Day 11

This morning we continued west from Gallup, NM on Interstate 40.  Our first stop was at  the Blue Water Trading Post where we shopped for souvenirs.  This was the 487th gift shop we have visited so far ;)  I understand there are more to come.  Then we traveled to Old Town Albuquerque, the original site of Albuquerque, NM.  The town was established in1706 by the Spanish.  There are many small shops and restaurants as well as an area where Native American craftsmen sell jewelry that they have made.  After lunch we headed out of town a short distance to the Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, billed as the worlds longest tramway.  It starts at an elevation of around 6,000 ft. above sea level and ends up at the peak, which is 10,378 ft. above sea level.  The view just cannot be described as you ride to the top.  Then we traveled to Tucumcari, NM.  This is another small town on Old Route 66 which has suffered from the construction of Interstate 40.  As we drove through town we saw many business that have been closed.  We will spend the night here.

San Felipe de Meri Church on Old Town Albuquerque, NM

Inside of San Felipe de Meri

Native American craftsmen selling their jewelry in Old Town Albuquerque

Casa de Fiesta Restaurant

Old Town Albuquerque

Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway near Albuquerque

Nearing the top of Sandia Peak on the tram

View from the top of Sandia Peak