Headed west from Santa Fe yesterday. The Albuquerque farmers’ market this morning then on to Gallup. A quick photo at city hall and then back to Albuquerque. A few beers at Tractor Brewing (Get Plowed) while waiting for Happy Accident to open at 5PM. Then back to Santa Fe.
I’ve posted a picture at the top of the page from the side of Rte 66 just outside Gallup. I suspect all of the scenery I’ve posted from New Mexico looks the same. But in person, the terrain is incredibly varied. And astounding.
I did spend some time in Gallup. This is the mural in front of the municipal offices. But there didn’t seem to be much “share worthy”.
I drove around Albuquerque a little in the morning, before and after the farmers’ market. And then stopped in again after going west as far as Gallup. With 565,00 people in the city proper, and 900,000 in the metropolitan area, it is the largest city in New Mexico by a substantial amount. They have what appears to be a vibrant restaurant scene, at least from my self-selected sample of two.
Tractor Brewing Company – a friendly vibe, and just around the corner from the main event, Happy Accidents. Beer inside and a food truck outside. I couldn’t resist the shirt.
Happy Accidents [https://www.happyaccidentsbar.com/cocktails] is primarily a cocktail bar, with a creative short menu of food. I can personally recommend the Could You Beet Loved? (funky Pot still Jamaican rum, beet, ginger, cantaloupe, apple cider vinegar, lemon, clarified with goats milk whey). They open at 5, no reservations, and by 6 were completely full. I sat at the bar and service was good. I was especially struck by the effort put into making it a safe space. The house rules (on the left) were spot on, and the message posted in the bathroom (on the right) was a first for me. Give them some business if you are in Albuquerque.
The Journey 
I love the is Phoebe working sign
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I thought signs like that were only posted in women’s bathrooms. Very happy to see a place that is so inclusive.
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Mmmm. I think unisex bathrooms. But still admirable.
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If you head back towards Albuquerque again, take the Turquoise Trail. It’s got beautiful scenery and goes through some really cute little towns that I think would be of interest to you. I found it by accident when I was out there last December — I didn’t want to drive the highway again and this was a fabulous alternative.
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I’d like to do the Turquoise Trail. But we are coming into monsoon season and the weather looks a little miserable this weekend. And after that I demobilize. Maybe next time. I’d be happy to end up back in Albuquerque.
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What are you doing on the road again so soon after Florida! I loved Santa Fe when I was there. It looks as if you did,too, since you went back a second time. Any chance of more stints with the Feds, or was once enough.
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We are short staffed. Not enough of us to cover what nature is dishing out. So rapid turn around on deployments. The high altitude fire and then rain on destabilized slopes is a terrible scenario. I suspect the Feds will keep using me until I decline. In one form or another. ;-]
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