Day 15 Santa Fe to Las Vegas, not THAT Las Vegas ( last day on the interstate)

Yesterday was a day off for riders and crew. Above is The Basilica in Old Town Santa Fe. Stephanie and I had a great day with a visit of Madrid and back to Rio Rancho to have dinner with her Mom, Aunt & Grandparents. Being able to meet and reconnect with Stephs relatives has been a real bonus in this Southwest area of the country.

Today was really perfect conditions for our 72 mile ride from Santa Fe to Las Vegas....not THAT Las Vegas, this was a ride to Las Vegas NM. We reached our highest elevation on the Glorieta Pass at 7,570 ft.  and had another day of healthy climbing. Most of today we were on old Route 66, we rode what has been promised as our last miles on the interstate. Many of our miles to this point have been on the interstate with 18 wheelers and elderly men driving football field length motor homes while towing a SUV. The 18 wheelers don't make me nervous but the elderly motor home drivers can give you a scare.

The Interstate

We had some good views in the middle of the day.

My favorite stop of the day was at El Alto Bar at the 45 mile mark of the day. This is "The First Bar West of the Pecos.

Alex is the bar owner and they were still closed but he saw us standing outside and opened the window and asked "would you like to use the restroom?"......the answer to that question is almost always "Yes Please" when you are riding in the middle of nowhere. Alex opened the back door and let everyone come in. Alexs' dads name is Alex, his son is named Alex and his grandson and granddaughter are both named Alex.

I love this picture above of Alex and his helper, Earl. As we road away and shouted thanks they just smiled and waved and wished us a safe journey. Twelve people used his bathroom and he made no profit from us yet he was happy to be able to help us out and I will always remember Alex and his bar.

Do you remember George? George powered through today and had a great ride. Go George Go!

                                         Above is the Plaza Hotel in Old Town Las Vegas.

The Plaza is a square block with a gazebo and benches surounded on all sides by old buildings such as the Bank and Hotel. It is like stepping back in time except like the majority of older buildings and towns along Route 66 their time has past and the buildings and towns have become neglected or forgotten. I hope that time will find a way to be kind to these towns and that these Plazas and beautiful old buildings.

Tomorrow we leave the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas NM and ride 107 miles to Tucumcari, NM. At mile 27 we will celebrate our 1,000th mile of the ride.

Everyday we get a route sheet with directions and instructions, this is how tomorrows route sheet reads:

1. Left out of motel on Grand Ave.

2. At Light, Route 104 Turn Left toward Tucumcari, No Restrooms or Services for 75.9 miles.

( this means that when we leave the hotel there is NOTHING for 76 miles).

3. Store at mile 76 - Restrooms, No services for 32.2 miles after store.

4. Hotel on left at mile 107.8

So tomorrow in a nutshell is: Turn left and ride for until the 1st thing you see is a store at mile 76, leave the store and when you get to mile # 107.8 you have reached the La Quinta Inn.

Sounds like tomorrow might not be kicks and giggles.

1,000 miles down and 2,500 to go. Things are looking good.

Dream BIG, Jeff