USA Road Trip 2023 - Part 1 (page 2 of 9)

WALKING AROUND LOS CERILLOS - NEW MEXICO

Parking: 35.43745, -106.12504

Los Cerrillos was once the center of the mining industry in the region, which also included Golden and Madrid, and encompassed gold, silver, copper, turquoise, lead, and coal.

If it was once seriously considered as the capital of New Mexico, Cerrillos, with its dirt roads, is now a picturesque reminder of the Wild West.

The town served as the setting for several films, including Walt Disney’s *Nine Lives of Elfego Baca* and *Young Guns*.

https://youtu.be/igan1RDz-Ow

WALK THROUGH THE VILLAGE OF MADRID - NEW MEXICO

35.40923, -106.15166 Parking

Madrid is a charming little village located in the state of New Mexico. We parked our vehicle at the entrance of the village and took a walk down its main street to discover this place, which was once a thriving mining town in the early 1900s.

It was known for its coal mines. But in the 1940s, it experienced a sharp decline with the rise of natural gas, which replaced coal. The town was then deserted and became a real ghost town.

However, in the 1970s, hippies moved into this abandoned village and converted the old miners' cabins into shops and art galleries.

Madrid is now a dynamic artistic community with unique galleries, eclectic shops, and cozy cafés. If you love art, you’ll definitely adore this place.

You can also visit an old coal mine turned into a museum, the Madrid Old Coal Town Museum.

https://youtu.be/AHW2v6vA7Wo

SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS CATHOLIC CHURCH & THE BOTTLE HOUSE - GOLDEN - NEW MEXICO

The Catholic Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, located in Golden, New Mexico, was built in the 1830s to honor Saint Francis of Assisi as the town grew thanks to the discovery of gold.

Mining continued on a small scale until around 1892. However, the population had declined so much that the post office closed in 1928, turning Golden into a ghost town.

The most photographed building in Golden is this small church, which was restored by historian and author Fray Angelico Chavez in 1960 while he was the priest at Saint Joseph’s Church in Los Cerrillos.

The Bottle House is located near this church. This quirky spot, right by the roadside, is adorned with countless colorful glass bottles and various miscellaneous objects.

Two fascinating places to discover if you're passing through this region of New Mexico.

35.26849, -106.21363 Road to access the church 35.26931, -106.21326 San Francisco de Asis Catholic Church 35.26688, -106.21347 Bottle House

https://youtu.be/j0Mq4BtvGF8

ALBUQUERQUE MURALS - NEW MEXICO

Albuquerque is the largest city in the state of New Mexico. The different neighborhoods in this city are packed with cultural, natural, and urban sites.

Downtown Albuquerque is the heart of the city. It offers a dynamic mix of nightlife, culture, and history.

2.8 km walk in this neighborhood:

35.08163, -106.64465 Street parking 35.08098, -106.64499 Sightworks - Several murals 35.08412, -106.64970 Parking (several murals nearby) 35.08418, -106.65104 The Library Bar & Grill 35.08494, -106.65252 KiMo Theatre 35.08465, -106.65334 Skip Maisel's Indian Jewelry 35.08489, -106.65499 The Historic El Rey Theater 35.08504, -106.65621 J.A. Skinner

https://youtu.be/QdtOFQoxYag

66 DINER - ALBUQUERQUE - NEW MEXICO

Location: 35.08213, -106.6306

The 66 Diner restaurant, decorated in a 1960s style, is located in an authentic former Route 66 gas station in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The restaurant was closed when we stopped by. However, the owner was there because he was doing renovation work. He saw me and still invited me inside.

I was truly dazzled by the decorative elements that perfectly recreate the retro vibe of that amazing era!

https://youtu.be/WLwuDisEG_U

WALKING THROUGH OLD TOWN (ALBUQUERQUE) - NEW MEXICO

Old Town is a historic neighborhood in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Its narrow streets and century-old adobe houses are home to New Mexican restaurants and artisan shops.

The San Felipe de Neri Church, overlooking the main square (Old Town Plaza), was rebuilt in 1793 after the original church collapsed a year earlier. It’s the oldest church in Albuquerque.

Nearby, you’ll find the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, which has dinosaur skeletons, and the Albuquerque Museum, showcasing artworks.

