Adventures with Cindy

Day three begins with Night two….and the thunder and lightening storm. The primary plans for the day are to travel to Albuqueque.  Any fun and excitement that can be thrown in, is always good.  I took a couple of minutes to walk around the Big Texan and take a few pictures in the day light.

   
    
    
    
    
 
Once we checked out and loaded up, we head west again.  With the first stop being only 10 miles down the road, it shouldn’t be that hard, right?  Wrong!  The instructions given to us by the receptionist was take exit 60 on I40 onto Arnot Road.  You can’t miss the Cadillac Ranch she said!  We even had a can of spray paint so we were prepared to see the CARS!   So we are trucking right along and the miles are clicking by. I have read the directions several times so there shouldn’t be any problems… At 70 MPH Exit 60 is coming up quick. So what should I do?  I scream at Greg “Exit..Exit”. Taking more than just his lane and part of the exit he barely makes it.  He then proceeds to tell me that I told him Exit 40!!!  No, Dear … Exit 60 Interstate 40!  So now we are off the interstate but we don’t see the Cadillac Ranch anywhere, staying on the bypass road we travel over two miles looking for these CARS.  Finally in despration we turn around and try one more time before giving up. There it is…Cadillac Ranch! 

 
But remember that rain storm last night?  It left the field a total mud bog.  You had to walk about 200 yards to get out to them.  Our shoes were caked with mud and with each step a new layer was added, weighing tons.  We made it as close as we could without totally getting ankle deep.  I got a couple pictures and was able to say that I was there, but we had to forgo the spray painting.  I donated my can to the cause and maybe somebody someday will paint their name on the cadillacs in Cadillac Ranch!

  
I did find my name already painted on the road so what the heck, I took a picture of it instead!

Greg’s nerves were back under control and we headed down the road again. Next stop New Mexico!

We try to get on Route 66 as much as we can, but a lot of times it is just taking an exit, drive through the town and then get back on the interstate until the next exit.  

   
  

The old motels with neon and 50’s deco signs were so neat, even if they were taken through the moon roof during a rain storm!  What I do for some pictures!
 But not without pelting rain, thunder and lightening.  

   
New Mexico State Line

  
We try to stop at each states Information Centers and pick up brochures, coupons and information about the areas we plan to visit. And sure enough the receptionist told us we had to stop at the truck stop up the road.  

We did! 

    
    
    
 In the truck stop is a free car museum, a cool 50’s soda shop and a gift store!  The truck stops, so far, out West are way cooler than the ones back home.

We finally make it to Albuqueque and the rain seems to be letting up some.  We are staying two nights at the Hotel Cascada, An Urban Resort.  I found it by researching the web.  I was looking for hotels/motels that were not part of a chain and carbon copies of every room you have ever stayed in.  I found it with this one. 

    
   
These last two pictures are right out side of our room in the atrium.  Waterfalls and goldfish…how cool?
As you may have noticed we skipped breakfast and lunch.  The last couple of days was just too much heavy eating for both of us.  So we opted for a late lunch – early supper and eat just one meal.  Greg found the resturant this time.  Only stipulation is it can’t be a chain resturant or fast food.  We went to Duran Station.  Another great find.  It’s a remodeled old fire station, hence the name Duran Station and served mexican cusine.  Salsa and chips are complimentary and I  know why….it’s so hot you order a ton a beer to cool your mouth off.  Food was good and service was great, could be that we were the only ones there at this odd hour.

After eating we drove around Albuqueque and made our way out to Kirtland Air Force Base.  Greg had been at Kirtland before and wanted to see if he could remember anything….NOT. And then he wants me to take pictures!  This is a secured base housing nuclear weapons…really, photos, I think he was trying to get me sent to the Brig!!!

Here’s your picture Greg Courington