Tiny Towns in New Mexico

Playing in New Mexico means a trip to see beading buddies. This year

L to R: Dave and Cynthia,Teri and John

the theme was the Roaring 20s and we had a great time partying in our retro duds. We also tried out a hotel and ate at a couple of dandy restaurants. All in all, it was another good time with good friends. We’re ready to do it again! In our travels, we ran into another county seat, and a few tiny towns as well as getting some kicks.






It seems like Tucumcari was the focus of lots of old western movies; someone was always going to or from the town, having a gunfight there,

Top L to R: Trading Post, Cheese Factory
Bottom L to R: Lake Mural, Important people

or where a stage coach hold-up or bank robbery occurs. It was actually the place where the television program, Rawhide, was filmed. And it is on Route 66 so there is always something happening in the city. We didn’t know that it is the county seat of Quay County. Tucumcari was founded in 1901, before Quay County was established in 1903. Of course, the railroad was instrumental in making these two incidents happen. Once called Ragtown, Six Shooter Siding, and, more formally, Douglas, Tucumcari was the site of the construction camp for the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad. It was renamed Tucumcari in 1908 after the Tucumcari Mountain; the word essentially means ‘ambush’ in Comanche. We were delighted to see the paintings on the sides of buildings and to discover the Tucumcari Mountain Cheese Factory.

A little farther down the road is Logan, another small town founded

L to R: Bank, Whisky admonition

because of the railroad. In this instance the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad built a bridge over the Canadian River. One of the workers was a well-known Texas Ranger named Eugene Logan, after whom the town was named. This rather scenic area is the site of Ute Lake State Park and Ute Dam; these draw tourists, as well as the dam providing a reservoir from which local water is drawn.

We did take a bit of a detour to experience U.S. Route 66. This historic byway is also called the Main Street of America, or the Mother Road

L: Route 66 signs at Cline Corners
Right T to B: Route 66 Cattle, and Curve in the Road

because it was one of the original highways in the U.S. Highway System. This particular highway US 66 was established on November 11, 1926. Originally running from Chicago, Illinois, through Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, ending in Santa Monica, California, it covered 2,448 miles (3,940 km). Its fame spread as it became recognized in popular culture by both the hit song ‘(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66’ and the Route 66 television series. It even appeared in John Steinbeck's classic American novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1939), as a symbol of escape and loss. In actuality, it was the main route for people migrating west during the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Although it was almost continuously improved and realigned, it was officially removed from the United States Highway System in 1985 because the Interstate Highway System had replaced its route. Now parts of the road passing through through Illinois, Missouri, New Mexico, and Arizona are designated a National Scenic Byway, changing the name to ‘Historic Route 66’ and returning the designation to some maps.

This area of New Mexico has no shortage of places to stay and places to eat. We haven’t visited all of the highly rated restaurants, but we’re working on it! For information about my rating system, see Reading the Reviews.

Where we stayed:

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Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa (1300 Tuyuna Trail, Santa Ana

Top L to R: View from the room, Bedroom
Bottom: Bath

Pueblo, New Mexico, 87004, +1 505 867 1234)  advertises that they are ‘Nestled on 550 acres of the Native American Santa Ana Pueblo between the Sandia Mountains and the Rio Grande River, Tamaya is steeped in over one thousand years of rich history and culture.’ And it is a lovey place. The rooms are comfortable, well appointed, and quite functional. The internet speeds are excellent. Prices are high – it’s a resort – but you do get what you pay for; parking is free and there are lots of hiking/walking trails.

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Holiday Inn & Suites, Albuquerque Airport (1501 Sunport Place, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87106, 1-505-9442255) is exactly what you’d 

Top L to R: Coffee center, Bath, Bedroom
Bottom: Expensive water

expect from this brand. The room and bathroom were adequate; there was a coffee maker and a fridge available, but the water was very expensive particularly when the tap water is just fine. I was very disappointed in the internet service – Dave and I could not get online at the same time. I was told that there was ‘nothing we can do’ when I called the front desk. Parking is free; breakfast isn’t included. We won’t be staying here, again simply because of the internet issue, the value for price, and the attitude of folks at the front desk.

What we ate:

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Elephant Bar (2240 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-

Top L to R: Menu, Lettuce wrap
Bottom: Steak

900-3837) says that they are an ‘Informal chain with a menu built on Pan-Asian, wok-fired plates & global fare’. I was thoroughly pleased with my lettuce wraps that were made fresh and quite tasty. Dave enjoyed his steak commenting that it was almost as good as the ones he cooks. The service was good, the waiter friendly, and the surroundings comfortable. We enjoyed our meal.












Garduño's of Mexico (2100 Louisiana Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, 505-880-0055) is a ‘Garduño's is a Mexican and New Mexican

Top L to R: Menu, Chips, Salsa, Fried Sopapillas
Middle L to R: Mahi tacos, Burrito, Enchiladas Mole
Bottom L to R: Sopapilla, Margarita with beer

cuisine restaurant chain from the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico…. known for traditionally prepared Mexican fare such as green chile & chimichangas.’ We had a great time at this restaurant, although it was a bit crowded at the time we visited. John tried one of the drinks they are famous for, a margarita with a beer inverted in it; he pronounced it good! Teri and I decided on an appetizer, Sopapilla Fries, that had slices of sopapillas covered in lettuce, tomato, cheese and other tasty treats. The salsa and chips were good, as well. Our meals included a plate of Mahi Mahi Tacos, Enchiladas Mole, and a Chicken Burrito. These were all quite yummy with plenty to take home. The prices are very reasonable and the service is good. We’d certainly make a return trip!

Mariscos La Playa (5210 San Mateo Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, 505-884-1147) serves ‘tacos, ceviche, burritos, discadas, cocktails,

Top L to R: Chips and salsas, Shrimp and Pineapple,
Margarita
Bottom L to R: Shrimp Tacos, Shrimp with Green Sauce,
Menu

soups, enchiladas, quesadillas, shrimp, fish, Chilean wine, beer, margaritas, micheladas and more’. The décor of this restaurant is striking; the booths have carved backs and are very colorful. Service and food are as lovely as the furnishings. They focus on seafood with a Mexican flair. We were very happy with everything we ate. However, be advised that when they say something is spicy they are not exaggerating; your eyes will water! The menu is extensive with little surprises hidden on each page. The calamari was well prepared, leaving the meat tender and the breading crisp; we ate all of it before we got a picture. Our meals included Shrimp with Pineapple, Shrimp with Green Chili Sauce, and Shrimp Tacos. All of it was deliciously prepared and well more than we could eat. I indulged in a margarita made with agave juice that was lovely. The only thing that would have made it better would have been having John with the three of us. We can’t wait to make a return visit to this restaurant!

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Village Inn Restaurant (2340 Yale Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, 505-243-5476) is listed as a ‘Family-friendly chain serving home-style

Top L to R: Menu, Bacon and eggs with
tortilla
Bottom: Bacon, eggs, and waffle

American classics such as chicken-fried steak & pot pie’. We’d eaten a Village Inn a long time ago and wondered if the food was still the same. We decided that this was a good place for breakfast, on the same level as a Denney’s or an IHOP. Our meal was well prepared, the service was excellent, and the prices were excellent. Dave and I both had bacon and eggs. His came with a tortilla and mine came with a half a waffle. This particular place was just what we wanted to begin a day on the road headed home.

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Corn Maiden (1300 Tuyuna Trail, Bernalillo, NM 87004, 505-867-1234) is

Left: Menu
Right T to B: Bacon and eggs, Omelet

a ‘High-end Southwestern steakhouse fare with a mountain view & in a subdued room in the Hyatt Tamaya’. While they are renovating the other restaurant, Corn Maiden is open for breakfast. It is exceptionally expensive although the coffee is good and the waiters attentive. The breakfast food is average; I had bacon and eggs and Dave had a green chili omelet. Our only other option for breakfast in the hotel is pre-packaged food in the small store. When we visit next year we are going to make time to go to a nearby casino to try their food.

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