October 1, 2012:
We arrived at High Desert RV Park just west of Albuquerque, New Mexico on September 29th. It's basically a parking lot right on the Route 40 service road, but full hookup, level, clean and convenient to Albuquerque. We visited the Petroglyph National Monument, it was great, you can easily see hundreds of petroglyphs from the trail. We went out for dinner heading for the "Old Town" area, but somehow did not find it. We ended up about two blocks away at a really authentic Mexican restaurant, Los Compadres, more like a diner, definitely a place where the locals eat, the food was spicy hot, no ambiance, but interesting, possibly a little too authentic for me ! We then drove down Central Avenue at night, it runs the length of the city, old route 66, but it's mostly a reproduction route 66, nothing much original left.
On day # 2, we returned to Petroglyph Park to hike another trail that was even better than the first. Then another search for historic "Old Town" Albuquerque, we found it was way better than expected, similar to Santa Fe, but not as polished, high end, or touristy. Everything was very artistic and colorful, loved everything there, my favorite place in town. Lots of "Day of the Dead" stuff there, which I am very addicted to! Only problem, No real bars !
On day # 3, I took off solo to explore the center city area and managed to find some interesting old buildings and many great murals! Then we went to the Sandia Casino for lunch to meet old friends, Suzi and Dave Druley, who live in the area. We met them many years ago in Ithaca, NY, close to 20 years ago, a great reunion.
Then we drove back to the Nob Hill section on Central Avenue, parked and walked a few blocks to check out the sights and more murals !
The big event in Albuquerque, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta starts October 6th and we are tempted to stay, but don't want to deal with the crowds, the traffic, the prices, so we are off again. Next stop Red Rocks Park near Gallop, New mexico.
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| The El Wado Motel in Old Town Albuquerque, now closed |
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| The El Don Motel in Old Town Albuquerque |
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| Mural in center city |
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| Mural in alley behind tattoo parlor in Nob Hill section of Albuquerque |
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| Mural in Nob Hill Albuquerque |
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| Shocking! stories of the future ! |
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| Mural in Nob Hill Albuquerque |
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| Mural in Nob Hill Albuquerque |
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| Murals in Center City Albuquerque |
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| Tile art at Albuquerque Convention Center |
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| Tile art at Albuquerque Convention Center |
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| Mural in Center City Albuquerque |
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| Mural in Center City Albuquerque |
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| Historic Kimo theater in Center City Albuquerque |
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| El Wado Motel sign in Old Town Albuquerque |
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| Twinkles taking a break, only place in town to get a beer outside |
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| Bad luck to steal Saints |
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| San Felipe de Neri church in Old Town Albuquerque |
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| Datura flower-quite impressive |
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| Petroglyphs National Monument |
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| Hiking trail at Petroglyphs National Monument |
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