Route 66

© Steve Figueroa Photography

My trip into New Mexico was one full of ear-popping, maniacal driving. The people in these parts don't mess around when it comes to sustained speeds. Hell, the speed limit is 75mph!

So naturally, everyone is moving closer to 85-90 mph on average. When you're 50 miles or so between gas stations, it's clear to see why you don't wanna go slow. All there is to look at is gargantuan farms, 25-story corn silos, and trains. Tons and tons of trains. 

Did I mention how many damn trains traverse the southwest?

So by the time I made it into New Mexico, I was beat and decided to get a room on the world famous Route 66. This room is exactly what I thought it would be. 30 years of smoking, travelers, hooker's breath, and probably a few ritualistic killings left quite a scent in the room I got at the 5-star Motel 6 Resort and Laundromat. I had a quick chat with the surly old goat at the front desk. He was from Brooklyn. Probably in some sort of witness protection program by the sound of his disdain with the area and its inhabitants.

After settling into my room, I decided to watch TV and see what terrible shit was plaguing our planet this time. More murder and mayhem of course. I quickly passed out, forgetting to set my alarm. 

No worries, because my battle damaged Terminator-like wake up routine made sure I was up by 6:59 AM. I finally got out of bed around 8am and loaded up the soccer-mom-mobile to head out. That's when I spotted this awesome building up for sale. As you can tell, it has been repurposed several times. 

After admiring the Gas Station/Chinese Restaurant/Lunch Buffet, I figured I should ride a little further down Route 66 and see what I find. I passed a few Tex Mex joints and scrap yards, then found something I had wanted to visit for quite some time and completely forgot about it up until this point.

The Route 66 Automotive Museum! This place was awesome and only $5 bucks to enter. All the cars and memorabilia was on sale - because let's face it, everything in life is for sale - and the lady running the place was really nice and gave me a little tour since I was the only one there at first.

Like most places I show up, it's empty when I get there and people seem to follow me in. If only I had the same effect on the rain in California.

Check out the gallery below: