Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Off 66 to Cuba, Charma, and Colorado....

Not much time for chit chat, headed west to Amarillo, with stops planned in Santa Rosa, Tucumcari, perhaps Adrian.......Detoured yesterday to see some new sights and make some new groovy images.  Mission accomplished!!

Tuesday, June 1, 2010

Tortilla Flat, Copper Mountain, and a Town Called Pie

Yes, I am aware.  It has been a few days since I've "blogged".  Where the hell did that term originate anyway??  It has been a busy last few days.  Hanging out in Phoenix, discovering new sights, and reconnecting with old acquaintances.  I left Holbrook, AZ on Friday morning, rode SW through some very pretty country.  I'm not going to bore you or myself with the details, so here are some pics from the Phoenix area....


After a few days exploring Phoenix, and finally getting to spend some time with my Cousin Bill, I headed East on Hwy 60 venturing towards Albuquerque.  Another spectacular ride, albeit long!!  About 440 miles.  Yes, my ass was mighty sore!!  Some special scenery, going through the Copper Mountains and the White Mountains.
 
 One special town in Neuvo Mexico, is named:


Yes, you got it right.....Pie Town!!  Just ashame the area code isn't 314.  So there is this place called the Pie-o-neer cafe.  Strangely enough, they specialize in PIE!!  Did I get some, of course not!!  By the time I rolled into town, not a slice was left.  They did not have a slice to spare.  No PIE for you.....NEXT!!!!

However, I did have a nice chat with Kathy the Cheif Pie Lady, and her she is pictured with one the the other Pie Chicks.....


I was telling her about my adventures, and the entire route 66 thing.  She was very interested, and told me I was "living her dream".  She looked at the cycle, and said it was a good thing I was all packed up, because she hadn't had a good ride in a long time!!  She was ready to go!! So, if you ever happen to be in the middle of nowhere, (it really is)....on Hwy 60 in NM, look for Pie Town.

Immediately next to the cafe was this interesting old Conoco Station. 




That's all for now.  In the "Q", perhaps going up to Santa Fe for the day.....I don't know.  I'm aimlessly wandering the SouthWest.   Happy June!!  Which makes me the of the Carter's and the Cleavers!!

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Is it Mountain time or Pacific??

Day 5 - Not sure of the time, nor the zone.  Well, I'm sure of the zona, as in Ari.....DST is not observed here, so half the year it is mountain time, and the other is left coast.  I'm thinking it is now Pacific time.  I'm in
Holbrook, about 100 miles West of the Nuevo Mexico border.  This will be my third night in 10 months in this town.  I'm becoming quite the frequent guest.  Phoenix is on the tube in the NBA Western Finals.  Go Suns!!  I like the Sun.  Except of course when riding into its path!! 

Yesterday was spent tooling around the "Q".  Drove up to the peak named Salinas.  Over 10,000 feet. A very pretty ride, but it was quite chilly at the top.  Of course, I forgot my long sleeve back at the enchanted trails, so I didn't spend a long time at the top.  Nice view of the valley, however the multitude of radio, microwave, cellular and other towers spoiled the otherwise beautiful view!!  Snow was still on the ground.  BRRRR.



An yet another Simpsons reference, I had to drive by the home of the Isotopes.  Very nice facility.  The "Topes" happened to be playing.  So did I attend a game?  Of course not.  I did quickly pop in the gift shop,
hoping to find a nice T Shirt with Homer, but none were to be found.  Rather odd, since the Simpsons are THE reason for the team's name.  And the first thing I see walking into the stadium??  A giant Homer.  Made it back to the Enchanted Trails, and retired for the night.



Extreme high winds today.  Unbelievable.  Stopped by to see Crazy Mary at the Route 66 Art Gallery in San Fidel.  I had a smoke and she had a cigar!!  Her Gallery is on 66, and the property contains a few very small remnants of an old hotel, that was made out of mud!!  Yes, mud!!  It was a very dirty place!!  What little remains, is pictured here....and a nice shot of her apricot tree!!

Also across the street is this vintage cafe, with a pretty cool sign.

Continued Westward towards Gallup.  Don't know if I've mentioned it, but I installed some rocking speakers for the trip.  Made by MHI Instruments, these are the Rumble Road Ultra's, and sound pretty fine.  Of course, running straight pipes as I'm doing, and driving into 40 mph hour winds while driving 60mph, it occasionally makes it a little difficult to hear.  But when the wind is low, and I'm cruising at 50, they are great!!  And they look pretty nice too!!


I'm typing this as I eat at Romo's, the best place in Holbrook.  Situated directly across the street from Joe and Aggies, it is packed. This is where the locals come!!

Going to visit Winslow on Friday morning, then heading to Phoenix/Scottsdale/Chandler.

Looking forward to a nice rest tonight!!

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Third Verse, Same As The First

Just last night, I was reminded of, just how bad, it had gotten, and just how sick, I had become!!!  Apologies to Gordon Gano and crew, but the title seemed appropriate, as the following is now my third "self blogging portrait" from the Enchanted Hills RV Park on top of nine mile hill in "The Q".  For you novices, the "Q" is Albuquerque!!


So here I sit, day 4 of the trip has begun!!  But wait, I'm jumping ahead once again.  And I've yet to have any coffee!!  That ADD adult style is kickin' in big time!!  Big time... Did I jus type that??  Well, I am a sensitive 90's guy!!  Ok, back to the recap of yesterday.

Many changes took place yesterday.  I lightened my load considerably.  Bulk and stress.  I discovered quickly that the trailer, while handy and quite agile, was dragging me down.  MPG was down to about 20!!  Yes, a mere 20 mpg.  While might be fine with a car, not with a cycle.  Combine that with a 4.5 gal fuel tank, and not many gas stations in some parts, made for too many frequent stops.  So I left the trailer behind in Amarillo in Croc's Garage, packed up what I could on the green love machine, and headed towards the "Q".  Finally got on the road about 3:00pm, after a quick stop at the 6th Street Antique Mall and Route 66 Store in Amarillo.  (I have to remember about the art cards occasionally!!).....Saw Chip and delivered an all new assortment of Amarillo's stuff!!  Have you seen the Amarillo stuff?  This is where you can -   Handcolored66

Headed west, stopped in Montoya, Newkirk, and a few other places that I've seen many times before, but depending on the season, time of day, it's always different!!

The first shot on the left is a very old ad for a Texaco Station.  This is located on an old segment a few miles West of Tucumcari.


Continuing West, the following are located close to the Montoyas exit and Newkirk....





The sunset was beautiful, driving westward......However, it also sucked, driving directly into the sun.  66 is almost due west, and the sun was almost blinding.  Fans of the Simpsons, remember the "Great Chili Cookoff Episode"   When Homer was in the Desert??  Sunrise, Sunset, Sunrise, Sunset........DOH!!


It was like that!!  Very hard to see, so I stayed on the cycle, and arrived in the "Q" about 8:30.  Had a great Green Chili Burrito, (actually to me it was an enchilada as it was covered in sauce)......Parked in front.  Hey, while probably not intended, it was for bikes!!!  Within 5 minutes of my parking on the sidewalk, two more compadres like my idea, and decided to join my new parking arrangement!!


So, after a quick nights sleep in the Winnebago at the Enchanted Trails RV Park, I awoke, where I am finishing the blog.  Took these pics this morning, and am going to photograph the interiors of some of these groovy travel trailers for my good friend Vicki!!  Sheriff and Proprietor of Enchanted Trails.