Gallop New Mexico

Roger and I recently returned from a short road trip to New Mexico. We experienced the incredibly beautiful countryside in both northern and southern New Mexico as well as the history of our country in this part of the southwest. Some of the areas we’ve experienced before and yet it was wonderful to revisit and learn more about the history, art, and culture in these areas. I’ll be writing briefly sharing our experience in the Santa Fe, Abiquiu, Taos, and Chloride areas. There is so much more to see, and we plan to go back in the near future.

Our first stop on our way to Santa Fe from Tucson: Gallop, New Mexico, and the historic El Rancho Hotel.

(Collage created from Internet photos)

The El Rancho Hotel is located on old Route 66. From the 1930s to the 1950s, the hotel became a temporary home for many Hollywood stars. The El Rancho Hotel has been designated a National Historic Site and retains the charm of Old West Gallup. Autographed photos of the movie stars who have visited and Navajo Rugs surround the two-story rustic lobby. When you enter the hotel, you are taken back to the old West by heavy wooden furniture, a player piano, original Navaho rugs, a crackling fire in a stone fireplace, and Western paintings.

The hotel's restaurant is quite quaint. I wasn't able to get a good picture. (Photo taken from Trip Advisor.) We had a delicious dinner at the 49er Lounge also on site.

Our next stop: The Santa Fe Historic District.