Route 66 day 16

Day 16 from Santa Fe to Las Vegas NM was relatively calm, except for the wind.  It was helpful for the first 55 miles but was a cross wind for the last 15. I think they said it was 20+ miles with gusts to 40.  We lost 600 feet of altitude on the day, and also hit the highest elevation for the trip (7550 feet).  There was no gravel or sand, nice pavement, no fences to climb, only 8 cattle grates, and only only 5 miles on I25.  We were on the Santa Fe Trail for a while.  The scenery included more trees, and the temperatures were similar to yesterday (mid 50s to low 80s).  About 260 miles to go...

The excitement for the day (besides for the cross wind) was there was a wire in my derailleur jockey pulley. (pictures below) I don't know how long it has been there but we needed to remove the pulley to get it out.  Lucky we were with Lou who attacked it like he has done this many times before.

We passed through Pecos National Historic Park.  It contains an underground cavern (not sure what it was used for), and an old church that was destroyed by the People of Pecos as part of a revolt against the Spanish in 1680.  We also visited a bridge on the Old Old Route 66 (as compared to being on the Old Route 66).  The bridge is damaged, as the sign says and is no longer passable. (pictures below, but the picture that says the bridge is damaged is covered with graffiti so, the picture isn't included because it isn'tlegible).  Of course we were on Route 66 to get there :) .

There were many Scenic Historical Markers (pictures below).  The topics include Route 66, the battles and role New Mexico played in the Civil War (which is odd since it didn't become a state until 1912), and women (rather progressive). 

Tonight we are staying in the Casteneda Hotel, a former Harvey House. (pictures below) It is right next to the Las Vegas stop on the railroad (no surprise there).  It is well done but not as 'historical' as Laposada from the other night.  There isn't much in this part of town (comes closer to a ghost town (DQ closed at 7:00)) and it a big contrast to the artsy atmosphere in Old Town Santa Fe last night.  As you may have guessed, there was no 'cruising', but then again it isn't the weekend. 

 

 Did someone say nap time?  This was in the lobby of the hotel.

 

 It is tough to make out but my hand (light blue glove) is holding one end of a frayed wire and the other end is stuck in my derailleur pulley.

 here is the wire once removed. it was 2+ inches long

 

 

 

 

The old Spanish Church that was destroyed

 

 

Pueblo walls, since they are coated with mud need regular maintenance (it was the woman's job in homes).  Here you can see some of the deterioration.  It isn't clear how much of this has been restored, but they are definitely working on it. 

 

 Former living quarters outside the church (it is our theory)

 

 An underground cavern in the park.  Not sure what it was used for.  It was 25 to 30 feet square.

 

The Old Old Route 66 bridge.  If you look to the right side of the bridge you can see that some of the supports are missing...


The view from the bridge.

The hotel for the night.
 
 
 
 
Our headboard

One of our riders with an owner of the hotel.  The rider is in the Hawaiian shirt. 

 

The rest of the pictures are some of the markers along our way today.  When they say continued, it is because they put information on both sides of the marker.






the other side :)













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