By Wayne Brew | September 25, 2017

I found reasonable lodging in Farmington, NM east of Shiprock traveling Route 64. Route 64 goes from the New Mexico-Arizona boundary ending in the outer banks of North Carolina. Like most first generation interstates it has many layers of use that provides the traveler many interesting things to observe including Taos New Mexico. West of Taos is an area of high plains that have some interesting earth structures. Route 64 also passes over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge that provide spectacular views for anyone willing to battle the winds and fear of heights. Taos has a long history and all the structures are in adobe.

It eventually took me to Cimarron where just south is the Philmont Boy Scout Ranch. It was nice to revisit a place that dear to my heart. In 1974 I spent 12 days here backpacking, a wonderful adventure and my first and only encounter with a black bear who was searching for food one night at our campsite. No one was harmed, but the group camping near our group lost their food to the bear. My adventure this time was limited to buying a sweatshirt and talking to the scouts who work at store who were kind to listen to an old man and his memories.

I traveled south to visit Sante Fe and then was thrilled to travel Route 66 through Albuquerque. There are still many old motels west of town with the wonderful neon signs. Unfortunately, there was repaving going on and no place to pull over and get pictures. Most of 66 is out of commission, although the old route can be seen paralleling Route 40. Over the years I have been on several stretches of Route 66 (Missouri and Oklahoma) and it is always a thrill knowing that my father traveled this route (see page 4) when he would visit home (Wilkes-Barre, PA) from Los Angeles where he lived for ten years (1944 to 1954).