Monday, February 29, 2016

Scuba Divers and Shiny Models in Eastern New Mexico

The weather is so pretty on Friday that we spend most of it just hanging out at the campground. Enjoying the wide open space, the total quiet, reading a good book - perfect.
Big yard all to ourselves
A dog outstanding in her field
In the afternoon we take off in search of Rattlesnake Canyon. We follow the directions to another two-track but after only a short distance are stopped by a locked gate. Going around the other way we find another one. Oh well, back to town.
No Rattlesnake Canyon for us
I'm fascinated by the perfectly flat horizon
One of the must-sees in Santa Rosa, NM, is the Blue Hole. Another sink hole, it is one of seven small lakes connected underground. With an important place in the history of native tribes and pioneers, in the 1970's it became a recreation area, and more recently home to the Blue Hole Dive and Conference Center. It is very small, very blue, and very spectacular. When we arrive we find rescue diver training in progress.
A natural wonder
Training for underwater rescue
Amazing color
Bubbles rise from divers deep below
Saturday the anticipated wind arrives so taking in the Route 66 Museum sounds like a great idea. Developed and maintained by Bozo and Anna Cordova, the little museum houses 30 vintage vehicles and a collection of signs, toys and other artifacts of the famous Mother Road - Route 66. We found it worth the $5/person fee to enjoy the fun collection.
1955 Edsel FEMA Specialty Vehicle
So shiny!
A favorite - 1956 Bel Air

I love the original interiors
This 1931 Auburn is the most unique 
Bill's favorite, 1963 Corvette
1973 Chevy Nova - lots of red
Original exterior 1955 Ford Woody Wagon
With a not-so-original engine under the hood
Vintage Cadillac - we don't see tail lights like these anymore
After the museum we drive around the small downtown with lovely old buildings that now mostly stand vacant. The historic court house is the exception.
On the corner of Old Route 66 and 3rd Street
Guadalupe County Courthouse since 1905
Modern art on the grounds of the courthouse
I love the detail of the panels
With wind in the forecast for most of our few remaining days we decide that moving on early sounds like the better option. We love having this flexibility, to change our plans when the urge strikes. There's one other reason we want to get to Santa Fe......and we're pretty excited.

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14 comments:

  1. John and Pam (ohtheplacestheygo.wordpress.com)March 1, 2016 at 8:21 AM

    I always enjoy your "reading with view" boot tips:) It is nice to just totally kick back and take in the surrounds sometimes. But I must admit I'm am not a good relaxer anymore, but I think that is exactly what we will do for our few days stay at the lake:) Tessa has her own little park:)

    Great museum with the perfect price. I like when there isn't an overwhelming supply of autos.

    Being very flexible is certainly the name of the game on the road! Go the wind blows you...haha!

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 5:58 PM

      I don't take advantage of some of our prettier sites nearly enough - and I soooo enjoy it when I do! Tessa loved having that big space :-) We're really glad we came to Santa Fe early. We may stay longer too.

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  2. Wanderin'March 1, 2016 at 9:52 AM

    I never thought about scuba diving in New Mexico. However, Texas has a couple similar "blue water" places to dive. We visited one and always talked about the other but never made. We just didn't think of the states as places to scuba dive.

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 5:59 PM

      My thoughts exactly. Seems so strange to have a dive facility in the desert.

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  3. Joe and GayMarch 1, 2016 at 10:05 AM

    I love the old cars...something else we have in common!

    And yes, being able to leave early or stay longer is a great thing!

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 6:01 PM

      With all the bright colors and shiny lights they are like a big parade to enjoy at our leisure. The interiors were as much fun as the exteriors - the details in some of them were beautiful.

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  4. Laura BelterMarch 1, 2016 at 11:25 AM

    I'll take the Woody! Good idea on the move.. Looking forward to reading about your next destination.

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 6:01 PM

      Wasn't it sweet???? Oh you're going to love what we've been up to in just two days :-))))

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  5. SherryMarch 1, 2016 at 12:58 PM

    Wow lots of cars in that museum. David would be in heaven. Love the Edsel...too funny and the Cadillac tail lights. Seems so long ago. Wonder why the gates were locked to Rattlesnake Canyon? Is it privately owned?

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 6:05 PM

      The Edsel really cracked me up!! Big fins and deep back seats and pointy tail lights - so different now. Not sure about the gates but we suspect that the road is through private ranch land. Same thing happened when we headed for Table Mountain. Our Google map shows a road right to it, but it's private property.

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  6. GaelynMarch 1, 2016 at 1:51 PM

    Sometimes doing nothing is the best. I really like that Woody but don't think it would tow my 5er. I've experienced some absolutely crazy spring winds in NM.

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 1, 2016 at 6:07 PM

      No, afraid the 5er wouldn't work. Still be so fun to cruise around in :-) We were in NM last March and I swore I'd never drive in those winds again!

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  7. Laurel (www.ravenandchickadee.com)March 1, 2016 at 6:25 PM

    Those Cadillac taillights are hilarious!!! Love that Edsel, too -- it looks like it was equipped to handle anything and everything. Thanks for the fun museum tour. We need to spend more time relaxing in our campsites, especially when we're in a beautiful and peaceful spot. :-)

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    1. Jodee GravelMarch 2, 2016 at 8:29 AM

      We sat outside in the sunshine in Santa Fe this morning and when we came in I said the same thing - We need to that more often! That little museum was very fun, and there were only a couple other people so even better.

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