Twenty-two miles from the western Arizona border lies Gallup, New Mexico. Gallup is one of the oldest towns in the United States. The population can be traced to Canyon de Chelly in 2500 B.C.
Gallup is the largest Indian center in the southwest and the ceremonial capital of Native Americans. The Gallup Cultural Center is a place you absolutely must visit. Located in the renovated train depot, it has a gift shop, museum, art gallery, arts & crafts demonstrations, a cafe and a tourist information theater. There are free Indian dance performances every night from Memorial Day to Labor Day at the Cultural Center. The art work displayed in the museum is outstanding. But it was the oil and acrylic paintings that caught my heart. Sadly I neglected to jot down the names of the artists so I can't share them with you or locate their work again for my own pleasure.
Gallup is one of the few places to find and buy authentic Indian crafts. There are a reported 110 Trading Posts, shops and galleries in Gallup. In the 12 block town center there is a delightful walking tour that leads you to several beautifully painted murals depicting the history of Gallup and its people.
Links:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/arizona/canyon_de_chelly/national_monument.html
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/HC-Gallup.html
http://desertUSA.com/Cities/nm/gallup.html
http://www.legendsofamerica.com/HC-Gallup.html
http://desertUSA.com/Cities/nm/gallup.html
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Journal entry; June 2008
We are still following Historic Route 66....it is covered most of the way by Interstate 40. In a few areas you can locate short sections of Route 66 alongside the Interstate. But the old road bed is in such bad condition it is next to impossible to drive on. We tried to travel on one short stretch and even when driving 15 mph the van shook so badly we couldn't make ourselves understood. Then we got a case of the giggles! You would have thought that we were a couple of grade-school girls instead of old women. We do find that we amuse each other easily. It is really a wonderful thing to be friends with your Mother.
We are still following Historic Route 66....it is covered most of the way by Interstate 40. In a few areas you can locate short sections of Route 66 alongside the Interstate. But the old road bed is in such bad condition it is next to impossible to drive on. We tried to travel on one short stretch and even when driving 15 mph the van shook so badly we couldn't make ourselves understood. Then we got a case of the giggles! You would have thought that we were a couple of grade-school girls instead of old women. We do find that we amuse each other easily. It is really a wonderful thing to be friends with your Mother.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
Just living is not enough...one must have sunshine, freedom and flowers.
~~*~~*~~*~~*~~
No comments:
Post a Comment
I would love to hear tales of your travels and suggestions as to places to see.