Route 66

Whenever we go somewhere new on vacation, we like to explore the area and play "What if...?", looking at things from the perspective of possibly relocating. Isla Mujeres has long been the fantasy, "win the lottery and move anywhere" destination, but Sedona has officially replaced it.  Not even on our original itinerary for this trip, several friends noted it as a must-see so we changed our schedule from a drive-by on the southern rim of the Grand Canyon and a night in Williams, to a night in Sedona instead. After staying at the amazing La Posada and driving by the…

We left ABQ yesterday morning, headed for Red Rock State Park and Ceremonial, alternating between 66 and 40 whenever we could. We had to turn around near Correo and Mesitas when we couldn't locate 66, and saw a depressing Native slum/ruins right off 40 near the latter. Other parts of 66 before and after Gallup were similarly destitute or desolate, but a few areas offered some great views of the terrain.  Outside Gallup, we rolled into Red Rock State Park only to find most of Ceremonial had finished already, except for the rodeo, so we wandered the park instead where…

See the full gallery on posterous I love getting out of the New York area because there is so much truth in the cliche, "familiarity breeds contempt", and there are few things I have more contempt for than the bland green landscapes along our highways, and the soullessness of our over-developed suburbs and under-nourished cities. Southwestern landscapes have always fascinated me, though; from the rugged brown mountains dotted with bright green succulents, to the simple architectural style of adobe architecture.  Albuquerque has offered us a bizarre mix of both the good and bad, with some wonderful examples of Pueblo Deco…

Your Chance to Taste $1000 Salsa The highly popular “Homemade Salsa Competition” will be the focus of this year's Old Town Salsa Fiesta. Contestants will present mouth-scorching, tummy-tingling recipes for the competition, which is judged entirely by you! In addition to the competition, this event has something for everyone - live music and dance, a wine tasting featuring local wines, chile-inspired lectures in the "Hot Ideas" tent, and storytelling for the kids. When: Saturday, August 15 from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. Where: Old Town Price: $4 to judge in the salsa competition, and $4 for the wine tasting, or…

Since 1922, the people of Gallup, New Mexico have been proud to present the Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial each summer. A unique opportunity to immerse yourself in Native American arts, cultures, and traditions, “Ceremonial”, as it is known throughout the region, is a special time when indigenous peoples from throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico travel to Gallup to share the best of their creative and performing talents and diverse heritages with the rest of the world, and to reunite with other indigenous groups. Nowhere else on Earth can you experience tribal ceremonial dances, a contest pow-wow, indoor and…