35.09588, -106.66994 Street parking near Old Town Plaza – 2 hours free 35.09562, -106.66947 Old Town Emporium 35.09611, -106.66993 Old Town Plaza 35.09656, -106.66975 San Felipe de Neri Church 35.09706, -106.66935 Poco a Poco Plaza 35.09751, -106.66928 Patio San Felipe Del Norte 35.09765, -106.66893 Chapel of Our Lady of Guadalupe via Patio Escondido 35.09819, -106.66738 La Jornada Monument 35.09826, -106.66490 New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science

https://youtu.be/EQJ0zMMKBDo

RINCONADA CANYON TRAIL - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.13887, -106.71130 Visitor Center

Petroglyph National Monument protects one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America. It features motifs and symbols carved into volcanic rocks by Native Americans and Spanish settlers 400 to 700 years ago, stretching over 27 kilometers along the West Mesa escarpment in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Rinconada Canyon Trail

35.12719, -106.72523 Trailhead to the right 35.12733, -106.73593 Beautiful petroglyph 35.12580, -106.74210 Midpoint - You can turn back or complete the loop, but you’ll move away from the petroglyphs

The Rinconada Canyon Trail follows the northern escarpment, offering hikers a view of a variety of petroglyphs. The trail is a total of 3.5 kilometers long.

Check out this site if you’d like more info: https://www.nps.gov/petr/index.htm

https://youtu.be/oLWUYAQJxdA

MESA POINT TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

A 500-meter loop trail that lets you see petroglyphs all along the hike, right next to the path. Information panels explain some details about the petroglyphs, the people who created them, and the surrounding area.

35.16090, -106.71670 Parking and trailhead 35.16077, -106.71612 Right junction 35.16125, -106.71550 Viewpoint and start of a small loop 35.16108, -106.71563 Right junction – Return

https://youtu.be/Mrwb4ayX1ks

MACAW TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.16213, -106.71806 Parking 35.16227, -106.71822 Start of the trail

A 50 m loop trail where you can see numerous petroglyphs.

https://youtu.be/eaWp8hu5LV4

CLIFF BASE TRAIL - BOCA NEGRA CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

A 245 m loop trail. A short hike that lets you see lots of petroglyphs.

35.16215, -106.71833 Trailhead 35.16197, -106.71885 Start of the loop

https://youtu.be/97SSyRenqxo

PIEDRAS MARCADAS CANYON - PETROGLYPH NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

35.18869, -106.68569 Parking

This spot is located near Albuquerque in New Mexico. A hike of about 2 miles (3.2 km) lets you discover up to 400 petroglyphs.

https://youtu.be/cFlp_tZXFJM

SANDSTONE BLUFFS & VENTANA NATURAL ARCH - EL MALPAIS NATIONAL MONUMENT - NEW MEXICO

* Sandstone Bluffs Overlook

34.94422, -107.83825 Parking

Located on the west side of Route 117, this overlook offers a view of the park’s lava flows and the impressive sandstone cliffs that border them.

* Ventana Natural Arch

34.87253, -107.88988 Parking and trailhead 34.86978, -107.88956 Viewpoint

A roughly 700-meter round-trip hike. Ventana Arch is the largest natural arch accessible in New Mexico.

Check out this site if you'd like more info: https://www.nps.gov/elma/index.htm

https://youtu.be/BcTgUFOUEtE

STEWART'S PETRIFIED WOOD SHOP – HOLBROOK – ARIZONA

Location: 35.00192, -109.89656

Stewart's Petrified Wood Shop is located on a hillside along Route 66, about ten kilometers from downtown Holbrook in Arizona. You can reach it via a service road.

Its numerous signs and giant dinosaurs make it easy to spot from the road.

The site is filled with wax mannequins, petrified wood, dinosaurs and other giant animals, old cars, and more. There’s even an ostrich farm!

The shop is at the back of the courtyard, where they sell pieces of petrified wood.

A fun stop for those who love quirky places.

https://youtu.be/DN0ZyixVB2Y

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF HOLBROOK - ARIZONA

Holbrook is a unique and historic destination in the state of Arizona that lets us relive the nostalgia of Route 66 with its vintage cars, its teepee-shaped hotel, its motels featuring numerous murals, and several other buildings that reflect the town’s past.

34.90722, -110.15825 The Corral - Murals 34.90746, -110.15792 Petrified Wood Direct 34.90689, -110.15789 Pow Wow Trading Post 34.90460, -110.15778 Winners Circle Bar 34.90408, -110.15843 Linda's Indian Art & Crafts 34.90305, -110.15773 Navajo County Historic Courthouse and Museum 34.90092, -110.15894 Rainbow Rock Shop 34.90015, -110.15826 Holbrook Railroad Station 34.89978, -110.15796 Bucket of Blood Saloon 34.90190, -110.15945 Joe & Aggie's Cafe 34.90197, -110.15888 Gillespie Park 34.90156, -110.15962 Romo's Restaurant & Nearby Murals 34.90257, -110.16885 Wigwam Motel & Nearby Murals 34.90335, -110.17005 Globetrotter Lodge

https://youtu.be/vrFEXYNtSxM

DISCOVERING JOSEPH CITY - ARIZONA

Joseph City, in Arizona, is a small town along the historic Route 66, known for its iconic Jack Rabbit Trading Post. The trading post has been a popular stop for travelers since the 1940s, with its large fiberglass jackrabbit and the famous "Here It Is" sign.

