Land of Enchantment

 New Mexico by Johnny Cash

Tuesday- April 8

Today we are heading North East to Gallup, NM. A dry 4+ hour drive with over an hour road construction delays.

Most homes in the Pueblo community, no mater how modest had Navajo kivas. They are round ceremonial buildings used for meetings and spiritual ceremonies.  We noticed these as we were doing a side trip to Window Rock and the Code Talkers statue. 

Window Rock was important in the creation story of the Navajo, who have an amazing history. Part of their more recent history that is also amazing is that when the Japanese were so good at breaking codes in World War II, the US got the idea of using the Navajo language, which was basically unknown outside of the tribe, as code and was considered a “dying language” for code in radio transmissions. It worked and the Navajos that enlisted, known as “The Code Talkers” saved many thousands of lives. 

 Arrived in Gallup at El Rancho located on Route 66 and settled in. We had a great dinner in the hotel bar where rumor had it that John Wayne rode his horse into the bar & ordered a drink for himself and one for the horse. This hotel was once frequented by many famous people and they have hundreds of photos on the walls, many that were autographed. 

We enjoyed good margaritas and wonderful Mexican food. I am so ready for bed tonight. We heard freight trains rolling through town in the distance all night long.