Fayetteville to Santa Fe, NM---Days 3&4

Day 3 began early for the drive to Amarillo, TX, for the night. May 31st,Tuesday,not much traffic and the hwy construction workers hadn't gotten started yet either. 6.5 hour trip took 9 hours tho, due to a mistake on my part( not studying the map thoroughly the night before for my best route--ie, bypass or straight I 40)so I saw some beautiful country I would have missed, if I'd stayed on the Interstate. Then the motel guide made a mistake for my exit in Amarillo, for my Quality Inn motel, and it took me some extra time to find it. It was a good choice for a motel tho, cause I was next door to a Mexican restaurant with a Fajita's special for my dinner---good choice and a good ending to a long day.

Day4--Santa Fe bound--Left early, as is my usual way, but is this case moving from CDT to MDT in one hour of driving, meant crossing at 7:30AM! Left I 40 at Cline's Corners( last visited with my parents in the 1940's or '50's) which was my hwy to Santa Fe--285-and a great choice on my part for a break. This was the original Route 66 before the Interstate was constructed. The Corners has expanded some in its history--begun 1930--and now has a whole room devoted to Indian history. Focus is on the local tribes but work from many Pueblos for sale, amongst the usual 'tourist stuff'. Great finds for me. Took a longer break than usual, for me, then on to Santa Fe for lunch(picnic) and my motel. This time a Sleep Inn--would have liked to use it for my 'hub' for the whole next 2 weeks--too bad it was so far from Cortez and the Mesa Verde Country that was my destination.

After my picnic and a nap, took myself into town for a few hours to choose my next days excursion plan--good choice, since I found the best 'day' parking close in(had to find it early or no spaces left). Took a tour(same one from '99 trip)of the city and surrounding area after I'd shopped, of course. Beautiful artwork displayed and history too. Took lots of pics here, ENJOY!