Saturday, October 19
We made the drive to Albuquerque today and, surprisingly, managed to get over 10 mpg despite the steep inclines on the route. The lack of wind really helped us conserve fuel, which was a nice change after the challenging conditions we’d faced on other days. The drive itself was fairly scenic, with stretches of desert and rugged terrain in the distance.
Enchanted Trails RV Park
We arrived at Enchanted Trails RV Park just before noon, and they were kind enough to check us in even though we were a little early. The office itself was located in a charming, retro building that also housed a small laundry facility and gift shop. The RV park embraced its vintage vibe, with various retro items on display, including an old washing tub, roller iron press, and even a couple of vintage record players. It felt like stepping back in time, which added a bit of character to our stay. Once we were set up in our spacious spot, we took a trip to the nearby Camping World just down the street to grab a new water filter for the trailer. Afterward, we relaxed for a bit before heading out to explore the city.
Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant
I had a list of possible attractions to check out, but with the afternoon already approaching, we decided to make a lunch stop and chose Mexican food—especially after hearing rave reviews about the sopapillas in Albuquerque. We followed Route 66 as much as possible, but eventually veered off to find a local restaurant. We ended up choosing a place that was both a Mexican restaurant and a brewery. The restaurant had a charming, no-frills vibe with colorful decor and a welcoming atmosphere. I ordered a sopapilla stuffed with shredded chicken, which was tasty, and we also received a basket of plain sopapillas that we drizzled with honey for a sweet treat to round off the meal.
Sandia Peak
After lunch, we continued down Route 66 until we had to turn off for the Sandia Tramway. We found a parking spot and paid for our tickets, only to be told there was a 2 ½ hour wait to ride the tram. Initially, we hesitated but ultimately decided it was worth the wait. It was a bit of a challenge to wait in line for that long, but around 4 pm, we finally made it onto the tram. As we ascended to the peak, the temperature dropped about 20 degrees, and the high elevation made breathing slightly more challenging. Nonetheless, the views from the top were stunning. We spent about 30 minutes walking around the peak, taking in the vast expanse of Albuquerque and the surrounding desert. We then retreated into the bar area, where we got a table next to a window with a view. Lisa had the bartender make her a custom rum cocktail, and I opted for a local craft pale ale. We ordered chips and dips as a snack and stayed there for a few hours, enjoying the scenery and the ambiance. Around sunset, we ventured outside again for a final walk before catching the tram back down.
Central Ave, Albuquerque
Once we were back at the bottom station, we took a scenic drive along Central Avenue, which is a major stretch of historic Route 66 that cuts through Albuquerque. Central Ave is lined with charming shops, restaurants, and remnants of the past, offering a true taste of Americana. After about an hour of driving through the city and soaking in the sights, we headed back to our campground on the west side of Albuquerque, still on Route 66, where we relaxed for the evening.
Sunday, October 20
Route 66 West of Albuquerque
Today, we headed west of Albuquerque along Route 66, following the historic highway through the desert landscape. The desolation of the area was both haunting and beautiful, with stretches of open road and arid, rocky terrain. Our first stop was the Rio Puerco Bridge, an old bridge that spans a dried-up riverbed, where we snapped a few pictures of the bridge’s classic architecture and rusted structure. Not far from there, we came across the Route 66 Casino, which stood out thanks to its giant neon gas pumps—an iconic sight for any Route 66 traveler.
We then continued through the desolate countryside, stopping occasionally for photo ops. One notable stop was Dead Man’s Curve, a notoriously treacherous part of the highway where sharp turns and narrow roads once posed a major challenge for travelers. We also stopped to take photos of Owl Rock, an oddly shaped rock formation that stood out against the landscape. Afterward, we took time to reflect at a historic marker dedicated to New Mexico servicemen who lost their lives during the Battle of Khe Sanh, honoring their bravery and sacrifice.
We passed the ruins of the Budville Trading Company, an old outpost that has since become infamous due to the unsolved murders and eerie legends associated with it. The ruins stood like a ghostly reminder of days gone by, and it was easy to imagine the bustling life the trading post must have once had.
As we continued west, we arrived at Villa De Cubero, another historic trading post that had been a popular stop for celebrities. Notable figures such as Desi and Lucy Arnez, Vivian Vance, and the Von Trapp family frequented this place. It’s also said that Ernest Hemingway spent two weeks here while working on The Old Man and the Sea. The trading post had a certain old-world charm, and it was fascinating to think of the famous personalities who had passed through the area.
Acoma Pueblo “Sky City”
Our next destination was Acoma Pueblo, known as “Sky City,” which has stood atop a mesa for over 1,000 years. To reach the pueblo, we purchased tickets at the visitor center and boarded a bus to drive up the mesa. The views on the way up were spectacular, and our guide shared the site’s fascinating history, which was founded sometime between the 11th and 13th centuries BCE. At the top, we walked through the ancient pueblo, seeing the adobe buildings and learning about the modern-day residents, most of whom are artists. As we explored, the artisans had set up little tables selling their handmade pottery, jewelry, and other crafts. We also visited the historic church at the top, where we learned about the harsh history of Catholic missionaries who tried to convert the locals through coercion. Photography was prohibited inside the church and in the nearby cemetery, adding reverence to the experience. The tour lasted about an hour, and it was a humbling experience to walk in the footsteps of the people who had lived there for centuries.
Acoma Pueblo Visitor Center
After our tour, we returned to the visitor center to spend some time before driving toward the Village of Acoma and back onto Route 66.
Lindy’s Diner
We drove to Downtown Albuquerque, where we enjoyed lunch at Lindy’s Diner, a classic Route 66 establishment that has been serving locals and travelers for decades. The diner exuded a retro vibe, with neon signs, checkerboard floors, and vintage memorabilia adorning the walls. It was like stepping back into the 1950s, with a jukebox in the corner playing nostalgic tunes. The menu was filled with classic diner comfort food. I opted for a classic cheeseburger, which was huge and messy. Lisa went for the chicken fingers. We washed it down with a couple of beers. After we finished, we lingered for a bit, soaking in the nostalgic ambiance before continuing our exploration of Albuquerque.
Old Town Albuquerque, NM
After lunch, we took some time to explore Old Town Albuquerque, a historic area with cobblestone streets and centuries-old buildings. In the center of the plaza, a group of local Native American drummers and dancers were performing, adding to the cultural atmosphere. We visited the San Felipe de Neri Church, built in 1793 and the oldest surviving building in Albuquerque. This church is the only structure in Old Town known to date back to the Spanish colonial period. We also wandered through the nearby tourist shops, picking up a few souvenirs and soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
Moriarty
Next, we made our way east to Moriarty. On the way, we stopped to experience the “Musical Highway,” where the road played America the Beautiful as we drove over certain sections. It was an unexpectedly fun and quirky stop, and we did a couple of U-turns to capture the moment on video.
66 Diner
Afterward, we made a final stop at the 66 Diner for a sweet treat. The diner’s retro design and nostalgic menu made it the perfect end to our day of exploration.