Spark-Plug/Jaywalker72: Route 66

Hi there

Line up before the start of the day

The day started well with briefing and introduction of the three Argentinians,Gustavo,Javier and Roberto . All of them were riding similar bikes however for Javier and Roberto the height of bikes was tall and they were hardly able to touch their toes on ground-the renting company had faulted on their request and provided them with tall bikes.

It was back on the mega highways ,with the joining of the new members the rear had a new combination .Within first 20 miles all hell broke loose in the rear,due to weight of the bike and formation ride , it become difficult for the new members to keep pace or the formation of the group.For Gustavo the american highways offered an excellent option to ride freely and he started swaying on the bike followed by Javier. having accoustomed to hand signals I,Matt and Peter were hardly able to now ride properly since Gustavo also started swaying to the FM songs by raising his hands at many places we thought it is a stop sign and all off a sudden we halted only to realize that ,he is just happy and so raising his hands.

This was too much for Peter ,self and Matt.Shane, who was in the back up vehicle saw all the confusion and decided to talk to the new members at the next stop.Luckily we had a fuel stop ,Richard called all of them on side explained them the rules of riding,while we three,self ,Matt and Peter decided to ride together.

Briefing by Richard to the Argentinians

It was smooth ride after that we halted at our first halt of the day the JW Eaves Movie Ranch.This ranch was build in 1969 by 20th Century Fox.Mr Eaves is no more and at present the Ranch is being looked after Mr Thomas.The ranch is still in use in fact ,few days back a movie production got over.

Its an absolute delight to see the ranch,basically its a film set of old cowboy town complete with its own railway .Tthe place is must visit, entry is not free but its worth price .

Mr Thomas briefing the group

Movie set

Put behind the bars!!!!!!

It was getting warm by the time we left the ranch ,however the countryside and topography of New Mexico felt I was in Rajasthan.

After climbing down into the town of Madrid it was time for another break .This time it was in the famous Maggies dinner were the movie Wild Hogs was filmed.The town itself is very small but has number of art studios .The gift shop and dinner are an excellent place .

Maggie's Dinner

Hand painted beautiful letter box in town square

Wood art work -splendid

Thereafter it was time to visit the Acoma Reservation it is a village of Natives which is located at the foot of a tall mesa,which is isolated and protects the tribe from neighboring Navajo and Apache tribes.Richard lets us loose to ride on the road,we did not enter the village just turnaround and back to the highway.

Acoma Reservation

The next halt for lunch was at the Chaco trading post ,again its a very well done up truck stop and does no more trading its also a gift shop .

Chaco trading post

Cactus art made up of used barbed wire

As we entered Navaho tribe area it was also time for some original shopping of tribal art .It is also the place which marks the continental divide.

Live cactus for sale

Shane

Navajo Carpets

This kind of design comes when hair is burnt and than pot is colored

Continental divide

The evening dinner was planned in the famous El Rancho restaurant ,located just across our tour hotel in Gallup

The El Rancho restaurant opened on 17 December 1937,by brother of movie magnet DW Griffith.At that time many films were made in the area and this was the place were famous people stayed .The hotel has played host to Ronald Reagan,Spencer Tracy ,Katherine Hepburn and Kirk Douglas.

All rooms are named and themed after a particular star,all walls are adorned with photos/articles of stars.The food is good too, in fact they are really happy when you say you want something very chilli and vegetarian.The waiter went all out to get for me and kept on asking if I am happy with the amount of Chilli!!!