Well now I know why breakfast the other morning was labelled "Deluxe" - this morning we had paper plates and plastic knives and forks. I pressed a button on a machine, and out came a pancake less than a minute later. Watching the news, we were pleased we weren't a day later taking this trip - it snowed overnight on the I-40 around Flagstaff. That would have been fun to drive through!
We got away this morning before 8
.30 and headed for the southern entrance to the Petrified Forest National Park (and some of the Painted Desert). We spent 3 hours here - it was fabulous, even though it was cold and windy. Then it was along the I-40 all the way to Albuquerque. It started raining a little bit when we hit the border with New Mexico, but the amazing mountains made up for a bit of rain. Oh and it got down to 5 C at Gallup! A bit chilly for us Queenslanders.
We passed an exit named "Continental Divide" shortly after getting into New Mexico - so from now on the rivers flow east I presume.
However, approaching Albuquerque, just as were about to turn off to the Petroglyph National Monument, it started pouring down. Plus lightning and thunder. So we exited the freeway to reset the satnav on the tablet (the satnav is called"Here").
Tonight's motel is in Central Ave (used to be Route 66). Too wet to walk far - so we went to the diner next door. Tonight I had salmon on a very interesting succotash, washed down with a margarita.
I took over 50 photos - hard to choose which ones to publish!
And into New Mexico
Friday, May 15, 2015
Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States
Other Entries
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1Finally getting off the freeways
May 123 days priorBarstow, United Statesphoto_camera8videocam 0comment 2 -
2Across the Mohave Desert
May 132 days priorLaughlin, United Statesphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
3"Take it Easy" okay?
May 141 day priorHolbrook, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 6 -
4And into New Mexico
May 15Albuquerque, United Statesphoto_camera12videocam 0comment 2 -
5Snow!!
May 161 day laterSanta Fe, United Statesphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 2 -
6"Is this the way to Amarillo?"
May 172 days laterAmarillo, United Statesphoto_camera14videocam 0comment 6 -
7The four states day - Tex, NM, Okla and CO.
May 183 days laterTrinidad, United Statesphoto_camera16videocam 0comment 1 -
8Trinidad to Mancos - the scenic route
May 194 days laterMesa Verde National Park, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 1 -
9Mesa Verde to Page
May 205 days laterPage, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 0 -
10Horseshoes and hoodoos
May 216 days laterTropic, United Statesphoto_camera15videocam 0comment 2 -
11Via the Extraterrestrial Highway to Tonopah
May 227 days laterTonopah, United Statesphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 2 -
12Tonopah to Carson City
May 238 days laterCarson City, United Statesphoto_camera11videocam 0comment 2 -
13Left the desert behind
May 249 days laterSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 2 -
14San Francisco
May 2510 days laterSan Francisco, United Statesphoto_camera9videocam 0comment 0 -
15City to surf in California
May 2611 days laterPismo Beach, United Statesphoto_camera13videocam 0comment 0 -
16Back in LA and off to London tonight.
May 2712 days laterLos Angeles, United Statesphoto_camera10videocam 0comment 1
Comments

2025-02-11
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Tess Walsh
2015-05-16
It is so desolate, Anne. Are the interstate roads you are going on new roads, or do they follow the Route 66 road?
anne.nathan
2015-05-16
Sometimes the I-40 runs parallel to Route 66 (for a while in California). Sometimes the I-40 is directly on top of Route 66 (east of Flagstaff); and sometimes the I-40 takes the straightest route (e.g. it doesn't go through Santa Fe which was on route 66 and is 50 miles or so north of Albuquerque.)