 84 to Santa Rosa and continue east until Tucumcari, take US 285 to Clines Corner before hitting I-40 or take I-25 to Las Vegas and from there who knows? The adventurist that I am, I decided to take I-25 to Las Vegas. At which point, I explored historic Las Vegas. I have never been to the one in Nevada, but from what I could tell this one seems a lot more laid back. However, the amount of hawgs and tourists convinced me that this Las Vegas was also a desirable destination.
After parallel parking on Bridge Street in Old Town Las Vegas, I got out and began exploring. After taking some pictures, my stomach reminded me that it was time to feed it, so I began looking for a place to eat. Then, I remembered Dayton Duncan's road rule, stopping by a cafe with a first name. So, I checked in at Estella's Cafe. I opened the door, saw an ice chest of Royal Cola and knew this is the place. I sat down ordered a beef enchilada with a diet coke. After finishing the delicious food, I briefly spoke with one of the employees. I told him I was working on a highway writing career, while he was an artist who was heading to London to show some of his work.
After a nice meal I was in the mood to see some books, so I walked into Tome on the Range. It felt like a combination of Half-Price Books and Borders, but smaller. I was looking for highway books on the area and the employees were very kind. They not only showed me some books, but offered to see what they can do to make the experience pleasant. While this should be commonplace, not all book stores or places in general make you feel at home. Anyway, I picked up...
For the next hour and a half, I explored Las Vegas hoping to find Billy and Sheriff Garrett hanging out at a saloon chugging some brews, but no luck. However, I did find an antique store with one of the most impressive post card collections. They varied from Presidents like Teddy Roosevelt to places like Holbrook, Arizona in 1912 to various caricatures of Native Americans. All in all, the store felt like a combination of a western Norman Rockwell piece to a general store from the 1950's.
As much as I enjoyed Las Vegas it was time to head to Tucumcari. I got onto Bridge Street then turned left onto University and it brought me onto NM 104. I got out of the truck to take the picture of the road sign. In the process, I looked back at the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains, then looked ahead towards the Plains. What a beautiful segue, the mountainous beauty of central-northern New Mexico to the open Plains to the east.
As I drove down 104, the golden fields began to turn mountainous as the elevation slowly, but poignantly began to decrease. The curves began to sharpen like a kitchen knife and the intensity of each turn felt as if I was entering another dimension.
In an hour, I went down over 6,500 feet in elevation. I have left the Canadian Escarpement and entered the High Plains.
All I needed was to see the tombstone that read: RIP Sheriff Jim Duncan. The rest of the beautiful drive through the New Mexico Plains took about 40 minutes. After seeing farms and small homes and US 54 (a beautiful road to travel on) I finally made Route 66 in Tucumcari. The last time I stayed in town was back in 2005 for the 66 Festival.
It was time to check-in at the Motel Safari, which is located across the street from the legendary Blue Swallow Motel. I got the keys and was shown into the room by co-owner Mrs. Richard Talley. The room had a modern retro feel to it. While the radio and atmosphere felt retro, the flat screen television added a touch of the 21st Century. After she introduced me to a few 66 facebook friends, it was time to kick back and relax. A day started lost in Santa Fe ends peacefully at Tucumcari.
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