Route 66, Albuquerque, NM

When we were in Albuquerque, I couldn't help thinking about that quintessential TV Show with the theme song, "Get your kicks on Route 66."  One of these days, it would be great fun to drive the whole road, (as much as possible, since some stretches have been paved over), but last month, we did experience the highway, which in it's heyday ran from Los Angeles to Chicago. There are now breaks in the road, but it was once a destination of roadside attractions, endless restaurants, hotels, and Neon signs. 

Route 66, paved in 1926, was the conduit from the Rust belt to the Sun Belt, with hundreds of thousands finding their way to the California sun during the great depression.

In the 80's Route 66 was replaced by the interstate freeway, which displaced many businesses along the iconic route.  Even though many of these hotels and restaurants have been sidelined, there's till lots of fun places to stop along the route.

   

We especially liked this fun '66 Dinner' which not only had great diner food, but lots of nostalgic touches.  

You could imagine yourself back in the 60's with the decor and music!

There's a few modern touches like neon, and a few 21st Century menu items, but this is the place where burgers and shakes rule, and it's worth the calories!

Rio Grande Botanical Gardens, Albuquerque, NM

We recently escaped the oppressive rain in Portland and headed to Albuquerque and Santa Fe for a new days of sun.  On Saturday, Rick went to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, and I headed to The Rio Grande Botanic garden.  I think I got the better deal!

At the entrance of the garden, there's an eye-catching display of metal bird and insect sculptures. One of the most amazing things in the garden is this incredible mosaic; many hands went into it's design and completion.  It's truly stunning with the pond, dragonflies and and flowers.

My absolute favorite section of the gardens was the model train display!  Model trains are a secret passion of mine, and I've longed to have my own garden display.  I already have some track and a few cars that we used to put out every Christmas to entertain the cats!

All the ten year year old's and I were having a blast, inspecting the little towns and miniature gardens, with Pygmy Bamboo, miniature sedums, trestle bridges.  Best part was the fact that the display is interactive.

Lots of  'Conductors' were on hand to keep these engineering marvels on track!

There were also a Butterfly Pavilion, Japanese Garden, and Spanish-Moorish Courtyard, but it was all about the trains for me!

It was a beautiful April day and who wouldn't want to bask in the sun!