Outside of Gallup, the volcanic lava beds mound on either side of the highway. We stopped off between the mounds at the New Mexico Visitor Center for maps and travel ideas. Congressman Caden proceeded to ask his typical 1000 questions and make small talk with the lovely (and patient) woman at the info desk.
Once we passed through Albuquerque, we turned north to travel along the National Scenic Byway 14, known as "The Turquoise Trail". The route is full of former mining towns which are now artist communities that sell their works in the town galleries and shops. While its length is short, it took us nearly all day to meander our way through.
Our first stop was at Tinker Town, an incredible result of the vivid imagination and creativity of its creator, Ross Ward. The place weaves its way through haphazardly, with new rooms being added on as needed, its walls made for the most part with over 50,000 collected glass bottles. The rooms are full of collections, antiques, and carved miniature moving displays. All have been gathered and carved by Ross over a lifetime. It's fascinating and overwhelming at the same time. Everything is packed with detail and is everywhere. Truly sensory overload, but incredible all the same. The kids were captivated by each new room.
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| A boat that was sailed around the world by Fritz Damler in the 80s. They had an awesome wall map of the journey. Would love to read his travels! |
We continue through the trail, stopping off here-and-there, until we reached Madrid. Madrid is a former mining town that is -- like most of the towns -- existing in a suspended state of disrepair. The disheveled atmosphere is very relaxed, albeit quirky, further adding to its charm. Made famous to less artsy types by the movie, Wild Hogs, Madrid has a particularly great collection of shops, galleries, and boutiques. We ate a deliciously fresh lunch at Mama Lisa's Ghost Town Cafe and topped off with sodas from Jezebel's Soda Fountain. We visited several of the galleries, particularly enjoyed a shop selling second hand (but still surprisingly spendy) custom cowboy boots, and took a peek at Maggie's Cafe which was featured in the movie and is now a disappointing tourist trap selling dorky T-shirts.
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| Maggie's Diner |
After Madrid, it was just a short drive into Santa Fe. We hurriedly parked the RV at the campgrounds so that we could visit the shops in the plaza before the shuttered for they evening. If you happen to be a bazillionaire, then shopping in Santa Fe is truly a wonderland. If you are any less, than you are relegated to gawking and drooling at the art galleries, museum quality Native American art and artifacts, and $$$ boutiques. [For the record, there are a pair of turquoise and brown cowgirl boots in the plaza -- a mere $650 USD -- still calling my name.]
As the plaza began to close, we took a pedicab ride to the famous Cowgirl BBQ. Josh and I ordered nachos and a BBQ sampler to share. What came to our table could have fed a small army. We did our best, but still didn't manage to put a dent in it. Live music for us, a play area for the kids, and great BBQ made for a great finale to another great day.
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