Other buildings also reflect the town’s historic past. Here are a few:

34.95606, -110.32120 The Old Fort Historic Marker 34.95625, -110.33802 Garage and shop "Joseph City Route 66 Arizona" 34.95811, -110.35052 Joseph City Welcome Sign 34.95974, -110.35949 Howdy Hank's Hopi Village & Indian Store 34.96804, -110.43041 Jack Rabbit Trading Post

https://youtu.be/IvrrB5C0EaY

EXPLORING THE TOWN OF WINSLOW - ARIZONA

35.01453, -110.67660 Winslow Route 66 Sign

Winslow is a small town located on Route 66 in north-central Arizona.

It’s the site of the famous Standin’ on the Corner (which you’ll see in this video), made popular by the Eagles’ song *Take It Easy*. The sculpture and mural are must-see attractions on Route 66!

La Posada Hotel is also a place to visit. Two beams recovered from the World Trade Center towers in New York serve as a 9/11 memorial.

Several other buildings and attractions are worth visiting since they’re part of the town’s historic past.

2.3 km walk around town:

35.02190, -110.69504 La Posada Hotel (street parking) 35.02304, -110.69666 Former Conoco Gas Station 35.02317, -110.69738 World's Smallest Church & Murals on this street 35.02348, -110.69813 Standin' on The Corner Foundation 35.02410, -110.69764 Isaac Caruso Mural 35.02330, -110.69821 1904 Navajo County Bank Building 35.02311, -110.69832 Winslow Theater 35.02300, -110.69815 66 Motor Palace 35.02347, -110.69867 Navajo Basket Mural + another mural on another façade 35.02518, -110.70319 Winslow Visitor Center & Hubbell Trading Post Return via the park behind the Visitor Center 35.02370, -110.70174 Totem Pole

By car:

35.02834, -110.70775 Moore's Pawn 35.03334, -110.71979 Former Mayfair Motel (murals) 35.09420, -110.93524 Meteor City Trading Post

https://youtu.be/LcSLZEXDWGE

GRAND FALLS (THE "CHOCOLATE FALLS") – LEUPP - ARIZONA

These stunning falls are nicknamed Chocolate Falls because their color looks a lot like milk chocolate. They’re also taller than Niagara Falls, standing at 56 meters high.

Their flow varies depending on rainfall and snowmelt.

It’s best to check the road and falls conditions before heading there. Just call the Leupp Chapter of the Navajo Nation at 928-686-3227 or visit this website: https://waterdata.usgs.gov/monitoring-location/09400350/#parameterCode=00065&period=P7D

35.31840, -111.24170 Navajo Route 70 35.42690, -111.19490 Parking 35.42779, -111.20014 Viewpoint

https://youtu.be/DvJNOYZsJ58

ISLAND TRAIL - WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT – ARIZONA

35.17159, -111.50950 Visitor Center

Walnut Canyon features many cliff dwellings built by the Sinagua Indians eight to nine centuries ago around a U-shaped meander in the canyon.

35.17139, -111.50944 Trailhead 35.17136, -111.50933 Viewpoint 35.16968, -111.50987 Ruins and several others along the trail 35.16896, -111.51111 Last ruins

This trail is wheelchair-accessible up to the first viewpoint. It’s a 0.75-mile loop trail that descends steeply via a series of 240 steps.

Along the way, you can see more than 25 rooms.

Check out this site for more info about the park: https://www.nps.gov/waca/index.htm

https://youtu.be/2TBWeYQhAGE

RIM TRAIL - WALNUT CANYON NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

35.17173, -111.50935 Trailhead 35.17155, -111.50844 Viewpoint 35.16980, -111.50549 Viewpoint 35.17137, -111.50702 Right turn 35.17277, -111.50836 Pithouse 35.17294, -111.50858 2-room ruins

This 0.8-mile loop trail crosses flat terrain along the canyon rim. It offers panoramic views of the canyon dwellings and the cliffs below.

It also lets us explore a partially reconstructed small house and a pueblo set back from the canyon edge.

https://youtu.be/nsIRygWgfMM

WUKOKI PUEBLO TRAIL – WUPATKI NATIONAL MONUMENT - ARIZONA

Wupatki National Monument is a collection of five beautifully preserved prehistoric Pueblos.

* Wukoki Pueblo

35.52963, -111.32849 Parking and trailhead

Wukoki Pueblo is an impressive eight-room structure built atop a large sandstone pedestal. It was occupied from the early 1100s to the mid-1200s CE.

The trail is 450 meters round-trip. It’s accessible up to the base of the pueblo and offers a stunning view of the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff.

The large tower was originally three stories high and still contains original wooden roof and ceiling beams.

Check out this site for more info about the park: https://www.nps.gov/wupa/index.htm

https://youtu.be/ARthy_H-d4E