ON TO TEXAS

From Gallup we travelled across New Mexico, travelling along parts of Route 66 which caused us several times to consult the maps, as we felt we had missed a turn somewhere.







But it wasn't the case, this really was a neglected part of the once main road across the US



At Thoreau we passed over the continental divide, explained as



But even this fascinating piece of geological phenomenon is not enough to bring many vistors, as was evidenced by yet another ghost town





At Laguna, I got very excited to see fuel (gas) priced at only $2.99/gallon, when the average price is around $3.75/gallon.



In my excitement that we may save enough money to buy ourselves an evening meal, I hadn't noticed that the gas station had closed down some time ago


Further down the road we rolled into Albuquerque (which is easier to say than to spell), a pleasant city of (according to the sign as you enter) over 520,000 people. The home of the University of New Mexico, it also has some air force base nearby, hence it has an interesting mix of Mexicans, North American Indians, students and fighter pilots (all four combined could have an interesting outcome!)

More importantly, it also had another classic 66 diner, which fortunately coincided with lunch, and where else does one partake in the midday meal than at a diner

The map on the wall of the diner, complete with Marilyn Monroe, showed that we were not yet half way along the journey

Chanelle is always happy in front of a camera

After lunch, it was back on the road again, and with a satisfied stomach it wasn't easy staying awake, especially with no turns in the road. The consolation of course, was the fact that there were no other vehicles



At Tucumcari, another Route 66 icon, The Blue Swallow Motel is still pumping

although many of the vehicles in town are past their prime

We crossed the border into Texas, a high point for Chloe, as she was desperate to try a 'proper Texan steak in a proper Texan Steakhouse. As the evening drew in we reached Amarillo, checked into a motel and went looking for a proper Texan Steakhouse!